August 10, 2025

Dear Charger Parents and Families,

We are excited to welcome you and your student(s) back to Pin Oak Middle School for what promises to be another amazing year. Last week, our dedicated staff returned to campus and hit the ground running—focusing on building strong connections with one another and preparing for a year of high-quality instruction.

At Pin Oak, we are committed to excellence. Our promise to you is that we will continue to hold ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to:

• Clear and consistent communication
• Building strong relationships with students and families
• Upholding rules and safety protocols
• Prioritizing academic rigor
• Encouraging every student to be a kind, a respectful, and a productive member of our Charger family

In return, we ask for your partnership and support as we hold our Chargers to those same expectations. When we work as a team—school and home—we are stronger, and we are better for each other.

This year, we are projected to welcome over 1,300 students to our campus. As we grow, staying connected becomes even more important. The district has launched several updates to enhance parent engagement, and every HISD family is required to verify and update their student’s information online. This process ensures we have the most current contact, health, and emergency details for your child.

• HISD ENROLLMENT SURVEY

Additionally, HISD is implementing a new Texas law limiting personal device use in schools. This important change is designed to keep classrooms focused on learning. You can find full details, FAQs, and what this means for your student on the district’s website.

• HISD CELL PHONE POLICY
• HISD CELL PHONE POLICY ON YouTube

We’re also proud to share that Pin Oak continues to lead the way in academics. This year, we’re introducing two new high school credit courses, bringing our total to 15—the most offered by any middle school in the district! More high school credit options mean more opportunities for our students to get ahead.

Another exciting development: this year, every 6th grader will participate in our Foreign Language Wheel, experiencing six different languages—French, Italian, German, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish—over the course of the school year. This initiative reflects our commitment to expanding access to foreign languages for all students, not just those in our magnet program.

We’ve also expanded our student programs and opportunities to ensure that every Charger can thrive both in and out of the classroom. Based on student interests, we’ve added new elective offerings, further developed our athletics program, and introduced a Career & Technical Education (CTE) program—all designed to help students explore their passions, develop skills, and build confidence.

In addition, we’ve made significant facilities updates that directly support and strengthen our school culture. Some highlights include:

• Cafeteria murals that celebrate Charger pride
• A Clevertouch interactive board in every core classroom
• New gym bleachers and a completely resurfaced gym floor
• Fresh paint in both the gym and Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)
• And most recently, a brand-new gym mural that will be ready to welcome students on the first day of school!

I look forward to seeing all Chargers back for the 2025–2026 school year. Please plan accordingly to ensure your child is on time and in dress code so we can kick off the year with a smooth and successful first day. We will open our doors at 7:50 a.m. and dismiss all students at 4:00 p.m.  

I also encourage all families to review the Student & Parent Handbook to better understand the systems, procedures, and supports we have in place at POMS.

Thank you for being an essential part of our Charger community. We can’t wait to see all the incredible things our students will accomplish this year—together.

Student Schedules

There is still movement happening due to student enrollment verification, HB1416, student interventions, and course offerings, so shifting and class leveling will be happening over the next 10 instructional days (August 12-25). 

If you have a specific question regarding your child’s schedule, you will need to email your child’s assistant principal so s/he can help support you. Please understand that all campus administrators are supporting students and teachers throughout the school day. We are working on student schedules after hours and on the weekend so your patience, understanding, and grace is appreciated. (I have included their names, house assignments, and linked email addresses to make this easy on you.)

Do You Need Help Understanding Your Schedule?—Click on the link to access the Schedule Cheat Sheet.

Schedule Change Request—Before a schedule change request is reviewed by the house assistant principal parents/ guardians must complete all beginning of the 2025-2026 forms for their child enrolled at Pin Oak Middle School. Students will receive their First Day Packet in Team Time tomorrow morning. Click on the link to access the Schedule Change Request Form.

HISD Connect How-to Videos:

Getting Started with HISD Connect Parent Portal

How to create your account and associate your student’s information.

