Originally delivered on 9/10/2023 7:26 pm

SUBJECT: Charger Chatter

September 10, 2023

Principal's Post



Dear Charger Parents and Families,


We are excited to announce thatPin Oak Middle School has been named one of the BEST middle schools in HISD!


We look forward to another great week with our Chargers!

Upcoming Campus Events

Game Night tickets ($5) will go on sale Monday, September 11th. 

Payments will be made through SchoolPay.

Campus Administrators


Campus Support Team

See you soon!

Lindsey Vela, Principal


Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram!

Twitter: @pinoakms

Instagram @pinoakchargers

Communication - 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 will find information on Spirit Events, PowerUp, Canvas, Clusters, Magnet Program, Clubs, Digital Resources, Virtual Library, and more.
  • Remind: Join the 2023-24 Remind group to receive important communication through text message or email. Join Remind or send a text to 81010 and text this message @hghga3b
  • Follow our #WeArePinOak hashtag and Principal Vela 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!
District Updates - 2023-2024


HB 114 - New Policy Change

We would like to notify you of an important new policy change that has been passed by the 88th Texas Legislature and will be taking effect immediately in our district on September 1st, 2023. House Bill 114 (HB 114) has been enacted to respond to the increasing concerns around e-cigarettes, vaping, marijuana, and THC-related products among our youth. The Bill mandates that any student found in possession of, under the influence of, selling, gifting, or delivering these substances within a 300-feet radius of any school premises will be immediately removed and placed in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP). You can access the full version of the Bill here: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB00114F.pdf. Please discuss the implications of this new law with your children, emphasizing the importance of adhering to school policies and laws for their own educational success and for the betterment of the school community


UPDATED: HISD School Board approves 2023-2024 Academic Calendar

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education updated the 2023-2024 Academic Calendar . Please take a moment and update your calendar.

Returning Student Verification Form Open

This is Important!

HISD families are asked to complete the online Student Verification form. The Student Verification form includes annual acknowledgments and general updates, such as contact information and student health information.


For current students returning to HISD for the 2023-2024 school year, Student Verification forms will be completed via the HISD Connect Parent Portal Account.

POMS Girls Lacrosse Practice and Interest Meeting


We will start practice on Tuesday, September 12th from 6:30-8:30 PM @ Feld Park (6406 Avenue B). 

  • Current players: Come dressed in their uniform, mouth guard, goggles and stick. 
  • Interested players: Parents should bring your child dressed to play. We will have extra equipment for them to use. If you are new to lacrosse, fill out the Pin Oak Girls Lax Interest Form.


Our second practice will be on Tuesday, September 19th from 6:30-8:30 PM @ Feld Park (6406 Avenue B). All interested and current players must attend. Current players should come dressed in their uniform, mouth guard, goggles and stick.


Parent Interest Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 20th at 6:30 PM at the Scout House (6108 Edloe St). We will discuss what to expect for the coming year, tournaments, practices, and expectations.


Please email with any questions. ALL players must email the student's medical form to pinoakgirlslaxhouston@gmail.com.


In October, we will start practice twice a week:

  • Mondays @ POMS Field from 8-9 PM
  • Tuesdays @ Feld Park 6:30-8:30 PM
NJHS Applications are Open


NJHS Applications are open! We have our second interest meeting on September 12  from4:15 - 4:35 PM for anyone who missed the first. 


All applications forms and recommendation letters are due October 9th, 2023. I've attached the Parent Letter with the updated calendar as well!


Please contact Mary Kundert with any questions.

POMS School Store Hours


The POMS School Store will be open for all lunches on Monday, September 11, 2023. 


Please refer below for full schedule:

  • Monday, Wednesday and Friday - open for all lunches
  • Tuesday - open until 1 PM (some Tuesdays we may be open for all lunches. Please contact the school store with any questions.)
  • Thursday - open until 1 PM


The POMS Online School Store is open for business. ***Please note that online orders may take a few days to fulfill and you will be notified to have your student come pick up orders when they are ready.***

Join us for our first POMS Spirit Night at MODS Pizza on Wednesday, September 20th


Join us for our first POMS Spirit Night of the year at Mod Pizza, located at 5103 Bellaire Blvd Ste 130, Bellaire, TX 77401, on Wednesday, September 20th.


