News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week

POMS Holiday Shopping Days - November 28 thru December 3
Barnes and Noble Book Fair All Week!

MONDAY, 11/28  BLUE
Boys' Basketball @Westbriar MS, 5:30 p.m.
Girls' Basketball vs Westbriar MS @POMS, 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, 11/29  GREEN
CLUBS
#GivingTuesday 

WEDNESDAY, 11/30  BLUE
Cluster Leader Meeting, 3:45 p.m.
Swim Meeting @Lamar HS, 5:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, 12/1  GREEN
Picture Retakes
District Magnet Tours, 1:00 p.m.
Winter Dance Show, 6:30 p.m.
Choir Performs @Bellaire Holiday in the Park, 7:00 p.m.

FRIDAY, 12/2  CHARGER
College Shirt Day
Progress Reports Go Home
TMEA All Region Band Clinic and Concert @Tomplains HS
Adv Guitar Performance @Barnes and Noble, 5:00 p.m.
Orchestra Performance @Barnes and Noble, 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, 12/3
Jr. Dance Clinic @ POMS
NJHS Gift Wrapping @Barnes and Noble, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Show Choir Performance @Barnes and Noble, 11:00 a.m.
Dance Company and Crew Performance @Barnes and Noble, 1:00 p.m.


#GivingTuesday
Giving is a very personal thing. People have strong feelings about how they give, whether it is giving of their time, their talents, or through monetary gifts. There are so many ways to contribute to improve the lives of others. As you think about how you will give this holiday season, I would ask that you consider helping us improve the health of our community by giving to the multi-purpose fitness track. You can make a difference on #GivingTuesday by considering Pin Oak for your charitable contribution. Gifts of all sizes, $5 to $1,000 are welcomed and appreciated! No contribution is too small. Together we can make this a reality and improve the green space our children and community needs.



Chargers...you can make a difference too! Every kid deserves a clean, well-fitting athletic shoe. Please consider donating a new or gently used pair of athletic shoes.  Boxes for your donations will be set up on Tuesday at the main entrance and the back entrance near the buses.  

Holiday Shopping Days!

Please consider visiting our local business sponsors this week.  A portion of your sale will go back to Pin Oak!

Finals Exams

Final exams are scheduled for our high school credit courses for the week of December 12-16.  Also that week, some classes will administer end of semester tests.  Please watch the cluster blogs for more information.  

We will be using a modified schedule that week.  You will receive that next week, here, in Charger Buzz.


Magnet Application Deadline Quickly Approaching
Our 8th graders have so many options for high school in Houston. The deadline for submitting applications for HISD magnet programs is earlier this year, on December 9, 2016.  Don't miss the application deadline!  Ms. Vasquez in the House C office or Ms. Castillo in the House A office can assist with applications.  Please feel free to reach out for assistance.

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week

MONDAY, 11/21  BLUE
"No Missing, No Late" Signatures Due
PTO Sponsored Staff Appreciation Dessert Buffet
Girls' Basketball @Pershing, 5:30 p.m.
Boys' Basketball vs. Pershing @POMS, 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, 11/22  ASSEMBLY GREEN
Choir & Theatre Fieldtrip
2nd grading Cycle "No Missing, No Late" Free Dress
No Afterschool Activities

WEDNESDAY, 11/23  
Thanksgiving Holiday

THURSDAY, 11/24  
Thanksgiving Holiday

FRIDAY, 11/25  
Thanksgiving Holiday


Great Turn Out at Bellaire Fun Run
Saturday's community event was a huge success!  Pin Oak was well represented with runners, artists, and NJHS volunteers.  In fact, Pin Oak is bringing home the hardware for "School with the Most Participation" and we are celebrating.  Every one who participated in the event on Saturday is invited to wear their red 2016 fun run shirt to school on Monday. We will invite all in their shirts to come to the cafeteria during TEAM Time for a photo to go into the local newspapers.

New Instagram Account
On Saturday at the Boy's Basketball Tournament I was encouraged by some 7th graders to start a school Instagram Account.  Gotta give the public what they want!

This account will exclusively post pictures and messages from and for school related events.  The school account will not "follow" any other accounts.  I will monitor the comments and block any users who make inappropriate comments.  I am hopeful this will be a good way to communicate directly with our digital natives through social media.

I want to invite POMS students to follow on Instagram at pinoakmshoustonisd.  And mom and dad, you are welcome too!

Reminder About Avenue B
It is very important to me that we are good neighbors.  I am starting to receive complaints again from our neighbors on Sunburst and Avenue B.  They are frustrated with the traffic during morning drop off and are concerned about the safety issues that arise when our parents are making uturns in the street and blocking the path for emergency vehicles.

Please use the designated drop off areas in the main circle driveway or in the south HCC parking lot.  These are supervised areas for drop off every day.


Giving Thanks and Finding Ways to Give Back
This week I will find time to slow down and reflect on the many blessings in my life.  I sincerely hope that you and your family have the same opportunity.  I will probably get started on my holiday shopping this weekend and pick up a few toys for the Toys for Tots Drive, but after the hustle and bustle of Black Friday shopping, I will also look for other opportunities to make a difference for others.

#GivingTuesday was born out of that same idea.

This year, on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, Pin Oak Middle School is participating in #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving.

Last year, more than 45,000 organizations in 71 countries came together to celebrate #GivingTuesday. Since its founding in 2012, #GivingTuesday has inspired giving around the world, resulting in greater donations, volunteer hours, and activities that bring about real change in communities. We invite you to join the movement and to help get out and give this November 29.

