Dear Pin Oak Family,

Thanks to the generosity of your family and others in support of the Pin Oak Middle School PTO, we have been able to purchase the following for the arts in our school in 2022:

• Digital Theatre+ subscription renewal
• 8 additional microphones for the Theater program
• Legal and published sheet music for Choir students
• Storage racks for 24 violins and double bass stools.
• Orchestra curriculum books

And this is only PART of what was granted!

From our theatre teacher: "These PTO grants have provided huge opportunities for our Theatre students to increase their skills in technical and global theatre. The microphones that the PTO purchased not only highlighted the talent of our performers but gave our technicians state-of-the-art materials to train with and take ownership of (and our audiences appreciated the upgraded sound)... I appreciate the resources that the PTO is able to provide: they save me time, increase the visibility and quality of our program and give students opportunities and learning methodologies that they otherwise wouldn't have. I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue to dream big for our students, knowing that the PTO is there to support our students and help them shine."

Your financial support is sincerely appreciated. Remember, the money you give is used to make an impact RIGHT NOW. As we head into the second half of the second 6-weeks, POMS already has additional needs and more are sure to surface.

Please give what you can - any amount helps! It's all to benefit your student(s) and their classmates in the 2022-2023 school year.

Click here to donate to the Charger Commitment Campaign now.

Please contact Katie or Francyne at commitment@pinoakpto.org with questions or to get involved with the campaign.

Sincerely,

Francyne Davis Jacobs and Katie Wylie

Pin Oak Middle School is hosting its annual Charger Fest on Saturday, November 5, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM 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, fine arts performances, food, sweets, and more for the whole family! 

TO MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS WE NEED YOU!

We need LOTS of volunteers! Do you have a middle or high schooler who needs some volunteer hours? Please click the links below to sign up as a parent or student volunteer. We appreciate any amount of time you can give! 

• Sign up to be a parent volunteer
• Sign up to be a student volunteer

We also need water, soda, and chip donations. Please bring all items to the front circle drive on Friday morning during drop off. All donations big or small are GREATLY appreciated! Please click on the link below to sign up.

• Sign up to donate an item for Charger Fest

Buy your wristbands to join in all the fun! Unlimited wristband for $20 gives children full access to all the inflatables and carnival games.

Buy Meal Tickets to purchase Chick-fil-A sandwiches, nuggets, pizza, chips, & drinks.

On sale all week during lunch (10/31-11/4): Wristbands, Meal Tickets, and Confetti Egg Vouchers. (CASH ONLY - Items available for pick up on Saturday at the event.)

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.

The school store will be open for uniform sales during Chargerfest on Saturday, November 5th from noon to 4 PM. Please stop by to purchase uniforms, sweatshirts and new full-zip jackets.

We also have several school store volunteer shifts open. Please sign up for a day/time that works for your schedule and meet other parents while volunteering in the store.

Click here to volunteer

POMS Online School Store Open

We will fulfill orders once a week and let you know when they are available for pick up. Your student may pick up their items in the school store during their lunch period. Yard signs will only be available as porch pick-up. 

Please note that when purchasing uniforms in person at the school store, prices are slightly higher for sales tax and the ease of cash transactions.

T-Shirts/Polos - $22.00

Sweatshirts - $33.00

Long Sleeve Spirit Shirts - $27.00

Please feel free to reach out to Thuy Promubol and Jean Lee at: schoolstore@pinoakpto.org with any questions or concerns.

Thank you!

Book fair will be open during lunch this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Book fair will also be open during Charger Fest!  We hope to see you there!

Book fair accepts payment by cash, debit or credit card.  Parents may also set up an ewallet using this link.

Volunteer here for the Book Fair

Join the virtual parent meeting on November 2 from 9-10 AM.

Scan the QR code to join the meeting.

The Pin Oak Players Advanced Theatre Company presents a preview performance of its UIL One Act Play "Lafayette No. 1" on Wednesday, November 2nd at 6 PM in the Black Box. These students will be presenting the play at Ortiz Middle School on Saturday November 5th for UIL One Act Play competition.

Tickets to this preview performance are $5 suggested donation at the door. It is a 40-minute show, recommended for ages 8+.

Catch these talented Chargers and root them on before they go to competition!

