August 21, 2022

Dear Charger Parents and Families,

We are ready for another amazing year at Pin Oak Middle School! Over the last two weeks our staff-amily was back on campus and we focused on steadfast safety measures, getting to know each other by continuing to focus on building relationships, and exploring ways to cross curricular plan with a laser focus on student discourse, elevated questioning while learning about Canvas and preparing to rollout student Chromebooks. 

Our promise to you is that we will continue to hold ourselves to high expectations when it comes to communicating, building relationships, following rules and safety measures, focusing on high levels of academics, and being a KIND and productive citizen of our Charger family.  In turn, we need your support when we hold our Chargers to the same. We have to be on the same team to ensure that we are the BEST for each other!

Speaking of the BEST…I am so proud to announce that Pin Oak Middle School ~ Premier Foreign Language Magnet is an A rated campus and received ALL distinction designations! Through the hard work of this staff, your kids, and you…we did it! This was no easy task, but with an unwavering commitment to academic excellence and high expectations we prevailed! I am so proud of everyone! Never forget…We Are Pin Oak and the Magic Happens Here!

I look forward to seeing all Chargers back for our 20-year anniversary school year.  Please make sure you plan accordingly to ensure that your Charger is on time and in dress code, so we have a successful first day. We will open our doors at 7:45 a.m. and dismiss all students at 4:00 p.m. I encourage you to review the Student & Parent Handbook to understand the systems, procedures and supports at POMS.

HISD Back to School Guidelines

HISD developed the 2022-2023 Back to School Guidelines as a resource guide for all things HISD. These guidelines outline important information for students, staff and parents regarding health and safety protocols, academic initiatives, instructional supports and so much more. I encourage you to review these Back-to-School Guidelines to understand all the tools available in HISD. 

POMS Health and Safety Update

• Clinic - Nurse Troetscher, will be monitoring the health of students and staff.  Please keep your contact numbers in HISD Connect Parent Portal up to date.  It is helpful to have multiple emergency contact numbers for each child. 
• School Safety - School safety is top priority at Pin Oak Middle School.  Our safety measures include: locked outside and classroom doors, pre-approved visitors properly screened, courtyard/ patio carefully monitored, and safety drills implemented following the state law.  As teachers establish procedures in their classrooms the first week of school, they will teach students about each type of drill. They will discuss the procedures. This Friday, we will have our first fire drill. Before starting the drill, the office will make an announce and explain why we are practicing the procedures.  Our goal is student preparedness without causing alarm or distress. Your support is appreciated.
• Water Bottles - Water is available through water-filling stations. Please send a refillable water bottle to school each day with your child. Please label the water bottle with your child’s name.  The water bottle should be filled at home each morning before coming to school. 

*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 curb side.   It is dangerous to exit from the driver 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 on to 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 school, 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 cross walk.
    

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 start to the beginning of the year for students and staff. 

Campus Reminders

• First Day of School
  • Monday, August 22nd: We start school at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m.

• Save the Date for POMS Open House
  • POMS Open House is Tuesday, September 20th from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

• 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 Now
  • Parents' Ultimate Guide to TikTok
  • Parents' Ultimate Guide to Spapchat
  • How to Help Teens Manage Effects of Social Media on Their Mental Health

• 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.)

• Do You Need Help Understanding Your Schedule?
  • Click on the link to access the Schedule Cheat Sheet.

• 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).
  • Click on the link to access the Student Schedule Change Request. 

• 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.

• 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.

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