Originally delivered on 10/19/2025 3:04 pm

SUBJECT: Charger Chatter

October 19, 2025

Principal's Post

Dear Charger Parents and Families,

As we move further into October, it’s been an eventful and productive time on campus. Our students have been engaged in academics, extracurricular activities, and community celebrations that showcase their learning and school spirit. Progress reports were distributed on Friday, and with only two weeks remaining in the second six weeks, this is a great moment to review grades in PowerSchool, reach out to teachers with any questions, and help students finish the cycle strong.

Our 8th grade students completed the PSAT this past Wednesday, an important milestone in preparing for future academic opportunities.

We also have an exciting spirit week coming up:

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

  • The Homecoming Dance on Friday needs your help. Please sign up to volunteer to set up or break down decorations, or to assist with student check-in.

Purchase Homecoming Dance Tickets on SchoolPay

We need you! Please sign up to volunteer to set-up or break down the Homecoming Dance.

World Language Expo Night – Wednesday, 5:00 - 6:30 PM

ALL parents and students are invited to our first World Language Expo to 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.

Enjoy special performances, presentations and projects plusgrade-level discussions with Principal Vela about the POMS World Language Program.

2025 PTO Charger Commitment Campaign

The PTO Charger Commitment Campaign, which runs through October 31, is the biggest fundraiser for the our PTO and they need YOUR help to keep our faculty and staff grants funded, the teacher reimbursement fund going, and to keep hosting all the activities the PTO organizes for the students. 

With less than two weeks left, every contribution makes an impact right now on programs and resources that benefit all Chargers. Your donations directly support our teachers, classrooms, and student experiences at Pin Oak.

We are so grateful for your support of Pin Oak Middle School and its unique programs - many of which are only offered because of your generous donations. Click here to donate.

A few highlights from the past week:

  • Our advanced orchestra students performed for all grade levels in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, presenting a beautiful tribute that honored culture, history, and unity through music.

  • The 8th Grade Girls Volleyball Team secured their fourth consecutive District Championship, completing the season undefeated.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your student’s success.

Let's Go Chargers!

Spirit Night at Torchy's Tacos: Thursday, 5:00 - 8:00 PM

💗 Pink Out Day – Support the Cause!

Help us “Charge On for a Cure” by purchasing your Pink Out shirt today!

Our annual Pink Out Day is Friday, October 24, and we want to see the halls filled with pink to raise awareness and show our Charger spirit.

💪 Every shirt sold is more than just school spirit — it’s a symbol of hope, strength, and solidarity with those who are fighting, have fought, or have been touched by cancer. Together, we can make a difference one Charger at a time.

🛍️ Available now at the School Store - while supplies last! 

Students can also wear their Pink Out shirts on any Charger Day, so grab yours early! 

Let’s sell out before Pink Out Day and make a powerful statement of unity and compassion!

Proceeds from shirts will benefit the Athletics Dept. 

💙 Explore More Clubs at POMS

Are you interested in discovering new opportunities to connect, create, and grow? Pin Oak Middle School offers a variety of clubs for every interest and skill level.

  • Gardening Club – Meets Wednesdays from 4:00–5:30 p.m. 

  • Crochet Club – Meets Thursdays from 4:15–5:15 p.m. in B House Commons. No experience needed; all levels welcome.

  • Dungeons & Dragons Club – Meets biweekly in B126 from 4:00–5:30 p.m. (New members are still welcome to join).

  • NJHS Induction Ceremony – Scheduled for November 6 from 6:00–7:00 p.m.  

  • World Language Clubs – Spanish, German, French, Italian, Latin, and Mandarin clubs meet after school; check the schedule for meeting days and rooms. 

  • Japanese Club – Now meeting weekly; scan the QR code to learn more. 

  • Japanese Dance Club – Auditions are coming up on October 16 at 4:15 p.m. in Room C104. 

Whether you’re interested in language, creativity, leadership, or adventure, there’s a place for you at POMS — find what inspires you and get involved. 🌟

Picture Retakes: In the MPR at 4:00 PM. No sign up necessary.  

October 31: Attendance Snapshot Day!

On Friday, October 31, Texas and HISD takes a “snapshot” of Pin Oak’s enrollment.  A large part of Pin Oak's budget is based on the student attendance on that day.  So we need all students at school that day at the time attendance is taken at 9:45!

