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Pony Express
Week of March 25-31, 2024
NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY FOR EASTER HOLIDAY
In this Issue
Newest Updates in BOLD
- Principal's Update
- Happening This Week at O. Henry
- Mustang News- Episode 23
- NEW- National Junior Honor Society
- ACES- Lesson 7: I can identify how taking care of myself is part of being a leader.
- Counselor Corner- Course Verification, AVID Summer Bridge, Updated 24-25 Transition Newsletter
- Athletic and PE News- Track and Field, Golf News
- Fine Art News- Freaky Friday Performance Choir NewsBand News- Sweepstakes and Tryouts, Orchestra News
- PTA Updates-
- 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 March 25-31
Make it a great week to be an O. Henry Mustang!
☮❤️&🐴's,
Marlo Malott
Happening This Week Around Campus
Monday, March 25- C Day
- Course Verifcation Starts
- 2:25-- Fire Evacuation Drill
- 4:00 HW Club, Theatre, Track
Tuesday, March 26- C Day
- 7:15 6th Grade Girls Fitness Club
- 5th period ACES- Leader in Me Lesson
- 4:00- HW Club, Theatre, Track
- 4:00- Mustang CAC in Library
Wednesday, March 27 - A Day
College Shirt Day
- B Lunch-7th Grade Book Club
- ACES-NEW NJHS Meeting in cafe
- 4:00- HW Club, Theatre, Track
- 4:30-6:30- Band and Orchestra Instrument Tryout
Thursday, March 28- B Day
- 7:30 FCA Huddle- Student Meeting
- C Lunch- 6th Grade Book Club
- 4:00-HW Club, DND, Theater
- 4:30-6:30- Band and Orchestra Instrument Tryout
- 6:00 Track vs Larmar and Webb @Lamar MS
- 6:00 Tennis vs Bailey @Austin HS
Friday, March 29-
- No School for Good Friday
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?
National Junior Honor Society
NEW NJHS Applicants
NEW NJHS Applicants-- Please join Mrs. White and the NJHS officers on Wed. March 27th in the cafe during ACES for a general information session about NJHS and on how to complete your NJHS application.
Counseling Corner
DUE: Tuesday, March 26th --Course Verification Forms- Rising 6,7,and 8th Graders
24-25 course verification form have gone out. This is NOT your child’s schedule for next year. It is a list of the courses we will try to turn into a schedule over the summer months. This is your opportunity to check for errors, make changes, or see if applications were accepted for special courses.
DUE: Tuesday, March 26th
Special Note: The High Schools will send their own link for course verification.
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
Practice this week:
Monday 4:00-5:15
Tuesday 4:00-5:15
Wednesday 4:00-5:15
*Please remind you athletes to be on the track dressed and ready to warm up at 4:00!
Our first track meet is this Thursday, March 28th, at Lamar Middle School! Please see an email from the coaches with meet details.
Go Mustangs!
Golf News
Mustang Golfers!
Please fill out the form below if your student is interested in playing golf this year at O. Henry. The season starts after Spring Break and goes on until Mid-May. We don't have an exact practice schedule yet as we coordinate with Lions to maximize the space they have available.
FINE ARTS NEWS
Choir News
The choir got amazing comments from all of the judges on stage and in the sight-reading room! They sang beautifully on stage and extra applause to Dani Ramirez who sang a solo to start our second song. The students had been working hard on some very difficult and tricky songs - their spring concert is on May 7.
Band News
Band Instrument Selection Sessions for New Students
It’s time for 2024 - 25 Beginning Band Instrument Selection. If your child is interested in learning to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument, we would like to invite them to join our award-winning O.Henry Mustang Band. No previous music training is necessary. The band is open to all incoming and returning O.Henry students. In most cases, instruments can be provided by the school. Students who attend one of our Instrument Selection sessions will be able to try out instruments under the supervision of a music teacher. Our goal is to help students choose a musical instrument that they will thrive on and enjoy playing.