This is an ALL DAY event and Mod Pizza will donate 20% of all in store and online sales back to Pin Oak. If dining in or carrying out, present the flyer or mention Pin Oak.


If ordering online at www.modpizza.com or using the Mod app, use digital code MODGIVES20 to ensure Pin Oak receives credit.


Use this flyer (Spanish flyer).

Register for the POMS Dance Clinic on October 7th


Please join the Pin Oak Dance Company in their very own DANCE CLINIC


This is open to any/all students of grade levels Pre-K through 8th grade. Participants will learn more about dance technique from an actual Dance Company member! No dance experience required.


DATE: Saturday, October 7th, 2023

TIME: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Participant check-in @ 8:45 am, Performance at 11:45 pm

LOCATION: Pin Oak MS Gym, 6401 Glenmont St, Bellaire, TX 77401

COST: $35.00 (Register Online) Registration fee includes: t-shirt, light snack, and a water

ATTIRE: Be dressed to dance. Wear tennis shoes or soft soled dance shoes.

POMS Swim Team Interest Meeting on Tuesday, October 17th


Are you interested in your child being on the Pin Oak Swim Team?


Come to the Interest meeting in the Pin Oak Cafeteria on Tuesday, October 17 at 5:30 PM


Email Coach Hulbirt with any questions.

Come Dance with the Bellaire Belles


Join us for a day of fun and learn a Pom, Hip-Hop or Advanced Dance routine to perform for family and friends at the end of the clinic!

No dance experience is required. All money raised will help our Bellaire Belles pay for uniforms, camps, and spring competitions.

  • Date: Saturday, October 7th, 2023, 9 AM - 12 PM
  • Cost: $40 in advance $45 at the door and registrations received after deadline.
  • Includes: Belles Dance Clinic T-Shirt (not guaranteed for walk-ins), snack and certificate. *Registration must be received no later than Friday, September 29 to be guaranteed a T-shirt*

Click here for additional details. Click here to register online*.

*If you don't know a Bellaire Belles girl to list as referral, you can use Peyton Promubol.

School Store Volunteers Needed


This is your chance to volunteer and be in the middle of the action! It's a great way to meet other parents and interact with the students in the school store. 


Signups are for the 2023-2024 school year and we require at least 2 people in the store at all times. The school store is open during the students' lunch periods. Please sign up for the group (A or B)/day(s) that works best for you (shifts are every other week).


All NEW store volunteers are required to attend a orientation session on Thursday, August 31st at 10:30 AM or Thursday, September 7th at 10:30 AM. 


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


All school volunteers are required to be VIPS approved.

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)

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.

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 Anu Hiremaglur for more details.

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.

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, September 11
9:00a POMS PTO Executive Board Meeting
4:30p POMS SDMC Q1 Meeting
Tuesday, September 12
4:15p POMS NJHS Interest Meeting
6:30p POMS Girls Lacrosse First Practice
Thursday, September 14
POMS Staff Appreciation Breakfast
6:00p POMS Volleyball vs. Rogers MS @ POMS
Friday, September 15
POMS PTO Fall Grant Applications Due
4:30p POMS 6th Grade Game Night
Saturday, September 16
POMS Cross Country Meet - CCS Warrior Invitational
POMS Volleyball - Saturday Tournament @ Meyerland MS
Monday, September 18
9:00a POMS PTO General Meeting
Tuesday, September 19
6:00p POMS Open House
6:30p POMS Girls Lacrosse First Practice
Wednesday, September 20
POMS Spirit Night at Mod Pizza (all day)
6:30p POMS Girls Lacrosse Parent Interest Meeting
Thursday, September 21
6:00p POMS Volleyball vs Pershing MS @ Pershing
Monday, September 25
POMS No School - Fall Holiday
Wednesday, September 27
7:00p POMS 8th Grade Football vs. Meyerland MS @ Butler Stadium
Thursday, September 28
6:00p POMS Volleyball vs. Tanglewood MS @ POMS
Saturday, September 30
POMS Cross Country Meet - HISD Invitational
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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