Sunday, October 29, 2017

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week

MONDAY, 10/30  BLUE
Boys' Basketball Practice Begins, 3:45 p.m.
One Act Play Performance, 6:00 p.m.
7th gr Football vs. West Briar @Pin Oak, 5:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, 10/31  GREEN
CLUBS
Regular Uniform Dress - No Costumes
Tennis Practice
One Act Play Rehearsal
8th gr Football vs West Briarr @Butler Stadium, 7:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, 11/1  BLUE
One Act Play Rehearsal @ West Briar
One Act Play Performance, 6:00 p.m.
Dance Company Officers Practice, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
8th Gr Washington D.C. Trip Information Meeting, 5:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, 11/2  GREEN
Magnet Tours, 1:00 p.m.
Choir Broadway Show, 6:00 p.m.

FRIDAY, 11/3  CHARGER
One Act Play Competition @ West Briar
6th Gr Glow Dance, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, 11/4
School Choice Fair, Sterling HS, 9:00-Noon
TMEA Region 23 MS Band Audition


Save the Date
Saturday, 11/11  Charger Fest, Noon-4:00 p.m.


School Accountability Summary



The State released our final Accountability Summary recently for the 2016-17 school year.  Let me provide a short description of each area of the summary.

There are four index areas that determine whether or not a school has met the standard set by the State.

Index 1:  Student Achievement
This index measures the percentage of passing scores for all STAAR tests taken during the testing window.  The minimum standard set by the state is 60, with Pin Oak scoring a 92 for this index.

Index 2: Student Progress
This index measures the students who meet or exceed the growth measure defined by the State, with respect to all student groups and specific student groups. The target score defined by the State is 30, with Pin Oak scoring a 41 for this index.

Index 3: Closing Performance Gaps
This index measures the performance of the the lower performing student groups.  The target score set by the State is 26, with Pin Oak scoring 53 for this index.

Index 4: Postsecondary Readiness
This index reflects a performance level that would suggest students are on track for college and career readiness. The target score set by the State is 13, and Pin Oak has a score of 78 for this index.  

Distinction Designations
The summary also include Distinction Designations. This section of the Accountability Summary measures a school's performance against the 40 schools most similar from across the State.  This becomes our Comparable Schools Group.  Schools scoring in the top 25% of the Comparable Schools Group earns a Distinction Designation.  Pin Oak earned 6 of 7 Distinctions for Academic Achievement in Reading/ELA, Academic Achievement in Math, Academic Achievement in Science, Academic Achievement in Social Studies, Top 25% in Closing the Performance Gap and Top 25% in Postsecondary Readiness.  


8th Grade Class T-Shirt Orders
Click on the link below to order your student's 8th grade class t-shirt.  See the attached form for sizing and details.  The last and final day to place your order is Tuesday, October 31st.

If you need financial assistance to purchase the shirt, please contact Ms. Sarratt by email at Jessika.Sarratt@houstonisd.org







Final Deadline - Gifted and Talented Identification
Parents who have questions about whether or not their student is identified as GT should email Ms. Ballard at jballard@houstonisd.org. If you would like your child to be tested, please complete the GT Testing Application formGT testing application form that can be found on the Pin Oak website and return to Ms. Ballard by November 3.  




Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia Travel Opportunity
Attention 8th grade students and parents, due to numerous requests for information about the June 2018 trip to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, Ms. Coffman Fujiwara and EF Explore America are reopening the registration opportunity for interested families.  There are currently 35 students attending this trip, so limited spaces are still available.  An Interest Meeting will take place on November 1st at 5:30pm in room C-112.  We hope to see you there!


Pin Oak Boys' Lacrosse
Want to try lacrosse?  Pin Oak Boys Lacrosse Fall clinics are still on!  Are any football players looking for their next sport? Come and join us on the fields.  Register for lacrosse clinics at www.pobl.org.




ChargerFest is Saturday, November 11th
LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AWAY!

There are still rides, inflatables and games available to be sponsored by your family or business, so please don’t miss your opportunity to support ChargerFest!

Sign up today at http://pinoakpto.org/chargerfest/ to sponsor,
donate, purchase tickets or volunteer.


Thank you ChargerFest Sponsors!

