Originally delivered on 12/8/2024 5:09 pm

SUBJECT: Charger Chatter

December 8, 2024

Principal's Post

Dear Charger Parents and Families,

The holiday festivities continue this week! Monday, December 9 is Jersey Day! Please encourage your student to wear their favorite jersey to school.

Ugly Sweater Fridays are back! Students are invited to join in the fun. Keep an eye on our campus social media for weekly photos of our Pin Oak family showcasing their holiday spirit.

The POMS community is also invited to join us for the POMS Orchestra Winter Concert on Thursday, December 12 at 6:00 pm. Our students are incredibly talented and you won't want to miss!


Connecting with you is important to us and we are here for you: 

See you soon!

Lindsey Vela, Principal
HISD West Division Middle School Principal of the Year 


Donate to the Teacher & Staff Holiday Gift Fund by Wednesday

We would love to match last year's gift fund, but we are 61% short of our goal. Every little bit helps! Please help us show our wonderful teachers and staff how much we appreciate them by donating to the Teacher & Staff Holiday Gift Fund

Cash gifts will be distributed to all those involved in teaching and caring for our students including teachers, administrators, maintenance, and support staff!   

Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated and will be accepted until Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

If you have any questions, please email Jenny Dagley and Wynne Erickson, VPs of Activities. Thank you!

POMS Spirit Day at Lankford's Dec 17

Enjoy a great meal at Lankford's in Bellaire on Tuesday, Dec 17 between 11 am and 8 pm. Mention POMS at check-out and Lankford's will give 15% of your bill back to our school! In-store purchases only. (Dine-in or Carry-out) 5208 Bissonnet Street

POMS Auction Interest Meeting Dec 19

POMS Parents! Auction Week is February 21-28, 2025. (We are feeling those Charger Rodeo Vibes) We need your time and talents to help us host an awesome weeklong event and fundraiser for our Chargers. 

Learn how you can help at our festive committee interest meeting on Thursday, December 19 at 7:00 pm.   

For meeting location and more details, please contact Katie Hill and Shannon Westin, POMS Auction Co-Chairs.

Calling All 8th Grade Parents

We know many of you are as anxious as the rest of us that our kids are off to high school next year, but before they leave Pin Oak, we want to ensure they have a memorable 8th grade year. We have lots of fun-filled activities planned for them!

Here you will find a list of save-the-dates for all the big events. Please note that while we hope these dates stay the same, they are subject to change if something changes with HISD. In the meantime, get these on your calendar and stay tuned for more info!

Club 8 Ultimate Package

We are excited to announce that the Club 8 Ultimate Package is now available. For just $88, the package includes:

  • 8th grade t-shirt ($20 separately)
  • 8th grade semi-formal dance ticket ($15 presale/$20 at the door)
  • 8th grade yard sign ($20 separately)
  • 8th grade swag bag includes a drawstring backpack, beach towel, and sunglasses (not available separately)
  • 8th grade panoramic picture ($30 separately)

Grab the Club 8 Ultimate Package now for your 8th grader! The price will increase to $108 on January 1st.

Underwriter Opportunities

Please consider being an underwriter for one of our fun events. For just $100, family and friends can underwrite any of the 8th grade events (semi-formal dance, breakfast and yearbook signing, or the parade/picnic). You can underwrite one, two, or all three events! Your name will be recognized on a banner on the circle drive, on the PTO website, and in the Charger Chatter.

Looking for additional ways to support our 8th grade class? Click here to learn more!

We’re looking forward to a great year!

For more information, please contact Lindsay Colvin and Jennifer Deneen, 8th Grade Activities Chairs.

POMS Softball Tryouts Mon-Wed

Are you interested in trying out for the Pin Oak Softball team? 

December 9, 10, & 11
4:00 - 5:30 pm
Open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders 

See Mr. Meyer in B129 for permission slip. 

Boy's Soccer Interest Meeting on Wed.

7th and 8th grade students are invited to a Boy's Soccer interest meeting on Wednesday, Dec 11, 4:05 - 4:20 pm in B106 (Coach Terrel's Room).

