Originally delivered on 12/18/2022 4:45 pm

SUBJECT: Charger Chatter

December 18, 2022

Principal's Post



Dear Charger Parents and Families,


Happy Holidays! This is the last week of the first semester. Monday and Tuesday are regular days and Wednesday is a modified Charger Day. See the final week bell schedule below. Don’t let off the pedal just yet, there is still work to be done before we get out at 4:00 on Wednesday. 


This will be our last Charger Chatter until January, as I too will be stepping away to spend time creating memories with my own family during this winter break. I hope your family has a chance to rest, relax, and recharge over the break too, you all have earned it! Our Chargers return on Monday, January 9, 2023.

Upcoming Campus Events

  • Mon, 12/19: World Cup Day
  • Tues, 12/20: Last Day for Charger Toy Drive Donation
  • Wed, 12/21: Holiday Pajama Day
  • Wed, 12/21: Team Time Play Performance

Charger Toy Drive

We are looking for donations of new (unwrapped) toys for local boys and girls in our community ages 6-13.  Please drop off your donation at the POMS main entrance by Tuesday, December 20. 

Attendance: This is a reminder to send in an excuse every time your child is absent. We continue to monitor absences and ask that parents please let us know if you notice any discrepancies.  Please contact our attendance clerk Ms. Johnson if you have a question about your child’s attendance or Mr. Gates if you have a specific question about the TEA Attendance 90% Rule. 

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:

  • Follow our #WeArePinOakhashtag and me on Twitter@POMS_Principal: We will post pictures and information on our daily activities at POMS to our #WeArePinOak hashtag. We encourage you to share your Charger pride here as well!


See You Soon!

Lindsey Vela


Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram!

Twitter: @pinoakms

Instagram @pinoakchargers

Help Still Needed for POMS Staff & Teacher Appreciation Luncheon Tomorrow


The POMS PTO Staff Appreciation Committee is looking for help providing homemade cakes, pies, or a special holiday favorite. If you don't have time to bake, grab a sweet treat from Costco or your favorite bakery (cheesecake, tuxedo cake, cake or pie). No cookies, please. 


Please sign up to contribute to this sweet treat collection.


All baked goods need to be delivered to POMS front office by tomorrow at 10:30 AM.


Any questions can be directed to the POMS PTO Staff Appreciation Committee at staffappreciation@pinoakpto.org.

Come One! Come 20! Join us Tomorrow Night at 7:30 PM


Come join us to learn how you can be involved in the 2023 Silent Auction supporting Pin Oak Middle School.  


An interest meeting will be held on Monday, December 19th at 7:30 PM at the Starbucks located at Westheimer and Post Oak Boulevard in the Galleria area.    


Volunteers are needed to make this year's celebration a successful event.  This event provides technology, literature, fine arts, and athletics to the campus. Come help celebrate Pin Oak's 20th Anniversary! 

Team Time Play Performance on Wednesday, December 21


Celebrate the end of the semester with a special performance of Advanced Theatre's award-winning production "Lafayette No. 1" on Wednesday, December 21st during Team Time! 


Tickets are $5 and will be sold before school or with Ms. Goldman starting Wednesday, December 14th. 

8th Grade Activities Committee Volunteers Needed


We have many fun activities planned for our 8th graders, including a breakfast and dance.  We have several other fun end-of-year events in the making and we need all the helping hands we can get.  Let’s make this a great year for our soon-to-be high schoolers.


Please reach out to POMS PTO 8th Grade Chairs, Dana George and Pauline Mathiesen at 8thgradeactivities@pinoakpto.org if you would like to be involved, or lead an event.

Limited Hours this week for POMS School Store


Please note that the school store will only be open Monday, December 19th and Wednesday, December 21st until 1:00 PM.


Please feel free to reach out to schoolstore@pinoakpto.org with any questions. Thank you for supporting the POMS PTO!

Save the Dates - Charger Cheer Team Tryouts


March:

  • Monday, March 1: Cheer Team Tryout Application available
  • Tuesday, March 21, 5:30 PM: Parent Interest Meeting in the POMS cafeteria
  • Thursday, March 30, 4:00 PM: Deadline for completed application – NO LATE APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED

April:
  • Sunday, April 2: Tryout video posted by 5:00 PM
  • Sunday, April 2 – Tuesday, April 11: Applicants learn and practice tryout material from posted videos
  • Wednesday, April 12, 4:15 PM: In-person cheer clinic to refine material learned on video (POMS gym)
  • Thursday, April 13, 4:15 PM: Mock Tryouts (POMS gym)
  • Friday, April 14, 4:15 PM: Tryouts in front of independent judges (POMS gym)
  • Friday, April 14: 2023-2024 Cheer Team announced via POMS website
  • Tuesday, April 18, 4:30 PM: 2023-2024 Cheer Team uniform fitting, dance room, bring a parent (all team members are required to attend)


June:

Summer Commitment – Cheer Camp (POMS gym): 

  • Thursday, June 1, 8 AM - 4 PM
  • Friday, June 2, 8 AM - 4 PM


All 2023-2024 cheer team members are expected to attend and participate in the Cheer Camp held at Pin Oak Middle School.


