Principal's Post
Dear Charger Parents and Families,
Our Chargers sure “GOT” talent… and boy did they “BRING IT” this past week! Dance, World Languages, Art, Orchestra, Stage Band, Hip Hop, Cheerleaders, and Athletics all did an amazing job! These Chargers (and their incredible teachers/coaches) are ON FIRE in and out of the classroom! I am super proud of their hard work and dedication.
Charger Fest & International Festival I hope you were able to attend POMS Charger Fest & International Festival… it was SPECTACULAR! Students were playing games, talking with friends, dancing to music, volunteering at language booths, performing for parents and visitors, and having a great time at school on a Saturday. Inflatables, cake walk, and confetti eggs were keeping our current and future Chargers busy and having fun! Delicious food of all sorts was served to keep everyone fully energized for the day’s activities. And let’s not forget that our teachers, administrators, and our very own PTO President were dunked in water that was less than warm!
Leading up to Charger Fest, our fantastic PTO parents, Charger Fest committee, students, language, and fine arts staff helped make Charger Fest a success. There were countless hours of planning, preparation, and execution of ideas that made this year’s event the most successful to date.
Thank you to EVERYONE who spent time visiting booths, supervising inflatables, planning language games, organizing and rehearsing with student performers, cooking food for language booths, coordinating and providing campus tours, donating and creating fabulous balloon displays, and being a part of an event that is important to Pin Oak’s community.
There are many hands heavily involved in the work to pull off such a great event, but a special thanks to Melissa Bayne, Dawn Johnson, Jamie Broach Byrd, Kathleen Graf, and Lindsay Colvin for the countless hours they spent planning, preparing, and working to make Charger Fest such a success. Your hard work is appreciated by all!
Teacher of the Year Shout out to Ms. Claire Swinney who was named the Pin Oak Middle School Teacher of the Year! Thank you for all you do for your students; this award is well deserved!
Morning Announcements Each morning, the tardy bell rings at 8:30 a.m. and announcements begin. If you happen to be running late that day and are still in the hallway, please make sure you are stopping and pausing (quietly) during the pledges and moment of silence. Once this is over, you are welcome to head to class. I am asking all adults and students to please be respectful of this expectation moving forward.
8th Grade Panoramic Picture 8th Grade Panoramic Picture Day is Wednesday, March 9. Pictures will be taken at 9:00 a.m. and students are encouraged to wear their Charger blue. Pictures may be purchased online through POMS PTO 8th Grade Activities in a savings bundle or directly through Goldbeck and Co. (please bring from and cash/check on March 9).
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) #SEL Day is Friday, March 11. We will come together to showcase social emotional learning (SEL) in our school and promote SEL as we continue to face challenges of a global pandemic. SEL Day 2022 will focus on Finding Common Ground, Pursuing Common Good. We know that SEL changes lives. Studies show that SEL delivers long-term improvements in skills, behavior, and academic performance while reducing anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. SEL competencies are also critically important for long-term success in today’s economy. |
Camp Spark Camp Spark is March 14-16. Join us for three fun-filled days of learning and growing together. Students will participate in enrichment activities to accelerate learning and develop skills in literacy and math. Camp Spark will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with lunch provided each day. Contact Mr. Gates for additional information.
Attendance 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.
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 |
| 2022-2023 POMS Intent to Return
To assist us with planning for the 2022-2023 school year, all current 6th & 7th grade families must complete the Intent to Return Google form by Wednesday, March 23.
Paper copies of the Intent to Return Form are also available in the POMS front office.
If we do not receive your Intent to Return by the deadline, we will assume your student is NOT attending Pin Oak for the 2022-2023 school year.
Please contact one of the following individuals with any specific questions: |
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| ATTENTION ALL 8TH GRADE PARENTS
Fellow 8th Grade Parents,
The POMS 8th Grade Activities Committee is pleased to announce the following events celebrating the Class of 2022: - Wednesday, March 9 (9AM - 10AM): 8th Grade Panoramic Photo
- Friday, May 6 (6PM - 9PM): 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance
- *DANCE IS FOR 8TH GRADE PIN OAK STUDENTS ONLY!*
- Tuesday, May 24 (ALL DAY): 8th Grade Field Trip to a Surprise Destination!
- Friday, June 3 (8:30AM - 10:30AM): 8th Grade Breakfast & Yearbook Signing
- Tuesday, June 7 (9AM): 8th Grade Promotion Parade & Day of Fun
To be able to provide all of these fun and exciting events for our 8th graders, we need your help and support.
If you're wondering what you can do to make these events the most memorable and successful for our kids, please consider being an underwriter for the 8th Grade Breakfast, Dance, or Day of Fun for only $188. This price includes one 8th Grade "Club 88" Ultimate Package and recognition in the POMS PTO Charger Chatter, website, and social media!
