Video Transcript

Hey Chargers, welcome back to Pin Oak News!
I’m Jade, and today we’re taking a closer look at the rat dissection that took place in seventh-grade science classes last week. Plus, we’ll catch you up on what’s happened recently and fill you in on upcoming events.

Cheer and Company Tryouts
Cheer and company tryouts took place from April 1 to April 3, with an impressive turnout—64 students tried out for cheer, and 18 auditioned for company. In the end, 21 students made the cheer team—15 returners and six rookies. Fourteen students made company, with one returner and 13 newcomers.
Congratulations to everyone who made the teams!

Softball Victory
On April 8, the softball team played their final game of the season against Pershing—and won with a score of 5–1!

Weather Update
It’s finally starting to feel like summer. Last week brought a bit of a cold front with lows in the 60s. This week, temperatures will reach a high of 82 with lows around 71. There’s a 30–35% chance of rain, and it’ll stay mostly cloudy throughout the week.

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Top Story: Rat Dissection in 7th Grade Science
Last week, seventh grade students at Pin Oak participated in a hands-on science lab where they dissected rats to learn about body systems.

In a quick poll of 10 students, five said they found the activity unpleasant.
Caroline Walton shared, “The smell made me nauseous, and I had to step out of the classroom multiple times.”

The other five students thought it was a cool learning experience.
Andrew Mendes said, “I thought it was pretty cool to see what it looked like inside.”

The preserved rats arrived back in September and were kept in formaldehyde until it was time for dissection.

Mr. Caraballo, 7C Science Teacher, shared his thoughts:
“I hope students understand from this rat dissection that their bodies are both tough and fragile. It helps them appreciate the small details of living organisms.”

He also noted the challenges in preparing for the lab:

“It can be tricky at first, especially because the dissection equipment is sensitive—and dangerous. I can’t just leave it around the classroom, so organizing everything takes time.”

The dissection serves as a culminating activity for the unit on body systems.

“We’ve covered several systems, and now students get to observe them all together through this dissection,” Mr. Caraballo explained.

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What’s Coming Up at Pin Oak
Let’s take a look at what’s ahead on the Pin Oak calendar!

Charger Fest is happening on April 26 here at school. It’s a celebration of the many languages and cultures represented at Pin Oak. Expect performances like the Chinese Dragon Dance and Japanese Club Dance. Language classes will host booths with food and cultural displays.

Spring Showcase takes place on April 30 and May 1. This event will feature performances from all dance classes, company, cheer, and crew.

Testing Season is in full swing. The STAAR reading test was held on April 10, followed by the 8th-grade social studies test on April 23. All grades will take the math and algebra STAAR tests on April 29.

Theater Performance tickets are on sale now through SchoolPay! The show will be held at Pin Oak on May 8 and includes six mini-performances created by the students. Make sure to get your tickets before they sell out!