April 19, 2026

Dear Charger Parents and Families,

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we move forward into the final stretch of the school year.

The fifth six weeks grading period officially closed this past Friday, and we will begin the sixth and final six weeks on Monday. It is hard to believe how quickly this year has flown by, as we now have just 33 instructional days remaining.

Attendance and punctuality are especially important during these final weeks. Students need to be present at school every day and arrive on time to maximize learning opportunities and successfully close out the year strong. Your support in reinforcing the importance of daily attendance and timeliness is greatly appreciated.

Celebrating Academic Excellence

We are proud to share that Pin Oak Middle School has once again been named a 2025 Educational Results Partnership (ERP) Honor Roll School. This national recognition honors high-performing schools that are closing achievement gaps and demonstrating strong student achievement in Math and English.

Sponsored by the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence, the ERP Honor Roll is the only school award given in collaboration with state and local business leaders and is based on student assessment data. Being recognized again highlights our continued commitment to academic excellence and student success.

Learn more about the ERP Honor Roll program at www.edresults.org.

We are excited to invite families to Charger Fest on Saturday, April 25, from 12:00–4:00 PM. This will be a fun-filled event celebrating our World Language program and will feature student performances highlighting one or more of the languages offered on our campus.

Campus Celebrations

Book Fair This Week & Celebrating National School Librarian Day

In addition, our Book Fair will take place April 24–25. We encourage families to support literacy by giving students the opportunity to participate. 

Thank you, Ms. Corso, for shaping the library into a place where stories matter and learning is an engaging, meaningful adventure. 

Pin Oak Crew Showcases Talent at Jones Hall 

Pin Oak Crew had the opportunity to perform on the big stage at Jones Hall as part of the opening for the Blue Man Group. This experience, made possible with the support of H-E-B, allowed our students to showcase their energy and talent in a professional setting.

We are proud of our students for the way they represented Pin Oak and for embracing this exciting opportunity as rising performers.

Pin Oak Students Earn 1st Place in UIL Public Forum Debate

Pin Oak is proud to celebrate Aarna and Emilie for earning 1st place in Public Forum Debate at this past weekend’s HISD UIL District Tournament. We commend our students for their hard work, preparation, and the way they represented Pin Oak with excellence in academic competition.

Please be sure to regularly check our campus website for the latest updates and reminders. If your child is in need of additional academic support, teachers are available for tutorials. The tutorial schedule can be found here.

STAAR Testing Information and Reminders

This Wednesday, all eighth-grade students will take the STAAR History assessment. It is critical that every eighth grader is present and on time on testing day. Parents, please remind students to take their time, stay focused, and do their very best. Once testing is completed, students will return to their regular class schedules for the remainder of the day.

Additionally, students must bring their fully charged Chromebook on testing day.

Please note that our campus will be closed to visitors on all STAAR testing days to maintain a secure and focused testing environment. A detailed testing schedule has been provided below for your reference.

STAAR Testing Tips:

• Get a good night’s sleep
• Eat a healthy breakfast
• Arrive to school early
• No early pickup on test days
• No phones, smartwatches, or other electronic devices

Algebra Interest / STAAR Interim Make-Up Exam

This make-up exam is available for any current 6th or 7th grade student who is interested in meeting the criteria for Algebra I placement for the 2026–2027 school year. Families may review the Algebra I placement criteria using the Algebra I Matrix linked here. 

IPC Placement – Current 7th Grade Students

Students interested in IPC (Integrated Physics and Chemistry) must meet specific requirements. Please review the IPC placement criteria using the IPC Matrix linked here.  

IPC Placement Requirements Include:

• Enrollment in Algebra or Geometry as an 8th grader
• 7th Grade Math STAAR score at the Masters level
• End-of-Year performance and growth in Science & Math (NWEA MAP Test)
• Successful completion of the IPC Qualifier Test
• Completion of assigned Khan Academy units

Additional details about Algebra I, IPC, and World Languages requirements are available on our campus website. 

Finally, we are excited to host our 5th Annual Cinco de Mayo PTO Celebration on Friday, May 1. This event is a special opportunity to recognize and thank our PTO volunteers for their generosity, time, and continued support throughout the year. Without their dedication, many of the amazing opportunities we provide for our teachers and students would not be possible.

Upcoming Campus Events

Athletics & Clubs

2026-2027 Academic Calendar 

Make sure to mark the dates as you plan for the upcoming school year. 2026-27 Academic Calendar in English and Spanish (Español).

Food Systems Summer Camp Opportunity

Connecting with you is important to us—we’re here for you!

Helpful Links & Info:

• POMS website (staff directory & more)
• Student Handbook
• Attendance Policy (email excuses to agny.ibarra@houstonisd.org)
• Bell Schedule
• Dress Code Policy
• School Safety & Transportation page
• Tutoring Schedule

Stay Connected:

• Remind app (text @cf3a8ca to 81010)
  
• X @pinoakms and Instagram @pinoakchargers
• PTO on Facebook and Instagram @pinoakpto

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. It is truly a great time to be a part of the Pin Oak community. 

Lindsey Vela, Principal

PTO NEWS

🎪 Be Our Guest at 🎪

CHARGER FEST 

Saturday, April 25 12-4 PM

Charger Fest is a fun-filled afternoon featuring carnival games, inflatables, fine arts performances, international food trucks and popcorn bar, school tours, purchase and pick up POMS merch at the school store, visit the book fair and more for the whole family. 

What to Do Next

 Pre-order wristbands online
(Online sales close Friday, April 24 at 6 PM)
or purchase in person during student lunches on 

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday this week
Cash or card only — $20 

$20 | $25 at the door
(wristbands for children to participate in inflatables and games)

Wristbands will be picked up at the Charger Fest entrance on Saturday

💙 SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

Parents and students can volunteer 
Opportunities include staffing activity booths and games, supervising inflatables, directing guests, staffing the used uniform sales, helping at the popcorn bar, and keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Whether you can lend a hand for an hour or stay for the whole event, your time and energy make a big difference.

💧 Support the Water Donation Fund
⭐ Become an event underwriter or booth sponsor 

For more information, please contact the POMS PTO Charger Fest Chairs

Thursday and Friday, the Book Fair will be open during all lunch periods and on Saturday at Charger Fest!

Payment via cash, check, credit card, or Scholastic e-wallet. 

We need VOLUNTEERS to make this a great book fair for all our students! Click on the Book Fair Volunteer Sign-Up to pick a time slot. You must be VIPS approved to volunteer. Questions? Contact bookfair@pinoakpto.org.

Buy your student’s school supply pack today! Packs will be shipped to POMS and distributed to your student at school.  Be sure to order the pack for your child’s 2026-2027 grade.

Purchase 1^st Day School Supplies here.

For questions, email schoolsupplies@pinoakpto.org

Calling all Horn Elementary alumni! Join us for an afternoon of service as we give back to our school and community. Service hours will be available. See details above and register to participate!

For more information contact Meghan Lutschg. 

Pin Oak Middle School PTO

4601 Glenmont • Bellaire, TX 77401

pinoakpto.org