Pin Oak Middle School7th Grade Parent Meeting

www.pinoak.us

Things that will continue for your child:

Smaller personalized campus

Focus on the whole student

Opportunity Opportunity Opportunity!

Things that could be new:

Classes are more demanding

Ramped up expectations

Feels less forgiving

Less use of the planner

Our Intent for 7th Grade:

To have strong & intense experiences

Have choices for courses in 8th grade & beyond

Gain independence

Communication

7A – Somers – Email blast

7B – Allen – Website

7C – Lauger – Blog

If something is missing, please let us know. 

Opportunity, Opportunity, Opportunity!

27 Magnet Programs at the high school level

Competitive, rigorous application process

Begins in November of 8th grade year with a deadline in January

Application Scoring Criteria

7th grade report card 7th grade test scores (Stanford & TAKS) 8th grade first report card Conduct Auditions or portfolios Additional tests Vanguard Status (Vanguard HS only)

Encourage your child to…

Continue to use the planner Attend school everyday Get to class on time Come prepared to class Turn in his/her work on time Participate in class discussions Attend tutorials Create a schedule for after school Exchange phone numbers with a friend in each

class

Encourage your child to…

Get to know his/her teachers, House Principal, and Advocacy teacher

Join clubs and organizations Participate in extra-curricular activities

and community service Take on leadership positions

Setting Up a Study Space at Home

Separate from the rest of the house, but easy to monitor

Somewhat quiet Large, clean workspace Materials handy Clock in clear view No cell phones!

Get Ready for EVEN MORE Changes!

Physical Changes Grades Behavior/Attitude Friends #1! Cell Phones/Internet

Tips for Parents Continue to check your child’s planner Communicate with your child’s teachers

Blogs/Weekly emailsParent/Teacher conferences

Closely monitor cell phone and Internet useput the computer where you can see it!Tell your child not to share any personal information online

Get to know your child’s friend’s parents Utilize your resources Be the parent

It’s never to early to plan for college…

Prep HQ – www.PrepHQ.com

http://www.prephq.com/index.php Spring Semester College Night Start saving for college if you haven’t already Encourage students to take challenging

classes Investigate which high schools or special

programs will most benefit your child’s interests for the future

Resources

National Middle School Association http://www.nmsa.org Middle Web http://www.middleweb.com College Ed  http://www.collegeboard.com/collegeed/schools/middle-school-

materials.html Department of Education http://www.ed.gov/pubs/CollegeMeNow/index.html Partnership for Learning http://www.partnershipforlearning.org PBS Kids – It’s My Life http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/school/middleschool/ Project 7th Grade http://www.project7thgrade.org/

Important Contact Info

Pin Oak Middle Schoolwww.pinoak.us713-295-6500

Principal: Michael McDonough ext 301

House A Principal: Albert Fernandez ext 312

Title 1/504 Coordinator: Deitra Kendrick ext 313

House B Principal: Amy Simson ext 316

Instructional Coordinator: Anne Powell ext 317

House C Principal: Waymon Moore ext 320

Magnet Dean: Rita Graves ext 321

Nurse: Janice Bush ext 305-306Social Worker: Alyson Bricker ext

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