The PTO, HOCO committee and school has gotten a lot of concerns about the HOCO Dance. Especially since it sold out of tickets in 9 days. We have gotten lots of suggestions on how to improve access to the dance. We have considered 2 dances, outdoor venue, offsite venue etc. and these won't work with the volunteer, budget space, and time constraints we are under for this year. Especially volunteers and budget. We are critically short on both. We asked for 92 volunteers, to date we have only 57. If you are able to volunteer with us for the HOCO Dance, please sign up here https://www.lanierpto.org/volunteer/175245 and make sure you are VIPS Certified {VIPS link here}.
Historically we lose about 5- 10 percent of parent volunteers because they don't complete the VIPS background check in time or don't show up to volunteer. Your students' safety matters and all adults present must be background check screened by HISD and confirmed by the school well before the date of the dance.
We are sure YOU will make HOCO better next year, if you would like input on planning next year's homecoming differently, please sign up to chair the event at lanierpto@lanierpto.org.
As for a waitlist, we tried it for the first time last year. It became a full time job for our volunteer who already had a full time job! This year we opted not to have a wait list. We took into account historical patterns and sold that amount of tickets. However this was still not enough to meet demand.
Several PTO board members have volunteered to create and manage a HOCO WAITLIST process for us.
The HOCO WAITLIST will be open from Wednesday, October 7 at 6pm until Sunday, October 11 at noon on the PTO website (www.lanierpto.org). Below is the description of how the waitlist will work in addition to the guidelines for the HOCO dance.
Students on the Waitlist are not guaranteed a spot to attend the dance.
If spots become available, Parents will be notified by phone call between 9am-10am on Monday, October 12.
Spot is not confirmed until payment is made before noon on Monday, October 12. (directions will be given when spots open).
HOCO T-shirts will not be guaranteed.
Cost of Waitlist HOCO ticket is $20.
If you do not receive or answer a phone call on Monday, October 12 between 9-10am that means we have no HOCO tickets left to sell.
Additionally please review the general HOCO Rules
This dance is for Lanier 7th & 8th Graders only.
Space is limited by the fire marshal.
There is no priority for 8th grade students.
Tickets are non-transferrable and non-refundable.
Students must show their Lanier ID to get into the dance.
Phones/watches are allowed.
Homecoming attendance is subject to administrative approval.
There are no physical tickets.
Your Great 8 dues do not pay for Homecoming Dance ticket.
As you can imagine, the waitlist will require a lot of unanticipated volunteer time, hence we are asking that direct your questions and concerns about the HOCO WAITLIST to the LanierPTO@LanierPTO.org email address, rather than hoco@lanierpto.org. Our HOCO team needs to focus on dance preparations to stay on schedule.
Please review the flyer below for details and share with your friends so they are prepared to join the waitlist when it opens on the lanier PTO website at 6pm on October 7.
We will also be reaching out to all the guardians of students who purchased tickets to the dance to see if they are may have changed their mind about attending- this is the only way for tickets to become available for students on the waitlist.
Lastly, there are many ways to participate in the Homecoming Festivities this year- from participating in Spirit dress up days all week to cheering on our football, volleyball, cross country, cheerleading and karate athletes all week.
For families in need, please contact Ms. Valle at greta.valle@houstonisd.org for entry ticket. The PTO will cover the cost of the entry through generous parent donations.
Students will come to auditorium at 4pm, leave belongings in auditorium which will remain locked until dismissal at 6pm.
Kids must check in with their ID, then leave in bags. (Can't wear it in the bounce houses for safety).
Kid will wear their school clothes to Social (there is no time to change).
There is no EARLY pick up.
Students will be dismissed via the front door at 6pm.
For questions- please reach out to our 6th Grade Social Chairs Noni Thowfeek & Currie Heidt at 6thsocial@lanierpto.org.
Save the DATE! Raising Cane's Spirit Day- October 22 4-8pm
Get ready for another delicious way to support our school! Our awesome sponsor, Raising Cane's on Westheimer (1902 Westheimer Rd), is hosting a Spirit Night for the Lanier PTO on Thursday, October 22, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Grab a snack or some dinner after school and mention that you're with Lanier when ordering.
Cane's will donate 15% of your purchase directly back to the PTO!
Ordering online instead? Just use the code RCFUND96 at checkout.
Questions that can't be answered by the PUP BOT will be reviewed by the PUP BOT admin, answered and updated for the next time the question is asked. The more questions you ask, the better PUP BOT becomes!
So, please consider asking our PUP BOT before posting on other social media sites--- you may get your answer faster!
Entry fee is $ 5.00 for Adults, $3.00 for students and kids (bring your Student ID). Cash is preferred, but school pay will be accepted if they do not have cash.
We will be hosting a Teacher Appreciation Game on Monday, September 28th, to celebrate our amazing teachers.
We will also have a Pink Out Game on Monday, October 12th, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.
Check out the Flyers in the Clubs Section below or on the PTO website HERE.