To encourage attendance, the PTO is holding a Chick-fil-A lunch raffle for all students present at 9:45am on October 31st.  Fifteen (15) students from each grade who are present at 9:45am on will be selected to receive a Chick-fil-A lunch that same day

POMS Color Run is Friday, November 14 

Tickets on Sale Nov 2

Color Run is a fun-run style fundraising event. With the purchase of a ticket, students can leave class to hang out, listen to music, visit the Kona Ice truck, run or walk around the track, and throw color on each other in the Post-Run Color Party. It will be held on campus during the school day. 

Learn What To Expect at the Color Run Here

Purchase a spot for your student to be a Color Thrower ($50), Walker/Runner ($25), or Spectator ($5). Color Bags for the Post Run Color Party must be purchased separately. 

Registration for Color Throwers and Runner/Walkers includes a T-shirt, but T-shirt size is not guaranteed. Purchase a ticket early to get the size you want!

Online sales will end at 11:59 PM on Sunday, November 9. 
We will sell tickets during lunch November 10,11 and 12. 

Volunteers Needed

Please sign up to sell tickets at lunch and volunteer at the Color Run.

Thank you for your generosity and support! For more information, please email POMS PTO Color Run Chairs, Dana George and Kim Ripper.

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. 

Dear POMS Family,

We can't thank you enough for the generous donations we've received so far during this year’s Charger Commitment Campaign.  

We rely on the support of our Pin Oak families to help our PTO fund all the "extras" that make POMS the great school it is! 

Please remember that any donation, no matter the size, helps our campaign and our students. These funds get used THIS Year for YOUR students.

With 11 days left to give to the campaign, have you made your donation yet?

We have fabulous new incentives this year. Please show your support and make your gift to POMS today!

Please contact us at commitment@pinoakpto.org with questions or to get involved with the campaign.

Homecoming Tailgate Tuesday

Parents! Help us make the POMS Homecoming Tailgate a blast for our students!

Please sign up to bring food, snacks, sweets, kid drinks and folding tables to the Butler Stadium parking lot at 4:30 pm. The tailgate will be one big celebration but the refreshments will be separated by grade. 

Butler Stadium Parking Lot
13755 Main St, 77035

Purchase a POMS 2025-26 Yearbook

Place your order today before the price increases in January.

Please note that the yearbook is not included in the 8th grade end-of-year packet.

For more information, email Shelly Hulbirt

Support the POMS Sunshine Snack Cart

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? 

  • Purchase items from our Amazon Wish List (items 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.

Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities

Do you know a business who is looking for sponsorship opportunities? 

Pin Oak offers a variety of sponsorship levels and benefits, including school-wide e-newsletter, social media 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 technology support, curriculum enrichment, staff appreciation, and facility enhancements. 

For details, please contact Adriana Cune, VP of Sponsorship.

Full Calendar
Monday, October 20
6:15a POMS Girls Basketball Tryouts Day 1 (for 7th - 8th grade)
4:15p POMS Spanish Club
Tuesday, October 21
6:15a POMS Girls Basketball Tryouts Day 2 (for 7th - 8th grade)
4:15p POMS German Club
4:30p Homecoming Tailgate
5:30p POMS Football v Lanier MS - Homecoming Game
Wednesday, October 22
5:00p POMS World Language Expo Night
Thursday, October 23
4:15p POMS Crochet Club
Friday, October 24
Friday Fun for Teacher's
6:00p POMS Homecoming Dance (7th and 8th Grade)
Monday, October 27
POMS Red Ribbon Week
Tuesday, October 28
POMS Red Ribbon Week
Wednesday, October 29
POMS Red Ribbon Week
4:00p POMS Picture Make Up Day
Thursday, October 30
POMS Red Ribbon Week
4:15p POMS Latin Club
4:15p POMS Mandarin Club
4:15p POMS Crochet Club
Friday, October 31
POMS Red Ribbon Week
POMS Friday Fun for Teacher's
4:00p POMS Kona Ice Friday
Monday, November 3
4:15p POMS Spanish Club
Thursday, November 6
POMS Snack Cart for Teachers and Staff
9:00a POMS PTO Executive Board Meeting
4:15p POMS Crochet Club
Friday, November 7
HISD Professional Development Day - No Classes
Tuesday, November 11
4:15p POMS German Club
We Appreciate Our Corporate Sponsors & Community Partners
AGENDA
CHARGER
THOROUGHBRED
RANGER
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