Originally delivered on 4/30/2023 7:43 pm

SUBJECT: Charger Chatter

April 30, 2023

Principal's Post



Dear Charger Parents and Families,


Please see below for a few important reminders.  Have a great week!

Advanced Art application deadline has been extended to May 1. Anyone with interest can see Ms. Sather or Ms. Slavin for a form.


Visual Art Department T-shirts and crewneck sweatshirts will be available for a second round of orders. Go to SchoolPay.com to place your orders. Please contact Ms. Sather or Ms. Slavin directly if you need to exchange your original order due to incorrect sizing.


HISD Summer Art Intensives will be held this summer. See the attached flyer for more details.

IPC Placement 

Attention 7th grade Chargers and Parents:

An option for 8th grade Science is Integrated Physics and Chemistry. IPC Placement is based off of a matrix that includes:

  1. Student must be in Algebra or Geometry in 8th grade.
  2. STAAR scores.
  3. 7th grade Science grade.
  4. A placement test that 7th teachers will administer in May.
  5. 7th grade Science teacher recommendation. Teachers will give each student a recommendation on a scale of 1-5, so no need to ask for one. Contact Ms. Kumari for additional information.

Qualifying students will be assigned IPC, but they can request to be moved to Advanced 8th Science if IPC is not their desired class.

IPC is a high school Science ELECTIVE, so this is not a class to replace any requirements in high school. 

Calling All 6th & 7th Grade Parents

The Algebra preparation process has started for our 6th and 7th graders. The full presentation is available for parents and students in Canvas. Please direct all questions to Dr. Morse, POMS Math Administrator

Upcoming Reminders

2022-2023 Celebrations

Our students and faculty are excited to have a bevy of celebrations to close the academic year.  POMS is planning the following activities.  Additional information will be shared in upcoming newsletters.

  1. Charger Tailgate - Friday, May 5th (all lunches)
  2. 8th Grade Semi-Formal at POMS, Friday, May 19th 
  3. 8th Grade Field Trip - Tuesday, May 23rd 
  4. 8th Grade Breakfast & Yearbook Signing Party - Tuesday, May 30th 
  5. Charger Kickball Tournament - Monday, May 30th 
  6. 8th Grade Promotion Parade & Fun Day - Wednesday, May 31st

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:

  • Our School Website: Here you can find information such as the Grade Level Teams, Magnet Program, Digital Resources, Virtual Library, and more.
  • 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!


Be well and stay healthy,

Lindsey Vela, Principal


Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram!

Twitter: @pinoakms

Instagram @pinoakchargers

Today is the Last Day to Purchase Your Pin Oak 20th Anniversary Yearbook!


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. 


Price is $60. 


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

Buy Your 2023-2024 School Supplies Now


School Supplies for the 2023- 2024 school year are now on sale! Purchase your student's supplies now and make it easy for yourself when school starts. Packs will be shipped directly to school and distributed to your student at Charger Camp in August!


Be sure to order the pack for the grade your child will be in for the 2023-34 school year!


To purchase from 1st Day School Supplies, click here.


Questions? Please contact the POMS PTO School Supplies Chairs at schoolsupplies@pinoakpto.org

Donations Needed for POMS Staff Appreciation Week


The PTO would like to set up some special snacks in the staff lounge during teacher appreciation week (May 1 - 5). Please click here to sign up. 


Please deliver all donations by Tuesday, May 2nd at 10:00 AM to the front desk. Thank you for your help making this a special week for the staff! 

Kona Ice on Friday, May 5


Kona Ice will be at POMS after school on Friday, May 5 in the front parking lot near the entrance of the school.


Please bring your cash to purchase a treat. Treats are $4, $6, and $7.


Please email POMS PTO Kona Ice Chair Jennifer Anderson with any questions.

POMS Spirit Night at Dish Society on Monday, May 8th (All Day)


Join us for the final Pin Oak Spirit Day at Dish Society from 7 AM - 9 PM on Monday, May 8th. Dish Society is located at 4191 Bellaire Blvd.