International Festival
Roof MD

Redemption Center
Nicholas Puig & Family

Fine Arts Performances – Group Sponsorship
Cheng, Courtney, Decker, Hicks, Jones, Marshall, Neumann, Rephlo, Shaw & Torgerson Families

Photo Booth
Fuddrucker’s

Cakewalk
Nothing Bundt Cakes

Inflatable Sponsors
Nguyen Family

Game Sponsors
Courtney Family
Energy Ogre
Gilder Family
Michael Family
D’Amico’s
Shultz Family
Vision Source – Meyer Park

Thank you ChargerFest Underwriters!

Super Stars
Burt Family
Fisher Family
Hochglaube & DeBorde, PC
Vision Source – Meyer Park

Idols
Carter Family
Hanks Family
Hassel Family
Phillips Family

Champs
Jenjira Salazar

Thank you PTO Corporate Sponsors!
Bellaire Family Orthodontics
Beth Wolff Realtors
Chick-Fil-A
Elite Care

Thank you Raffle Prize Donors!
Borsos Family
Courtney Family
Hanks Family
Michael Family
Park Family
Shah Family
Vision Source
YogaOne Studios
The Zone


Fine Arts Performing Groups Schedule  

12:30 - 12:45   Guitar
12:45 - 1:20     Stage Band
1:30 - 1:50       Choir
2:00 – 2:20      Orchestra
2:30 - 2:50       Dance
3:00 - 3:30       Band

For questions, please contact one of the following ChargerFest co-chairs:
Felica Broadwell at fprovada@att.net
Jenny Hanks at j_hanks@att.net

Monica Weber at m_weber_designs@yahoo.com

Sunday, October 22, 2017

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week

MONDAY, 10/23  BLUE
RED RIBBON/HOMECOMING WEEK: "Red Out" to show our campus unity to the commitment to stay drug free 
Girls' Basketball Practice Begins, 6:00 a.m.
One Act Play Rehearsal
Girls' Basketball Parent Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
7th gr Football @Lanier, 5:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, 10/24  ASSEMBLY GREEN
RED RIBBON/HOMECOMING WEEK: "Blue Out" Day for Homecoming! 
Homecoming Pep Rally
One Act Play Rehearsal
Tennis Practice
8th gr Homecoming Football vs Lanier @Delmar Stadium, 7:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, 10/25 BLUE
RED RIBBON/HOMECOMING WEEK: “Sock it to Drugs” by wearing colorful socks of your choice to show your drug free spirit!
Girls' Soccer Interest Meeting, 7:30 a.m.
One Act Play Rehearsal
Dance Company Officers Practice, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Boy's Basketball Tryouts, 3:45-6:45 p.m.
Girls' Volleyball vs. Rice @Pin Oak, 5:00 p.m.
High School IB Information Meeting, 6:30 p.m.


THURSDAY, 10/26  GREEN
RED RIBBON/HOMECOMING WEEK: "Shade Out Drugs" by wearing your sunglasses
Boys' Soccer Interest Meeting, 7:30 a.m.
NJHS Meeting, Team Time
Magnet Tours, 1:00 p.m.
One Act Play Rehearsal
Band Concert, 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, 10/27 CHARGER
RED RIBBON/HOMECOMING WEEK: "Team Up Against Drugs" by wearing your favorite jersey. 
1776 Celebration, House C
Homecoming Dance - 7th & 8th Grade, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, 10/28
HISD All City Band Auditions

Save the Date
Friday, 11/3 6th gr Fall Glo Dance, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 11/11  ChargerFest, Noon-4:00 p.m.


Assembly Green Schedule                     


8:00
First Bell to Enter Houses 
8:07-9:25
2nd Period 
9:30-10:40
4th Period 

First Lunch
Second Lunch
Third Lunch
10:45-11:15
1st Lunch
6th Period
6th Period
11:30-12:00
6th Period
2nd Lunch
6th Period
12:25-12:55
6th Period
6th Period
3rd Lunch
1:00-2:15
8th Period 
2:15-3:30
PEP RALLY


The Pep Rally is an event designed for students.  To allow for all students to attend, we cannot open the event to Guests.  Please join us at the game to see our Cheerleaders and Dance Company perform.

Note about early pick-up - It is very difficult to find individual students during the Pep Rally.  If you need to pick up your child early, please do so before 2:00 p.m.  

Transportation to the Game for Football, Dance and Cheerleaders
Out players and performers will take an HISD bus on Tuesday from Pin Oak to Delmar.  All members of these teams will ride the bus back from Delmar to Pin Oak and will need to be picked up from Pin Oak.  We cannot release students from Delmar.

