Originally delivered on 7/18/2021 3:07 pm

SUBJECT: Charger Chatter

July 18, 2021

Principal's Post



Happy Summer, POMS Charger Parents!


The Pin Oak staff is busy planning and preparing for the beginning of the school year and excited to welcome our Chargers back for the new school year. I do not take this job lightly and want to reassure you that we are here to support your kids as we transition all students back to in-person learning. Thank you for sharing your children, your trust, and all your support (that will still be needed) as we come together as a true Charger Nation to make 2021-2022 the best year yet for your child! #WeArePinOak


Calendar of Events/ Beginning of the Year Framework:


  • Camp Spark
    • Virtual enrichment program for 6th, 7th, & 8th graders 
    • August 9-13 (8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)


  • Charger Camp
    • 6th Grade: Wednesday, August 11 (9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)
    • 7th Grade: Thursday, August 12 (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
    • 8th Grade: Thursday, August 12 (1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)


  • First Day of School
    • All students return to in-person learning
    • August 23 (8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)



  • Student Schedules
    • Students will be scheduled into 8 courses
    • Students will have access to their schedule prior to August 23 via HISD Connect


  • Scheduling/SEL
    • Each student will be scheduled into an advocacy class to allow for connection, community, and SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) instruction
    • Say Something
    • Random Acts of Kindness



Curriculum & Instruction Updates:


  • Foreign Language Mini-Wheel
    • I am beyond excited to announce that Pin Oak will offer a Foreign Language Wheel to all incoming boundary option 6th graders for the 2021-22 school year. Students will have an opportunity to request a language placement
    • Languages will be taught in semester long classes to give students the exposure to several languages.
    • Languages were selected based on scheduling availability.
    • Language wheel combinations are:
      • Italian/German
      • Chinese/Italian
      • Italian/Spanish


  • Pre-AP Renamed HISD Advanced (HADV) Courses
    • Pre-AP® is a registered trademark of College Board and can only be used with courses that have been purchased as part of the Official College Board Pre-AP® Program. 
    • In order to comply with College Board’s new Pre-AP® policy, HISD has officially renamed existing Pre-AP courses as HISD Advanced (HADV) courses.
    • The renaming will not affect the curriculum or teacher training required for these pre-advanced courses. HADV courses will continue to use the following research-supported instructional principles that are consistent with the Pre-AP framework: Close observation and analysis, evidenced-based writing, higher-order questioning, and academic conversation.
    • When students are enrolled in multiple advanced courses, the horizontal alignment of the shared principles provides students and teachers across disciplines with a shared language for their learning and investigation, and multiple opportunities to practice and grow.
    • HISD chose the naming convention “HISD Advanced" (HADV) so that college admissions counselors can easily recognize the course name and type on student transcripts. HISD along with many other districts in the nation have chosen this naming convention to provide consistency for all stakeholders.



See you soon!


Lindsey Vela

lindsey.vela@houstonisd.org





Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram!

Twitter: @pinoakms

Instagram @pinoakchargers

Missed the Chat & Coffee with Principal Vela?

Access the information provided during Mrs. Vela's coffee chat here.

Join the POMS PTO for 2021-2022


Join the Pin Oak Middle School PTO and help the students, teachers, fine arts, athletics, and academic programs at our school.


Membership is just $10.


Membership must be renewed each year, as annual membership expires at the end of each school year on June 30.


If you have any questions, please email POMS PTO Membership ChairJamie Broach Byrd.

HISD's Camp Spark for 6th-8th Graders


The HISD Academics Department is hosting an optional virtual interactive Academic Enrichment Camp designed to provide students with enrichment while reinforcing academic skills.


Camp Spark will be held August 9 - 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. While the camp is optional, students who choose to participate must commit to attending every day of camp. The camp is virtual for 4 days and in-person during the student's Charger Camp day.


Students will participate in interactive engaging activities in science, math, literacy, technology, and art.


