September 21, 2025

Dear Charger Parents and Families,

Our teachers have been very busy creating and implementing amazing learning opportunities for all our students. Our classrooms, house commons, library, cafeteria, and hallways are buzzing with excitement, laughter, questioning, and motivation to explore and learn. A strong school-to-home partnership is incredibly important for the growth of your student. Parents should reach out to individual teachers if they have any questions about their student's grades when checking HISD Connect. Cycle 1 Report Cards will be delivered to students to take home on Friday, September 26.

Heartfelt congratulations to Malley Lutschg, one of the 2025 iWRITE Publishing Contest winners. Her poem “Big and Small” will be published in Volume 16 of I Write Short Stories by Kids for Kids, an honor that brings international recognition.

Another noteworthy update is that our 6th and 7th grade students will soon bring home the novels they will study and annotate this semester. Because extra copies are not available, we ask parents to help students keep track of their book. 

• 6th Grade:Elephant Touch by Susan Greenway

• 7th Grade:Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Important Reminders for Next Week:

• EF Tours Germany 2026 Information Session: Monday, September 22, 5:30–7:00 PM, POMS Room B129. Registration is required, and a parent or guardian must attend. 

• Fall Picture Day: Wednesday, September 24

• POMS Spirit Night: Wednesday, September 24, all day at Lankford’s – Bellaire

• PTO General Meeting: Thursday September 25 at 9:00 AM in the POMS Library or virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Thank you for supporting our Chargers as they continue their exciting year of learning and exploration.

Smile, it’s Picture Day at POMS

Fall Picture Day is Wednesday, September 24, and all orders are prepay with satisfaction guaranteed.

Make-up photos will be taken for absent or new students. During the prepay period families can choose Ship to School (free) or Ship to Home (shipping charges apply).

The Prepay Link remains active for one week after Picture Day; late orders are shipped to the address provided and may include additional fees. For more information or assistance with late orders, please contact PhotoTexas Photography Customer Service at 800-883-6463 or customerservice@phototexasphotography.com. 

No School on Thursday, Oct 2 and Friday, October 3:

The campus will be closed on Thursday (HISD Professional Development Day) and Friday (Fall Holiday).

All classes will resume on Monday, October 6.

World Language Expo Night – October 22, 5:00–6:30 PM

We are excited to host our first World Language Expo Night, a celebration of culture, creativity, and student achievement. Explore the impressive work of our Chargers in the six languages taught at Pin Oak—French, German, Italian, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish—as well as our Japanese Culture class.

Parents will have the opportunity to see what students have accomplished during the first twelve weeks of the school year and to meet the teachers leading our vibrant world language program. From projects to performances, you’ll witness just how much they have achieved in a short time.

Our World Language teachers will be present, and we have a few special surprises planned for families who attend. It promises to be a wonderful evening celebrating the diversity and richness of our world languages.

Upcoming Spirit Weeks
We have two exciting spirit weeks coming up:

• Homecoming Spirit Week is scheduled for the week of October 20–24. Festivities will include themed dress-up days, a pep rally, tailgate, football game, and the Homecoming Dance.

• Red Ribbon Week will take place the following week, beginning October 27.

Additional spirit week details are shared below.

Reminder: Annual Student Information Survey

We need all parents to complete the Annual Student Information Survey as soon as possible. Your prompt response is greatly appreciated.

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

• Visit the POMS website for a full staff directory and much more
• POMS Student Handbook
• Attendance Policy (email excuses to kia.ward@houstonisd.org)
• Bell Schedule
• Dress Code Policy
• POMS School Safety & Transportation page
• Use the Remind app (text @cf3a8ca to 81010) for timely reminders
  
• Connect on X @pinoakms and Instagram @pinoakchargers
• Connect to the POMS PTO on Facebook and Instagram @pinoakpto
• Other POMS helpful links and information

See you soon!
Lindsey Vela, Principal

Our amazing PTO volunteers are rolling out the snack cart for our awesome teachers and staff. It is a simple way to brighten their day and show our appreciation every month for all that they do for our students. 

Would you help us stock the cart? 

• Please purchase items directly from our Amazon Wish List - Items will be shipped to POMS
• Drop off individually packaged drinks or snacks of your choosing to the school office labeled "PTO/Sunshine Cart". Teachers like sweet or salty snacks, sparkling water, tea, and soda.

For more information, email Amy Chang, Snack Cart Chair.

Saturday, October 25, 2025 · 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Bellaire High School Gym · 5100 Maple St., Bellaire, TX

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 the Bellaire Belles pay for uniforms, camps, and spring competitions.

Cost: $40 in advance · $45 after October 10 (T-shirt guaranteed with advance registration)
Register: Complete the registration form and payment online here. 

Pin Oak Middle School PTO

4601 Glenmont • Bellaire, TX 77401

pinoakpto.org