A parent meeting will be held after tryouts are concluded. For more information, please contact Jonathan Terrel.

Track Interest Meeting Dec 16

7th and 8th grade students are invited to a Track interest meeting on Monday, December 16 in the cafeteria during Team Time. 

Tryouts are January 13-14, 2025 after school.  Tryout information will be provided to students at the interest meeting. 

For more information, please contact Dayna Bates.

Audition for Beetlejuice The Musical

December 16 & 18
4:00 - 7:00 pm
Blackbox Theatre

Sign up to audition in the theatre room. For more information, please contact Tierra Henry, POMS Theatre Director.

Stock Up for Winter at the School Store

The school store is open for students to shop during lunch. You can also shop the school store online. You will be notified when your online order is ready and your student may pick up the items during lunch.

Want to volunteer at the store? Please sign up for the group (A or B)/day(s) that works best for you.  Shifts are every other week. All volunteers are required to be VIPS approved.

For more information, please contact Jean Lee or Thuy Promubol.

Order Your 2024-2025 Yearbook

Pin Oak is excited to partner with Jostens for our 2024-2025 yearbook. Order your copy today

8th Grade Parents:

Want to recognize the accomplishments of your 8th grader in the Pin Oak Yearbook? We are selling recognition ads to be placed on the back pages. Ads are easy to make and a template is provided. Purchase your ad before January 31, 2025.

Got great photos of your kids at Pin Oak sponsored activities?

Please share your best pictures with the Yearbook staff via the QR code or link here. (Please no pictures of personal family vacation, dinners etc.)

POMS Magnet Tours - Through Feb 6

Parents interested in learning more about our outstanding programs are invited to one of our guided tours. Space is limited; pre-registration is required. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore all that Pin Oak has to offer - secure your spot today.

*All slots are full at this time, but a waitlist is available for each date.

High School Tours and News

Please consider helping us purchase items on the Pin Oak Amazon Wish List. Thank you!

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, 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 Adriana Cune, VP of Sponsorship, for details.

Full Calendar
Monday, December 9
POMS Wear a Favorite Jersey Day
4:00p POMS Softball Tryouts
Tuesday, December 10
4:00p POMS Softball Tryouts
6:00p POMS Dance Winter Showcase
Wednesday, December 11
POMS Last Day to Donate to Teacher & Staff Holiday Fund
4:00p POMS Softball Tryouts
4:05p POMS Boys Soccer Interest Meeting for 7th and 8th graders
Thursday, December 12
6:00p POMS Orchestra Winter Concert
Friday, December 13
POMS Ugly Sweater Friday
Monday, December 16
POMS Track Interest Meeting during Team Time
4:00p POMS Auditions for Beetlejuice The Musical
Tuesday, December 17
POMS Spirit Night at Lankford's Bellaire
Wednesday, December 18
4:00p POMS Auditions for Beetlejuice The Musical
Thursday, December 19
7:00p POMS Auction Interest Meeting
Friday, December 20
POMS Ugly Sweater Friday
Monday, December 23
POMS No School - Winter Recess
Tuesday, December 24
POMS No School - Winter Recess
Wednesday, December 25
POMS No School - Winter Recess
Thursday, December 26
POMS No School - Winter Recess
Friday, December 27
POMS No School - Winter Recess
Saturday, December 28
POMS No School - Winter Recess
Sunday, December 29
POMS No School - Winter Recess
Monday, December 30
POMS No School - Winter Recess
Tuesday, December 31
POMS No School - Winter Recess
POMS Last Day to Purchase Discounted Club 8 Ultimate Package
Wednesday, January 1
POMS No School - Winter Recess
Thursday, January 2
POMS No School - Winter Recess
Friday, January 3
POMS No School - Winter Recess
Monday, January 6
POMS No School - Staff Development Day
Thursday, January 9
9:00a POMS PTO Executive Board Meeting
Friday, January 10
4:00p POMS Kona Ice Friday
Monday, January 13
POMS Report Cards
We Appreciate Our Corporate Sponsors & Community Partners
AGENDA
CHARGER
THOROUGHBRED
RANGER
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