August 11, 2024

Dear Charger Parents and Families,

We are ready for another amazing year at Pin Oak Middle School! Last week our staff was back on campus, and we focused on getting to know each other by continuing to focus on building relationships and exploring ways to vertically align instruction with a laser focus on student discourse.

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!

I look forward to seeing all Chargers back for the 2024-2025 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 7:50 AM and dismiss all students at 4:00 PM. I encourage you to review the Student & Parent Handbook to understand the systems, procedures and supports at POMS.

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

Student Schedules

There is still movement happening due to student enrollment verification, HB1416, student interventions, and course offerings, so shifting and class leveling will be happening over the next 10 instructional days (August 12-23). 

If you have a specific question regarding your child’s schedule, you will need to email your child’s assistant principals so they can help support you. Please understand that all campus administrators are supporting students and 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 assistant principals parents/ guardians must complete all beginning of the 2024-2025 forms for their child enrolled at Pin Oak Middle School. Students will receive their First Day Packet in Team Time tomorrow morning. Click on the link to access the Schedule Change Request Form

HISD Connect - How to Videos

Getting Started with HISD Connect Parent Portal

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

Traffic & Safety Procedures

Traffic patterns will be heavy during the first week of school. With your help, we can get you on your way and clear Circle Drive by 4:15pm.

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 maybe 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 may turn right or left on to Glenmont. Be careful of oncoming traffic.

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.

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.

Chromebook Deployment

In order to prepare our students for a world beyond the four walls of a classroom, POMS launched PowerUp, a campus initiative aimed at transforming teaching and learning. PowerUp is about creating 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. 

Students will receive required paperwork at school. All documents and payment must be submitted before a student is issued a Chromebook & charger. The $25 PowerUp fee can be paid via SchoolPay.

Transportation

The Houston ISD Transportation Department determines eligibility for transportation services. The Transportation Department, upon determining eligibility, will assign a route and stop. This is not a campus based decision nor does the campus assign or determine bus routes, times, or pick-up and drop-off locations.

If your HISD student is eligible for transportation and you haven't received your bus stop and route assignment, you can call one of our transportation hotlines and speak with a member of HISD's Transportation Team.

Canvas - Parent Resource

Pin Oak students access all their classes through Canvas, a robust online learning management system. As a parent, you can create a Parent Observer account, which allows you to pair with your student and gain access to their course materials, assignments, announcements, syllabus, and more. Houston ISD created a webpage with all the information you need to learn more and sign up. We encourage all our Pin Oak parents to explore the website and sign up for a Parent Observer account today!

NWEA Beginning-of-Year Testing Update

Dear Parents,

During the week of August 19th, your child will take a MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA® on their Chromebook. MAP Growth scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students.

MAP Growth tests are unique and adapt to your child’s responses to measure your child’s knowledge. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of where your child is on their learning journey—regardless of whether they are on, above, or below their grade level.

Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, it’s easy for teachers to identify students with similar scores in similar skills and topics and then plan instruction accordingly.

MAP Growth reports also provide typical growth data for students in the same grade and subject with the same starting performance level. Each school year, students grades 6th through 8th take the tests in August, January, and May. Following each testing period, you will receive a Family Report showing a summary of how your child is performing academically.

Please encourage your student not to guess on their responses and to use their testing time productively. Remind them of the importance of maintaining testing decorum, if they finish earlier than other students.  They may sit quietly and read a book upon completing their exam.

We are truly excited to focus on your child’s individual growth and achievement. For more information about MAP Growth, visit NWEA.org/familytoolkit 

Sincerely,

Principal Vela

Defined Autonomy

The Houston ISD released the Defined Autonomy Framework (DAF), which is a system designed to allow for flexibility and innovation at high-performing campuses while maintaining rigorous expectations for all schools. 

Pin Oak Middle School is categorized within the framework as a Level 3. 

The linked document outlines the specific autonomies earned by the schools at each level. The greater the achievement and overall performance of a school, the more autonomous the school will be. The Defined Autonomy presentation that was shared at the Superintendent's Community Meeting is also linked here. 

SDMC Nominations

The Shared Decision-Making Committee (SDMC) has been established on our campus to assist the principal. The committee meets for the purposes of implementing planning processes and site-based decision-making in accordance with Board policy and administrative procedure.  

Pin Oak Middle School is seeking nominations for community and business representatives to serve on the SDMC for the 2024-2025 school year.  We encourage you to submit your information if you are interested in serving next year!  Click here to access the SDMC Form.

Are you ready for the 2024-25 school year? Please review the helpful resources below so you are prepared for new school year.

Academic Calendar

For more information, please visit 2024-2025 HISD Academic Calendar.

After School Charger Care

Follow the link to learn about the program and registration. If you have any questions, contact Norma Ruiz, After School Care Coordinator. 

Backpack Policy

All students will be expected to have their backpack before receiving a school issued Chromebook. Hallway lockers are not utilized at POMS and students must carry their school issued Chromebook in their backpack when transitioning from class to class (no exceptions). 

Bell Schedule

All students will follow a modified block schedule for the 2024-25 school year. Please click the link to view this year’s POMS Bell Schedule.

Communications

Connecting with you is important to us and we are here for you parents. Visit Our School Website for the full list of Pin Oak Support staff and assistant principals plus much, much more. Join Remind or send a text to 81010 with the message @f7cb99g. Additional POMS Useful Links can be found below near calendar events.

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. 

Submit all documents to Nurse Troetscher.

For more information, visit: Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Students Grades K-12

Where to go for low-cost immunizations?

• City of Houston Health Centers
• Harris Health Troubleshooters
• Texas Children's Mobile Clinics

Questions? Contact Nurse Troetscher by email or call 713.295.6500.

School Store

Both the PE and Strength & Conditioning uniforms are now available for purchase from the school store. Students will be expected to dress out beginning the week of 8/19, so please plan accordingly and purchase the required PE uniform for your class.

The online school store is open. You will be notified when your order has been fulfilled and where to pick up.

Please email schoolstore@pinoakpto.org with any questions. 

School Supplies

Pre-ordered school supplies will be distributed to students this week.  If you did not pre-order school supplies, click here to view the supply lists by grade.

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. 

Sports - UIL & Club Sports

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. 

Sports Physicals

Athletic Physicals are a MANDATORY REQUIREMENT for any student participating in sports at POMS. They are not optional! No student will be allowed to participate on an athletic team or practices 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. 

Additional Useful POMS Links can be found below in newsletter

Upcoming Campus Events

• First Day of School: Monday, August 12
• NWEA Testing - Math: Wednesday, August 21
• NWEA Testing - ELAR: Thursday, August 22
• NWEA Testing - Science: Friday, August 23
• PTO General Meeting: Tuesday, August 27
• NO School - Labor Day Holiday: Monday, September 2
• NO School - Staff Development Day: Tuesday, September 3
• POMS Open House: Thursday, September 5
• Kona Ice Friday: Friday, September 6
• TELPAS Family Night: Wednesday, September 11

See you soon!

Lindsey Vela, Principal

Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram!

Twitter: @pinoakms

Instagram @pinoakchargers

• Attendance Policy (email excuses to edit.churchill@houstonisd.org)
• Canvas
• Clubs
• Counseling Newsletter
• Dress Code for 2024-2025
• Grade Level Teams
• HISD Student Handbook
• Magnet Program
• Parent Resources
• POMS Student & Family Handbook 
• PowerUp
• SchoolPay
• School Safety & Transportation Reminders
• School Website
• Staff Directory (coming soon)
• Student Records Request
• Transportation
• Virtual Library

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