Principal's Post
Dear Charger Parents and Families,
We are two weeks away from completing the 4th six weeks and almost 2/3 of the way through the 2021-22 school year! Once again, take some time to review your student’s academic progress by accessing HISDConnect. Focus on the positives while encouraging your student to finish strong. The 4th six weeks will close on Friday, February 25.
Let’s celebrate Valentine’s Day by wearing Pink, Red, or White on February 14! As we approach Valentine’s Day, it is important to ensure that all homemade candy, desserts, baked goods, or other edible items are not to be distributed during school hours. Please know that taking this measure will help us maintain a safe environment for all students with allergies. Thank you for your continued support in keeping all our students safe at school!
Random Acts of Kindness Day is Thursday, February 17. One can never go wrong with kindness, and there can never be too much of it. The idea behind Random Act of Kindness Day is to cultivate feelings of kindness and brighten up someone’s day. Every small act of kindness is significant. It may seem like it doesn’t accomplish much, but just like the domino effect, one act of kindness can lead to more positive outcomes. Celebrate Kindness: Random Acts of Kindness Day Ideas – Parent Cue
Attendance matters. We have noticed an increase in student absences and tardies without notification to the main office as to the reason for the absence. Written excuses should be in the school’s possession no later than three days after the day of the absence or tardy. The three-day period begins with the day the student returns to school.
Students may enter the building at 7:45 a.m. Students must be in their seats by 8:30 a.m. If a student arrives late, they will be required to get a tardy pass from their house office. No student should be on school grounds any earlier than 7:45 a.m. as there is NO SUPERVISION until 7:45 a.m. |
Safety Expectations and Reminders Thank you to the majority of our campus that is consistently wearing IDs and lanyards daily! You are noticed and appreciated.
If you do not have your ID or lanyard, you can purchase a new ID for $5 and a lanyard for $2 at the Student Success Table each morning from 7:45 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.
Why IDs? It’s all about campus safety and security. It makes students easily identifiable to ANY STAFF MEMBER (there are 115 adults in the building each day and not all of them will know your student or vice versa) in case of an emergency. Thank you for helping us keep OUR students safe. It’s my responsibility, so your cooperation and support is appreciated.
COVID-19 Protocol Reminder You can help us keep school running smoothly for all by not sending students to school who are ill. If there is any question, please err on the side of caution. When we have to send staff home because they are ill, it has a dramatic impact on all students and staff. Thank you for being our partners as we continue to navigate the complicated world of COVID-19.
Mask Wearing As we continue to navigate this pandemic, it remains imperative that our school community continues to emphasize the importance of and practice proper mask wearing. Please talk with your student about the importance of this safety measure. Masks must be properly placed over the nose and mouth. Your assistance is much appreciated.
Water Bottles Water is available through water-filling stations. Please send a refillable water bottle to school each day with your child. Please label the water bottle with your child’s name. The water bottle should be filled at home each morning before coming to school.
The front office is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to assist you. You can also directly email us or call 713-295-6500 during the same hours. We are happy to help! |
Admin Contact Information
Campus Administrators
Campus Support Team
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Connecting with you is important to us. As a result, we have many ways to share the latest and greatest of Pin Oak Middle School, including:
Be well and stay healthy,
Lindsey Vela |
| Buy Your Ticket for the POMS Outdoor Movie Night on Friday, February 18
After nearly two years of COVID restrictions which have severely limited our kids' social interactions and activities, Pin Oak Middle School PTO is beyond thrilled to be able to present the first annual POMS Outdoor Movie Night on Friday, February 18, from 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM. The movie will be Disney's Cruella (2021). It is rated PG-13. By purchasing a ticket to the POMS Outdoor Movie Night, you are giving permission for your child to watch this movie. If you would like to know more about this movie before purchasing a ticket, please check out the reviews and ratings on Common SenseMedia.
POMS Outdoor Movie Night is an event for Pin Oak Middle School students only. Students will be required to show their student ID upon entry. Siblings of students who aren't current POMS students and students from other schools will be denied entry.
