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Pony Express
Week of April 22-28, 2024
In this Issue
Newest Updates in BOLD
- Principal's Update
- Happening This Week at O. Henry
- Mustang News- Episode 28
- Counselor Corner- AVID Summer Bridge, Updated 24-25 Transition Newsletter
- Athletic and PE News- Athletic Physicals, Track and Field
- Fine Art News- Congratlations VASE, Art in Action, Freshman Band
- PTA Updates-Thank Yous, SY 24-25 Board, PTA Meeting,
- Other Campus and AISD News: Attendance, Enrollment for 24-25 School Year, Bell Schedule, AISD Calendar, Transportation, Charger Replacement
AISD Health Services, Weather Guidelines - Summer Camps and Summer Enrichment
Principal's Update
Weekly Principal Update--Week of April 22-28, 2024
Mustangs,
As we round out the last full week of April, we want to say thank you to everyone who came out to the 2nd Annual Mustang Mixer and Cornhole Tournament. We want to say thank you to all our sponsors who helped make this event a huge success and a lot of fun. We are also grateful to our PTA. Thank you PTA for the ongoing support and dedication to our school. The PTA efforts make a huge difference in our children's education and overall school experience. This year our PTA has supported campus wide field trips, library resources, author’s visits, equipment and supplies for programs, outside sports games, technology, and staff development. We are truly grateful for everything you do!
Also a shout out to our Administrative Professionals who keep our school running and are often the first person you interact with when you call or come to campus. Angelica Tagle, Administrative Assistant; Teresa Zardiackas, Bookkeeper; Veronica Castro, Attendance Specialist; Lizbeth Rodriguez, Registrar; Courtney Ballard, Counseling Center Clerk.
This last week of April is also our last STAAR test on Wednesday. Reminder to all our Mustangs to bring a fully charged Chromebook. Students will be taking their Math assessment until at least 11:30 so there will be no early pick-ups until we transition to our lunch breaks.
Please check out the May Final Exam and Save the Date calendars attached. Don’t forget to get permission slips turned in for our End of the Year Field Trips on Monday, May 20th.
Make it a great week to be an O. Henry Mustang!
☮❤️&🐴's,
Marlo Malott
Thank you!
Please join in Thanking our incredible Adminstrative Professionals at O. Henry Middle School for all they do to support our school.
Angel Tagle, Administrative Assistant
Teresa Zardiackas, Bookkeeper
Veronica Castro, Attendance Specialist
Lizbeth Rodriguez, Registrar
Courtney Ballard, Counseling Center Clerk
Happening This Week Around Campus
Monday,April 22- C Day
- 5th Period- STIR Time
- 4:00 HW Club, Track
Tuesday, April 23- C Day
- 7:15 6th Grade Girls Fitness Club
- 5th Period Leader In Me Lesson 10
- 4:00- HW Club, Track Practice
- 4:00 Mustang CAC
Wednesday, April 24 - A Day
Administrative Professionals Day
- Math STAAR-- all students will be in testing until 11:30
- ACES- 6th Indoor Games, 7th Competitions in Gym, 8th Outside Front
- 4:00- HW Club, Track Practice
Thursday,April 25- B Day
- 7:30 FCA Huddle- Student Meeting
- STAAR Make Up Days
- ACES-6th-Outside Front, 7th Outside Back, 8th Competitions in Gym
- 2:00 Cheer Uniform Fitting
- 4:00-HW Club, DND
- 6:00 Tennis OHMS vs Murchison at AHS
- 6:00 Track vs. Gorzycki
Friday, April 26-C Day
- 9:30 Field Trip to Sweet Berry Farms
- 5th Period-Mustang News
SAVE THE DATE
4/29-4/30: Track Zone Championships
5/1-5/2: TBD Tennis
5/2: Band EOY Concert
5/7: CTE Field Trip - ACC Highland
5/7: Fine Arts Night
5/15: NJHS Induction Ceremony
5/17: 8th Grade Dance
5/20: EOY FT
5/21: Grades Due at 5:00
5/22: Athletics Ceremony
5/23: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony at 10:30 AM, Mustang Day for all students
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.
Nurse News--Attention Current 6th Grade Families
Attention Current 6th Grade Families
This is a friendly reminder to Parents/Guardians of upcoming seventh grade students to turn in proof of the following vaccinations before the beginning of the 24/25 school year. State law requires one dose of the meningococcal conjugate (MCV4) vaccine and one dose (booster) of the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine for all students. More information can be found at School and Childcare | Texas DSHS. Please reach out to the school nurse at if you have specific questions regarding your child's immunization records.
ATHLETICS NEWS
Athletic Physicals for SY 24-25
Athletic Physical Information
2024 Free Physicals
Upon request, Coaches will hand out packets on Monday.
Packets due on Monday, April 29th . Participating student athletes must return the medical forms to the coaches. The parents and the student athletes must sign forms in ALL the appropriate places before the coach will accept the form. This includes a completed medical history, athlete contact information, and both parent and student signatures.
