News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week

MONDAY, 4/16  BLUE

Cheer Tryout Clinic, 3:45 p.m.

TUESDAY, 4/17  GREEN

ADVO 
Cheer Tryout Clinic, 3:45 p.m.
Baseball Semifinal Game @POMS, 4:30 p.m.
Choir Ensemble Concert - CANCELLED 

WEDNESDAY, 4/18  BLUE

Cheer Mock Tryouts, 3:45 p.m.
UH College Campus Visit
Baseball Championship Game @ POMS, 4:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, 4/19  GREEN

PTO General Meeting, 8:30 a.m.
Cheer Tryout, 3:45 p.m.

FRIDAY, 4/20  CHARGER
Pin Oak Idol, 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, 4/21
Jr. VASE Art Competition, Mayde Creek Jr. High
Stage Band, Evelyn's Park, 1:00 p.m.
Girls' Lacrosse @Pearland, Turner HS

SUNDAY, 4/22
Stage Band, Willow Waterhole Music Festival, 12:00-4:00 p.m.


National School Walkout

Students and activists across the nation are calling for a National School Walkout on Friday, April 20, 2018 to honor the students killed at Columbine High School on the 20^th Anniversary of that tragedy.  Recognizing this new growth in youth activism and the exercise of free speech and expression, we anticipate that some Pin Oak students plan to participate.  We have worked with students to develop safe options for those who plan to participate to make their voices heard.  We recognize that students do not leave their constitutional rights at the school house door, and in that light, wish to provide a safe space for students to exercise their First Amendment rights. 

We are providing our students with the option to protest in the following manner: 

• Students who choose to participate may leave their classroom at 10:00 a.m. and will be directed from Main Street to walk to the identified location.  Students will participate in a nonviolent protest and are expected to follow the direction of any faculty or staff member or adult volunteer.  Students will return to class at 10:20 a.m.  Students who meet the guidelines for time, place and manner restrictions will not be penalized for exercising their free speech rights.  To ensure student safety, the protest will remain in the identified location on campus.  
• Students are expected to express their views in a peaceful manner.  Speech/Expression that impairs school operations and/or impinges on the rights of other students will face disciplinary consequences consistent with our Student Code of Conduct and result in the loss of the ability to participate.  Our goal is to create a safe space for students to be heard about issues they feel strongly about. 

Please note that the school day will continue as scheduled.  If your student chooses to participate, he/she will be responsible for making up any work and assignments they missed. 

Students with special needs: If your student has special needs, and would like to be a part of the walkout, please contact Ms. Rivers (criversi@houstonisd.org) to discuss how the school can ensure your child’s right to participate. 

Students who want to participate in the Protest at City Hall will need to be picked up by a parent or guardian and checked out through the Main Office using the regular procedures.    

No parents or visitors will be allowed to participate in the event.  However, we do want to make you aware that media may be present and film the event from a distance off campus. 

At HISD our primary goals remain providing a quality education and a safe environment for all our students.   Please contact me at rgraves1@houstonisd.org if you have any questions or concerns about the April 20, 2018 school day. 

FAQs

Does my child have to participate?  No. Many children have expressed that they do not plan to participate. You should have a conversation with your child to share your expectations regarding whether or not you want them to participation. 

What will my child do if they choose not to participate?  Teachers will remain in the classroom and will continue with the regularly scheduled lesson.

Do they even know what they are protesting about or is this just a chance to get out of class?  Many students have expressed well-informed, passionate views, however there are likely many who do not understand the complexities.  Parents should definitely encourage students to better understand the issues.  It is incredibly important that young people recognize the importance of informed decision making.

Are the teachers going to participate? No. Teachers are not allowed to participate in any type of political activism during their duty hours and a walk out is a violation of their contract.

Who will supervise the students who are participating? School administration along with other school personnel and HISD Police will be onsite to provide supervision during the Walkout.  

Who is organizing what will take place during the walk out? This is a student-led protest. A committee of students has organized the event.  School administration can only define time, place and manner restrictions.  

Will my child be frightened by the information they may hear during the protest? Maybe. This may be a frightening subject matter for some children, and only you know what will be too much for your child to process.  

So many thanks to give and not nearly enough time!  
Last week our faculty and staff were overjoyed by the incredible teacher appreciation week - breakfast, lunches, dessert bar... A big thanks to the many volunteers that made the week possible!  

The Color Run was a huge success!  The kids had a blast and we raised money that will go directly to classroom grants.  Many thanks to the incredible volunteers that worked to make that experience happen for our children.

And Friday Night Fever, Pin Oak's annual auction and largest fundraiser was so much fun and a great success.  Many thanks to our Auction Chairs, Fundraising VPs, the many volunteers who helped set up, clean up and the many families who took time to bid online and attend the event Friday night.  

Yearbook Applications Available
Are you creative? Social? Looking for something fun and meaningful to do at school? If so you might be a great fir for next year's yearbooks staff?  Interested students should pick up a yearbook application from Ms. Beckman in room A109 before Friday, April 27.

POMS Spirit Night at Fuddruckers!
Wednesday night, Fuddruckers at Meyerland will be hosting a Pin Oak Spirit Night!!  The hours of the event are from 5:00 - 8:00 pm.  

Girl Scout Silver Award benefiting children with epilepsy

WHAT: A Gift Card Drive!! Please donate any gift cards to Target, CVS, Walmart, Walgreens, Ulta. Any amount is appreciated!

WHY: Your donated gift cards will be used to purchase games, puzzles, toys and beauty products for children with epilepsy for rolling rainy day carts to be used at all of the summer camps in Texas.

WHERE: Pin Oak Middle School Collection Box in the front office. You can also put the gift card in an envelope titled GIRL SCOUT SILVER AWARD in the PTO box outside Mrs. Graves office.

WHEN: April 16-April 27, 2018

Thank you so much for your contribution and for helping us make a difference in the lives of these children!

Macy Fortenberry 8B, Morgan Draper 8A, Molly Vestal 8A, and Abby Vollrath 8B. April 16-April 27, 2018