Tickets are on sale for $10 each. This price includes a movie ticket, drink, and snack. Pizza slices may be purchased for $5 per slice. There will be a limited number of Ultimate Movie Night Packages sold for $50, which includes a movie ticket, 2 slices of pizza, a snack, drink, and a high quality, water resistant picnic blanket embroidered with the Pin Oak Chargers logo. Get yours before they are SOLD OUT!
Tickets can be purchased online and at school at all lunches Wednesday - Friday. Parents are encouraged to sign up to bring snacks/drinks at dropoff on Friday morning or volunteer to chaperone on Friday night. All volunteers and chaperones must be VIPS-approved and must have signed up in advance to volunteer.
If you have any questions, please contact POMS PTO Auction Chair Shannon Westin at auction@pinoakpto.org.
Special thanks to our POMS Outdoor Movie Night Spotlight Sponsor: |
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| Register Now - "Lights, Camera, Auction!" Starts One Week From Today
Do you want to win BIG PRIZES for your Pin Oak student?Register now for the school auction and we will notify you one week from today when you will be able enter to win some exciting raffle prizes like a PS5, Oculus Quest 2, and Hoverboard!
You will also be able to bid on amazing auction items such as vacation getaways to exciting destinations like Napa, luxurious spa and health services, gift cards to your favorite area restaurants, gift certificates for the most popular summer camps, and the coveted "Choose Your Locker" voucher for Pin Oak students. This completely virtual event will run from Sunday, February 20, at 12PM through Sunday, February 27, at 12PM.
Don't wait... REGISTER NOW! We can't wait to see you in a starring role in Lights, Camera, Auction! (Please note that a credit card is required to register, but there are no charges unless you make a purchase or are the winning bidder.)
If you have any questions, please contact POMS PTO Auction Chair Shannon Westin at auction@pinoakpto.org. |
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| Buy Your Wristbands for Charger Fest on Saturday, March 5
After last year's event was canceled due to COVID, Charger Fest is BACK!
Pin Oak Middle School is hosting its annual Charger Fest on Saturday, March 5, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and we would like to invite everyone from the Pin Oak community to join us!
Charger Fest is a fun-filled day of carnival games, inflatables, raffles, fine arts performances, food, sweets, and more for the whole family!
Buy your wristbands, food/drink tickets, and fine arts performance tickets here to join in all the fun! There are also many underwriting and booth sponsorship opportunities available, so get yours now!
If you have any questions, please contact the POMS PTO Charger Fest Chairs at chargerfest@pinoakpto.org. |
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| 8th Grade Activities Committee Volunteers Needed
We have many fun activities planned for our 8th graders, including a dance and other events - please let us know if you'd like to be on the committee. The more helping hands we have, the better the year will be for our soon to be high schoolers!
Please reach out to POMS PTO 8th Grade Activities Chairs Tricia Onufer & Melissa Law at 8thgradeactivities@pinoakpto.org if you'd like to be involved! |
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| School Store Volunteers Needed!
We have some school store volunteer positions open for anyone who missed the opportunity to sign up at the beginning of the year. This is a recurring commitment on a bi-weekly basis until the school year ends and it is a great way to see our students at school. No experience necessary as we have veteran volunteers available to help.
if you have any questions, please contact POMS PTO VP of School Store Peggy Chang at schoolstore@pinoakpto.org. |
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| POMS Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A is Tuesday, February 22
Join us on Tuesday, February 22, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. for Pin Oak Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A located at 5325 S. Rice Ave (S. Rice near Westpark).
Simply mention that you are with Pin Oak when you place your order via Drive-Thru, Dining Room, or Carry Out and 10% of all collected sales during that time will go directly back to Pin Oak Middle School! |
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| Bellaire Cardinal Kickoff is Wednesday, February 16
Bellaire Cardinal Kickoff, a night for all prospective students, will be held on Wednesday, February 16, at 6:30 p.m. at Bellaire High School.
