Originally delivered on 1/21/2024 6:28 pm

SUBJECT: Charger Chatter

January 21, 2024

Principal's Post



Dear Charger Parents and Families,


I am always so impressed with our amazing staff and students and how they are able to jump right back into the flow of school and progress forward after a break – especially a week full of testing! Their commitment, determination, and grit is noticed throughout the school day. As second semester activities pick back up, we are confident that our Chargers will continue their growth in the daily process of learning.

As always, thank you for the encouragement that each of you provide our Chargers as they come to school full of confidence and support to succeed. On the same note, thank you for the positive encouragement that I see given daily to our teachers and support staff including the testing snacks, dinners, and Teacher Appreciation Breakfast! Together we will continue to push through and create the best school year possible.

This week we have the PTO General Meeting on Thursday morning, and we hope you can all attend either in person or virtually (instructions below). I’m sure we will learn more about the virtual Auction set for February 11-18, which includes a student AND parent social.

Upcoming Campus Events

  • PTO General Meeting: Thursday, January 25 at 9 AM
  • PTO Pajama Jam Auction: Sunday, February 11 - Sunday, February 18

Connecting with you is important to us and we are here for you parents. Visit Our School Website for the full list of Pin Oak Support staff and assistant principals plus much, much more. Join Remind or send a text to 81010 with the message @hghga3b. Additional POMS Useful Links can be found below near calendar events.

See you soon!

Lindsey Vela, Principal


Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram!

Twitter: @pinoakms

Instagram @pinoakchargers

PTO General Meeting on Thursday at 9 AM


Join us for the next PTO General Meeting:

When? Thursday, January 25, 9 - 10 AM

Where? Parents have two options to attend

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.

Track and Field Tryouts Dates CHANGE! January 29 and 30


Due to the rainy forecast next week, all 7th and 8th graders interested in trying out for the track and field team will come Monday, January 29 and Tuesday, January 30 after school.

  • Athletes interested in trying out for sprinter events (100 meter dash, 200 meter, 400 meter dash and hurdles) will come Monday, January 29
  • Athletes interested in trying out for mid to long distance events (800 meter dash, 1200 meter, 1600m) will come Tuesday, January 30

Read through the interest letter for all details regarding tryouts!

POMS PTO AUCTION Pajama Jam! February 11-18!


MARK YOUR CALENDAR for our Pin Oak PTO week-long auction starting Sunday, February 11, 2024! The auction is 100% online, so you can bid over coffee or cocktails! All funds raised enrich and enhance the quality of each student’s education at POMS. GET READY to bid on amazing auction items such as vacation getaways to exciting destinations, luxurious spa and wellness services, private wine tastings, gift cards to fav area restaurants, gift certificates for popular summer camps, Astros tickets, staycation R&R, and MORE!

Can't wait? We can't either! REGISTER NOW! (Please note a credit card is required to register, but there are no charges unless you make a purchase or are the winning bidder.)

AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED - Do you have a vacation home? Could you donate goods or services? Or when you're out and about, ask businesses you frequent if they would donate an item or gift card. Each generous, tax-deductible donation allows our PTO to continue supporting our kids and teachers. Click the link to complete the donation form. Questions? Please reach out at auction@pinoakpto.org.

POMS PTO Pajama Jam Auction SOCIABLES WANTED!


POMS PTO Auction Committee is seeking fun, adult SOCIABLES (parties) to include in our auction! Grab a group of friends or couples and play host!

PARTY IDEAS: Do you love karaoke? Is Poker Night your thing? Love to play Mahjong or Bunco? Amigas y Margaritas? Wine & Whiskey tasting? Crawfish Boil? Is bowling up your alley? Pickleball anyone? Be creative!

Click here to complete the donation form.

As a fundraiser, Hosts cover the entire cost of the Sociable, while the admission price proceeds support our incredible school. A FUN way to strengthen existing POMS friendships and create new ones, while benefitting our students and teachers! Date, Time, Theme, and Admission price per person set by host(s)... need help or have questions? Email auction@pinoakpto.org

Deadline to Buy 8th Grade Activities Items is February 1


Thank you to our generous 8th grade underwriters! If you'd like to be an underwriter, there is still time to show your support for our 8th graders!

