Join us for our third POMS PTO General Meeting of the school year!

When? Monday, November 14th, 2022 from 9-10 AM

Where?  Parents have two options to attend:

• Attend in-person at Pin Oak Middle School (DLL room in library)
• Attend via Microsoft Teams (please note that chat will be enabled for the virtual attendees)

If you plan to attend the meeting in person, please make sure to arrive at least 15-20 minutes ahead of time to get checked in at the front office with your driver's license.

Sign up to bring a dessert to make the tailgating-themed lunch a success.  

Please drop off at the front desk on the morning of Wednesday, November 16th. Thank you!

Please email the POMS PTO Staff Appreciation Committee at staffappreciation@pinoakpto.org with any questions.

Hello POMS Parents,

It's your friendly CCC chairs reminding you that you only have 6 days left to make your donation!

We are on the verge of reaching last year's amount, and with your donations, we can do it.

Our testimonials show that we provide support across the learning and educational spectrum, from the arts to sports, from the library to specific classes, such as the Sciences, Wings and Wheels, Social Studies and Special Education. The PTO supports every aspect and every corner of POMS, which means we are supporting YOUR child and your child(ren)'s teachers!

The budget from HISD only goes so far. In order to provide all of the wonderful learning opportunities, we need YOUR help.

Donate to the Charger Commitment Campaign now! 

Your student(s) will reap the benefits!

Sincerely,

Francyne and Katie

School picture day is Wednesday, November 16th.  The link to prepay for pictures will remain active for one week after picture day - Wednesday, November 23.

Come to the Information meeting about Traveling to Athens and the Greek Islands in the summer of 2024 with Ms Hulbirt and EF Tours. This is an exciting opportunity for all of us.

Meeting is Wednesday, November 16th in the Cafeteria at 6PM ... Please register for the meeting so I can send out reminders and have enough hand outs for everyone. I will also have a meeting simultaneously on TEAMS if you cannot make it in person.

Pin Oak will be hosting tours for interested families on upcoming Thursdays. Spots are limited so click here to learn more and sign up.

We look forward to seeing you!!

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.

Pin Oak Chargers,

You. Did. It. Again. You donated $705.68 to the 2022 MD Anderson Boot Walk to End cancer Team #kirbystrong. Thank you, parents, for contributing on line and thank you, students, for digging into your piggy bank! Your generosity was overwhelming.

Just as generous and even more heartwarming were the stories the kids shared about their parents working at MD Anderson or about someone they know fighting cancer. Cancer impacts us all. We won't rest until we give cancer the boot.

100% of the monies raised goes to life-saving research and patient programs at MD Anderson.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Gina Taylor
#endcancer
#kirbystrong

The POMS Library has been busy, busy, busy during the 2nd Six Weeks with classes, activities, contests, conferences, meetings, gaming clubs, student and librarian leadership, and more! The mission of the POMS library is to welcome and nurture every type of reader and respect and include every voice. 

Check out our newsletter to see what we are all about!

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.

The Pin Oak Players are excited to announce this year's spring musical: Rock Of Ages! Featuring classic 80's songs like "Don't Stop Believing," "We Built This City on Rock 'n Roll," and "We're Not Gonna Take It," this show is a boy-meets-girl classic story set to an exciting and fun 80s rock soundtrack. 

Auditions will be in December and the show performs in March. Stay tuned for details on auditions and applying for the crew!

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

The award-winning Lamar High School Rangerettes are hosting a dance clinic on Saturday, December 3. 

Participants of the clinic will then have the opportunity to perform at their Winter Show that evening. 

The deadline to register is Sunday, November 27.  Click here to register.

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 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.