SEPTEMBER 21, 2026

Here’s what’s happening with the PTO — events, volunteer opportunities, and ways for students and families to get involved and stay connected.

POMS September General PTO Meeting

Our September 17 PTO Meeting was a great opportunity to connect, share updates, and hear what’s ahead for our Pin Oak community.

Missed it or want to revisit the meeting? Check it out here.

🎉 Let’s celebrate our Chargers!

Because every great accomplishment deserves a BIG SHOUT-OUT!

Do you know a Pin Oak Middle School student, teacher, staff member, or group who deserves to be celebrated? We want to hear about it!

The Charger Chatter BIG SHOUT-OUT is a chance to recognize the amazing accomplishments, acts of kindness, victories, talents, milestones, and moments that make our Pin Oak community special.

Tell us about it!

👉 Submit your BIG SHOUT-OUT here!

All submissions will be reviewed by the Charger Chatter team. Submission does not guarantee publication.

Big Shout-Out to Coach Morris 🏐

Coach Morris coached the 7th and 8th grade girls’ volleyball teams to their first wins against Pershing last week.

Even more impressive than the wins, she makes each girl feel like an important part of the team. She also worked within multiple constraints to come up with a practice schedule that makes sense for the team and families.

Coach Morris is a great addition to Pin Oak!

🎭 Big Shout-Out to Ms. Henry 🎭

6th grader Axel Vogel didn’t request theatre and was initially disappointed to be placed in the class. Before school even started, he had already decided he would transfer out. But after just one day with Ms. Henry, everything changed.

He came home excited about all the opportunities ahead and especially thrilled to hear they would be performing comedies. He now tells his friends that theatre is his new favorite class — and one of the things that makes him excited to come to school.

What a wonderful reminder of the impact a great teacher can have. Thank you, Ms. Henry, for bringing your passion, creativity, and gift for connecting with students to POMS. We are so thrilled to have you here!

Top 3 Reasons to Volunteer in the School Store!

Your student can come visit you in the store while you volunteer. Do you ever wish you could say hi to your student during the school day? Volunteer at the school store!
Meet other Pin Oak parents. Each shift has at least 2 Pin Oak parent volunteers. By working the same shift throughout the year, you will have the opportunity to get to know each other in a fun environment.
Give back to the Pin Oak community. Each day over 100 students shop at the student store. The proceeds from the store support the PTO teacher grants.

Sign ups are for the 2026-2027 school year - if you can only sign up for a few weeks, please contact schoolstore@pinoakpto.org.
We will provide training for new volunteers.
Sign up for the group (A or B)/day(s) that works best for you (shifts are every other week). The 1st shift covers 6th grade lunch and the 2nd shift covers 7th/8th grade lunches.

Many shifts are still looking for volunteers, please scroll down once you click the link for shifts to see all openings.

2026-2027 School Store Shifts

The following shifts currently are in severe need of volunteers:

Tuesday Lunches 2nd Shift (7th and 8th grade lunch): Group B (Begins Sept. 29)
Tuesday Group B shift
Thursday Lunches 1st Shift (6th grade lunch): Group B (Begins Oct. 1)
Thursday Group B shift

The store cannot operate without volunteers!

All school volunteers are required to be VIPS approved. Please complete your VIPS application using the same first and last name on your ID to expedite check-in at the front office.

Complete VIPS Approval | Aprobación VIPS

As always, feel free to reach out to us at schoolstore@pinoakpto.org.

Big Year. Big Memories. Be Part of It!

8th grade is a BIG year at Pin Oak, and it takes a village of mildly organized adults to make all the fun stuff happen! This year’s 8th Grade Committee is led by Jean Lee, Tricia Onufer and Cindy Wu, and we’re looking for parents to jump in.

We need volunteers in the following areas:

Promotion Parade and Picnic (PPP)
8th Grade Field Trip
Homecoming Tailgate
Semi-Formal Dance
Breakfast

Each committee will have a chair(s) and volunteers. (And just to be clear, “chair” does not mean “do every single thing yourself.” It means rallying a team and helping keep everyone moving in the same general direction.)

No special experience required. You do not need to be a professional event planner, own a Cricut or have your life completely together. If you are willing and reliable, you’re qualified.