Please take a moment to register to participate in Camp Spark


Please note that registration does not guarantee an invitation to Camp Spark.


If you are in need of technology, more information is provided after registration.

Join Mrs. Vela's POMS Parent Group 2021-2022 on Remind


To join via mobile phone:

1.  Send a text to 81010

2.  Text this message: @pinoakp


To join via web:

https://www.remind.com/join/pinoakp?utm_medium=ios


Then download the app on theApp StoreorGoogle Play.

Register for 6th Grade Charger Camp & Order Lunch


6th Grade Charger Camp will be held on Wednesday, August 11 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.). 6th graders will receive their house assignments, schedules, lockers, textbooks, school supplies (if ordered by July 1), and uniforms preordered from the POMS School Store.


Students must be dropped off at the front entrance and parents may not enter the building at any time before, during, or after Charger Camp.


All 6th grade students will be required to take P.E. P.E. uniforms will be available for purchase at SchoolPay (bring receipt to Charger Camp) or at Charger Camp for $20. HISD has not yet updated the student data on SchoolPay, so your 6th grader may still be listed as a 5th grader under their elementary school. We will notify parents in the Charger Chatter when the SchoolPay records have been updated and P.E. uniforms are available for 6th graders to purchase online.


If you did not order prepackaged school supplies from 1st Day School Supplies, please bring combination locks with you to Charger Camp. Boys will need two locks (one for their regular locker and one for their P.E. locker) and girls will need one lock (girls' P.E. lockers have built-in locks).


Lunch is available for purchase for $5 online only in advance of 6th Grade Charger Camp by clicking here. You will need to log into or sign up for a Membership Toolkit account to complete the order. Lunch orders are prepay only and will not be available for purchase the day of Charger Camp.


The deadline to place your lunch order is Friday, August 6.


Lunch will include a Chick-fil-A sandwich, chips, and bottled water. Students may bring a lunch from home if preferred.



To register for 6th Grade Charger Camp, please scan the QR Code or visit:

https://bit.ly/chargercamp6.

Register for 7th Grade Charger Camp


7th Grade Charger Camp will be held on Thursday, August 12 (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.). 7th graders will receive their schedules, lockers, textbooks, school supplies (if ordered by July 1), and uniforms preordered from the POMS School Store.


Students must be dropped off at the front entrance and parents may not enter the building at any time before, during, or after Charger Camp.


P.E. uniforms will be available for purchase at SchoolPay (bring receipt to Charger Camp) or at Charger Camp for $20.


If you did not order prepackaged school supplies from 1st Day School Supplies, please bring a combination lock with you to Charger Camp.



To register for 7th Grade Charger Camp, please scan the QR Code or visit:

http://bit.ly/chargercamp7.

Register for 8th Grade Charger Camp


8th Grade Charger Camp will be held on Thursday, August 12 (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.). 8th graders will receive their schedules, lockers, textbooks, school supplies (if ordered by July 1), and uniforms preordered from the POMS School Store.


Students must be dropped off at the front entrance and parents may not enter the building at any time before, during, or after Charger Camp.


P.E. uniforms will be available for purchase at SchoolPay (bring receipt to Charger Camp) or at Charger Camp for $20.


If you did not order prepackaged school supplies from 1st Day School Supplies, please bring a combination lock with you to Charger Camp.



To register for 8th Grade Charger Camp, please scan the QR Code or visit:

http://bit.ly/chargercamp8.

Update Information for POMS Directory


Log in to update your directory info or sign up for a new account if you're a new user. If you have used Membership Toolkit at another school, you may log in using your same account information.


The POMS PTO uses the Membership Toolkit platform across the board, so you'll need an account to receive the Charger Chatter, shop at the online School Store, join the PTO, and more! It can all be found at pinoakpto.org.


