Principal's Post
Dear Charger Parents and Families,
Tomorrow, May 30, we will celebrate Memorial Day. As we enjoy time with family, let us also take the opportunity to remember and express our gratitude to all the men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country. That includes our own family members, friends, and ancestors who served our nation. May their commitment continue to inspire us as citizens to serve in ways that we can and allow us to appreciate those who selflessly protect and defend others.
Best wishes to you and your family. I hope you have a safe and healthy Memorial Day. I will see everyone back on campus on Tuesday, May 31.
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8th Grade End of Year Breakfast POMS is holding its End of the Year 8th Grade Breakfast and Yearbook Signing Party on Friday, June 3, from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. in the MPR.
This breakfast will be a final hurrah for all 8th graders before their Promotion Parade and Day of Fun on Tuesday, June 7. They will have tasty food, snazzy music, and awesome decorations that will ensure everyone will have a great time!
Locker Clean Out Day It’s that time of year again- the end of school year clean out!
Friday, June 3, is Locker Clean Out Day. All students will clean out their locker during Team Time. Please return books to your teacher and library books to the library. All locks must be removed by the end of the school day and the locker contents disposed. Students will not be able to access lockers after Friday.
Here are some useful tips:
- Collect & store school supplies to use next year. Students should take home school supplies, such as half-used notebooks, pens, and pencils that don’t need to be thrown out. Please collect, store and use them next year.
- Donate unwanted items to a local charity. You can reduce waste and your carbon footprint by donating unwanted clothes or other still useable items. For more information about our locker policy, contact your student's house clerk listed below:
Update Your Contact Information in HISDConnect Parents, now is the time to update your contact information in HISDConnect and be sure that we have your address, working phone number(s), and an email address linked to your student’s account.
This is very important as we will need accurate information to contact you over the summer with information about Charger Camp 2022 and PowerUp parent information sessions.
Required Immunizations for Rising 7th Graders - Tdap – 1 dose of Tdap is required if at least 5 years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine.
- Meningococcal (MCV4) – 1 dose of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine is required on or after the student’s 11th birthday. If a student received the vaccine at 10 years of age, this will satisfy the requirement.
If your child is a rising 7th grader, s/he MUST have the vaccines listed above in addition to all previously required vaccinations, or risk being removed from school until proof of vaccination is presented.
For more information, visit the Texas Health & Human Services website.
Where to go for low cost immunizations?
Contact Nurse Troetscher at Thea.Troetscher@houstonisd.org or 713.295.6500 if you have questions.
2022-2023 Course Requests Open Through June 8 It is time to request classes for next year. There’s an abundance of new electives coming here to POMS: Athletics, AVID, Broadcast/Journalism, Japanese Language & Culture, Model UN, Odyssey of the Mind, Persian Language & Culture, Principles of Information Technology (PIT), Tech Apps, and Tech Team. These requests are NOT a guarantee that you will be placed into these specific courses. There are many factors that go into creating a schedule, including standardized and district assessment results.
Below you will find links to the 2022-2023 POMS Course Catalog and grade level course requests.
Course requests are open now through June 8, 2022.
Rising 6th Graders: You will get a chance to request your electives and level of core subjects (on-level, HISD Advanced) for each subject. If a student does not pass the 2022 STAAR exam, they will automatically be put in on- level and intervention courses.
Rising 7th & 8th Graders:You must use your HISD log-in to complete the Google form. All levels of academic courses will stay the same. If a student does not pass the 2022 STAAR exam, they will automatically be put in on-level and intervention courses.
Athletics for 7th & 8th Graders: This is a class specific to student-athletes. Students will work on drills and training for Pin Oak sports. Requirement: Student physical, profile on Register My Athlete, and medical insurance information must be submitted to the Athletic Coordinator no later than August 19, 2022. Students who sign up for athletics must commit to tryout and/or participate in one sport (minimum). No exceptions.
High School Credit Classes - 7th Grade Algebra placement will be finalized over the summer.
- 8th Grade Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC) placement will be determined over the summer. Science grades and performance on district assessments will be reviewed before approval of placement in this class.
- 8th Grade Principles of Information Technology (PIT) placement will be determined over the summer. Science and math grades and performance on district and state assessments will be reviewed before approval of placement in this class.
All academic and IEP/504/IAT/HB4545 requirements will take priority over any request made.
Elective Course Descriptions 6th Grade Course Requests 7th/8th Grade Course Requests
*Schedules are subject to change at any time. |
Sports Physicals 2022-2023 Any student interested in participating in Athletics for the 2022-2023 school year must complete the requirements listed below by Friday, August 19.
Athletic Physicals are a MANDATORY REQUIREMENT. They are not optional! No student will be allowed to participate on an athletic team or practices without a current Athletic Physical. Athletic Physicals are good for the duration of one (1) year and physicals should be taken prior to the start of the school year. Please make sure that you give a copy of the Athletic Physical to the Athletic Coordinator or School Nurse. Also, make certain to keep a copy for your personal records!