If you are unable to commit to being an underwriter at this time, the 8th Grade "Club 88" Ultimate Package is your best value. For only $88, you get an exclusive "Club 88" Swag Bag which includes a POMS beach towel, POMS sunglasses, sunscreen & drawstring backpack ($25), 8th grade panoramic photo ($30), ticket to the 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance ($10), 8th Grade T-shirt ($15), & 8th Grade Yard Sign ($20). This package is valued at $100, but is priced at only $88 until April 1, 2022. Though the "Club 88" Swag Bag is only available as part of the 8th Grade "Club 88" Ultimate Package, you may purchase other items individually. * Please note: the panoramic photo may be purchased as part of the 8th Grade "Club 88" Ultimate Package through April 1 or separately only through Goldbeck Co. on March 9.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at 8thgradeactivities@pinoakpto.org.
Melissa Law & Tricia Onufer |
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| POMS Spirit Night at MOD Pizza is Tuesday, March 8
Join us for POMS Spirit Night at MOD Pizza in Bellaire on Tuesday, March 8. Mod Pizza is located at 5103 Bellaire Blvd, Suite 130.
20% of purchases ALL DAY will be donated back to Pin Oak. Mention Pin Oak when you dine in or carry out or you can even order online or via the mobile app and use digital codeGR206110P! |
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| Thank You for an AMAZING Charger Fest
Thank you to everyone who attended Charger Fest on Saturday! It was a HUGE success and wouldn't have been possible without the help and support of all of YOU!
Thank you to the following 2022 Charger Fest Underwriters for their generosity:
Super Star Underwriters ($250) The Law & Onufer Families Locktopia Escape Room
Celebrity Underwriters ($200) The Bougaieff Family Kimberly, CJ and Jake Brasington Christian Glover
Champ Underwriters ($100) Afshar Family Anonymous The Beeches Melanie and Mitchell Chen Paul Orchard Kathleen J Rodriguez Tell It To Your Neighbor Wells Law PLLC The Westin Family
We also thank our booth sponsors who helped to make our large variety of inflatables and games possible:
Booth Sponsorships ($250) Burns Family Elena Heaton The Johnson Family
Booth Sponsorships ($150) Bellaire Family Eye Care Gau Family Steen Family Tidwell Builders, Inc.
We would also like to thank the MANY parent, teacher, and student volunteers who gave their time to work wherever we needed them, supervising games and inflatables, giving tours, and cleaning up, and donated food and drinks to make Charger Fest a success. We could not have done it without you!
We want to especially thank the teachers and administrators who volunteered to get in the murky waters of the dunk tank, bringing smiles to Chargers' faces! We are so lucky to have you, Lindsey Vela, Dr. Johnny Morse, Jeremy Gates, Coach Astaire Carter, Coach Nelson Fujiwara, and JacobStautzenberger. You all are rockstars!
Finally, a HUGE thank you to our amazing Charger Fest Chairs Lindsay Colvin, Kathleen Graf, and Jamie Broach Byrd, and Co-VPs of Fundraising Melissa Bayne and Dawn Johnson who worked tirelessly to plan and organize this event down to every last detail. The Pin Oak community is so grateful for your efforts and hard work. |
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| POMS Cheer Tryouts and Cheer Camp
POMS Cheer Applications will open tomorrow, March 7, at 5 p.m. Look for the link to be posted on the Pin Oak homepage and POMS PTO social media. Applications will close on Friday, April 1, at 4 p.m. No late applications will be accepted.
There will be a virtual parent meeting on Tuesday, March 22, at 6 p.m. Link will be posted online. A tryout video will be posted on Sunday, April 3, at 6 p.m.Tryouts will be held Thursday, April 14, at 4:15 p.m. in the POMS gym.
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 from Pre-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 a T-shirt, light snacks, and water.
Please email Coach Gina Taylor for more information. |
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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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| Gently Used Uniform Donations Are Needed
We are in need of gently used uniform pants. Please donate khaki pants (preferably sizes 18 and up) to the front office. Thank you for your support!
If you have any questions, please contact POMS Wraparound Specialist Brigid Gould. |
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| Say Something Anonymous Reporting
Pin Oak Middle School implemented the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System last October. Sponsored by Sandy Hook Promise, the program educates secondary students, educators and administrators on how to recognize the signs and signals of individuals who may be at-risk of hurting themselves or others and encourages them to report that behavior through an anonymous reporting system. The reporting system allows administrators and law enforcement to create effective interventions and help prevent violence, suicide, bullying, self-harm and other forms of threatening behavior.
Anyone can submit an anonymous tip by going to the program’s website (www.saysomething.net), calling the hotline (1-844-5-SAYNOW) or using the Say Something mobile app, available on the App Store or Google Play.
The Say Something program is provided through Sandy Hook Promise, a nation-wide non-profit organization focused on preventing gun violence before it happens. For more information, contact Anastasia Warren at 712.296.5600.
Submit an anonymous tip:
Say Something Parent Guide Say Something Parent Brochure |
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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, March 7 | | | | | Tuesday, March 8 | | | | | Wednesday, March 9 | | | | | Thursday, March 10 | | | | | Monday, March 14 | | | Tuesday, March 15 | | | Wednesday, March 16 | | | Thursday, March 17 | | | Friday, March 18 | | | Monday, March 21 | | | Tuesday, March 22 | | | | | Thursday, March 24 | | | | | Friday, March 25 | | | | Saturday, March 26 | | | Monday, March 28 | | | | | Tuesday, March 29 | | | | | Thursday, March 31 | | | | Friday, April 1 | |
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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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