NOVEMBER 8, 2026

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

Thank You, Charger Families! 💙

We cannot thank our Charger families enough for supporting this year's Charger Commitment Campaign, which officially closed on October 31. Every contribution, big or small, made a difference, and we are truly grateful to everyone who came together to support our school.

Your generosity went far beyond a donation. It helped put essential resources directly into our teachers' hands through PTO grants, strengthened the exceptional programs that set Pin Oak apart, and supported the high-quality education and experiences our students deserve.

The final campaign results are in! Thank you for investing in what makes Pin Oak such an extraordinary school community.

🎥 Watch our PTO thank-you video

🎉 CCC Rewards — Free Dress Days!

Wednesday, November 11 — A House: Free Dress Day! No Crocs, joggers, sweatpants, tights, sandals, or sleeveless shirts.
Friday, November 13 — 7th Grade: Free Dress Day! Sweatpants and Crocs are allowed. Students must wear dress-code tops; otherwise, regular dress-code bottoms and shoes are required.

Questions? Reach out anytime at commitment@pinoakpto.org.

POMS Color Run: Let the Fun Begin!

Get ready, Chargers! The POMS Color Run is this Friday, November 13, during the school day, and ticket sales are still open!

Join the fun with music, friends, Kona Ice, a one-mile run or walk, and a colorful post-run party!

Choose your Color Run experience:

Color Thrower — $50: Throw color during the run. T-shirt included. Limited spots!
Runner/Walker — $25: Complete the colorful course. T-shirt included.
Spectator — $5: Cheer on your friends and join the Color Party. No T-shirt included.

Online ticket sales close November 10 at 11:59 PM.

💙 Volunteers are still Needed! Help with setup, color stations, course support, and more. All volunteers must be HISD VIPS approved.

For the schedule, what to wear, and everything you need to know, visit our Color Run Information Page.

💙 Show Your Charger Pride All Year Long! 🐎

Charger Cheer is offering a limited-edition, dress-code approved spirit shirt for just $20, available in cotton or dry fit. Perfect for Charger Day, game day, or cheering on our amazing Charger athletics!

Shirts are in, with online ordering and distribution during lunch!

Please Note: Adult sizes only. Adult XS fits similarly to Youth XL. All sales are final. No returns. 🐎💙

Proceeds benefit the POMS Cheer Fund.

Class of 2027 — 8th Grade Activities

Dear 8th Grade Parents,

The POMS 8th Grade Activities Committee is pleased to announce the following events celebrating the Class of 2027!

Save the Dates — Class of 2027 Events

Friday, May 14: 8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance at POMS

DANCE IS FOR 8TH GRADE PIN OAK STUDENTS ONLY!

Monday, May 24 through Wednesday, May 26: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremonies by House

Thursday, May 27: 8th Grade Breakfast & Yearbook Signing

Friday, May 28: 8th Grade Promotion Parade & Picnic

(All dates and times are subject to change due to district and/or testing schedule revisions.)

Support 8th Grade Events

To make these events memorable and successful for our 8th graders, we need your help and support!

Please consider becoming an underwriter for the 8th Grade Breakfast, Dance, or Promotion Parade & Picnic for $227! This includes one 8th Grade “Club 27” Ultimate Package and recognition in the POMS PTO Charger Chatter, website, and social media.

Become an Event Underwriter

Club 27 Ultimate Package

If you are unable to commit to being an underwriter, the 8th Grade “Club 27” Ultimate Package is your best value.

For $150, you get an exclusive “Club 27” Swag Bag, including a POMS beach towel, sunglasses, sunscreen & drawstring backpack ($45), 8th Grade Panoramic Photo ($30), Semi-Formal Dance ticket ($25), 8th Grade T-shirt ($20), and 8th Grade Yard Sign ($30).

ON SALE through November 30 at 11:59 PM for only $127!

Purchase Club 27 Ultimate Package

Important Purchasing Information

No promo code needed. The discount is automatically applied at checkout, including when the package is combined with an event underwriting opportunity. Offer expires November 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

The “Club 27” Swag Bag is exclusive to the Ultimate Package, but other items may be purchased individually.

Please note: The panoramic photo may be purchased through the package or separately from the photography company on picture day. The deadline to order all other items, including packages, T-shirts, and yard signs, is December 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

We’re excited to celebrate the Class of 2027 and hope you’ll join us in creating memories that will last a lifetime!

Questions? Contact 8thgradeactivities@pinoakpto.org.

POMS 8th Grade Activities Committee

🎉 Let’s celebrate our Chargers!

Know a Pin Oak student, teacher, staff member, or group who deserves a BIG SHOUT-OUT?

We’re celebrating special accomplishments, acts of kindness, talents, milestones, and moments that make our Charger community special.

Submit your BIG SHOUT-OUT here!

All submissions are reviewed. Submission does not guarantee publication.

💙 BIG SHOUT-OUT to our CCC Chairs, Katie and Melissa!

The little engine that could—and DID! Despite tough times and real budget cuts, Katie and Melissa kept going and made it happen. The money raised through this campaign will make a HUGE impact on our teachers, students, and school this year. We are so lucky to have their dedication, heart, and hard work behind this effort. Thank you both for showing up BIG for Pin Oak! 💙

💙 BIG SHOUT-OUT to Dr. Crowley and Her Team!

The Franklin family would like to recognize Dr. Crowley and the entire POMS staff for their time, commitment, and dedication to our students.

Their guidance, leadership, and thoughtful decision-making have already made a meaningful impact on Pin Oak and our school community.

Thank you for your love and support each day and for leading with purpose and true Charger spirit!

Cross Country Chargers Bring Home District Honors!