Instrument Selection Dates
Tuesday, March 26 4:15 – 6 PM
Wednesday. March 27 4:15 – 6 PM
Thursday, March 28 4:15 – 6 PM
Please use the link below to sign up for a 15-minute time slot on one of our instrument selection days.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044FAFA829A6F85-48290156-spring
Spring 2024 OHMS Beginning Band Instrument Selection
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up for a 15 minute time slot on March 26, 27, or 28 (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) Our goal is to help students select an instrument that they will thrive on and enjoy playing. Students are encouraged to try at least three different mouthpieces, even if the student is heavily interested in one particular instrument.Please note that percussion includes drums AND keyboard instruments such as xylophone. Therfore, it is highly recommended that percussion students have some prior piano experience.
Feel free to contact Mr. Pinkney at sedric.pinkney@austinisd.org if you have any questions about joining band.
Orchestra News
Hello from the O. Henry Middle School Orchestra!
My name is Ms. Uy and I am the Orchestra Director at O. Henry Middle School and Mathews Elementary!
It’s time for 2024 - 25 Beginning Orchestra Instrument Selection. You are receiving this message because your child selected orchestra as one of their electives for next school year. We are excited to have your child join our award-winning O. Henry Mustang Orchestra. No previous music training is necessary! Orchestra is open to all incoming and returning O. Henry students.
Students who attend one of our Instrument Selection sessions will be able to try out instruments under the supervision of a music teacher. Our aim is the help students choose an instrument that they will thrive on and enjoy playing. Instrument selection sessions will take place in the O. Henry Orchestra Room (702). Our school's address is 2610 W. 10th Street, Austin, TX 78703.
Please use the link below to sign up for a 15-minute time slot on one of our instrument selection days.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B49A4AE2EA0FAC70-48698564-spring#/
Instrument Selection Dates
Tuesday, March 26 4:15 – 6 PM
Wednesday. March 27 4:15 – 6 PM
Thursday, March 28 4:15 – 6 PM
We will also hold a session at Oak Hill Elementary on Monday, April 1st from 4 - 6 PM. There is no sign-up for that session. Come and go as you please. If you are unable to attend any of these days and would like to schedule an appointment on a different date, please contact me at sarah.l.uy@austinisd.org.
We offer instruction on Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass. In most cases, the school can provide an instrument for your child. Otherwise, there are trusted music stores in the area that will rent out instruments to students!
This is a short informational video demonstrating the four string orchestra instruments! Check it out to hear how each instrument sounds and figure out what you might like.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azwRCDORHWA
At the conclusion of the instrument selection process, I will go over any questions you might have about your child’s participation in orchestra. I look forward to meeting you soon. Welcome to the Mustang Orchestra!
Musically,
Sarah Uy
O.Henry Middle School Orchestra
PTA IS LOOKING FOR 2024-25 LEADERSHIP
The PTA Executive Board is happy to congratulate 2024 nominating committee members: Rebecca Hatcher, Jen Kolerich, Heather Willison, April Allen and Kirsten Matetich, with alternates Pam Kelly and Amy Koenings.
Committee work begins this week, and we welcome nominations from all members for the following positions: President Elect, Treasurer Elect, Secretary, VP Communications, VP Support and
VP Ways and Means
Serving on the PTA Board is a great way to support our teachers and administration, and serve the greater OHMS community. Please email Rachel Elder, parliamentarian, at rachelreit@gmail.com if you would like to nominate someone, or for job descriptions and questions.
SAVE THE DATE:
Friday, April 19 Mark your calendar for the 2nd Annual Cornhole Tournament & 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.
DIRECTORY SPOT IS LIVE!
The much-anticipated Directory Spot app and online program is live! Use Directory Spot to contact parents of your student's friends, or to contact an O. Henry teacher.
Directory Spot is an opt-in school directory, so you will only be listed if you provided permission at the beginning of the year. To use: download the app or go online to directoryspot.net and use the same email that you registered with to log in, then create a password, and start searching!
AUSTIN HIGH 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