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Pony Express
Week of August 28-September 1st, 2023
Reminder: No School, Monday, September 4th: Labor Day
- Principal's Message
- Happening This Week at O. Henry
- Open House Save the Date (August 30th)
- Picture Day Info
- Roundup Save the Date (Sept 29th)
- Athletics News
- Mustang Club Membership Flyer - Support for Athletics
- Transportation Logistics
- Advanced Academics Watch Party
- PTA Update
- Principal Coffee: Thursday, September 7th-- Meet Officer Green and Counselors Claflin and Price
- Photos Around O. Henry
- Club and Sports Announcements: Tennis/Cross Country/Agriculture Flyers
- What is MAP Testing?
- Previously Posted Logistical Resources
Principal's Update - Open House Wednesday Night
Mustang Families,
With two weeks of school under our belts, we know our students and staff are beginning to get into the routine of their schedules, classes, and activities. As this week begins, we are excited that more of our student programs such as afterschool Homework Club are beginning as well.
Many Mustangs are eager to come out and support their Mustang friends and classmates at our Volleyball and Basketball Games. Here are a few reminders this week's for home Volleyball Game:
Admission for students is $1 and adults are $2.
In order to keep our stands and gyms clean, no food or open container drinks are allowed in the gym. Water bottles with sealable lids are allowed.
There is no "in-and-out" at the games unless accompanied by a parent or family member. Once a student arrives they are asked to stay in the stands and watch the match. If they exit the building they cannot return later in the evening.
Students attending the events should be picked up in a timely manner. Administration will remind students to make pick up calls 10 minutes before the game is over.
We hope that as many families as possible will be able to join us this Wednesday for Back to School Night to meet the teachers and staff that have been making our start possible. Here's to another great week as O. Henry Mustangs!
Marlo Malott, OHMS Principal
Happening This Week Around Campus
Monday, August 28th:
- 7 AM: Running Club Practice, OHMS Track
- 8th pd-4:30 PM: 8th Grade Volleyball Practice
Tuesday, August 29th: Lockdown Drill
We will hold our first "lockdown drill" on Tuesday. As part of our required emergency planning, OHMS is required to carry out two lockdown drills per year. These are the drills that prepare our school in the unlikely event that there were ever an active intruder on our campus. Because we know that these lockdowns can lead to anxiety in some students, we want to ensure families have a chance to discuss and prepare with their students. OHMS follows the recommendations of AISD PD and other safety leaders and does not engage in "simulations" such as loud noises or having "intruders" attempt to frighten students with fake weapons.
- 8th pd-4:30 PM: 8th Grade Volleyball Practice
Wednesday + Thursday: Picture Day! Photos will be taken during students' Social Studies classes.
Wednesday + Thursday: English Language Arts MAP Testing (Beginning of the year diagnostic) during students' English classes.
Wednesday, August 30th
- 4-5 PM: 8th Grade Volleyball Practice
- 5:30 PM-7:40 PM O. Henry Open House
Thursday, August 31st
6:00 PM B Team 7:00 PM A Team Volleyball
- 7th Grade Away @ Lamar Middle School
- 8th Grade Home - O. Henry Middle School
Friday, September 1st
- No afterschool practice or clubs. Enjoy the long weekend!
SAVE THE DATE for Open House 2023
Wednesday, Aug 30, 2023, 05:30 PM
2610 West 10th Street, Austin, TX, USA
Picture Day Info (August 30th and 31st)
For families interested in purchasing school pictures, students will be given a flyer and order form with information and prices from our vendor 1st Photo Texas.
Spring Break 2024 - London/Paris Trip Informational Meeting
Your student is invited to join us on an upcoming educational travel experience to London and Paris during Spring Break 2024!
We have several spots still available. There will be a Zoom meeting to go over the details on Tuesday, September 5th. Please email amber.bass-patterson@austinisd.org for more information and a meeting invite.
FYI: Homework Club Begins This Week!
What: An opportunity to work on any homework in a quiet environment.
When: Mondays-Thursdays from 4-5 pm.
Where: Library
If you have questions, please contact our main sponsor Mr. Jurkovic in room 208.
WANTED: ROUND UP SPONSORS
We need YOU and EVERY dollar counts!
Round Up depends on sponsorships from families and community partners! Proceeds from Round Up will be used this school year to fund supplemental department budgets, staff stipends and teacher wish list grants that enhance the learning experience for every student. Please visit the website today to make your donation. The deadline for sign and banner recognition is Friday, September 22nd. Don’t let the levels make you think smaller donations don’t matter…whether it’s $5 or $5,000 or any amount in between, we welcome EVERY family to give ANY amount to show support for our amazing school!
THANK YOU in advance for your contribution!
Transportation and Traffic
Car Riders: To keep traffic flowing, follow the arrows on the map below. Be patient, student safety is our most important priority. To keep our Mustangs safe, do not drop off in back bus lot. If pickup is altered due to bad weather, a Schoolmessenger alert will go out from the Principal.
Bus Riders: Bus riders may only ride their assigned bus. Use the Bus Finder page to check which route you are assigned. Buses leave promptly at 3:57 PM each day - information about late buses will be available in coming weeks. Buses drop off and pick up on the east side of campus. For additional questions about transportation see AISD's website here.
Walkers/Bike Riders: If walking or biking to school please be safe and use crosswalks to get across streets. Bike racks are available for student use.
Virtual Family Event: Raising Critical Thinkers, presented by ThinkLaw and hosted by Austin ISD Advanced Academics
Regular Bell Schedule 2023-2024
ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE REPORTING
Cross Country/Running Club Updates - First CC Meet September 9th
Cross Country (7th and 8th grade)
Cross Country practice is on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 AM at the OH track. Our first meet is on 9/9 at the St. Andrews Invitational.
6th Grade Running Club
Running Club is open to all 6th graders. We practice on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7AM at the OH track.
Please email jenny.parker@austinisd.org for more info!
Theatre Fundraiser - Classic OHMS Shirts Presale
O. Henry Agriculture and Egg Club
DONATE TO O.HENRY CHICKENS TODAY at this AISD link if you are interested!
PTA Updates
PTA General Meeting - Wednesday, August 30 @ 5:30 p.m.
Please join us for the first PTA General Meeting of the year at the start of Back to School Night on Wednesday, August 30th at 5:30 p.m. in the gym. There will be merchandise for sale along with tables to sign up to volunteer and join PTA starting at 5:30 p.m.
Back to school to-dos! Join the O.Henry PTA and Volunteer!
The biggest factors in student success are active and engaged families, educators, and a supportive community. Your membership in the PTA helps support the many valuable programs and activities that occur throughout the year at O.Henry Middle School. Please help support our efforts and click here to join today! Plus, there is a volunteer role for EVERY parent at O. Henry based on your availability and interests, and we encourage you to participate at the level that best suits you and your family. To find volunteer opportunities, click HERE
Shout out to PTA Volunteers last week - Jenni Shirk and Jenna Silvers along with their amazing helpers for staffing the busy Mustang Mall!
WANTED: SPONSORS FOR MUSTANG ROUND UP!
Join us at O. Henry on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 from 3:30-6:30 PM for a fun-filled evening for the entire family. We need sponsors and donors!! Round up is our primary PTA fundraiser and funds will be used THIS YEAR to enhance the learning experience for every student. If you own a local business or would like to donate, act now! Banner recognition deadline is September 22, but any amount from $5 to $5000 is appreciated and needed! Click here to sign up to sponsor or donate: ohenrypta.org/round-up/
Go Mustangs!
Around O. Henry - Volleyball, 6th Grade World Cultures, and 7th Grade ELA
What is MAP Testing
WHAT IS MAP TESTING? MAP stands for Measures of Academic Progress.
MAP is a three-part test that measures student knowledge in reading, language usage and mathematics. All students in grades 6 – 8 will be taking the MAP every year in the fall and spring.
WHAT IS IT FOR? The MAP measures your child’s academic progress or growth. By having precise measurement of student achievement, teachers and others are able to monitor academic progress. This testing keeps you informed on the progress of your child in basic skill areas.
WHAT DO THE TESTS COVER? Each Measure of Academic Progress is made up of parts, which are called goals. These goals are closely aligned to reflect progress toward the standards. Below is a listing of the goal areas for each test.
- Reading
- Word meaning
- Literal comprehension
- Interpretive comprehension
- Evaluative comprehension
- Language
- Composing/Writing process
- Grammar and Usage
- Conventions and Mechanics
- Mathematics
- Problem solving and reasoning
- Number sense and operations
- Algebraic concepts, processes, patterns, relations, functions
- Geometry
- Measurement
- Data analysis, probability and statistics
The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) use scores to measure growth in each of the three academic areas tested. Scores depend on two things: how many questions are answered correctly and the difficulty of each question. When you, your child and your child’s teacher look at MAP results, it may become apparent that certain goal areas need more attention than others.
DO ALL STUDENTS TAKE THE SAME TEST? Yes and no. The computerized tests are leveled to meet the needs of children at each grade level. Then within the grade level the tests are again adjusted to match a student’s current level of achievement. Although every test has questions covering the same goal area, not every test has the same questions, and the test questions vary in difficulty. In a computerized adaptive test, the difficulty of the test is adjusted to the student’s performance so each student sees different test questions. The difficulty of each question is based on how well the student has answered the questions up to that point. As the student answers correctly, the questions become more difficult. If the students answers incorrectly, the questions become easier. Prior to the testing, students in each class will receive explanation of how to do the testing and why we are testing and how the results will be used.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE MAP TESTING? The MAP testing is very important because it measures the growth of your child in essential skills. If a child needs help, we know exactly what skills on which to focus. Because we test both in the fall and in the spring with the MAP, we have a picture of a student’s progress during that year in each of the goal areas. These tests will also give a long range picture of a student’s learning as they progress through the grades.
HOW SHOULD MY CHILD GET READY FOR THE MAP TEST? The best preparation is to keep in mind that school is important every day of the year, not just on test days. Let your child know that you expect and appreciate hard work. During the days just before the testing try to make sure your child gets plenty of rest. Getting up and off to school with plenty of time to spare on test day helps, as well as a good breakfast. Test taking should be taken seriously, but you can help by not pushing the seriousness all the way to test anxiety. We hope that you and your child will see testing as an opportunity to focus on academic strengths and set new goals.
HOW DO I READ THE RESULTS? Reading the results is fairly straightforward. After each test administration, you will receive a Parent Report showing your child’s score in each subject. The RIT score is a measure of the difficulty of the material with which your child has been successful. Further, the Parent Report indicates whether your child’s achievement is high, average, or low in each of the goal areas. Over time you will be able to keep track of your child’s RIT scores (academic growth) the same way many people make marks on a chart to record a child’s height. The best use of results will occur through collaboration among you, your child, and your child’s teacher(s).
News In Review - Previously Published, Reposted For Your Reference
O. Henry Middle School
Website: https://ohenry.austinschools.org/
Location: 2610 West 10th Street, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-3229
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohenryms
Twitter: @Ohenryms