Originally delivered on 4/25/2021 2:55 pm

SUBJECT: Charger Chatter

April 25, 2021

Principal's Post


Pin Oak Chargers and Parents -


We had a busy and successful past week! I would like to take a minute to highlight some of the many positives happening on campus:


  • STAAR 7th Grade Writing Test: Our testing team and teachers did a phenomenal job welcoming our 7th graders to the building and orchestrating a smooth testing day. Our students were on-time and fully engaged with their testing.


  • Core Power Hour: It was good to hear feedback and debrief with our Cluster Leaders about this virtual extension to our non-testing students. We want to make every minute count as we wrap up the year. I’m excited about the slight adjustments our teachers are making so Power Hour is a strong resource during our May STAAR testing days.


  • Spring Sports: It is rejuvenating to see our Chargers stepping on the fields and courts again. #ChargeOn


  • Fine Arts Fridays: Our Performing Arts groups are taking the spotlight every Friday during Office Hours. Our students are able to tune in to watch their peers perform! We. Are. Pin Oak.


  • Urban Agriculture: Have you noticed our blooming flower beds and gardens? Our Urban Agriculture students and teachers continue to learn, grow, and bring beauty to our campus. Thank you!


  • Incoming 6th Grade Welcome: We have notified our new 6th graders and continue to add seats daily. Their virtual orientation date is scheduled for May 13th at 6:00 p.m. We will share all the details about being a Pin Oak Charger along with course selection details and opportunities to get involved next year.


  • 8th Grade Celebration Day: Our 8th grade CELEBRATION was approved! Mark your calendar for June 4th. We are going to enjoy an outdoor day of fun, food, prizes, fine arts performances, music, and pictures as we celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2021. You are awesome and we are so proud of you! See the link to submit your photo for the 8th grade slideshow in the section below.


  • Pajama Jam Auction: Thank you! I’m speechless (that is rare). I don’t even know how to begin to thank our Pin Oak Community for your support for our kids and programs. Thank you.


And last but not least – Thank you to our Pin Oak PTO Board & Volunteers. You are the best and we could not do it without you!


President: Tricia Onufer

VP of Communications: Melissa Law

VP of Activities: Lauren Blackburn & Andrea Freedman

VP of Fundraising & Development: Melissa Bayne & Alison Edwards

VP of School Store: Amy Allen & Peggy Chang

Treasurer: Keith Desrosiers

Assistant Treasurer: Dawn Pennington

VP of Budget & Finance: Melanie Carter

Recording Secretary: Lindsay Colvin

Corresponding Secretary: Renee Konstanzer

Parliamentarian: Judy Cheng

President Emeritus: Ludy Lopez-Andrade


I’m honored to lead Pin Oak Middle School. We have stayed connected and worked hard through a difficult year. I’m proud of our students and families.


Respectfully,



Michelle Shoulders



This Week's Schedule:

Monday: BLUE

Tuesday: SILVER

Wednesday: BLUE

Thursday: SILVER

Friday: CHARGER DAY

Thank You to POMS Families, Participants, & Sponsors!

Thank you to all of our Pin Oak families who participated in our virtual auction this week. We had so much fun celebrating the week with pajama pants, spirit nights, and all of your enthusiasm! Because of your support, we were able to raise over $30,000 in the Pajama Jam!


If you purchased a ticket to the POMS Ice Cream Social, it will be held on the Pin Oak fields on the afternoon of Friday, May 7th. More details to come!


If you sponsored a teacher's lunch, please complete this Google Form for each teacher you sponsored by Friday, April 30th.


We are excited to announce the following raffle winners:

AirPods Pro: Family of Carter Smith (7B)

Steamboat, CO Vacation: Family of Isabella Sorenson (8C)

PlayStation 5: Family of Zach Ramsborg (6A)

Wine Basket: Family of Layton & Candace Hirschi (6A)

Liquor Basket: Family of Charles Taylor (6A)

Beer Basket: Family of Riley Hudlow (7B)

 

Additionally, we would like to thank all of the Pin Oak families who contributed to auction items and truly helped this event be a success.

 

A special thank you to our raffle sponsor,West U Orthodontics.


FInally, a huge thank you to our Auction Committee: Lauren Adams, Melissa Bayne, Melissa Law, Melissa McPhail, & Julie Steif


We are so grateful for your support! #ChargeOn

PTO General Meeting Tomorrow @ 9 a.m.

