October 26, 2025

Dear Charger Parents and Families,

Last week was filled with school spirit and community pride across campus. We celebrated a successful World Language Expo, where students showcased their learning and creativity in six different languages through projects, performances, and presentations that reflected the diversity and global perspective of our school community. 

The Homecoming Pep Rally, Tailgate, and Game brought our Chargers together for an exciting celebration of teamwork and school pride. A short video from the Pep Rally is included here. 

Our seventh and eighth graders ended the week with a fun Photo Booth Neon Night Homecoming Dance. Thank you to the athletics department for organizing these events, and to our coaches, administrators, and parent volunteers for their support in making them such a success. 

We are also very proud of our Speech and Debate Team for their outstanding performance at the first UIL tournament of the year at Paul Revere Middle School. 

Public Forum Debate 
First Place: Luke Colmenter and Olivia Tan
Third Place: Emery Wyatt and Seojin (Sam) Ahn

Congressional Debate
First Place: Reagan Reichek
Second Place: Lauren Lee

We also congratulate all students who competed: Adam Meherali (LD), Nathan Lustgarten (LD), Avaneesh Allada (PF), and Sohan Mukherjee (PF).

Out of all schools in HISD, the HISD Media Team selected Pin Oak to feature the HISD Nutrition Department. Several of our students will be highlighted in upcoming promotional materials that will appear in and around Houston. We are excited to share a sneak peek of our Chargers proudly representing both our campus and the district.

We celebrate Red Ribbon Spirit Week this week. The theme is “Life is a Puzzle: Solve It Drug Free.” Students are encouraged to participate in the daily themed activities while following dress code guidelines. 

We are also looking forward to the National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony, which will take place on Wednesday, November 6, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the MPR. We ask that all guests be seated by 6:00 p.m. While there is no limit on the number of guests, we encourage families to arrive early, as we anticipate a very large crowd. 

Thank you for your continued support in helping make our school a place of pride, positivity, and community spirit.  

2025 PTO Charger Commitment Campaign - Ends on Friday

This is the final week of the PTO Charger Commitment Campaign, the biggest fundraiser for 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. 

We can't thank you enough for the generous donations received so far. Please remember that any donation, no matter the size, helps our students and teachers. These funds will be used THIS Year for YOUR students.

The campaign closes on Friday, so please consider showing your support and making your gift to POMS today. Together, we continue to strengthen the programs and opportunities that make our school community thrive. 

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

Friday is Attendance Snapshot Day and Chick-fil-A Raffle

On Friday, October 31, Texas and HISD take a “snapshot” of Pin Oak’s enrollment. A large portion of Pin Oak's budget is based on the number of student's in attendance on Friday.  We need all students at school that day at the time attendance is taken at 9:45 AM.

To encourage attendance, the PTO will hold a Chick-fil-A lunch raffle for all students present at 9:45 AM on Friday.  Fifteen students from each grade who are present at 9:45 AM on will be selected to receive a Chick-fil-A lunch that same day. 

POMS Color Run is Friday, November 14

Tickets on Sale Now

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. 

Click Here to Learn What To Expect at the Color Run

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 Amy Ripper.

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).

• 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 

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. 🌟

The Texas Education Agency has released an overview of school discipline policies for parents. These documents explain the Student Code of Conduct, classroom management practices, and the procedures for conferences, appeals, and student rights.

📄 Overview of School Discipline for Parents (English)
📄 Descripción General de la Disciplina Escolar para Padres (Español)

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 agny.ibarra@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

Pin Oak Middle School PTO

4601 Glenmont • Bellaire, TX 77401

pinoakpto.org