Red Ribbon Week/Homecoming Spirit Week
This week we will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week. The Red Ribbon Campaign is a way for our POMS community to take a visible stand against drugs.  This year’s theme is “Your Future is Key So Stay Drug Free.” To show our commitment to this important cause, we will have a daily theme of dress that will coincide with Homecoming spirit week.


Gifted and Talented Identification
Parents who have questions about whether or not their student is identified as GT should email Ms. Ballard at jballard@houstonisd.org. If you would like your child to be tested, please complete the GT Testing Application formGT testing application form that can be found on the Pin Oak website and return to Ms. Ballard by November 3.  


New Date for Color Run
Due to Hurricane Harvey, we have decided to move the POMS COLOR RUN to the spring.  Please mark your calendars for Friday, April 6, 2018.  We will promote run participation in January 2018.  Questions? Please contact Cara Michael at caraleemichael@gmail.com


8th Grade Class T-Shirt Orders
Click on the link below to order your student's 8th grade class t-shirt.  See the attached form for sizing and details.  The last and final day to place your order is Tuesday, October 31st.


Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia Travel Opportunity

Attention 8th grade students and parents, due to numerous requests for information about the June 2018 trip to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, Ms. Coffman Fujiwara and EF Explore America are reopening the registration opportunity for interested families.  There are currently 35 students attending this trip, so limited spaces are still available.  An Interest Meeting will take place on November 1st at 5:30pm in room C-112.  We hope to see you there!


                                                                           



Sunday, October 15, 2017

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week

MONDAY, 10/16  BLUE
Boys' Basketball Interest Meeting, 3:45 p.m.
7th gr Football vs Pershing @Pin Oak, 5:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, 10/17  GREEN
CLUBS
High School Magnet Visit for 8th graders
Tennis Practice
Boys' Lacrosse Practice, MPR, 6:30 pm.
Girls' Lacrosse Practice, Feld Field, 7:00 p.m.
8th gr Football vs Pershing @Butler Stadium, 7:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, 10/18 BLUE
Girls' Basketball Tryouts, 6:00 a.m.
Student/Parent Swim Interest Meeting, 4:00 p.m.
Girls' Volleyball @ Westbriar, 5:00 p.m.
Fall Orchestra Concert, MPR, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, 10/19  GREEN
Girls' Basketball Tryouts, 6:00 a.m.
Magnet Tours, 1:00 p.m.
Tennis Practice
SDMC Meeting, 3:50 p.m.
NJHS Induction Ceremony, 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, 10/20 CHARGER
Girls' Basketball Tryouts, 6:00 a.m.

SATURDAY, 10/21
Regional Orchestra Auditions, Seven Lakes Jr. High



Save the Date
Tuesday, 10/24 Homecoming Game, Delmar Stadium, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, 10/27 Homecoming Dance, 7th & 8th grade, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Friday, 11/3 6th gr Fall Glo Dance, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 11/11  ChargerFest, Noon-4:00 p.m.


Swim Team Student/Parent Information Meeting
There will be a Swim Team Interest Meeting for students and parents on Wednesday, October 18th at 4:00pm in room C-112.  If you cannot attend the meeting, you will need to pick up an information packet on Thursday from Coach Coffman Fujiwara in room C-112.  ALL paperwork MUST be submitted by October 25th in order to try out for the team.

Pin Oak Yearbook
The 2017-2018 Pin Oak Yearbook is now on sale for $45 at www.balfour.com. On January 2, 2018 the price will increase to $50. We sell out every year so be sure to purchase yours while they’re still available! 



                                                                           

ChargerFest is Saturday, November 11th!

Wristbands and tickets are on sale now online until
November 8th.  Buy ahead of time at the discounted rate.

The deadline to be recognized on the Sponsor or Underwriter banner is Wednesday, November 1st, so don’t miss your
opportunity to support ChargerFest!

Sign up today at http://pinoakpto.org/chargerfest/ to sponsor,
donate, purchase tickets or volunteer.

Thank you to those who have already committed to
Sponsor or Underwrite ChargerFest 2017!

