August 14, 2022

Dear Charger Parents and Families,

Welcome to the 2022-23 school year! We have been hard at work this summer and are now gearing up to be Charger Strong in 22-23. We are so excited to have your students in the building on August 18th for Charger Camp. As a reminder, our first day of school is Monday, August 22nd. This year our school theme is “20 Years Strong”. Help us commemorate, congratulate, and celebrate 20 years of Pin Oak Middle School academic excellence throughout our Anniversary Year! We are excited to add our TENTH high school credit course, Principles of Information Technology, SIXTH foreign language, Latin, and FOUR new electives: Model UN, Principles of Information Technology, Odyssey of the Mind, and Tech Team to our extensive course catalogue. 

Every Sunday all Pin Oak families will be emailed the Charger Chatter to keep you in the know of ALL things POMS. This newsletter is intended to give you a glimpse of what all is going on at POMS and will be full of information and access to the resources and people that can help you get what you need throughout the year.  All Pin Oak students and parents are encouraged to at least skim through the newsletter so that you do not miss any deadlines! Keep reading…there are some in here right now that MUST be completed in order for you to be ready for all first day/ first week events. 

This upcoming year we will continue to improve our house system as we look for ways to promote community in our school.  Each student and staff member will belong to a house and participate in house competitions and bonding experiences. Additionally, we will focus on helping students build positive relationships with one another to create a school culture that promotes self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making.  This will create a positive impact on our school culture as students and staff all know the expectations for behavior as we do life together at school. 

Campus Reminders:

First Day - Monday, August 22nd: We start school at 8:30 am and end at 4:00 pm. 

Class Schedules - Class schedules will be given to students at Charger Camp, August 18th. 

Chromebooks - POMS PowerUp Parent Night was a huge success. If you missed the live event, you can access the recording on the POMS website or view it here.  Students will not receive a Chromebook until all requirements are met. This is a district requirement that all HISD middle schools are implementing for the 22-23 school year. 

Charger Camp 

Calling all Chargers for Charger Camp – Thursday, August 18th (register here)

• 6th Grade - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
• 7th & 8th Grade - 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

*Please note – Charger Camp is for students only.  We want to give our staff a chance to personally interact, show them around, and really get to know them before we kick off our first week with all 1275+ Chargers together! I promise to take good care of them!

Arrival/Departure:

• Please drop them off at circle drive (front entrance).  You cannot miss it; the cheerleaders and staff will be ready to welcome them inside. 
• Please pick up your Charger at the FRONT of the school. 

For any student who is NOT able to attend Charger Camp, do not worry: 

• PTO School Store VP’s will email parents and make arrangements to have orders delivered before the first day of school. If parents have questions, they can email schoolstore@pinoakpto.org.
• Pre-ordered school supplies will be placed in your student’s Team Time class, so they have them on the first day of school.  
• Parents can pick up student schedules from the main office on Friday, August 19th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. or you can access your student’s schedule on HISD Connect. 

Charger Camp Traffic & Safety Procedures:

1. Coming from 610, form 1 line on Glenmont. Please turn right into circle drive and stay in the carpool line. Do not drop off or pick up your child(ren) off Glenmont.  This may be a time saver for you, but it is not SAFE. 
2. As you enter circle drive, please pull up as far as you can. When the car ahead of you leaves, please pull up. If your child is not ready, you will be asked to exit the lane and park in the front parking lot. Do not stop your car on the crosswalk. 
3. Place your car in park and allow your child(ren) to exit the vehicle on the curbside.  It is dangerous to exit from the driver's side of the vehicle. 
4. Wait patiently for cars ahead of you to unload. Do not attempt to pass vehicles in the drop-off lane.
5. When exiting the school driveway, you must turn right onto Glenmont.
6. Please NEVER leave your car unattended. If you need to enter the school building, please park your car in the parking spaces in the front lot. 
7. If your child is going to walk or ride his/her bike to Charger Camp, please remind them to be very careful. They must always obey the traffic signals, and always cross with the light and in the crosswalk. They should never have earbuds/ headphones, AirPods, or any Bluetooth device distracting them when walking or riding their bike. They must stay alert and aware of what is happening around them.
8. Students and parents are not allowed to cross in the middle of the street instead of crossing at the crosswalk. 

Reminders:

• Do Not U-turn on Glenmont.
• Do NOT pick-up or drop-off in the teacher/staff parking lot at the back of the school.
• Avenue B is NOT a sanctioned pick-up or drop-off location and do NOT block driveways. Bellaire police will give tickets to those who are parked illegally.
• The HCC Parking Lot is NOT available for parking.  Your car will be towed.