Congratulations to the Pin Oak Cross Country team for an outstanding showing at the HISD Middle School Cross Country District Championship, held October 17 at North Forest High School! Our Chargers earned the following Zone 2 team finishes:

7th Grade Boys — 1st Place! 40 points, edging out Lanier’s 42.
8th Grade Girls — 2nd Place, 46 points.
8th Grade Boys — 3rd Place, 61 points.
7th Grade Girls — 4th Place, 64 points.

A special shout-out to Melody Bahta, who finished 2nd individually in 8th Grade Girls with a time of 14:28!

Additional individual finishes included Rowan Bell (4th), Malley Lutschg (6th), Noah Thomas (7th), Dillon Sirmans (8th), Parker Cheng (8th), James Cannon (10th), Jacqueline Chen (10th), and Evelina Garipova (11th).

We’re proud of our runners for their hard work, determination, and Charger spirit! Thank you to our coaches and families for supporting the team. 💙

POMS Theatre Advances to District! 🎭

Ms. Henry shared the exciting news that our POMS Advanced Theatre UIL cast is advancing to the District Competition on November 14!

We also received a BIG SHOUT-OUT from one of our students, who shared the story behind this achievement. After months of preparation and long rehearsals, the cast competed at Meyerland Middle School on November 7, giving their all on stage while supporting other schools and showing great sportsmanship.

Last year, the team didn't advance, making this year's accomplishment even more meaningful.

Congratulations to our talented Chargers and Ms. Henry on making it this far! We're cheering you on as you head to District!

Help us thank our amazing Pin Oak teachers and staff by sending them home with a pie before Thanksgiving Break!

Please donate a whole 10-inch pie, homemade or store-bought. Non-refrigerated pies only.

To keep pies fresh and prevent damage, please deliver them as close to the designated drop-off time as possible.

You can also include a personal thank-you note.

Sign Up to Donate a Pie

Questions? staffappreciation@pinoakpto.org

📸 Makeup Picture Day

Absent on Picture Day, new to Pin Oak, or need a retake? Students will have another chance to take their school photo on Tuesday, December 15, during Team Time.

Already ordered pictures? Return your original photo package on retake day to receive a replacement. Order envelopes are available in the front office.

Still need to order? Photo packages and personalized ordering information are being sent home. Each student has a unique online ordering code.

For package options, pricing, and additional details, see the 1st Photo Texas order form.

POMS Yearbooks Are on Sale!

Don't miss your chance to capture all the special moments of the school year! POMS Yearbooks are now available to order! From friendships and school events to unforgettable Charger memories, the yearbook is a keepsake your student will treasure for years to come.

8th Grade Families: Make your student's final year at POMS even more memorable with a personalized 8th Grade Ad! Celebrate their accomplishments, share a special message, and recognize this exciting milestone before they head off to high school.

Order your yearbook and reserve your 8th Grade Ad today! 💙🐎

👉 Order a Yearbook
👉 Purchase an 8th-Grade Ad

Good food, a night off from cooking, and a chance to support Pin Oak! Stop by Lankford's Bellaire anytime on Tuesday, November 10, and help give back to our school.

Just remember to mention Pin Oak at checkout. Dine-in and carryout orders count!

POMS November PTO General Meeting

Join us online for our next PTO General Meeting on November 12 at 9:00 AM. Get the latest PTO updates, hear from Dr. Crowley about what's happening at school, learn about upcoming activities, and bring your questions. We'd love to see you there.

Join the November meeting on Microsoft Teams.

Missed our October meeting?👉 Watch here the meeting recording

LUNCH TIME VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

💙 Volunteers Are Still Needed! We need volunteers to help with Color Run ticket sales during lunch this Tuesday, November 10, plus event-day setup, color stations, course support, and more! All volunteers must be HISD VIPS approved. Click the link to sign up!

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 a friendly reminder, all volunteers must follow HISD VIPS guidelines and allow school staff and administrators to handle interactions with students and parents without interference.

CHARGER BUZZ

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

🥍 Pin Oak Boys Lacrosse

The Pin Oak Boys Lacrosse season is coming soon and we'd love your son to join us! It's a fun sport and a great team.

We will have weekly practices, team dinners, and play against local middle school teams.

The team is open to Pin Oak students only to ensure that's a fun, fair experience for all players. Players new to the sport are welcome!

Interested? Please complete the interest form so we can gauge the level of interest and keep in touch for upcoming events:

👉 Pin Oak Boys Lacrosse Interest Form 2026–27

Explore Pin Oak Clubs

Looking for ways to get involved? Check out the 2026–27 Pin Oak clubs and student activities in Dr. Crowley’s latest newsletter.

👉 View Club Information

Check Out What Our Student Journalists Are Creating at PinOakPress.com!

From school news and sports coverage to podcasts, videos, reviews, features, and photo galleries, Pin Oak's student journalists are hard at work telling the stories of our school community! Visit PinOakPress.com to see their latest work, celebrate their creativity and stay connected to what's happening at Pin Oak. New content will be published throughout the school year.

UPLOAD YOUR PICTURES

🐉 Charger Dungeons & Dragons Club

There’s still time to join the adventure! The Charger Dungeons & Dragons Club welcomes players of all experience levels, and the next meeting is December 2 at 4:00-5:30pm in Room A109. Mr. Berry serves as the club’s faculty sponsor.

To indicate your interest in joining and receive details about meetings, students should complete the form below: D&D Club Interest Form

The club welcomes players who have an enthusiasm for tabletop roleplaying games. We ask that players draft an origin story for a character they might want to play and tell us why they are excited about playing Dungeons and Dragons.

For questions, reach out to Stephen Kry.

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!

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