POMS will be participating in #GivingTuesday in two ways:

One, we will be raising donations of all sizes for our fitness track campaign.  POMS is halfway toward a goal of raising $80,000 for the construction of a new half-mile fitness track that will encircle the playing fields.  The track will be used by all POMS students and the community.  We invite you to help us build the track by donating at http://pinoakpto.org/fitnesstrack/.

Two, POMS will be giving back on @GivingTuesday by asking students to bring in a pair of new or gently used tennis shoes.  The tennis shoes will be collected and given to the Emergency Aid Coalition, an interfaith organization that collaborates to provide temporary assistance in the form of food, clothing and other basic needs, with an emphasis on serving the working poor.

Get Ready! Make a gift to the fitness track campaign at http://pinoakpto.org/fitnesstrack/. Donate a pair of shoes.  Spread the word about #GivingTuesday by sending this email to friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Holiday Shopping Days are just around the corner!  November 28-December 3
Check the PTO website for the local businesses that are giving back to POMS.

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week

MONDAY, 11/14  BLUE
NJHS Meeting, TEAM Time
Baseball Interest Meeting, 3:45 p.m.
Boys' Soccer Try-Outs, Round 1, 3:45 p.m.
Parent Ed: Understanding AP & IB, 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, 11/15  GREEN
CLUBS

WEDNESDAY, 11/16  FUNKY GREEN
Early Dismissal, 1:00 p.m.
NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE
Boys' Basketball @Meyerland MS, 3:30 p.m.
Girls' Basketball vs Meyerland MS @POMS, 3:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, 11/17  GREEN
Boys' Soccer Try-Outs, Round 2, 3:45 p.m.
District Magnet Tours, 1:00 p.m.
SDMC, 3:50 p.m.

FRIDAY, 11/18  BLUE
Boys' Basketball Kinkaid Tournament
TMEA All-Region Orchestra, Cinco Ranch HS

SATURDAY, 11/19
Boys' Basketball Kinkaid Tournament
TMEA All-Region Orchestra, Cinco Ranch HS
Bellaire Fall Fever Fun Run


Parent Education: Understanding AP & IB
On Monday evening, we will host representatives from Bellaire HS, Lamar HS and Reagan HS to explain how their schools support the most rigorous levels of instruction at the high school level.  Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate offer many advantages for earning early college credit.  Learn more about the advantages of each!

POMS Shopping Days Just Around the Corner
Just after Thanksgiving many of our community businesses are rewarding your loyalty with a portion of your sales going back to Pin Oak!  Shop local and help make a difference for Pin Oak!  

High School Magnet Application Deadline Approaching
Friday, December 9th is the final deadline to apply for a magnet program for the 2017-18 school year.  We are here to help!

Questions?  Need help with the online application? Contact Ms. Vasquez in the House C office or Ms. Castillo in the House A office for assistance.   

Thanks for Lending a Hand!

The Egg & I

Pin Oak would like to thank The Egg & I at Meyerland Plaza for generously sponsoring the Book Fair's "Books & Breakfast." Parents and students enjoyed breakfast burritos and coffee while shopping the book fair last week. The Egg & I also donated surprise coupon envelopes which were passed out at the book fair. We appreciate their support of the Pin Oak Book Fair!

Bellaire Pink's Pizza

We want to give a big Charger THANK YOU to "Pink's Pizza" in Bellaire for providing dinner to our faculty and student volunteers this past Wednesday evening for our Boundary Option Open House Night! Great pizza from our local Pink's!

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week

MONDAY, 11/7  BLUE
7th gr Football vs Meyerland MS @POMS, 5:00 p.m.
Swim Try-Outs Begin @Lamar HS, 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, 11/8  GREEN
ADVO - Online Safety Lessons
Election Day

WEDNESDAY, 11/9  BLUE
ADVO - Online Safety Lessons
Special Olympics @Butler Stadium
Girls' Soccer Try-Outs, 3:45 p.m.

THURSDAY, 11/10  GREEN
ADVO - Online Safety Lessons
PTO General Meeting, 8:30 a.m.
District Magnet Tours, 1:00 p.m.
Girls' Soccer Try-Outs, 2nd Round, 3:45 p.m.
Magnet Open House for Prospective Families, 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, 11/11  CHARGER
Report Cards Issued
Boys' Soccer Paperwork Due by 4:00 p.m.
Region Orchestra Sectional Rehearsal, Cinco Ranch HS, 5:30 p.m.
6th grade Winter Glo Dance

BELLAIRE FALL FEVER FUN RUN

5K Run/Walk & 1 Mile Children’s Run

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Register now at www.bellairepto.org before early bird pricing ends!  Pin Oak receives $5 for every registration from the POMS community!

Absences and Make-up Work

When your child is absent, whether from one class or the entire day, it is important that he or she go to the teacher to get make-up work. Also, please remember to send a note to the main office.  

Yearbooks Are Now On Sale

Yearbooks are now for sale on www.balfour.com for $45. We sell out every year so be sure to buy yours today. Also be sure you receive an email from Balfour confirming your purchase. If you don’t receive this it means your transaction is not complete.  Questions? Contact Ms. Beckman at abeckman@houstonisd.org

Big Thanks!

So many people make ChargerFest happen every year!  This year it was bigger and better than ever with more students involved with International Festival, our fine arts performances, a fantastic book fair and an incredible community carnival.  Thanks to our co-chairs, Jenny Hanks and Monica Weber, and all our volunteers, students, faculty, friends and families that made the day a really wonderful time for our school community!