Carter Family
Cheng Family
Courtney Family
D’Amico’s
Decker Family
Energy Ogre
Gilder Family
Hanks Family
Hicks Family
Hochglaube & DeBorde, PC
Jones Family
Marshall Family
Michael Family
Neumann Family
Nguyen Family
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Phillips Family
Rephlo Family
Shaw Family
Shultz Family
Torgerson Family

Thank you PTO Corporate Sponsors!
Bellaire Family Orthodontics
Beth Wolff Realtors
Chick-Fil-A
Elite Care

Thank you Raffle Prize Donors!
Borsos Family
Cheng Family
Courtney Family
Hanks Family
Park Family
Shah Family

Coming soon!
Charger Fest Performing Groups Schedule  

For questions, please contact one of the following ChargerFest co-chairs:
Felica Broadwell at fprovada@att.net
Jenny Hanks at j_hanks@att.net

Monica Weber at m_weber_designs@yahoo.com

Sunday, October 8, 2017

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week

MONDAY, 10/9  BLUE
Girls' Volleyball vs Lanier, 5:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, 10/10  GREEN
ADVO
Girls' Basketball Interest Meeting, 7:30 a.m. or 3:45 p.m. 
Tennis Practice

WEDNESDAY, 10/11 MODIFIED BLUE
8th gr PSAT Administration during 1st & 3rd period
POMS Family Night at Skeeter's, 4:00-10:00 p.m.
Girls' Lacrosse Parent Information Meeting, Cafeteria, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, 10/12  GREEN
PTO General Meeting, 8:30 a.m.
Tennis Practice
UIL Academic Competition Interest Meeting, Rm A128, 6:00 p.m.

FRIDAY, 10/13 CHARGER
REPORT CARDS GO HOME

SATURDAY, 10/14
HISD District Cross Country Meet, Herman Brown Park
District Magnet Fair, Westbury High School, 9:00 a.m. - Noon


PSAT Administration
This week our 8th graders will participate in administration of the PSAT.  Students will be assigned a testing location and will report their on Wednesday morning. Testing locations will be posted in each 8th grade cluster hallway.  

6th & 7th graders will follow their regular class schedule for 1st and 3rd period, but those periods will be extended to allow for adequate time for 8th graders to complete the PSAT.  Classes held upstairs for 1st and 3rd period will be relocated.  Signs will be posted in the cluster hallway to ensure students know where they will report, and teachers will announce the information in class on Monday.

Pin Oak Yearbook
The 2017-2018 Pin Oak Yearbook is now on sale for $45 at www.balfour.com. On January 2, 2018 the price will increase to $50. We sell out every year so be sure to purchase yours while they’re still available!


Pin Oak UIL Academics and Speech Squad – Parent/Student Interest Meeting Thursday 10/12 at 6pm in Mr. Dabbs Room A128
Any 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Pin Oak student is eligible to join our school's award-winning UIL Academic & Speech Squad.

If your child would answer “yes” to any of the following…
·         Do you think of yourself as a human calculator?
·         Do you sizzle at speech and performance activities?
·         Can you locate places in an atlas faster than google maps?
·         Do tabbed dictionaries make your day?

… then they would probably be a great fit for Pin Oak UIL!

What is UIL? The Pin Oak UIL Squad is a group of motivated students that love competing and academics, and we go up against other schools in 4 tournaments throughout the year.
Parents and students are encouraged to attend together.
For more information, including tournament dates and academic event info, visit the UIL Blog – pinoakUIL.wordpress.com.
You can also email the UIL Coach, Mr. Dabbs, at cdabbs@houstonisd.org

And Don't Miss Out...
Boys Lacrosse has started their fall clinics!  Please go to www.pobl.org  to sign up and come join us!















Sunday, October 1, 2017

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week

MONDAY, 10/2  BLUE
One Act Play Rehearsal, 3:30- 5:30 p.m.
Girls' Volleyball @ Lawson, 5:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, 10/3  GREEN
CLUBS
One Act Play Rehearsal, 3:30- 5:30 p.m.
Tennis Practice
Drop-In Girls' Lacrosse Practice, Feld Park, 7:00

WEDNESDAY, 10/4 BLUE
8th gr Football vs. Lawson, Butler, 5:00 p.m.
NY Trip Parent Information Meeting (7th/8th gr Choir, Orchestra, Theatre)

THURSDAY, 10/5  GREEN
One Act Play Rehearsal, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Tennis Practice
Cheer, Dance, Football Pictures, 3:45 p.m.