Also, be sure to download the free Membership Toolkit app on the App Store or Google Play, so you'll have the school directory and school calendar with you at all times on your mobile device! You can even sync the PTO calendar to your phone's calendar and opt to receive push notifications for important announcements!


If you have any issues signing up or logging in, please contact the POMSPTO VP of Communications & Webmaster Melissa Law.

Hello. Hola. Bonjour. 你好. Hallo. مرحبا.


The Pin Oak PTO wants to reach every member of our community in every language. Our website can be translated using Google Translate (located on the left under "translate"). The Charger Chatter can also be translated to any language by clicking "To view this email as a web page, click here".


El PTO de Pin Oak quiere llegar a todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad en todos los idiomas. Nuestro sitio web se puede traducir usando Google Translate (ubicado a la izquierda debajo de "traducir"). El Charger Chatter también se puede traducir a cualquier idioma haciendo clic en "Para ver este correo electrónico como una página web, haga clic aqui".


Pin Oak PTO 希望以各種語言接觸到我們社區的每一位成員。我們的網站可以使用谷歌翻譯(位於“翻譯”下方的左側)進行翻譯。 Charger Chatter 也可以通過單擊“以網頁形式查看此電子郵件,請單擊此處”將其翻譯成任何語言。


PTO אלון PTO רוצה להגיע לכל אחד מחברי הקהילה שלנו בכל שפה. ניתן לתרגם את האתר שלנו באמצעות Google Translate (ממוקם משמאל תחת "תרגם"). ניתן לתרגם את צ'אט המטען לכל שפה על ידי לחיצה על "להצגת דוא"ל זה כדף אינטרנט, לחץ כאן".


पिन ओक पीटीओ हर भाषा में हमारे समुदाय के प्रत्येक सदस्य तक पहुंचना चाहता है। हमारी वेबसाइट का अनुवाद Google अनुवाद ("अनुवाद" के नीचे बाईं ओर स्थित) का उपयोग करके किया जा सकता है। "इस ईमेल को वेब पेज के रूप में देखने के लिए, यहां क्लिक करें" पर क्लिक करके चार्जर चैटर का किसी भी भाषा में अनुवाद किया जा सकता है।


يريد Pin Oak PTO الوصول إلى كل عضو في مجتمعنا بكل لغة. يمكن ترجمة موقعنا الإلكتروني باستخدام خدمة الترجمة من Google (الموجودة على اليسار أسفل "ترجمة"). يمكن أيضًا ترجمة Charger Chatter إلى أي لغة بالنقر فوق "لعرض هذا البريد الإلكتروني كصفحة ويب ، انقر هنا".

STAAR Test Results Available Now

Click here for instructions on how to access your student's STAAR test results.

POMS Summer Reading List


Reading Expectations for Students:

  • Follow the directions for your grade level.
  • These books are yours. You may annotate them (take notes in the margins, draw doodles of what you imagine while you are reading, underline words you need to learn, or words you love).
  • Each grade level will be completing activities regarding summer reading books upon returning to school in August.
  • Scholastic has provided a reading journal, family guides to each book, and colored pencils in each packet. You can use the journal to practice your reading skills, but it is not required by any grade level.


Incoming 6th Graders:

Read at least one of the following books in your packet:


Incoming 7th Graders:

Read at least one of the following books in your packet:


Incoming 8th Graders:

Required reading:

Choose at least one more book in the collection to read:


Students can visit the Pin Oak Library Summer Reading Page to get more information on any of the books.


For additional practice on Language Arts skills, students can:




POMS Used Uniforms Donation Drive

Is your child moving on to high school? Has your child outgrown their school uniform clothing? Please consider donating their gently used uniforms to the POMS PTO Used Uniform Sale.

School dress code polos, khakis, jeans, skirts, sweatshirts, and jackets in all sizes can be dropped off in the collection boxes by the library during summer office hours.


Please note that there is no longer a designated porch drop off this summer.


For more information, please contact the Used Uniform Committee at useduniforms@pinoakpto.org.