Please see the links and content below regarding athletic requirements and the sports physicals clinic being hosted at Pin Oak Middle School in August 2022. The cost is $20 CASH ONLY.
Please contact Coach Carter, POMS Athletic Coordinator, if you have any questions.
POMS Sports Physical Clinics - Friday, June 3 (12PM - 4PM)*
- Friday, August 19 (Time TBD)*
CAMPUS REMINDERS: 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!
Electronic Devices The use of electronic devices (including, but not limited to earbuds, AirPods, or headphones), unless allowed by teacher/administrator for educational purposes, is not permitted during the school day, including transitions or in the hallways. Electronic devices are not allowed in the restrooms. Staff members are allowed to confiscate and safeguard a student’s cell phone or other devices until the end of the school day. Students who do not comply with a staff member’s request will face further discipline, as outlined in the code of conduct, including detentions or retrieval of a device by a parent/guardian. Per the POMS Handbook 2021-2022 (pages 8-9) and in accordance with Texas Education Code 37.082, a $15 administrative fee will be collected by the POMS Business Office upon return of the device.
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. Please note that missing even one class period to attend a doctor's appointment requires a written excuse to the attendance clerk within the three-day window. Simply signing the checkout sheet when picking up your child during school hours does not fulfill this requirement or excuse your child from that absence.
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.
If you have any questions regarding attendance or to submit your written excuse electronically, please email our attendance clerk, Michelle Fusilier Johnson, at michelle.fusilierjohnson@houstonisd.org.
IDs & Lanyards 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. |
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 |
| POMS Summertime Reading Bingo
If you groan when you hear the words "summer reading", then we have some amazing news for you! Ms. Brooke Corso, our school librarian, has come up with an innovative way to incentivize and encourage students to ENJOY their summer reading with a new program called Summertime Reading Bingo!
Students are empowered to choose their own desired summer reading from a variety of selections and topics. Students can then earn reading badges based on their chosen interests, from listening to podcasts to creating original poetry to drawing a scene from their favorite book.
Never before has summer reading been so FUN!
For more information, please email Brooke Corso at brooke.corso@houstonisd.org. |
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| Kona Ice Friday is June 3
Enjoy the last Kona Ice Friday of the school year by grabbing a cold treat with your friends after school! The truck will be parked on Glenmont in front of the school. Treats range from $4 - $7. |
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| Thank You for Donating to the POMS Teachers and Staff End of Year Gift Fund
Thanks to your generosity and support, we will be giving each and every teacher and staff member a $100 Amazon Gift Card from the entire POMS community.
Thank you for helping us show our teachers and staff how much they mean to us. We could not have done it without you.
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| POMS 8th Grade Activities Update
The POMS 8th Grade Field Trip to Splashway Waterpark was a HUGE success! Thank you to Principal Lindsey Vela for coordinating the trip and POMS admin and teachers for chaperoning.
We would also like to thank parent volunteers Julie Steif and Zephanie Reed for chaperoning the field trip, and Marshall Law, Brent Konstanzer, and Andy Rodriguez for showing up several hours early to stake claim on the best seats in the waterpark to set up shop with our igloos, water bottles, and snacks. We could not have done it without your help!
Finally, we would like to thank our POMS PTO 8th Grade Field Trip Chair, Renee Konstanzer, for organizing all of the volunteers and purchasing the snacks, drinks, and sunscreen to ensure the kids were full, hydrated, and protected from the sun throughout the day.
We will be distributing any undelivered "Club 88" swag bags at the 8th Grade Breakfast on Friday, June 3. All undelivered 8th Grade Yard Signs will be available for pickup at the 8th Grade Day of Fun on Tuesday, June 7.
If you have any questions about 8th Grade Activities, please email POMS PTO 8th Grade Activities Chairs Melissa Law & Tricia Onufer at 8thgradeactivities@pinoakpto.org. |
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| POMS 8th Grade Day of Fun is Tuesday, June 7
The 8th graders will go out with a bang on their very last day at Pin Oak. Students will be lined up by their clusters and parade through the halls while the other grades celebrate them as they process out to the fields for their final party.
Parents are invited to be inside the building in the hallway between the cafeteria and gym to view the parade. Please respect the limit of 2 guests per student if you plan to watch the parade inside.You must be signed in at the front desk by 8:30 a.m. Additional family members and those arriving after 8:30 a.m. will be invited to see the students as they exit the building, outside of the gym doors.
8th graders will enjoy yard games, a DJ, and lots of outdoor fun from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Snacks, Lunch, and dessert will be served to students only throughout the event, with LOTS of water available!
Students that are picked up at the end of the party will need to be signed out by a parent at the outdoor check-out table. (This sign out station is for 8th grade students only).
Remaining students will return to a classroom for the rest of the school day.
