Originally delivered on 2/2/2025 4:05 pm

SUBJECT: Charger Chatter

February 2, 2025

Principal's Post

Dear Charger Parents and Families,

We’ve had another busy and successful week at Pin Oak MS. Here are a few important updates and celebrations:  

Academic Reminders

  • All students received their Cycle 4 progress reports on Friday. With just two weeks left in this grading cycle, it’s crucial that students stay focused and prepare for upcoming assessments. 
  • If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress, please reach out to their classroom teacher.
  • Attendance matters! There is a direct connection between student attendance and achievement. Please ensure your child is in class every day, and if possible, schedule appointments outside of school hours. We appreciate your support. 

Student Accomplishments

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students this week:  

  • Algebra I Interim Success: Our 7th & 8th graders crushed it. 157 students are on track to earn high school credit, and even more impressively, 88% of students demonstrated mastery! 
  • Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Art Contest: Congratulations to Skylar Barragy (7th grade, Art 2) for winning the Gold Medal Award with her outstanding piece entitled "Timmy". 
  • Technology Student Association (TSA) Competition: Our TSA team went up against 900+ submissions and delivered incredible results:  
  • 31 student competitors
  • 131 event submissions
  • Placed in 89 events
  • Earned 53 First-Place Ribbons!

We are beyond proud of our students’ hard work, creativity, and dedication—this is what excellence, innovation, and teamwork look like.   

Thank you for your continued support, and let’s finish this six weeks strong. 

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 


8th Grade Activities

We have lots of fun activities planned for our 8th graders this Spring. Click here for a calendar of events. (Dates subject to change if HISD adjusts its calendar)

8th Grade Gear - DEADLINE TO BUY EXTENDED TO FRIDAY

"Club 8" Ultimate Package: Purchase here

Valued at $130, this package can still be yours for only $108. This package includes an 8th grade t-shirt, semi-formal dance ticket, class yard sign, field trip swag bag with beach towel and sunglasses, and class panoramic photo. (swag bag only available as part of the ultimate package)

You can also purchase the following individual items:

8th grade t-shirt for $20 (deadline to purchase is February 7)

8th grade yard sign for $20 (deadline to purchase is February 7)

8th grade semi-formal dance ticket for $15

8th grade panoramic photo for $30

Underwriter Opportunities

Please consider underwriting 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 or contact Lindsay Colvin and Jennifer Deneen, 8th Grade Activities Chairs.

POMS Charger Rodeo Auction Feb 21-28

Chargers!  Get ready to Giddy Up for a Good Cause!  

Save the date for the POMS Charger Rodeo Auction! The Auction is a weeklong silent auction event that will run February 21 - 28 culminating in amazing in-person events for students and adults.  

Your Charger will not want to miss the Rodeo Game Night on February 28, 4:30 - 6:30 pm at POMS.  And adults can bid on items and celebrate auction wins at our Adult Rodeo Social the evening of February 28.

We need your help for a successful silent auction - let us know if you have something amazing to donate. (Think goods, services, vacation homes, tickets to local events). Please complete the donation form here.

For more information, please contact your Rodeo Wranglers! Katie Hill and Shannon Westin at auction@pinoakpto.org.

Kona Ice Friday!

Kona Ice will be at POMS after school on Friday, February 7. The Kona Ice truck will be parked on Glenmont Street by the crosswalk.

Please bring cash to purchase a treat. A cup of shaved ice is $4, $6, or $7 each. Kona Ice generously donates 20 percent of the proceeds to POMS!

Please email Jennifer Deneen, Kona Ice Chair, with any questions.

PTO General Meeting February 12

Wed, February 12, 9:00 - 10:00 am

Parents have two options to attend:

If you plan to attend the meeting in person, please arrive 15-20 minutes ahead of time to check in at the front office with your driver license.

Help us fill the Sunshine Snack Cart

The teacher snack carts are on the roll! Please help us purchase items for the carts on our Amazon Wish List

Prefer to purchase items locally? Please mark off the item(s) on the Amazon List, address the items to Wynne Erickson/PTO and bring them to the front office.

Order Your 2024-2025 Yearbook

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

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.)

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.

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
Thursday, February 6
9:00a POMS PTO Executive Board Meeting
Friday, February 7
4:00p POMS Kona Ice Friday
Wednesday, February 12
9:00a POMS PTO General Meeting
Friday, February 14
POMS No School - Staff Development Day
Monday, February 17
POMS No School - President's Day
Thursday, February 20
8:30a POMS 8th Grade Panoramic Photo (wear royal blue polo)
Friday, February 21
12:00a POMS Charger Rodeo Auction
Saturday, February 22
12:00a POMS Charger Rodeo Auction
Sunday, February 23
12:00a POMS Charger Rodeo Auction
Monday, February 24
12:00a POMS Charger Rodeo Auction
Tuesday, February 25
12:00a POMS Charger Rodeo Auction
Wednesday, February 26
12:00a POMS Charger Rodeo Auction
Thursday, February 27
12:00a POMS Charger Rodeo Auction
Friday, February 28
12:00a POMS Charger Rodeo Auction
POMS Report Cards
4:30p POMS Chargers Rodeo Game Night
Thursday, March 6
9:00a POMS PTO Executive Board Meeting
Friday, March 7
4:00p POMS Kona Ice Friday
Monday, March 10
POMS No School - Spring Recess
Tuesday, March 11
POMS No School - Spring Recess
Wednesday, March 12
POMS No School - Spring Recess
Thursday, March 13
POMS No School - Spring Recess
Friday, March 14
POMS No School - Spring Recess
We Appreciate Our Corporate Sponsors & Community Partners
AGENDA
CHARGER
THOROUGHBRED
RANGER
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