School Store Orders Will Be Delivered at Charger Camp in August

Order your Charger polos, sweatshirts & spirit shirts through the POMS Online School Store! Yard signs, car magnets and umbrellas are now also available for order!

To order, log into your Membership Toolkit account (the same way you access school directory) or create a new account if you don't already have one. You can pay for your items through PayPal or with a credit/debit card.

Once you have purchased your items, you will be contacted by the school store volunteers regarding picking up the items.

Due to COVID restrictions, the physical store at school will remain closed until further notice.

Please email schoolstore@pinoakpto.org with any questions.

Thank you for supporting POMS!

POMS Virtual Orientation for Incoming 6th Graders Replay & POMS Tour Video

Did you miss the Virtual Orientation Live Event for Incoming 6th Graders? You can watch the replay via Teams. Then click here to view the POMS Tour Video that includes a special message from the PTO.

Need Food, Clothing, Child Care, Rental Assistance, or Health & Human Services?

HISD Wraparound Services is here to help. Please see the following documents and complete a Student Assistance Form (SAF) found here.

Wraparound Services Contact Sheet

Wraparound Services Info Sheet English/Spanish

For more information, visit HISD Wraparound Services.

Looking Ahead
Monday, July 26
8:00a HISD Pro-Style Combine for ALL Student Athletes
Tuesday, July 27
8:00a HISD Pro-Style Combine for ALL Student Athletes
Saturday, July 31
POMS Algebra Summer Enrichment Pathways Due
Friday, August 6
POMS Deadline to Purchase Lunch for 6th Grade Charger Camp
Monday, August 9
POMS Camp Spark - Virtual (6th Grade Only)
9:00a POMS Dance Camp
Tuesday, August 10
POMS Camp Spark - Virtual (6th Grade Only)
9:00a POMS Dance Camp
Wednesday, August 11
POMS Camp Spark - In-Person (6th Grade Only)
9:00a POMS Charger Camp (6th Grade)
9:00a POMS Dance Camp
Thursday, August 12
POMS Camp Spark - Virtual (6th Grade Only)
9:00a POMS Charger Camp (7th Grade)
1:00p POMS Charger Camp (8th Grade)
Friday, August 13
POMS Camp Spark - Virtual (6th Grade Only)
Wednesday, August 18
12:00p POMS Sports Physicals
Monday, August 23
8:30a POMS First Day of School
4:00p POMS Football Practice Begins (& Paperwork Due)
Tuesday, August 24
4:30p POMS Volleyball Interest Meeting
Wednesday, August 25
7:30a POMS Cross Country Interest Meeting
4:05p POMS Cross Country Interest Meeting
6:00p POMS Tennis Interest Meeting
Monday, August 30
6:45a POMS Cross Country Practice Begins
Wednesday, September 1
4:00p POMS Volleyball Tryouts
Thursday, September 2
4:00p POMS Volleyball Tryouts
Friday, September 3
4:00p POMS Volleyball Tryouts
6:00p POMS 6th Grade Dance
Monday, September 6
POMS No School - Labor Day
Tuesday, September 7
4:00p POMS Volleyball Practice Begins
Friday, September 10
POMS Progress Reports
Tuesday, September 14
5:00p POMS Football vs. Lawson MS at Butler Stadium
Thursday, September 16
POMS No School - Fall Holiday
Friday, September 17
POMS No School - Teacher Service Day
Monday, September 20
6:00p POMS Open House
Tuesday, September 21
5:00p POMS Football @ Westbriar MS at Delmar Stadium
Wednesday, September 29
7:30a POMS Girls Basketball Interest Meeting
4:05p POMS Girls Basketball Interest Meeting
Thursday, September 30
7:30a POMS Boys Basketball Interest Meeting
4:05p POMS Boys Basketball Interest Meeting
Friday, October 1
POMS End of 1st 6 Weeks
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