Dear 8th Grade Parents,
As promotion from Pin Oak Middle School approaches, we want to celebrate our students’
hard work with some wonderful events at the end of the year. Here is a list of important dates
that are coming up:
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Class Trip - Schlitterhahn Galveston – Tuesday, May 26th, All Day
(See information attached)
8th Grade Yearbook Signing Party – POMS - Wednesday May 27th,1:30 p.m.
Promotion Party - POMS - Wednesday, May 27th, 6-9 p.m.
Promotion Ceremony - Butler Stadium - Thursday, May 28th, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
To attend or assist with any promotion events outside of the promotion ceremony, you
must be VIPS approved. To become VIPS approved, please contact Claudia de Leon at the
Pin Oak front desk.
There are still opportunities to volunteer! If you have some time and want to help, please
contact me.
Regards,
Melinda Dawes
8th Grade Activities Chair
mdawes5@me.com
Schlitterbahn-Galveston Field Trip, Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Departure: 8:30 a.m. - Return: between5:00 and 6:00 p.m.
What to Bring
Necessities:
Extras:
 Phones and gaming devices* - must be
 Sack lunch – all students must have one
left on the bus during the day.
to board the bus
Earphones must be used on the bus.
 Sunscreen
 Waterproof watches only
 Beach Towel
 Cameras – disposable type (preferably
 Small beach bag
waterproof with student’s name written
 2 bottles of water (no glass)
clearly on it)
*Pin Oak MS/Pin Oak PTO will not be responsible for any lost or stolen personal items brought on this trip. Students are responsible for their
own belongings. We will not return to the park for missing items.
Splash Dash and Chaperones
 Groups of 2-10 students will be assigned to a chaperone for the trip. Students will ride the bus with
their chaperone and group members. Each chaperone will set a standard for when and where
students must check in at the park. Parents who are interested in chaperoning may contact Ms.
Parker by May 8, 2015 at aparker1@houstonisd.org. Online chaperone registration is available on the
POMS PTO website http://pinoakpto.org/. Please read all of the information accompanying the
registration page before volunteering.
Splash Dash
 Students will also be able to sign up for groups of no more than ten students during Splash Dash
during 8th grade lunch on Friday, May 15. Most groups choose one student to bring a list and write all
of the names at once. Ms. Parker and the 8th grade faculty will make final decisions regarding the
formation of chaperone groups. Groups are not official until the list is posted on or about Thursday,
May 21, 2015.
Meals
 All students should eat breakfast before they come to school on this day, and they must bring a sack
lunch with 2 bottles of water. (No glass containers and nothing that requires refrigeration.)
 Your student may bring cash to buy additional food at the park; however, students are responsible for
keeping up with their own money.
Attire
 Students must wear clothing on the bus consistent with the school dress code in length and cover.
Swim trunks/board shorts can substitute for shorts. All shorts must be at least fingertip length.
 Students will be given a Splash Day t-shirt that must be worn all day (This shirt must not be
cinched, rolled, cut, or altered in any way).
 Allowable swimsuits – One and two piece suits that cover appropriately are acceptable. No thongs or
string bikinis for girls or short racer-type suits for boys. Swim shoes are strongly recommended.
Behavior
 If a student misbehaves on the Schlitterbahn trip, he/she will NOT be allowed to participate in the rest
of the end-of-year activities – no exceptions.
 If any suspected criminal behavior occurs, the matter will be referred to the Galveston police. If the
police detain a student, it will be the parents’ responsibility to handle all related matters, including
transportation back to Houston.
Emergency Contact
 In case of emergency, we may be reached by calling Ms. Nancy Ramby at 713-295-6500 ext. 301.
She will know how to contact us at the park.
Pick up
 As we leave Galveston and are able to estimate the time of return, we will do a call out to parents to
let them know approximately what time we should arrive at the school. Please pick up your child
promptly so that everyone can go home and rest after a long day!
8th Grade Activities
Eligibility to participate in fun 8th grade activities – The 3-2-1 Rule
On January 21, 2015, all 8th graders discussed the conduct standards required for participation in the
end-of-year activities. Students may not have:
3 School-wide detentions (teacher detentions become school-wide if not served) or
2 In-school suspension incidents or
1 Out-of-school suspension
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact your house principal.
Yearbook Signing – Wednesday, May 27th, 1:30 p.m.
Students will have a chance to sign each other’s yearbooks at a signing party in the MPR. If your
student doesn’t have a yearbook, do not despair. There will be other ways to sign – e.g. a school
banner, signing other student’s t-shirts and address books.
Eighth Grade Party – Wednesday, May 27th, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
The PTO hosts a fun 8th grade only party complete with a DJ, photo booth, and other entertaining
activities. It is a special event that the kids love. See “Student Attire” section below for information on
proper dress for this occasion.
Promotion Ceremonies – Thursday, May 28th, 10 a.m. – 12 noon
Butler Field House, 13755 South Main St. - between Chimney Rock and Hillcroft
Students must arrive for promotion preparation by 9:15 a.m. (Students should NOT take the bus to Pin
Oak – no transportation will be available from POMS to Butler). Parents are responsible for arranging
transportation for their children. Ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. Students who qualify for promotion to
the 9th grade without attending summer school will participate in the ceremony.
Family and friends are cordially invited to join the Pin Oak family for this happy event. Seating is
indoors on backless metal stadium benches and climbing stairs is necessary for access. Seating is
limited. There will be a minimal number of places available for persons requiring wheelchair assistance
or disability seating arrangements. Due to the length of the event and the limited seating available,
young children may find sitting quietly through the entire program quite challenging. We recommend
that only the most dedicated members of your extended family attend!
There will be an area where parents can take a photo of their student receiving his/her certificate. No
videotaping is allowed from this location. Please be aware of every parent’s desire to capture a good
picture too. Professional photography and videography will be taken at the ceremony and
information on ordering will be provided in the printed program.
When the ceremony is completed, students are dismissed for the day. Students are not allowed to
return to Pin Oak on Thursday.
Student Attire for the Party and Promotion:
 Everyone should be dressed neatly and students should be well groomed. A school uniform shirt
is acceptable.
 Boys should wear pants and many will wear a dress shirt and a tie. Jackets are optional.
 Girls may wear a dress, a skirt and blouse or a nice pants outfit. The hem of any dress or shirt
should conform to the Pin Oak dress code. A sleeveless top must have shoulder at least a full
inch wide at the narrowest point. No midriffs or backs may be exposed.
 Students who are not dressed appropriately for promotion will be allowed to view the ceremony
but may not be allowed to walk across the stage.
Map to Butler Field House:
Butler Field House, 13755 South Main St. - between Chimney Rock and Hillcroft
To Pin Oak
Pin Oak Middle School 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony Order Form
P.O. Box 753
Fresno, TX 77545
www.vphotopro.com
chinitasmith@vphotopro.com
281 216 0803
Video Photographer Productions will make your graduation ceremony truly unforgettable
with all the sights, sounds and emotional moments captured on video.
Video
Photographer Productions is committed to bringing your day to life long after it’s over.
“A photograph captures a moment, a video captures a lifetime.”
Pre – Orders online or Checks mailed & received prior to May 25th 2015: $25
Special: Two DVD’s - $40 prior to May 25
Day of Promotion Ceremony orders: $35 each
Name:
Student’s Name:
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Quantity:_____________________
Check Number:________________________