Present the flyer or mention Pin Oak when ordering and Dish Society will donate 20% of sales back to Pin Oak! Sales from dine in, To Go or online order will be included. For all online orders, enter the code Spirit to receive credit.


Join us in an easy way to give back to the school one last time before summer!

Save the Date: POMS PTO Meet & Greet on Monday, May 15


Calling all Incoming and Current Charger Families!


Join us for a Meet & Greet on Monday, May 15th from 5 - 7:30 PM at Betsy's at Evelyn's Park. 


Meet the PTO hosts:

Karen Chang - Incoming 6th grader and current 8th grader at POMS

Nina Godiwalla - Incoming 6th grader and current 6th grader at POMS

Thuy Promubol - Incoming 6th grader and current 7th grader at POMS

POMS 2nd Annual Kickball Tournament on Tuesday, May 30th


The annual Kickball Tournament will be Tuesday, May 30th starting at 10:00 AM.  All games will take place on the football field, softball and baseball fields.  All teams interested in participating will be charged $100 (10 players per team at $10 a player). 


DUE DATE for team payment is Thursday, May 25th. 


Tickets will be on sale for spectators, Monday May 22nd during all 3 lunches.  The cost for spectators is $5. 


Click here to access the form.

HISD Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Resources
Join the POMS PTO for 2023-2024


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 Chair.

Attention All 8th Grade Parents


The POMS 8th Grade Activities Committee is pleased to announce the following events celebrating the Class of 2023: 

  • Wednesday, March 8 (8:45 AM-9:15 AM): 8th Grade Panoramic Photo
  • Friday, May 19 (6 PM - 8:30 PM):8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance
    • *DANCE IS FOR 8TH GRADE PIN OAK STUDENTS ONLY!*
  • Tuesday, May 23 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM): 8th Grade Field Trip to Splashway!
  • Tuesday, May 30 (8:30 AM - 10:30 AM): 8th Grade Breakfast & Yearbook Signing
  • Wednesday, May 31 (9 AM): 8th Grade Promotion Parade & Day of Fun


To be able to provide all of these fun and exciting events for our 8th graders, we need your help and support.


If you're wondering what you can do to make these events the most memorable and successful for our kids, please consider:

Students still have the opportunity to purchase 8th-grade t-shirts, 8th-grade yard signs, and tickets to the 8th-grade dancehere.


View 8th Grade Activities FAQs here.


If you have any questions, please reach out to 8th Grade Activities Chairs, Dana George and Pauline Mathiesen at 8thgradeactivities@pinoakpto.org.

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.

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, May 1
POMS Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
POMS Principal Appreciation Day
Tuesday, May 2
POMS Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
Wednesday, May 3
POMS Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
Thursday, May 4
POMS Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
Friday, May 5
POMS Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
POMS Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
POMS Nurse Appreciation Day
POMS Charger Tailgate
4:00p POMS Kona Ice Friday
Monday, May 8
7:00a POMS Spirit Night at Dish Society
Tuesday, May 9
POMS STAAR Math (6th - 8th)
Wednesday, May 10
POMS STAAR AP Spanish (AP Class Only)
Monday, May 15
12:00a POMS Algebra Placement Modules Due
9:00a POMS PTO Executive Board Meeting
7:00p POMS PTO Meet & Greet (Current & Incoming Charger Families)
Friday, May 19
6:00p POMS 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance
Tuesday, May 23
8:00a POMS 8th Grade Field Trip to Splashway Waterpark
Wednesday, May 24
POMS Staff Appreciation End of School Luncheon & Gift Distribution
Thursday, May 25
9:00a POMS PTO General Meeting
Monday, May 29
POMS No School - Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 30
POMS 2nd Annual Kickball Tournament
8:30a POMS 8th Grade Breakfast & Yearbook Signing
Wednesday, May 31
POMS Last Day of School
POMS End of 6 Week Grading Period
POMS Report Cards
9:00a POMS 8th Grade Promotion Parade & Day of Fun
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
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