Principal's Post
Dear Charger Parents and Families,
Today we will celebrate Memorial Day. As we enjoy time with family, let us also take the opportunity to remember and express our gratitude to all the men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country. That includes our own family members, friends, and ancestors who served our nation. May their commitment continue to inspire us as citizens to serve in ways that we can and to always extend our appreciation to those who selflessly protect and defend others. Best wishes to you and your family. I hope you have a safe and healthy Memorial Day. I can smell summer…it’s so close! Thank you for trusting us with your child(ren) and I truly hope that your family has a safe, restful, and fun summer break making tons of memories! To my 8th graders…you DID IT! You are my second graduating class as your principal, and that gives me all the feels! I am so proud of you, as you have amazing opportunities ahead of you as you transition to high school. Be brave enough to take a chance on whatever high school passion you have…whatever that is make sure it brings you joy, and if you get knocked down, get back up! You have the courage, tenacity, and heart to make anything come true so DREAM BIG and CHARGE ON! 8th grade parents, you did it too! Thank you for the unwavering support and commitment, you mean the world to us, as well. Now go hug and kiss them and take TONS of pictures…they are forever your babies and you have earned it. LAST WEEK PROCEDURES: Leave your backpacks at home Tuesday and Wednesday! As I say daily…KEEP making those SMART decisions with behavior, academics, and attendance. It all matters to make it smoothly to summer! Students are required to be in dress code and adhere to all campus expectations. Most importantly…Be KIND to one another!
MODIFIED SCHEDULE
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8th GRADE BREAKFAST and YEARBOOK SIGNING PARTY: POMS is holding its annual 8th Grade Breakfast and Yearbook Signing Party on Tuesday, May 30th from 8:30am-10:00am in the MPR. This breakfast will be a final hurrah for all 8th graders before their Promotion Parade and Day of Fun on Wednesday, May 30th. They will have tasty food, snazzy music, and awesome decorations that will ensure everyone will have a great time!
POMS KICKBALL TOURNAMENT: Last week students registered as a team or bought a spectator’s ticket for our annual Kickball Tournament scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 30th. This fun and friendly kickball tournament supports our Athletic department. Players/ Spectators Should: - Apply sunscreen at home.
- Bring a refillable water bottle.
- Leave phones, AirPods, etc. at home to prevent loss or damage.
If you have any questions about the Kickball Tournament, please email Coach Carter at acarte10@houstonisd.org
8th GRADE PROMOTION PARADE and DAY OF FUN: Destination 8th Grade Promotion Parade and Day of Fun will take place on Wednesday, May 31st from 9:00-11:00 a.m. All 8th graders will take their final walk down Main Street as the graduating class of 2023 while the other grades celebrate them. Graduates are encouraged to wear their high school shirt. Parents are invited to be inside or outside the building within the spectator designated area. Space is limited inside so please plan accordingly and respect the limit of 2 guests (including children) per student if you plan to watch inside. All visitors must check-in through our Raptor System so please have your drivers license with you to expedite the process (no exceptions). Visitors will check-in by the gym doors and will be allowed inside at 8:15 AFTER we transition all 6th and 7th graders out of the gym. Please do NOT enter through the main doors. We need to keep Circle Drive clear as students are entering the building. Additional family members and those arriving after 8:30 a.m. will be invited to see the students as they exit the building outside of the gym doors. 8th graders will enjoy games, music, and lots of outdoor fun from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Students that are picked up at the end of the celebration will need to be signed out by a parent at the outdoor check-out table. This sign out station is for 8th grade students only. Remaining students will follow their Blue Day schedule for the rest of the school day. |
2023-2024 Elective Course Requests Information: The wait is over! It is finally time to choose electives for the 2023-2024 school year. Please use the corresponding links below. If you are a current 5th-grader, use the 6th-grade link. If you are a current 6th grader, use the 7th-grade link. If you are a current 7th grader, use the 8th-grade link.
Course requests will be open from May 15 - May 29 (midnight). You may return to your submission and edit your submission as many times as you'd like. If you fill out more than one submission, we will use the most recent submission (they are time/date stamped).
You will receive a copy of your requests once submitted.
Incoming 6th graders, an email will be required to complete the submission (HISD email not required.) There are many different factors that go into placing students in houses. All factors will be considered. Students will find out their houses in August 2023.