Or buy the "Club 8" Ultimate Package, which includes the "Club 8" Swag Bag with the POMS beach towel & POMS sunglasses, 8th Grade panoramic photo, Class of 2024 yard sign, 8th Grade semi-formal dance ticket, and 8th grade t-shirt! Get yours now for only $128.

The deadline to purchase 8th Grade Activities items is February 1, 2024.

For more info on our fundraising efforts, see the 8th Grade Activities FAQ. FAQ will be at the bottom of the webpage.

2023-2024 Yearbooks on Sale!


2023-2024 yearbooks are now on sale!

Order yours today with Balfour starting at $60. Personalization options are available.

We sell out every year and you won't want to miss getting your copy. 

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.

POMS School Store Hours & Volunteers


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.***

Volunteers: 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).

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)

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 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.

Useful POMS Links and Info
Looking Ahead
Thursday, January 25
9:00a POMS PTO General Meeting
Monday, January 29
4:20p POMS Track & Field Tryouts (Sprinter Events)
Tuesday, January 30
4:20p POMS Track & Field Tryouts (Mid-to-Long Distance Events)
Thursday, February 1
POMS Deadline to Buy 8th Grade Activities Items
Friday, February 2
POMS PTO Spring Grant Applications Due
9:00a POMS PTO Executive Board Meeting
4:00p POMS Kona Ice Friday
Thursday, February 8
9:00a POMS PTO General Meeting
Sunday, February 11
POMS PTO Auction Pajama Jam
Monday, February 12
POMS PTO Auction Pajama Jam
Tuesday, February 13
POMS PTO Auction Pajama Jam
Wednesday, February 14
POMS PTO Auction Pajama Jam
POMS Staff Appreciation Dessert Bar
Thursday, February 15
POMS PTO Auction Pajama Jam
Friday, February 16
POMS PTO Auction Pajama Jam
Saturday, February 17
POMS PTO Auction Pajama Jam
Sunday, February 18
POMS PTO Auction Pajama Jam
Monday, February 19
POMS No School - Teacher Development Day
Friday, March 1
4:00p POMS Kona Ice Friday
Tuesday, March 5
9:00a POMS PTO Executive Board Meeting
Wednesday, March 6
9:00a POMS 8th Grade Panoramic Photo
Thursday, March 7
9:00a POMS PTO General Meeting
Friday, March 8
POMS Report Cards
Monday, March 11
POMS No School - Spring Break
Tuesday, March 12
POMS No School - Spring Break
Wednesday, March 13
POMS No School - Spring Break
Thursday, March 14
POMS No School - Spring Break
Friday, March 15
POMS No School - Spring Break
Monday, March 25
POMS No School - Chavez Huerta Day
Friday, March 29
POMS No School - Spring Holiday
Friday, April 5
4:00p POMS Kona Ice Friday
Saturday, April 6
POMS Charger Fest
Wednesday, April 10
POMS No School - Spring Holiday
Thursday, April 11
9:00a POMS PTO Executive Board Meeting
Thursday, April 18
9:00a POMS PTO General Meeting
Friday, April 26
POMS Report Cards
Friday, May 3
4:00p POMS Kona Ice Friday
Thursday, May 16
9:00a POMS PTO Executive Board Meeting
Friday, May 17
POMS 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance
Thursday, May 23
9:00a POMS PTO General Meeting
Monday, May 27
POMS No School - Memorial Day
Thursday, May 30
POMS Staff Appreciation End of School Luncheon & Gift Distribution
Friday, May 31
POMS 8th Grade Field Trip
Tuesday, June 4
8:30a POMS 8th Grade Breakfast & Yearbook Signing
Wednesday, June 5
POMS Last Day of School
POMS Report Cards
POMS 8th Grade Promotion Parade & Picnic
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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