Tuesday, May 7th, CommUnity Care SE Health & Wellness Center
Free Physical Date for South Schools
Items to Double Check on Completed Physicals
- Form Completed in Ink
- Contact Information Complete
- Next Years Grade Level
- School Name on Top
- Student ID # on Form
- Top Line of Physical Page Completed
- Medical History Questions Answered-BY PARENT
- Yes Answers Explained Thoroughly-Contact Parent if Necessary
- Signature of Parent and Student
- TCMS Form Signed
Coach/Trainer Sign Form on School Official Line
Track and Field
Track & Field Families,
Below is our schedule for the remainder of the track and field season!
Monday 4/22 - practice 4-5:15
Tuesday 4/23 - practice 4-5:15
Wednesday 4/24 - practice 4-5:15
Thursday 4/25 - T&F Meet at Gorzycki Middle School (more details coming soon)
Monday 4/29 - Zone Championship Meet at Burger Stadium (girls running events and boys throwing events)
Tuesday 4/30 - Zone Championship Meet at Burger Stadium (boys running events and girls throwing events)
Check SportsYou or your inbox for more details from coaches. Go Mustangs!
FINE ARTS
Congratulations VASE Art Students
6th Grader, Maya Schenck earned a Platinum Rating at Jr. VASE Saturday for her art project "Dog Park Play Date".
This is the highest honor at this level and only 10% of the top art that scored a 4 receives the Platinum Rating! So proud of all the students who submitted their art and spoke to the judges about it yesterday. Other Mustang students who participated were Dani Ramirez (8th) & Sophia Vigo (6th).
While we were there, we participated in some fun art making too! Shaving cream prints, book making, and bubble print making.
Art in Action
BAND NEWS
Austin HS Band Marching Camps for Incoming Freshmen
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ODKxBRWeauxkuY74Z2ZxobfctVHEv7Um&usp=drive_fs
2024-25 PTA Officer Vote Notice
The O. Henry PTA Nominating Committee submitted the following slate for the 2024-2025 PTA Executive Board. This slate of officers has been confirmed by the current PTA Executive Board and will be voted on at the general PTA meeting on April 30.
2024-2025 SLATE OF PTA OFFICERS
President - Alison Darnell
President-Elect (First VP) - Jessica Hershey
Secretary - Leslie Newberry
Treasurer - Lindsay Hadlock
Treasurer Elect - Vacant
VP Fundraising / Ways and Means (Second VP) - Holly Lanham
VP Support / Services (Third VP) - Pam Roberts
VP Communications (Fourth VP) - Jennifer Skloss
Attention 8th Grade Parents
Time to celebrate our students! Please mark your calendars for the end of year celebration for the 8th Grade Class on Friday, May 17 at 7 p.m.
Parent volunteers needed; please sign up to help as your schedule allows:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4AADAC28A2F49-49133370-8thgrade#/
Questions? Please contact 8th Grade Recognition Chairs Jahnna Peeler and Dalton Young
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
PTA Thanks You
PTA Thank Yous
An enormous round of gratitude to the 2nd Annual Cornhole & Mustang Mixer Chairs! Shout out to Chairs Greta Goldsby and Meredith Marks, and Lissa Anderson for her fundraising leadership, plus all of the parent volunteers who made the event a roaring success!
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!
Other Campus and AISD News
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
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
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.
AHS Summer Golf Program
Austin High Feeder Schools,
My name is Nick Lebo and I'm the Head Golf Coach at Austin High. Each year we offer a golf camp for our elementary feeder students. The camp is an official AISD event and all funds raised go directly to the Austin High Golf Team. Would you be willing to send out the following information in your campus newsletter or PTSA communications?
Loyal Forever!
Nick Lebo
Calling all future Maroons to join us this summer at Jimmy Clay Golf Course for AHS Mini-Maroons Golf Camp. This camp is open to all K-5th grade students and is intended for golfers of all skill levels from beginners to advanced. The dates of the camp are 5/28-5/30 from 9am to noon.
Please RSVP and make payment using one of the methods below. If you have any questions, please see the attached flyer and/or email Head Golf Coach Nick Lebo at nick.lebo@austinisd.org
RSVP: bit.ly/MiniMaroonRSVP
Payment:
Venmo $250 to MaroonsGolfers
Request a Credit Card invoice through Square by emailing Lauren at ahsgolfbooster@gmail.com
Bring a check made out to Austin High Golf Boosters to the first day of camp
Sincerely,
Coach Lebo
Performance Course
Performance Course visited with O.Henry Middle School Athletics recently about an upcoming opportunity for athletic development that will be taking place this Summer! This program was developed by Performance Course to offer athletes the opportunity to develop both physically and mentally.
PC takes a goal-oriented approach to develop speed, agility, mobility, functional strength and power. Performance nutrition, character development, mental preparation and goal setting techniques are also included in the curriculum to develop the whole athlete!
We want to ensure all athletes have the opportunity to participate. To receive more information from Performance Course, please fill out this link:
http://info.performancecourse.com
and select “SUMMER” and “AUSTIN”. This will ensure you receive information about the summer!
LINK TO REGISTER: https://www.performancecourse.com/school-district/austin-isd
If you have any questions or need help with registration, please contact the Austin High Performance Course Director, Dylan Hall (mail to: dhall@performancecourse.com) and he will be glad to assist you.
Thanks and we hope your child has the opportunity to participate!
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