Lastly, we are all responsible for the safety of our students. Treat every student you see as if they were your own. Please try not to be in a hurry during drop-off and pick-up. 

I cannot stress enough that lines will be long so please plan accordingly and have patience, so this remains a positive and fun event for students and staff. 

Campus Updates:

Student Schedules:

• There is still tons of movement happening due to student enrollment verification, HB4545, student interventions, and course offerings, so shifting and class leveling will be happening almost daily until school begins, and even the first few weeks in some classes, so we appreciate your patience.  I promise we are doing our best to get it as close as possible by day one.
• If you have a specific question regarding your child’s SCHEDULE, you will need to email your child’s assistant principal(s) so they can help support you. Please understand that all campus administrators are leading trainings, attending district trainings and meetings, preparing for Charger Camp, and supporting teachers throughout the school day. We are working on student schedules after hours and on the weekend so your patience, understanding, and grace is appreciated. (I have included their names, house assignments, and linked email addresses to make this easy on you.)
  

Schedule Change Request:

• Before a schedule change request is reviewed by the house administrator(s) parents/ guardians must complete all beginning of the 2022-2023 forms for their child enrolled at Pin Oak Middle School. Please access HISD Connect Parent Portal to complete the forms. These forms can be viewed using the link provided (parent forms). 

HISD Connect - How to Videos:

Getting Started with HISD Connect Parent Portal

How to create your account and associate your student’s information

Completing Forms in HISD Connect Parent Portal

How to navigate to and complete forms after you are logged in to Parent Portal

Student Verification in HISD Connect Parent Portal

How to complete the Student Verification steps after you are logged in to Parent Portal.

HISD Connect Parent Portal the Complete Guide

How to create your account, associate your students information, complete forms and complete Student Verification in Parent Portal

Questions about your student’s schedule?

If your student has a schedule conflict or a question about a particular class, please have your student contact their house administrator(s). 

• Jeremy Gates – A-House Assistant Principal Jeremy.Gates@houstonisd.org
• Kiran Kumari – A-House Assistant Principal KKumari@houstonisd.org
• Natasha Cruz-Jefferson – B-House Assistant Principal Natasha.CruzJefferson@houstonisd.org
• Johnny Morse – B-House Assistant Principal Johnny.Morse@houstonisd.org 
• Ashly Vining – C-House Assistant Principal AEVANS15@houstonisd.org 

Are you ready for the 2022-23 school year? Please review the helpful resources below so you are prepared for the 22-23 school year.

• Academic Calendar
  • For more information, please visit 2022-2023 HISD Academic Calendar.

• After School Charger Care
  • Please follow the link to learn about the program and registration. If you have any questions, please contact Norma Ruiz (NRUIZ@houstonisd.org), POMS After School Care Coordinator.

• Backpack Policy
  • All students will be expected to have their clear backpack before receiving a school issued Chromebook. Please click the link for the full POMS Backpack Policy.

• Canvas (NEW Learning Management System)
  • Canvas is a reliable and reputable web-based learning management system (LMS). It allows institutions to manage digital learning, educators to create and present online learning materials and assess student learning, and students to engage in courses and receive feedback about skill development and learning achievement. Learn more about Canvas here.

• Required Immunizations for 7th Grade
  • Tdap – 1 dose of Tdap is required if at least 5 years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine.
  • Meningococcal (MCV4) – 1 dose of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine is required on or after the student’s 11th birthday. If a student received the vaccine at 10 years of age, this will satisfy the requirement.
  • If your child is a rising 7th grader, s/he MUST have the vaccines listed above in addition to all previously required vaccinations, or risk being removed from school until proof of vaccination is presented. 
  • For more information, visit the Texas Health & Human Services website.
  • Where to go for low-cost immunizations?
    • City of Houston Health Centers
    • Harris Health Troubleshooters
    • Texas Children's Mobile Clinics
  • Contact Nurse Troetscher at Thea.Troetscher@houstonisd.org or 713.295.6500 if you have questions.

