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Pony Express
Week of April 29-May 5, 2025
In this Issue
Newest Updates in BOLD
- Principal's Update
- Happening This Week at O. Henry
- Mustang News- Episode 29
- Counselor Corner- Model UN, AVID Summer Bridge, Updated 24-25 Transition Newsletter
- Athletic and PE News- Athletic Physicals, Golf News,Track and Field
- Fine Art News- Art in Action, Freshman Band
- PTA Updates-8th Grade Save the Date, 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 29-May 5, 2024
Mustangs,
Lace up your running shoes and join us for our District Zone Track and Field Championships on Monday and Tuesday at Burger Center, a Tennis Match on Thursday, or listen to the Spring Orchestra and Band Concerts on Wednesday and Thursday. Our Mustangs remain busy and sliding into the last few weeks of school. We know our Mustangs will finish strong. We also hope our Parents and Guardians can join us on Tuesday morning for our April PTA meeting.
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. 8th graders-- check out your special end of the year events!
Make it a great week to be an O. Henry Mustang!
☮❤️&🐴's,
Marlo Malott
Happening This Week Around Campus
Monday, April 29- C Day
- 5th Period- STIR Time
- 4:00 HW Club
- 6:00 Track Zone Championships at Burger Center
Girls- Running Events
Boys-Field Events
Tuesday, April 30- C Day
- 7:15 6th Grade Girls Fitness Club
- PTA General Mtg: Volunteer Breakfast
- 5th Period Leader In Me Lesson 11
- 4:00- HW Club
- 6:00 Track Zone Championships at Burger Center
Boys-Running Events
Wednesday, May 1- A Day
- ACES- 6th Indoor Games, 7th Competitions in Gym, 8th Outside Front
- 4:00- HW Club
- 6:00 Orchestra Spring Concert
Thursday, May 2, B Day
- 7:30 FCA Huddle- Student Meeting
- ACES-6th-Outside Front, 7th Outside Back, 8th Competitions in Gym
- 4:00-HW Club, DND
- 6:00 Tennis OHMS vs
- 6:00 Band Spring Concert
Friday, May 3 -C Day
- 5th Period-Mustang News
SAVE THE DATE
5/7: CTE Field Trip - ACC Highland
5/7: Fine Arts Night
5/15: NJHS Induction Ceremony
5/17: 8th Grade Dance at OHMS
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
Golf News
Huge congratulations to all of those who participated in the middle school golf tournament at Hancock Golf Course last week. Special shout out to:
Anna Kime- 1st Place 7th Grade Girls
MK Rigby- 1st Place 8th Grade Girls
Max Koransky- 3rd Place 8th Grade Boys
This is our last week of golf for the year.
Schedule:
Practice on Monday, 4/29 and Tuesday, 4/30
Tournament at Hancock Golf Course (7th and 8th Graders) on Thursday, 5/2.
Track and Field
Track & Field Families,
Below is our schedule for the remainder of the track and field season!
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!
Attention 8th Graders- Cross Country SY-24-25
Are you interested in running cross country at Austin High? If so, please come out and train with us this summer. The best time to train for fall cross country is June, July, and August! Many students will travel and be in and out of Austin, but developing your aerobic base is important. Come when you can. We will meet at the sand volleyball courts in Zilker Park at 7:30- 9 am Monday through Thursday. There will also be an optional long run on the weekend for those who want to build endurance. We will have fun doing drills, running, core work, getting to know other athletes, playing volleyball, and jumping in Barton Springs. Training starts Monday, June 3rd.
There will be a free camp for middle school athletes (incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders) from 7:30-9 am Monday through Thursday during the week of June 17-20. Come run with us!
ALSO- get your physical for next year out of the way for $20 by coming to Austin High on Tuesday, May 7th. Please complete the forms link (flyer is attached)
Questions? Contact brandon.batiansila@austinisd.org
If you are an 8th grader coming to AHS, join our BAND APP for updates, practice info, and meets. See QR code.
FINE ARTS
BAND NEWS
Austin HS Band Marching Camps for Incoming Freshmen
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ODKxBRWeauxkuY74Z2ZxobfctVHEv7Um&usp=drive_fs
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
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