Next year's 7th and 8th graders you are required to use your HISD email to log in and fill out the request form.
If any student did not achieve meets or masters on the 2023 STAAR test they will automatically be scheduled in an intervention class - this will take up one of their electives. This will result in the student being double-blocked in either Math or English Language Arts.
Incoming 6th-grade families - fill out the form to the best of your ability. If you do not know what academic level, you'd like your student to be scheduled for, choose the "choose for me" link and we will review your student's data and place them accordingly.
Any 504/IEP/Dyslexia/SPED requirements will take priority over any elective or academic requests.
Please email Ms. Evans-Vining our Master Scheduler with any questions. |
6th Grade Course Request Link (Google Form) |
7th Grade Course Request Link (Google Form) |
8th Grade Course Request Link (Google Form) |
2023-2024 Course Descriptions |
Debate Pin Oak Middle School offers three forms of debate. These are Lincoln Douglas, Public Forum, and Congressional-styled Debate. Debaters are typically given 2 - 6 weeks to research and prepare speeches for their topics. Only rising 7th and 8th graders are allowed to try out for debate. Additional information can be found here. |
NOW IS THE TIME TO UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION IN HISDCONNECT! Parents, now is the time to update your contact information in HISDConnect and be sure that we have your address, working phone number(s), and an email address linked to your student’s account. This is very important as we will need accurate contact information to contact you over the summer with information about Charger Camp 2023 and PowerUp parent information sessions. |
Sports Physicals 2023-2024 Any student interested in participating in Athletics for the 2023-2024 school year must complete the requirements listed below by Friday, August 11th! Athletic Physicals are a MANDATORY REQUIREMENT. They are not optional! No student will be allowed to participate on an athletic team or practices without a current Athletic Physical. Athletic Physicals are good for the duration of one (1) year and physicals should be taken prior to the start of the school year. Please make sure that you give a copy of the Athletic Physical to the Athletic Coordinator. Also, make certain to keep a copy for your personal records! Please see the links and content below regarding athletic requirements. HISD PHYSICAL FORM UIL Acknowledgement of Rules Register My Athlete HISD Athletics Department |
PLATINUM FAMILY FRIENDLY SCHOOL |
HISD Summer Art Intensives will be held this summer. See the attached flyer for more details. |
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 |
Useful POMS Links and Info |
| 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! Last day to order is July 1st!
To purchase from 1st Day School Supplies, click here.
Questions? Please contact the POMS PTO School Supplies Chairs at schoolsupplies@pinoakpto.org. |
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| POMS Used Uniforms Donation Drive!
Is your child moving on to high school? Has your child outgrown their school uniform clothing? Please consider donating their gently used uniforms to the POMS PTO Used Uniform Sale.
School dress code polos, khakis, jeans, skirts, sweatshirts, and jackets in all sizes can be dropped off in the collection boxes by the library until the last day of school: May 31st.
For more information, please contact the Used Uniform Chairs at useduniforms@pinoakpto.org |
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| Beginning Band & Orchestra "Try the Instrument" Night
Join Mr. Brown, Band Director, and Mrs. Macleay, Orchestra Director, for the POMS Band & Orchestra Night on Tuesday, May 30 from 5:30-7:30 PM in the Pin Oak MS Band/Orchestra Hall.
Please enter the front doors of the school and follow the signs to the Band/Orchestra Hall. NO appointment is necessary! Students will get to try the instruments and loan/rent/purchase information will be available.
Contact larry.brown@houstonisd.org or doris.macleay@houston.org for more information. |
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| HISD Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Resources
Please see below for resources shared by HISD Family and Community Engagement: |
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| 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. |
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| Join Mrs. Vela's POMS Parent Group 2022-2023 on Remind
To join via mobile phone: - Send a text to 81010
- Text this message: @pomsparen
To join via web: https://www.remind.com/join/pomsparen
Download the Remind app: |
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| 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. |
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| POMS Amazon Wishlist
Please consider helping us purchase items on the Pin Oak Amazon Wish List.
Thank you so much for your generosity! |
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| 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. |
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| 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) |
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| 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 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| | Monday, May 29 | | | Tuesday, May 30 | | | | | Wednesday, May 31 | | | | | | Saturday, July 1 | |
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 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. |
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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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