See this flyer for more information or visit the Bellaire High School website. |
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| POMS Cheerleader for a Day Clinic is Saturday, April 2
POMS Cheerleader for a Day Clinic will be held on Saturday, April 2, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the Pin Oak Middle School Gym for children Kindergarten through 7th Grade. Check in will begin at 8:45 a.m. and there will be a star-studded performance at 11:45 a.m.
Register by Friday, March 11, to take advantage of the early bird special ($25 donation). After March 11, it will increase to a $30 donation. Checks may be made payable to Pin Oak Middle School or you may pay via SchoolPay.
Donation includes t-shirt, light snacks, and water.
Check the Pin Oak Middle School website for more details closer to the date!
Please email Coach Gina Taylor for more information. |
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| HERO Program
Pin Oak Middle School has a new positive behavior program named HERO. Students receive points for demonstrating Charger Core Values: Being Respectful, Being Responsible, and Being Resilient. Students and parents can see the points that are granted in real time once an account is created.
Parents please create an account on HERO so you can track your student's positive behavior and encourage them to be Charger Heroes on campus.
Then download the mobile app Hero by SchoolMint on the App Store or Google Playso you can track your student's HERO points at any time!
Please view this PDF that outlines step by step instructions on how to create a parent account and add your HISD student(s) to that account. |
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| POMS Lanyards/IDs Things to remember: - First ID and lanyard are FREE
- SCHOOL-ISSUED lanyard and ID must be visible (top half of body)
- 6th Grade: Charger White lanyard
- 7th Grade: Charger Gray lanyard
- 8th Grade: Charger Blue lanyard
- Replacement ID ($5) & lanyard ($2)
- Replacement ID & lanyard may be purchased at the main office student support table before school or during lunches
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| Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities
Do you know a business who is looking for corporate sponsorship opportunities?
Pin Oak offers a variety of sponsorship levels and benefits, including school-wide newsletter and website recognition, banner display in a prominent location on campus, marquee signage and much more! By partnering with businesses in our community, we raise funds for teacher, student, classroom and technology support, curriculum enrichment, staff appreciation, and facility enhancements.
Contact POMS PTO Co-VP of Fundraising & Corporate Sponsors Chair Dawn Johnson for more details. |
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| Register for VIPS (Volunteers in Public School)
All volunteers in HISD must register to be VIPS approved. Please register at least two weeks before your scheduled volunteer shift, as it can take three to five business days to complete the background check. Even if you were previously VIPS approved, you will need to register again as your approval expires at the end of each school year.
VIPS Registration VIPS Registration (Español) |
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| 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. |
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| POMS Amazon Wish List
Please consider helping us purchase items on our Amazon Wish List. All items will be shipped directly to the school.
Thank you so much for your generosity!
Please email POMS PTO President Tricia Onufer with any questions. |
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| Backpack Buddy is Back!
The Houston Food Bank’s Backpack Buddy Program works to fill the gap between school meals by providing nutritious, child-friendly food for school children to take home over the weekend.
Through the Backpack Buddy program, the Houston Food Bank works in partnership with our school to ensure that the food sacks are distributed to children every Friday during the school year.
In order to receive a food sack every Friday, you MUST submit a permission slip:
Food distribution is set to start in October. Please email POMS Wraparound Specialist Brigid Gould with any questions or to get more information. |
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| | Monday, February 14 | | | | Tuesday, February 15 | | | | Thursday, February 17 | | | Friday, February 18 | | | Sunday, February 20 | | | Monday, February 21 | | | | | Tuesday, February 22 | | | | | Wednesday, February 23 | | | Thursday, February 24 | | | | Friday, February 25 | | |
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 When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate a percentage to Pin Oak Middle School PTO. |
|  Use the new Box Tops App on the App Store or Google Play to scan your receipt. The app will find participating products purchased at any store and instantly add cash to Pin Oak Middle School PTO's earnings online. |
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Donate to Pin Oak Middle School PTO when you do your everyday shopping! All donations support excellence in education through activities and programs at Pin Oak Middle School. |
We Appreciate Our Corporate Sponsors & Community Partners |
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