Pin Oak Middle School 7 th Grade Parent

Pin Oak Middle School 7 th Grade Parent Meeting www. pinoak. us

Things that will continue for your child: ¢ Smaller personalized campus ¢ Focus on the whole student ¢ Opportunity!

Things that could be new: ¢ Classes are more demanding ¢ Ramped up expectations ¢ Feels less forgiving ¢ Less use of the planner

Our Intent for 7 th Grade: ¢ To have strong & intense experiences ¢ Have choices for courses in 8 th grade & beyond ¢ Gain independence

Communication 7 A – Somers – Email blast 7 B – Allen – Website 7 C – Lauger – Blog If something is missing, please let us know.

Opportunity, Opportunity! 27 Magnet Programs at the high school level ¢ Competitive, rigorous application process ¢ Begins in November of 8 th grade year with a deadline in January ¢

Application Scoring Criteria 7 th grade report card ¢ 7 th grade test scores (Stanford & TAKS) ¢ 8 th 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 emails l Parent/Teacher conferences l ¢ Closely monitor cell phone and Internet use put the computer where you can see it! l Tell your child not to share any personal information online l 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. Prep. HQ. 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-schoolmaterials. html Department of Education http: //www. ed. gov/pubs/College. Me. Now/index. html Partnership for Learning http: //www. partnershipforlearning. org PBS Kids – It’s My Life http: //pbskids. org/itsmylife/school/middleschool/ Project 7 th Grade http: //www. project 7 thgrade. org/

Important Contact Info Pin Oak Middle School www. pinoak. us 713 -295 -6500 Principal: Michael Mc. Donough 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 -306 Social Worker: Alyson Bricker ext 327