Please join us for our next PTO General Meeting tomorrow, April 26th, at 9 a.m. via Teams. Click here to join the meeting.

POMS 8th Grade Class of 2021

We will be having a socially-distanced POMS Class of 2021 Celebration Day for the students only at school on Friday, June 4th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (times subject to change). This celebration will feature food, sweet treats, performances by the stage band, and more!


Depending on the participation level (we will need most of the 8th Grade Class to participate), we will also create a slideshow that includes all students who send in their photo, highlighting YOU, and where YOU are heading for high school! Wear your new school shirt, hat, hold a sign, or anything creative and fun so we can pay tribute to you and recognize you for all your hard work and years at POMS.


Please email your photo (including your name and house) to 8thgradeactivites@pinoakpto.org or text it to (713) 443-4808. Deadline is May 7th!


We look forward to celebrating the 8th Grade Class of 2021 on Friday, June 4th!

Deadline to Buy Your 2020-2021 Yearbook is Friday, April 30th

Get Your Copy: Pin Oak 2020-2021 yearbooks are available for purchase from Balfour for $50. We are documenting this year in a special way and there will be fewer copies available so preorder your book today! Deadline to purchase is Friday, April 30th.


Questions? Email Ms. Beckman at abeckman@houstonisd.org.

Order your School Supplies Today

School supply kits for the 2021-2022 school year are now on sale. Purchase your student's supplies now and make it easy for yourself when school starts. Use this link: https://1stday.sale/104263


Questions? Please contact the POMS PTO School Supplies Chairs.

POMS STAAR Testing Information

Missed the STAAR testing information in the Charger Chatter? Click here to view all the dates, times, and schedule at POMS.

Visit the POMS Online School Store

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!

Reminder: School Dress Code

Students must wear our school colors each day. They can wear a polo, spirit shirt, t-shirt, or sweatshirt in grey, white, or royal blue. This is for supervision and safety reasons since students will be outside. All pants/shorts must be school appropriate length.

Reminder: No Deliveries to Front Office

Just a reminder that due to COVID-19 safety protocols, the front office is unable to accept deliveries for students. This includes parents dropping off lunches, instruments, etc. Thank you for your help in keeping our campus safe and healthy!

POMS Amazon Wish List

Our teachers are being diligent with cleaning the desks and work areas. If you would like to help us keep our campus safe and healthy by purchasing additional cleaning products, please see our Amazon Wish List. All items will be shipped directly to the school. Thank you!

Questions? Contact PTO President Tricia Onufer at president@pinoakpto.org.

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.

Questions? Contact Bruno Mesa.

Looking Ahead
Monday, April 26
9:00a POMS PTO General Meeting
5:00p POMS Cheer Team Uniform Fitting for New Team
Tuesday, April 27
4:30p POMS Softball vs. Pershing MS @ POMS
5:00p POMS Girls & Boys Soccer vs. West Briar MS @ POMS
5:30p POMS Boys & Girls Basketball BYE Game
Wednesday, April 28
4:30p POMS Baseball vs. Hogg MS @ POMS
Thursday, April 29
4:30p POMS Softball vs. Meyerland PVA @ Meyerland PVA
Friday, April 30
POMS End of 5th 6 Weeks
POMS Deadline to Order Yearbook
5:00p POMS Girls & Boys Soccer vs. TH Rogers @ TH Rogers
5:30p POMS Boys Basketball vs. Lawson MS @ Lawson MS
5:30p POMS Girls Basketball vs. Lawson MS @ POMS
6:30p POMS Boys Lacrosse (6th Grade) @ Pershing MS
7:30p POMS Boys Lacrosse (7th/8th Grades) @ Pershing MS
Saturday, May 1
POMS Girls Lacrosse EOS Tournament @ Woodlands
Tuesday, May 4
4:30p POMS Softball vs. Pershing MS @ Pershing MS
Wednesday, May 5
4:45p POMS Baseball vs. Lanier MS @ POMS
Thursday, May 6
4:45p POMS Baseball vs. Black MS @ Black MS
Friday, May 7
POMS Report Cards
POMS Deadline to Submit 8th Grade Photo for Slideshow
2:45p POMS Ice Cream Social
Stay Connected
Ways to Give

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.

When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate a percentage to Pin Oak Middle School PTO.

Use the new Box Tops App 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.

We Appreciate Our Corporate Sponsors & Community Partners
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