Principal's Post
Dear Charger Parents and Families,
Friday was the mid-way point for this 1st six weeks, so progress reports will come home this week! Please take this opportunity to discuss this school year with your child and review their progress toward their goals. I strongly encourage you to access HISD Connect Parent Portal on a regular basis to review your child’s grades and attendance. Don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teachers for information or assistance. Congratulations to our Pin Oak volleyball teams for their 7th & 8th grade win against Rogers, our 8th grade volleyball team winning the Meyerland Volleyball Tournament, and our cross-country teams on their strong finish! Let’s get CHARGED and SHOW UP to support our Chargers this week! Open House is Tuesday Night at 6PM. Parents will report straight to your Charger’s 1st period. Parents are encouraged to take a picture of their student’s schedule on HISD Connect Parent Portal. You may also download the free Power School app on your mobile phone form the App Store or Google Play and take a screenshot of the schedule. See the POMS Open House flyer for full details. Parents will follow their student’s schedule and have a brief opportunity to meet each of their teachers and hear about course expectations. The purpose of Open House is to put a face to the name, receive contact information, and provide an overview of the class content and expectations for the school year. If you have individual concerns about your student, please email their teacher/ house administrator directly, as these rotations are fast, and we must stay on schedule. |
NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) will be administered to all students over the next two weeks. - NWEA Math Test: Tuesday, September 19th
- NWEA Reading Test: Tuesday, September 26th
During the next two weeks, your child will take two MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA® on a Chromebook. MAP Growth scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students. MAP Growth tests are unique, and it adapts to your child’s responses to measure your child’s skill level. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level. Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, it’s easy for teachers to identify students with similar scores that are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics, and then plan instruction accordingly. MAP Growth reports also provide typical growth data for students who are in the same grade, subject and have the same starting performance level. Each school year, students in grades 6-8 take the tests in September. Following each testing period, you will receive a Family Report showing a summary of how your child is performing academically. We are truly excited to focus on your child’s individual growth and achievement. For more information about MAP Growth, visit NWEA.org/familytoolkit.
Student Lanyard & ID - Each student was issued a grade specific lanyard and ID last week. Beginning tomorrow all students are expected to wear their lanyard around their neck with their student ID clearly visible. This is purely a safety procedure for both your child and our staff, not to mention it speeds up the lunch process. Things to remember: - First lanyard and ID are FREE
- SCHOOL ISSUED Lanyard and ID must visible (top half of body)
- 6th Grade: Charger White
- 7th Grade: Charger Gray
- 8th Grade: Charger Blue
- Replacement ID $5 and Lanyard $2
- Replacement ID & Lanyard may be purchased from the Student Success Table located by the main entrance.
Dress Code - All students attending Pin Oak Middle School will be required to follow the Pin Oak Dress Code. All articles of the uniform are to be maintained and worn in a way that represents the individual students and the school in a positive way. Students are required to wear the uniform to school and throughout the entire day until leaving for the day. The provisions of the dress and grooming code shall be enforced equally with regard to all students to whom the provisions apply. Please read our POMS Dress Code Policy carefully. Students that are not in dress code will be referred to their House Administrators. - The length of shorts and skirts should be no shorter that 4 inches above the knee.
- Students must wear a collared shirt; colors: royal blue, white, or gray.
- Pants and shorts must be worn at the waist.
- Clothing must be size appropriate, including sweatshirts and jackets.
- All clothing must be school appropriate. Tank tops, camis, and clothing designed to be worn as an undergarment are not permitted to be worn as a shirt.
Chromebook Expectations - All students have a Chromebook, an incredibly powerful tool, with them in the classroom and at home. It is important that we have clear expectations as to the responsibilities that come with this privilege. - Please make sure your student brings their fully charged Chromebook each day. Students are encouraged to leave their charger at home since paying for a lost charger is one of the most common expenses students incur (lost chargers are not covered by the insurance).
- Students must secure their Chromebook in their backpack when transitioning from class to class.
- Students must use wired headphones. Bluetooth headphones are not allowed.
- Why are Bluetooth headphones problematic? A few reasons are listed below.
- Students can easily hide Bluetooth headphones and listen to music, videos, podcast, etc. during instructional time.
- Students can use their Bluetooth headphones to control their phone, start and stop music, send text messages, be on calls with student in other classrooms, etc.
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Campus Administrators
Campus Support Team |
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!
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Useful POMS Links and Info |
| Join us tomorrow for our first POMS General Meeting of the School Year
When? Monday, September 18, 9 - 10 AM Where? Parents have two options to attend - In person in the POMS library
- Via Microsoft Teams (attendees can submit written questions during meeting using chat)
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. |
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| 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). |
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| POMS Girls Lacrosse Practice and Interest Meeting
Our second practice will be on Tuesday, September 19th from 7-9 PM @ Feld Park (6406 Avenue B). Time change to accommodate POMS Open House. - 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.
Parent Interest Meeting is 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
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| Gifted and Talented Testing Requests
Are you interested in having your student tested for Gifted and Talented identification? Applications are due December 8, 2023.
Applications are submitted through HISD Connect. Please see the linked directions to request testing. Once the application is submitted through HISD Connect, POMS will gather the teacher's recommendation.
Testing will be in Spring 2024. Stay tuned for exact dates.
Please contact Ms. Vining with any questions. |
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| POMS School Store Hours
The POMS School Store is open during student lunches. 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.*** |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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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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| Registration for the Middle School Workshops at Kinder HSPVA is open!
Hosted by HSPVA Friends, these annual workshops provide opportunities for students in grades 6-8 to participate in classes in Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental and Vocal Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts.
Explore the workshops and register Download and print the flyer
The workshops are likely to sell out, so early registration is encouraged.
Questions? Email Shannon Werme, HSPVA Friends' Volunteer Manager. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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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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| 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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| 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. |
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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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| | Monday, September 18 | | | Tuesday, September 19 | | | | | Wednesday, September 20 | | | | | Monday, September 25 | | | Tuesday, September 26 | | | Wednesday, September 27 | | | Thursday, September 28 | | | Saturday, September 30 | | | Tuesday, October 3 | | | Thursday, October 5 | | | Friday, October 6 | | | | Saturday, October 7 | | | Monday, October 9 | | | Wednesday, October 11 | | | Thursday, October 12 | |
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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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