Traffic & Safety Procedures

Traffic patterns will be heavy during the first week of school. With your help, we can get you on your way and clear Circle Drive by 4:15pm.

1. Coming from 610, form 1 line on Glenmont. Please turn right into circle drive and stay in the carpool line. Do not drop-off or pick-up your child(ren) off Glenmont.  This maybe a time saver for you, but it is not SAFE. 

2. As you enter circle drive, please pull up as far as you can. When the car ahead of you leaves, please pull up. If your child is not ready, you will be asked to exit the lane and park in the front parking lot. Do not stop your car on the crosswalk. 

3. Place your car in park and allow your child(ren) to exit the vehicle on the curb side.  It is dangerous to exit from the driver side of the vehicle.

4. Wait patiently for cars ahead of you to unload.  Do not attempt to pass vehicles in the drop-off lane.

5. When exiting the school driveway, you may turn right or left on to Glenmont. Be careful of oncoming traffic.

6. Please NEVER leave your car unattended. If you need to enter the school building; please park your car in the parking spaces in the front lot. 

7. If your child is going to walk or ride his/her bike to school, please remind them to be very careful. They must always obey the traffic signals, and always cross with the light and in the crosswalk. They should never have earbuds/ headphones, AirPods, or any Bluetooth device distracting them when walking or riding their bike. They must stay alert and aware of what is happening around them. 

8. Students and parents are not allowed to cross in the middle of the street instead of crossing at the cross walk. 

Reminders:

• Do Not U-turn on Glenmont.
• Do NOT pick-up or drop-off in the teacher/staff parking lot at the back of the school.
• Avenue B is NOT a sanctioned pick-up or drop-off location and do NOT block driveways. Bellaire police will give tickets to those who are parked illegally.

Lastly, we are all responsible for the safety of our students. Treat every student you see as if they were your own. Please try not to be in a hurry during drop-off and pick-up.

Are you ready for the new school year? Please review these helpful resources:

Houston ISD Academic Calendar 

English version and Spanish version.

After School Charger Care

Learn about the program and registration here. For questions, please contact Norma Ruiz, After School Care Coordinator. 

Backpack Policy

All students will be expected to have their backpack before receiving a school issued Chromebook. Hallway lockers are not utilized at POMS and students must carry their school issued Chromebook in their backpack when transitioning from class to class.

Bell Schedule

Pin Oak Middle School Website

In alignment with Houston ISD, Pin Oak's website transitioned to a new platform the week of July 21. Updates will continue to be made throughout the year. Please continue to visit our website for more information about all our upcoming campus events.

School Supplies

Pre-ordered school supplies will be placed in your student’s Charger/Team Time class prior to the first day of school.  If you did not pre-order school supplies, click here to view the supply lists by grade.  

Sports Physicals

A POMS Sports Physical Clinic is scheduled for Monday, August 11 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the gym for current 2025-26 Pin Oak students. 

• Complete the Medical History portion of the Pre-participation Physical Evaluation Form and have your student bring it with them to the clinic
• The cost is $25 CASH ONLY
• Parents are not allowed in the gym
• No appointment needed
• Upload form to RegisterMyAthlete

Sports physicals are a MANDATORY REQUIREMENT for any student participating in sports (not PE class) at POMS. No student will be allowed to participate on an athletic team or attend practices without a current physical evaluation form on file. 

Sports physicals are good for the duration of one (1) year and physicals should be taken prior to the start of the school year. The form also can be completed by your student's physician.

For questions, please email Coach Carter, POMS Athletic Coordinator.

Connecting with you is important to us and we are here for you. (HISD is redesigning their website that hosts the POMS website and some of the listed links below may not be available yet - please stay tuned) 

• Visit the POMS website for a full staff directory and much more
• Use the Remind app (text @cf3a8ca to 81010) for timely reminders
• POMS Student Handbook
• Connect on X @pinoakms and Instagram @pinoakchargers
• POMS helpful links and information

See you soon!

Lindsey Vela, Principal

Pin Oak Middle School PTO

4601 Glenmont • Bellaire, TX 77401

pinoakpto.org