• PowerUp
  • In order to prepare Houston’s students for a world beyond the four walls of a classroom, HISD launched PowerUp, a districtwide initiative aimed at transforming teaching and learning. PowerUp is about “powering up” all 282 schools to create a personalized learning environment for today’s 21st-century learners and to enable teachers to facilitate instruction, manage curriculum, collaborate with their peers, and engage today’s digitally wired students more effectively. 
  • POMS PowerUp Parent Night Recording- Learn about what we need from our POMS students and parents before our Chromebook rollout. Your student will not receive a Chromebook until all requirements are met. 
    • Parent Digital Safety Course
    • Student Device Loan Agreement
    • Pin Oak Technology Acceptable Use Policy
    • PowerUp Device Fee $25 - SchoolPay

• School Uniforms
  • All students will be expected to be in their school uniform for the first day of school. Please click the link for the full POMS Dress Code Policy.

• School Supplies
  • All students will be expected to have their school supplies for the first day of school.  Please click the grade level link for the full POMS School Supply List.
    • 6th Grade
    • 7th Grade
    • 8th Grade

• Social Media - PARENTS - Be in the Know!
  • 11 Social Media Red Flags Parents Should Know About
  • 18 Social Media Apps and Sites Kids Are Using Right Know
  • Parents’ Ultimate Guide to TikTok
  • Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Snapchat
  • How to Help Teens Manage Effects of Social Media on Their Mental Health

• Transportation
  • The Houston ISD Transportation Department determines eligibility for transportation services. The Transportation Department, upon determining eligibility, will assign a route and stop. For more information about eligibility, please visit the HISD Transportation Services Homepage. 
  • The information will also be available online at https://www.houstonisd.org/transportation. Please click on the ‘Find My Route’ button and enter your address to get your child’s route and stop information. For more information on transportation, please follow the links provided below.
  • Links and Contact Information for Parents:
    • Let’s Talk Link
    • Find My Route
    • Customer Care Contact Number: 713-556-9400
  • If you have additional questions, you may contact Ms. Childs Molly.Childs@houstonisd.org. Please be patient and flexible, Ms. Childs is working to answer transportation questions for all Pin Oak families; therefore, I encourage you to follow the links provided to have your immediate questions answered.

• Athletics
  • We offer a full UIL athletics program for 7th and 8th graders. Our student athletes are competitive, but our program emphasizes the importance of being part of a team. Several sports are offered as Club Sports to students in all grades. The NEW Athletic Period is only available for 7th and 8th graders.    

• Fall Sports Parent Information Night - Monday, August 15th from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. in the POMS Gym
  • All coaches will be available to speak about their program and answer parent questions.

• Athletics - Sports Physicals 2022-2023
  • Any student interested in participating in Athletics for the 2022-2023 school year must complete the requirements listed below by Friday, August 19th
  • Athletic Physicals are a MANDATORY REQUIREMENT. They are not optional! No student will be allowed to participate on an athletic (UIL and/or Club Sport) team or practice without a current Athletic Physical. Athletic Physicals are good for the duration of one (1) year and physicals should be taken prior to the start of the school year.
    • Parents, if you have a child playing school sports in HISD/ POMS, please watch the video guide and go to HISD RegisterMyAthlete.com. Parents are required to register their athlete before August 19th. Any 7th/8th grader who selected Athletics will be dropped from the Athletic period if their profile is not active on Register My Athlete by Friday, August 19th.
    • Parents, make sure you give a copy of the Athletic Physical to the Athletic Coordinator or School Nurse by Friday, August 19th. Also, make certain to keep a copy for your personal records!
      
  • POMS Sports Physical Clinic - Monday, August 15 from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. in the POMS Gym
    • The sports physical clinic will be an open event (walk-in) for current 2022-23 Pin Oak students. 
    • The cost is $20 CASH ONLY.
  • Please see the links and content below regarding athletic requirements:
    • HISD PHYSICAL FORM
    • UIL Acknowledgement of Rules
    • Register My Athlete 
    • HISD Athletics Department
  • Please contact Coach Carter, POMS Athletic Coordinator if you have any questions.

Admin Contact Information

Campus Administrators

Campus Support Team

Connecting with you is important to us. As a result, we have many ways to share the latest and greatest of Pin Oak Middle School, including:

• School Website: Here you can find information on Spirit Events, PowerUp, Canvas, Clusters, Magnet Program, Clubs, Digital Resources, Virtual Library, and more.
• Social Media: Follow our #WeArePinOak hashtag and me on Twitter @POMS_Principal. We will post pictures and information on our daily activities at POMS to our #WeArePinOak hashtag. We encourage you to share your Charger pride here as well!

See You Soon!

Lindsey Vela

Donate to Pin Oak Middle School PTO when you do your everyday shopping! All donations support excellence in education through activities and programs at Pin Oak Middle School.

Pin Oak Middle School PTO

4601 Glenmont • Bellaire, TX 77401

pinoakpto.org