Come out and support Pin Oak by attending Spirit Night at Escalante's, located at 590 Meyerland Plaza, Houston, TX 77096, on Monday, November 7th - valid all day. 

Provide the Pin Oak flyer or mention Pin Oak to your server and 20% of the sales (not including sales tax or alcohol) will be donated back to Pin Oak! Dine In or Carry Out!

2022-2023 yearbooks are now on sale!

This will be a very special book commemorating Pin Oak's 20th anniversary. We sell out every year and you won't want to miss getting your copy. 

Books are $55 until December 31 then rise to $60 on January 1. 

Get yours at www.balfour.com and type Pin Oak Middle School in the search bar.

Pin Oak Chargers are joining forces with Team #kirbystrong

for the 2022 MD Anderson Give Cancer the Boot Walk.

This annual fundraiser provides support for patient programs, research, prevention and education at MD Anderson — 100% of funds raised by participants directly support MD Anderson's mission to end cancer.

Monday, October 24 – Friday, November 4

Donations accepted before school. Donate $5 or more and receive a Give Cancer the Boot wristband. 100% of all proceeds go to MD Anderson to support their mission to end cancer.

Friday, November 4

Students can wear cowboy boots, hiking boots, rain boots, hunting boots, running shoes, high tops, low tops, gogo boots, anything comfy and we will walk to GIVE CANCER THE BOOT!

If you would like to make an additional donation to MD Anderson, please click here.

Thank you for your generosity! We won’t rest until we give cancer the boot.

#endcancer#kirbystrong

To join via mobile phone:

1. Send a text to 81010
2. Text this message: @pomsparen

To join via web:

https://www.remind.com/join/pomsparen 

Download the Remind app:

• App Store
• Google Play

Please make sure you have subscribed to school notifications on HISD Connect Parent Portal. Its one of many notification tools for POMS. Please see the screenshot below on how to subscribe for school notifications.

ATTENTION PARENTS: The Student Annual Verification is now available on the HISD Connect Parent Portal. Please complete your child’s annual updates and forms by October 28 to ensure their information is accurate and up to date. 

Learn more: https://blogs.houstonisd.org/news/2022/09/06/hisd-parents-asked-to-complete-student-annual-verification/#more-43346

Please visit ChooseHISD.org for an important update from our Chief of Schools regarding the 2023-2024 school choice application timeline. Applications for the 2023-24 school year will open in December!

A Special Message from Chief of Schools Denise Watts:

HISD Community,

School Choice Timeline is Changing!

In Houston ISD, all families have districtwide access to unparalleled educational opportunities, and now the school choice application process is changing to better meet family needs!

HISD will be opening phase one of the school choice application in December 2022 through February 2023. Phase two of the application process will open in April 2023 and go through June 2023. This will provide families with the time to settle into the current school year before they have to decide on the school that they want to attend for the next school year. The district is also rolling out a new application system to help streamline and improve the school choice application experience.

• Who Should Apply in December?
  • Current HISD families that prefer for their child to transfer to another HISD school for the 23-24 school year â—‹ Families that will be new to HISD in the 23-24 school year
  • Families that are seeking to apply to a specific program that is not available at their child’s current and / or zoned school
  • Families with a child in a transitional grade
  • Families who want to enroll in their zoned neighborhood school
  • Families that have moved away from their formerly zoned HISD school
  • Out-of-district families seeking to attend a HISD school in the 23-24 school year
• Who Does Not Need To Apply In December?
  • If your child is currently enrolled in an HISD school in a non-transitional grade, and you would like them to continue at that school for the 23-24 school year, you do not need to submit an application.

In the meantime, families should check-out HISD’s new School Finder platform to explore the vast opportunities available in HISD and help families find the school that’s right for them.

Please contact the Office of School Choice with any questions.

Please consider helping us purchase items on the Pin Oak Amazon Wish List. 

Thank you so much for your generosity!

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.

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 ChairChrissy Abaza.

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)

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 Rebecca Grazier.

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.

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:

• Use the Website: www.saysomething.net
• Call the hotline: 1-844-5-SAYNOW
• Use the Mobile App: Available for Apple and Android devices

Say Something Parent Guide

Say Something Parent Brochure

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.