There will be a panel of three independent judges evaluating each applicant. Selections by independent judges are FINAL.


Stay tuned to the Charger Chatter and daily announcements for details as tryouts get closer.


Please email Coach Taylor with questions.


Go Chargers!

HISD Gifted and Talented Testing


Please follow the Request to Evaluate Parent Steps if your student is not currently identified as Gifted and Talented and you are interested in having your student tested for Gifted and Talented identification. All testing will be done on paper. For more information please visit the district G/T site.


Please fill out the request (English form or Spanish form) and the school will fill out the teacher recommendation form. You can also fill out the paper application and return it to Ms. Vining.

School Choice Applications are Now Open for the 2023-2024 School Year


Please visit ChooseHISD.org to apply. 


Please contact the Office of School Choice with any questions.

Pin Oak Middle School Tours


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!!

High School Tours
Lamar Texan Roundup on Wednesday, January 11


Future Lamar Texans!  Texan Roundup is coming! 


Join us on January 11, 2023, from 5:30 PM to 7 PM


This is a great opportunity to meet our CTE Teachers, Fine Arts teachers, and Athletic Coaches and learn more about our programs. Academic Deans and IB Coordinators will also be available to answer questions. Parking will be available in the garage (entrance on Eastside St) beginning at 5:15 PM. 


If you have any questions contact Casey Titus.

Get your Pin Oak 20th Anniversary Yearbook!


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.

Join Mrs. Vela's POMS Parent Group 2022-2023 on Remind


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:

HISD Connect Parent Portal Notifications


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.

POMS Amazon Wishlist


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


Thank you so much for your generosity!

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.

Join the POMS PTO for 2022-2023


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.

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)

Update Information for POMS Directory


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 Storejoin 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.

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.

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

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.

Looking Ahead
Monday, December 19
POMS Staff/Teacher Appreciation Holiday Luncheon & Gift Distribution
POMS World Cup Day - Wear Your Favorite Jersey
7:30p POMS Volunteer Interest Meeting for Auction Committee
Tuesday, December 20
POMS Charger Toy Drive - Last Day for Donations
Wednesday, December 21
POMS End of 6 Week Grading Period
POMS Team Time Play Performance
POMS Holiday Pajama Day
Thursday, December 22
POMS No School - Winter Break
Friday, December 23
POMS No School - Winter Break
Saturday, December 24
POMS No School - Winter Break
Sunday, December 25
POMS No School - Winter Break
Monday, December 26
POMS No School - Winter Break
Tuesday, December 27
POMS No School - Winter Break
Wednesday, December 28
POMS No School - Winter Break
Thursday, December 29
POMS No School - Winter Break
Friday, December 30
POMS No School - Winter Break
Saturday, December 31
POMS No School - Winter Break
Sunday, January 1
POMS No School - Winter Break
Monday, January 2
POMS No School - Winter Break
Tuesday, January 3
POMS No School - Winter Break
Wednesday, January 4
POMS No School - Winter Break
Thursday, January 5
POMS No School - Teacher Preparation Day
Friday, January 6
POMS No School - Teacher Service Day
POMS Staff Appreciation Breakfast/Lunch
Tuesday, January 10
POMS PTO Spring Grant Applications Open
9:00a POMS PTO Executive Board Meeting
Thursday, January 12
6:00p POMS Boys Basketball vs. Meyerland @ Meyerland
6:00p POMS Girls Basketball vs Meyerland @ POMS
Friday, January 13
POMS Report Cards
4:00p POMS Kona Ice Friday
Saturday, January 14
POMS Girls Basketball West Briar Middle School Invitational @ West Briar
Monday, January 16
POMS No School - MLK Day
Tuesday, January 17
9:00a POMS PTO General Meeting
Thursday, January 19
6:00p POMS Boys Basketball vs Lawson @ POMS
6:00p POMS Girls Basketball vs Lawson @ Lawson
Stay Connected
Ways to Give

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.

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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -