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Pony Express
Week of April 8-14, 2024
In this Issue
Newest Updates in BOLD
- Principal's Update
- Happening This Week at O. Henry
- Library News- Author Visit
- Charger Replacement
- Plastic Bags Collection
- Mustang News- Episode 26
- National Junior Honor Society- Application for 7th Grade and New 8th Grade
- Counselor Corner-AVID Summer Bridge, Updated 24-25 Transition Newsletter
- Athletic and PE News- Track and Field
- Fine Art News- Freaky Friday Performance
- PTA Updates-Leadership Openings, Save the Date for Cornhole, Directory Spot, AHS Parent Mingle
- Other Campus and AISD News: Attendance, Enrollment for 24-25 School Year, Bell Schedule, AISD Calendar, Transportation, AISD Health Services, Weather Guidelines
Principal's Update
Weekly Principal Update--Week of April 8-14, 2024
Mustang Families,
We have a busy week ahead of us and we want to make sure you are prepared with all the information to make it a great week.
Monday is our Eclipse Day! We will have a modified A Day Bell Schedule with a longer ACES period so we can all go outside and witness this once in a lifetime event. We are so excited to share this with our Mustangs. We will share some pre-eclipse activities, viewing safety, distribution of glasses, and then we will head outside for our viewing.
Office Closure:
Please be aware that the school office will be closed from 1:20 PM to 1:45 PM to allow office staff to participate in the eclipse viewing alongside the students and staff. If you are choosing to pick up your child that day, we ask that you pick them up between 10:30 am-12:00 pm. For additional safety measures, parents will not be allowed to take their children home directly from the event so please plan accordingly.
Mustangs will have a School Holiday this Wednesday in celebration of Eid al-Fitr. Thursday will mark our first of four STAAR testing dates. English Language Arts STAAR will be scheduled from 8:20-11:30 and no students will be able to be checked out until lunch time. Students may have until 3:50 to test. Students should dress in layers, can bring a snack and water bottle, and must have their school Chromebook fully charged and bring their charger.
Be on the lookout for permission forms for our End of the Year School Field Trips and Celebrations on Monday, May 20th. Each grade level will have a field trip this day and all students in attendance will attend. More information is coming soon in our school forms.
Be sure to check out what else is happening in all our sections for the Pony Express!
Make it a great week to be an O. Henry Mustang!
☮❤️&🐴's,
Marlo Malott
Happening This Week Around Campus
Monday,April 8- A Day Modifed Schedule
- Modifed A Day Schedule- Early Lunches start at 11:00
- See the bell Schedule above
- ACES-- Eclipse Day Activities 12:35-2:15
- 4:00 HW Club, Theatre, Track
- NO Track Practice
Tuesday, April 9- C Day
- 7:15 6th Grade Girls Fitness Club
- 5th period ACES- Leader in Me Lesson
- 4:00- HW Club, Theatre
- 4-5:15 Track Practice
Wednesday, April 10 - NO SCHOOL
EID Holiday and Staff Development
Thursday,April 11- B Day
- 7:30 FCA Huddle- Student Meeting
- 8:20-11:30 STAAR TESTING-- students will need to bring their Chromebook and Charger
- 4:00-HW Club, DND
- 6:00 Tennis OHMS vs Lively at AHS
- 6:30 Freaky Friday Play in Cafe
Friday, April 5-C Day
- STAAR ELA Make-up Day
- 10:00 Theatre Field Trip to Zach Scott
- 6:30 Freaky Friday Play in Cafe
Get Your Charger!
Mustangs,
Do you have a charger? Mustangs will need a charger for the STAAR test and to keep their computer charged for learning.
Need a replacement?
Here is the link for the chrome book chargers if you want to purchase from OHMS
https://austinisd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/34984/63/False/True
To purchase on Amazon
Library News
Bring Us Your Plastic Bags!
HEB Plastic Bag Challenge: Between now and April 11th HEB will be picking up plastic bags. Schools will be awarded $150 just by participating.
National Junior Honor Society
NEW NJHS Applicants
NEW NJHS Applicants--
APPLICATION due April 15th- No exceptions
Counseling Corner
AVID Summer Bridge
AVID Math Summer Bridge Opportunity
- 7th Grade Accelerated Summer Bridge -This course is designed for rising 7th graders who would like to be part of the pathway to take Algebra I in 8th grade. 7th Grade Accelerated sign up form
- Algebra Readiness Summer Bridge - This course is designed for rising 8th graders who were not on the pathway to take Algebra I in 8th grade. Students will need to show mastery of 8th grade math at the end of the camp in order to take Algebra I in 8th grade. Algebra Readiness sign up form. This opportunity is only for rising 8th graders
AVID Summer Bridge is designed to strengthen students' math skills over the summer to prepare for Algebra. Deadline to register with transportation is April 21, 2024. Registration for students who do not need transportation is open until May 10, 2024. Please note: Students must be enrolled in Austin ISD in Spring 2024 to participate in summer programs.
June 3- June 20 (No Fridays or June 19th) (Please note the flyer listed May 29 incorrectly as the student date)
8:30 am -1:00 pm
It is important that students make a commitment to attend all 11 days. Space is limited please fill out this Google form.
ATHLETICS NEWS
Track and Field
FINE ARTS NEWS
Art in Action
O.Henry PTA Scholarships for Seniors!
Do you know a senior in high school who has fond memories of their years at O.Henry Middle School? In recognition of the outstanding students that O.Henry produces, our PTA offers two college scholarships for graduating AISD seniors who attended O.Henry Middle School for at least two years. The one-year scholarships are paid directly to the college that the two awardees will attend. Details on how to apply for the two $500 OHenry PTA Scholarships can be found HERE. Applications are due by May 1, 2024. Questions? Please contact Melanie Dow at mdow722@gmail.com
2ND ANNUAL CORNHOLE TOURNEY & MUSTANG MIXER - Friday, April 19, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Mark your calendar for the 2nd Annual Cornhole Tournament & Mustang Mixer at Zilker Sunshine Camp in Zilker Park. This adults-only event is a great way to see friends and meet OHMS parents, caregivers and staff. Click here to Sponsor, Buy Tickets or Register to Play. Questions? Email Co-Chairs Greta Goldsby or Meredith Marks
APRIL GENERAL MEETING & VOLUNTEER BREAKFAST Tuesday, April 30, 8:30 a.m.
O.Henry PTA 's annual General Meeting and Volunteer Breakfast will be held on Tuesday, April 30 in the O.Henry Library. All members are welcome to attend to celebrate the many volunteers who contributed this year to O.Henry's success, as well as meet speaker Tammy Caesar, Director of AISD's Career and Technology Program. The 2024-25 Executive Board slate will also be presented for a vote. Coffee and breakfast treats from EASY TIGER will be served!
NEW PARENT WELCOME COFFEE
Friday, May 17, 8:30 a.m.
For current and incoming Mustang parents - all are welcome!
June 24-27 - Middle School Summer Camp Opportunity with Austin High Lady Maroons.
Austin High coaching staff will offer elementary (3-6th) and middle school camp (7-9th) skills and fundamentals camp. All equipment provided, $150 for the week. To learn more and register, go to https://austinisd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/34842/63/False/Trueand search for Lady Maroons Summer Camp.
Upcoming Events for parents and students
AUSTIN HIGH GLOBAL STUDIES PARENT/CAREGIVER MINGLE
All current and future AGS parents and caregivers are invited to an adult mingle for the AHS Academy for Global Studies evening on Wednesday, April 17, 6-8 p.m. at St. John Studios, 705 W. St. John Avenue. This casual event is a great way to meet other parents, staff and student ambassadors of Austin High Global Studies.
Other Campus and AISD News
Attendance and Absence Reporting
Feeling Sick?
NEW AISD Enrollment System
All families should enroll in school for next year.
Why is matters?
School budgets are based on enrollments. For O. Henry this impacts the number of courses we can offer and the number of teachers and staff members we can hire.
For students applying to high schools, an application may be necessary, This is due on February 6th.
Weather Guidelines for PE and Athletics
Please plan on dressing for the ever changing Texas weather. We expect students to be prepared to be outside. We encourage sweatpants, hoodies, coats, beanies, etc whatever else is needed to feel comfortable.
Regular Bell Schedule 2023-2024
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.
Local Enrichment Opportunities
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