(teachers will communicate via Parent Square to those that show/ sign up)
Robotics Club- October 12 @ 4-5pm in Room 306
Art Club -Tuesdays 4-5pm, Room 236 with Ms. Slobody
Parents, Ask your student to Fill out the Student Council Survey!
Lanier Student Council is looking for input from our students about the types of projects and changes they want to see at Lanier this year! (And look for volunteers to help!)
This survey is for STUDENTS only, so Parents, please share with your student.
Reoccurring Student Council Service Project- Sept 16, October 21, Nov 18
Parents that are VIPS approved may also attend.
A+ UIL (Academic UIL for ALL Grades)
Hello Lanier Families, Is your student interested in representing Lanier in an academic competition? Ask them to consider HISD 2026–2027 UIL A+ Academics! See the A+ Academics Information Packet to learn more about the contests available, competition dates, and how your student can get involved.
If your student is interested in participating in UIL A+ Academics, please complete the UIL A+ Academics Interest Form. We’re excited to provide our Purple Pups with another opportunity to challenge themselves, showcase their academic talents, and represent Lanier!
Parent Leader for HISD UIL A+ Academics at Lanier Middle School
Kajal Jagushte (kajaljagushte@gmail.com)
Parent Leader for HISD UIL A+ Academics at Lanier Middle School
This year the Club Sponsors (Teachers) will communicate with parents via Parent Square- so please show up or message them directly to be added to be added to the group.
Please reach out to teachers to learn what the club does.
The PAW Press Crops will assist the Purple Page editor by regularly gathering events and stories to share with the Lanier Community. So, if you are heavily involved in a Lanier group or club and need to spread the word about your events--- the PAW Press Corps is paw-fect for you!
Students and Parents are welcome to join the PAW Press Corps!
Family Corner- HISD- Resources with Videos for: Power School & Parent Square {Click Here}
School Pay {Click Here} Search for "Bob Lanier Middle School"
School Cafe: See if you qualify for free/ reduced lunch and add funds to your account. Student use their IDs to pay. (Breakfast is FREE, Lunch is NOT FREE) {Click here}
The Saturday Fairs showcase all magnet programs in one place for parents to learn and make selections. Two additional fairs are held in the Spring for programs with space available. In addition to the coordinators and their respective programs, a general presentation detailing the magnet application process as well as an open lab to assist parents will be available.
During these events, you will be able to meet with the Magnet Coordinators, to discuss school choice options, the magnet application process and admissions, the dates and deadlines, information about which campus is a "best-fit" school for your family as your child prepares to enter high school.
School Choice Fair Dates:
December 12th - at Waltrip High School
January 23rd - at Austin High School
February 6th - at Bellaire High School
April 3rd - at Sterling High School
May 15th - at Madison High School
Schedule a High School Tour
Every HISD School website has the above icon that will give families more information about Tours. Some school require advance registration, others do not.
Below are flyers we have received from High Schools about tours-- more will be added as they are sent to us.
In the meantime, our PTO HISD Liaison, complied a of links to schedule high school tours:
Mrinalini and her grandmother Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan have co-written a chapter book called Bird/Dog (Niyogi, 2026). After an exciting book launch and lit festival appearance in Delhi and Bangalore this summer, they are delighted to now share the book in Houston.
DaQuon Wilson, a PhD student from the Rice English department who has worked with Scholastic Book Clubs and studies children's literature, will moderate the event.
Mrinalini wrote her half of the 160-page book when she was 11 and a 6th grader at Lanier; it took a year to write (and then another year to revise and find a publisher!). Her grandmother Shobha is an established children's book writer in India, but this is her first collaboration and first chapter book. So: a totally amazing learning experience for both.
HSPVA Friends’ Middle School Workshops provide opportunities for students in grades 6-8 to participate in classes in Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental and Vocal Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts.
The workshops are divided by art area and taught by Kinder HSPVA students. While participation has no effect on a student’s application to Kinder HSPVA, each workshop is an excellent educational opportunity and a unique introduction to the specific art areas.
Event Address: Bellaire High School Gym at 5100 Maple St., Bellaire, TX 77401
Cost: $40 in advance $45 at the door.
Includes: Belles Dance Clinic T-Shirt (not guaranteed for walk-ins), snack and certificate. *Registration must be received no later than Friday, October 9th to be guaranteed a T-shirt*
Wear athletic clothes & tennis shoes comfortable for dancing. Bring a filled water bottle.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, Lanier continues to reach new heights. We’re proud to recognize the following corporate sponsors for their outstanding commitment to our school.
Ready to make a difference? Join our growing network of sponsors and help shape the future at Lanier and {Click Here}.
It is the responsibility of the coaches, sponsors, teachers, parents or team members of an event or activity to submit information to the Purple Page editor.
With so many competitions, performances, club happenings and sports events we rely on submissions.
Thank you, Purple Page Editor (purplepage@lanierpto.org), Lanier Middle School PTO