We are looking for 7th grade parents that can help during the first hour, so that all 8th grade volunteers can observe the parade. Additionally, we need 8th grade parents to stick around to help make this a DAY OF FUN! |
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| Foster POMS Chickens Over the Summer
We are seeking summer foster homes for our six hens from May 26 through August 26. Your family can foster a minimum of two. Please have a coop already. Adoption is option as well.
For more information, please contact either Ms. Angela Roth at aroth@houstonisd.org or Ms. Gina Taylor at gina.taylor@houstonisd.org. |
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| POMS 2021-2022 Yearbook Distribution & Sales
Preorders of yearbooks purchased online will be distributed to students during lunches on Tuesday, May 31. Students with a preordered book will receive a notification in their email on Friday, May 27.
Extra yearbooks will be sold for $55 cash only on a first come, first served basis before school and during lunches on Wednesday, June 1-Thursday, June 2. Books will also be sold on Friday, June 3 if any still remain.
Please email Ms. Beckman at abeckman@houstonisd.org with any questions. |
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| Purchase Your POMS Giving Tree Leaf
"Leaf" your mark on Pin Oak Middle School!
Honor your Pin Oak student (or favorite POMS teacher, coach, or athletic team) by purchasing a custom laser-engraved stainless steel leaf to add to our Giving Tree, which is displayed at the front entrance of the school.
Leaves will be installed before the first day of school in August. The cost is only a $300 tax-deductible donation to Pin Oak Middle School PTO.
If you have any questions, please email POMS PTO Giving Tree Chair Judy Cheng at givingtree@pinoakpto.org. |
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| POMS Online School Store Orders
The POMS School Store on campus is closed for the remainder of the school year, but the POMS Online School Store is open for all your POMS uniform needs!
Online orders will be available for pick up during Charger Camp in August.
Please do not stop by the school to pick up your online order.
If you have any questions, please contact us at schoolstore@pinoakpto.org.
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| 2022 HISD Visual Arts Summer Intensives Student Registration Now Open
Summer Intensives are open to all fine arts focused students 2nd-11th grade district wide! High level art instruction, all supplies provided, weekly field trips! Online application must be completed by June 8, 2022. |
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| Bellaire Belles Summer Dance Clinic
The Bellaire Belles Summer Dance Clinic is from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, at the Bellaire High School Gym.
The dance clinic is open for girls and boys in grades K-12 and offers 3 options - traditional Pom or Hip Hop for K-8th grade or Advanced Dance Routine for 6-12th grade.
The cost is $40 in advance, and $45 at the door including a T-shirt, snacks, and a certificate. |
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| HISD Athletics Hosts Free Summer Camp
The HISD Athletics Department welcomes you to attend our Athletics Summer Camps! Enhance your skills while you learn about committing to cooperative goals, perseverance, and physical wellbeing. |
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| POMS Boys' Lacrosse Team Interest Form
If you're interested in being on the POMS Boys' Lacrosse team for the 2022-23 season, please sign up using this Google form.
Please email Coach Austin St. Denis with any questions. |
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| STEM, Fine Arts & Volleyball Summer Camps in Downtown Houston for Girls
Join Incarnate Word Academy for its annual summer camp experience throughout the month of June.
This is a great opportunity to have fun in the heart of downtown on a high school campus while making new friends. IWA camps are open to current middle school girls.
Camps Featured: Volleyball, Dance, Science, Technology, Theatre & Art.
Come enjoy some summer camp fun in the heart of the city! |
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| Empowering Houston's LGBTQIA+ Youth
Hatch Youth is Houston’s oldest, currently active social group dedicated to empowering LGBTQIA+ youth between the ages of 7 and 20. Hatch Youth groups provide a safe and affirming environment where youth can socialize, make new friends, and engage in educational and creative activities to help youth in and around Houston not just survive, but thrive.
Educational programs include:
LGBTQIA+ health issues and accessing care
Mental health and wellness
LGBTQIA+ rights
Queer history
Creative writing and art
Social justice
Community resources
Empowering community speakers
The groups are comprised of introductions, social time, programming, and small group, and are curated by Hatch staff and trained volunteer facilitators. Youth have access to role models and peer support and can participate in special projects and events, including Hatch Prom and walking in the annual Pride Houston Parade. There are no costs for any activities. |
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| Westside HS Volleyball Camp
Location: Westside High School Cost: $150
Rising 4th-8th Graders: June 13-16, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Rising 9th Graders: June 13-16, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Head Coach Andre King at aking1@houstonisd.org or call (281) 920-8000 ext. 036255.
Please mail registration form to:
Westside Volleyball, 14201 Briar Forest Dr., Houston, TX 77077
Payment methods: Money Order, Cashier Check or Cash
Made payable to: Westside Volleyball |
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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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| | Monday, May 30 | | | Friday, June 3 | | | | Tuesday, June 7 | | | | | | | Wednesday, June 8 | | | Thursday, June 9 | | | Friday, June 10 | |
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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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