FRIDAY, 10/6 CHARGER
Astros Spirit Shirt Day 
POMS Band Performs with BHS

SATURDAY, 10/7
HISD Invitational Cross Country Meet, Herman Brown Park


Medication at School
To ensure the safety of all children on HISD campuses, there are strict guidelines governing the administration of medication at school.  Students may not bring medication to school without the orders of a doctor and the correct HISD paperwork on file with the nurse.  The school nurse may not administer any type of over the counter medication, and in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, students may not have medication at school.

Some students with severe allergies may need to carry an inhaler or an Epi Pen with then at school. To do so, they must have completed paperwork on file at the clinic.  You may find the correct paperwork at Health and Medical Services Webpage.  Please contact Nurse Dahlberg at Pin Oak with any questions.

Magnet Application Window for 2018-19 Is Now Open
Will you have an entering Kindergarten, 6th grade or 9th grade student for the 2018-19 school year?  It's that time to start learning about your options and apply online.

The Phase 1 window for the 2018-2019 Magnet Program Applications is now open and parents are able to apply online at www.hisdchoice.com until the deadline of December 8, 2017 in order to be considered for the lottery. 

Notification for applications submitted during the Phase I window, September 22 – December 8, will be made available by midnight of March 22, 2018 on the Online Magnet Application Parent Dashboard, and a notification letter will be sent by US mail to all Phase 1 applicants.

Parents can pick up a paper application at the Magnet school of their choice, the Office of School Choice, or download it from the HISD School Choice website, http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/122068.

Parents and families are also able to attend a school choice fair to learn more about the programs available across the district and have an opportunity to apply at the fair with guidance from the OSC Team.

  • Sept. 30:  9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Milby High School, 1601 Broadway, Houston, TX, 77012
  • Oct. 14:   9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Westbury High School, 11911 Chimney Rock, Houston, TX 77035
  • Nov. 4:    9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Sterling High School, 11625 Martindale, Houston, TX 77048
  • Dec. 2:    9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Key Middle School, 4000 Kelley, Houston, TX 77026
Clubs Begin This Week!
Students can find out what club they will attend on Tuesday by checking the club rosters in their cluster hallways on Monday.  

6th Grade Girls Lacrosse Drop In Practice
We are having a drop in practice for all new 6th grade player who are interested in trying lacrosse.  Drop In practices are not required but are highly recommended, especially for those who are new to the sport. We will be reviewing the fundamentals, having fun, and getting to know each other!  Drop in practices will take place at Feld Field on Tues evenings from 7 - 8:30 until regular fall season begins. 

Learn more about Girls' Lacrosse at our upcoming parent information meeting on October 11th.  Watch for more information next week.

ChargerFest
Pin Oak PTO invites you to ChargerFest from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday, November 11th.  ChargerFest is an event where the International Festival, School Carnival, Fine Arts Performances & Book Fair come together to make this a fun-filled day for Pin Oak Middle School students and their families.  Please join us in celebrating the Pin Oak community and our outstanding students!

·         Enjoy an afternoon of family fun at our carnival
·         Watch fine arts performances showcasing the many talents of our students
·         Explore our International Festival featuring our student diversity and language magnet program

For performance schedule, tickets, and more information, please visit http://pinoakpto.org/ 

DEADLINE to Purchase an Ad in the Directory
 It’s not too late to purchase a business ad or student dedication ad for the for Pin Oak directory.

The deadline has been extended until Thursday, October 5th at 5:00 p.m.  
Please contact Linette Courtney at linettecourtney@yahoo.com with any questions.

PTO Membership
Join the Pin Oak PTO and help the students, teachers, academic, fine arts and athletic programs at our school. Memberships start at just $5.  Parents who join the PTO at the Gold, Platinum and Diamond levels will be invited to join Ms. Graves and her admin team at our “Breakfast with the Principal” event on November 3rd.  Those joining the PTO at $50+ will receive a printed copy of the directory.  PTO memberships may be purchased anytime throughout the school year. 

If you would like recognition in the school directory, please purchase your PTO membership by Thursday, October 5th at 5:00 p.m.

Sign Up for Charger Chatter
POMS PTO provides information to families through our website, www.pinoakpto.org, and our weekly e-newsletter, Charger Chatter.  Stay informed by signing up to receive the weekly Charger Chatter.
Pin Oak Middle School PTO : Sign Up to Stay in Touch