Come help us make their last year at Pin Oak one they’ll remember! To volunteer or ask questions, please contact 8thgradeactivities@pinoakpto.org.

🍿 Snack Cart — Friday, September 25 | 1:30 PM

Our PTO volunteers are bringing the Sunshine Snack Cart to our teachers and staff each month as a small way to show our appreciation for everything they do for our students.

Shop the Sunshine Snack Cart Amazon Wish List

Items purchased from the wish list will be shipped directly to POMS.

Prefer to donate directly? You can purchase snacks, chips, soft drinks, sparkling water, or packaged treats and drop them off at the front desk labeled “To Wynne Erickson, Snack Cart.”

For more information, contact Wynne Erickson & Katie Wylie.

CHARGER BUZZ

Here’s what’s happening around Pin Oak — school events, athletics, student activities, and highlights from across our Charger community.

Lady Chargers, let’s play Lacrosse!

**PLEASE NOTE: New interest meeting date and time**

Girls’ lacrosse is fast, fun, and the fastest-growing women’s sport in the U.S. Whether she’s brand new or already loves the game, this is her chance to build skills, make friends, and have a blast. Lacrosse is a spring sport, but practices will begin early October to build skills and confidence. Students are invited to attend practices before committing to ensure it's a good fit!

Questions? Can't make the meeting but still interested? Let us know on the form or at pinoakgirlslaxhouston@gmail.com

Interest Form:Complete it here

Crochet Club Is Back!

Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sign up here to reserve a spot.

For more information, contact Ms. Lynda Cline.

Welcome all POMS Families from The Living Library!

The POMS Library is an award-winning center of reading, research, creativity, innovation, and relaxation that serves students of all fluencies and educational backgrounds. Our library program is built upon the engagement and agency of all types of readers (avid, occasional, struggling, reluctant) who keep it responsive and reflective of their voices, cultures, and feedback. Our Fall Family Flyer can be accessed here and contains links such as a virtual tour of every Nonfiction and Fiction section, instructions for downloading the Library App, newsletters, and more!

Speaker Series / Calling all POMS Parents!

Our 2026-2027 Speaker Series is about to begin in the POMS Library and we want YOU to share your career and educational journey with our students! STEM, the arts, law, business, real estate, fashion...our students love hearing about different careers!

Why are you passionate about your field? What did you study in school to get to where you are? Was your path straight from school to present career or did you take several side routes? How has your occupation changed since you began?

Fill out this form if interested and thank you for volunteering to share your voice!

Partner with Pin Oak PTO

Corporate sponsors play a vital role in elevating the Pin Oak experience directly funding classroom grants, campus technology, curriculum enrichment, and staff appreciation.

Packages start at $1,500 and include high-visibility perks:

Campus banner placement
Logo and link on the Pin Oak PTO website
Dedicated recognition in this newsletter

How You Can Help

Whether you own a business or frequent a local favorite like your dentist, realtor, or neighborhood restaurant, a personal connection makes all the difference. An introduction from a parent carries far more weight than a cold email.

Interested in partnering with us or introducing a business?

For more information contact Mayra Marshall.

Get Started: Click here!

🎥 Charger Connections!🌟

Meet the people who help make Pin Oak special! 💙

🎤 Our brand-new interview series where we’ll sit down with the amazing people who support, inspire, and strengthen our Charger community.

✨ From sponsors and staff to teachers and other special members of our community, we’ll be sharing their stories, learning more about what they do, and discovering what connects them to Pin Oak.

Our FIRST GUEST is Greater Houston Orthodontics! 🦷

👀 Watch our first Charger Connection video interview and get to know Greater Houston Orthodontics!

🎬 Follow along, meet our guests, and CONNECT with the people who make a difference at POMS! 💙

Be sure to check Dr. Crowley’s latest ParentSquare newsletter for this week’s school news and important reminders.

New to ParentSquare? Your account is automatically created for custodial guardians listed in PowerSchool.

View the ParentSquare Quick Guide (English & Spanish)

Sign in using the same email address or phone number listed in PowerSchool, or download the ParentSquare app for easier access.

Sign in to ParentSquare

School Tours

Whether your family is looking ahead to high school or knows a prospective future Charger, here are a few campus tour opportunities to keep on your radar.

For 8th Grade Families