Pin Oak Middle School 7th Grade Parent Meeting

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Pin Oak Middle School7th Grade Parent Meeting

• www.pinoak.us

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Things that will continue for your child

• Smaller personalized campus
• Focus on the whole student
• Opportunity Opportunity Opportunity!

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Things that could be new

• Classes are more demanding
• Ramped up expectations
• Feels less forgiving
• Less use of the planner

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Our Intent for 7th Grade

• To have strong intense experiences
• Have choices for courses in 8th grade beyond
• Gain independence

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Communication

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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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!

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Get Ready for EVEN MORE Changes!

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

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Tips for Parents

• Continue to check your childs planner
• Communicate with your childs teachers
• Blogs/Weekly emails
• Parent/Teacher conferences
• Closely monitor cell phone and Internet use
• put the computer where you can see it!
• Tell your child not to share any personal
  information online
• Get to know your childs friends parents
• Utilize your resources
• Be the parent

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Its 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 havent already
• Encourage students to take challenging classes
• Investigate which high schools or special
  programs will most benefit your childs interests
  for the future

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Resources

• National Middle School Association
• http//www.nmsa.org
• Middle Web
• http//www.middleweb.com
• College Ed 
• http//www.collegeboard.com/collegeed/schools/midd
  le-school-materials.html
• Department of Education
• http//www.ed.gov/pubs/CollegeMeNow/index.html
• Partnership for Learning
• http//www.partnershipforlearning.org
• PBS Kids Its My Life
• http//pbskids.org/itsmylife/school/middleschool/
• Project 7th Grade
• http//www.project7thgrade.org/

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Important Contact Info

• Pin Oak Middle School
• www.pinoak.us
• 713-295-6500
• 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 305-306
• Social Worker Alyson Bricker ext 327