Pony Express

In This Issue:

• Principal's Message
• Happening This Week at O. Henry
• Camp O. Henry
• Counselor Corner- High School Visits
• Incident Report
  
• Mustang News
• Find Your Seat-- Enroll for 2024-2025
• Athletics News-8th Girls Practice Schedule
• Fine Art News-Art in Action, Theatre Show on Friday Night, District Band and Regional Advancements
• PTA Updates: Membership, Thank yous, Volunteer
• Prospective Student and Parent Campus Tours
• Previously Posted Logistical Resources: Bell Schedule, AISD Calendar, Absence Reporting, Transportation, AISD Health Services
  

Mustang Families,

Congratulations to our Orchestra and Theatre students. This past week our Orchestra performed at String Fest. Theatre students performed their final show of Pandora’s Backpack on Friday night. It is such a treat to see so many of our talented Mustangs in action and participating in Fine Arts. This coming Saturday, our Choir was selected to perform at H.E.B. Lake Austin. Check our What’s Happening section of the newsletter for more on sports and school activities.

If your schedule allows it, I hope you will join me on Thursday morning for Principal Coffee. As we prepare for the 2024-25 school year already, I hope to have a general Q&A session. On my list to update are the bond projects and questions about high school credit classes taken in middle school.

And speaking of special treats, this week we are having a modified schedule- CCCBA to accommodate our assembly on Friday. All of our Mustangs will meet and hear Courage to Dream Author Neal Shusterman (see newsletter for details and bell schedule).

We had a blush of colder weather this past week-- who knows what Texas has in store for us these days. Included in this week's Newsletter is AISD outside weather guidelines. We still plan on encouraging as much fresh air as possible for outside lunch, PE and Athletics.

This is also a time of the year to send a note of kindness. Consider sending a shout-out to a staff member at RAVE or even signing up for our 7th Annual Sur-PIES.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044BADAC229-45900037-7thannual

Make it a great week to be an O. Henry Mustang!

☮❤️&🐴's,

Marlo Malott

Monday, November 6th - C Day

• 7:00 Cheerleading and Girls Basketball Practices
• AHS Pals on Campus
• 3:30 Prospective Student and Parent Tour
• 4:00 Jazz Club, HW Club, 8GR Girls BB Practice

Tuesday, November 7th - C Day

** Voting on Campus**

• 7:00 6th Girls Wts. and Conditioning Club
• 8th Grade Book Club at A Lunch
• 12:50 PM: 8th Grade LASA Presentation in Library
• 4:00 PM - HW Club, Soccer Practice, Girls BB Practice

Wednesday, November 8th - A Day

• 7th Grade Book Club at B Lunch
  
• 4:00-- HW Club, Workout Club, Boys Soccer
• 5:30 PM - Camp O. Henry Parent Meeting

Thursday, November 9th - B Day

• 7:30 FCA Huddle
• 8:30 Principal Coffee
• 6th grade Book Club at C lunch
• 4:00 HW Club, DND Club, Boys Soccer

Friday, November 10th - A Day** Soecial Schedule

• 1:30 - Neal Shusterman Author Visit
• No HW Club after school on Fridays

Saturday, November 11th

No Saturday School this week

9:00 Boys Soccer vs. Lamar at O. Henry MS

2:00 OHMS Choir Sings at H.E.B. Lake Austin

Mustangs-

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.

CLICK HERE for the AISD Guidelines

Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust

National Book Award winner Neal Shusterman and acclaimed illustrator Andrés Vera Martínez present a graphic novel exploring the Holocaust through surreal visions and a textured canvas of heroism and hope.

Courage to Dream plunges readers into the Holocaust - one of the greatest atrocities in human history - delving into the core of what it means to face the extinction of everything and everyone you hold dear.

This gripping, multifaceted tapestry is woven from Jewish folklore and cultural history. Five interlocking narratives explore one common story - the tradition of resistance and uplift. Neal Shusterman and Andrés Vera Martínezare intentionally renowned creators who have collaborated on a masterwork that encourages the compassionate, bold reaching for a dream.

Special Thanks to OHMS PTA and Book People for making this visit possible for our Mustangs.

Camp O. Henry acceptance letters were handed out through 8th grade science classes on Monday 10/30. We are so excited about the number of students interested in attending camp, and we were able to accept 125 8th graders to head to Marble Falls with us in January for a few days of outdoor education, team building, and fun! Applications are now closed, and we have started a waiting list.

If your child is accepted to attend camp, they should have brought home a packet of forms that require parent attention. Please look through this packet carefully.

There will be a required parent/guardian and student information meeting on November 8th at 5:30 PM in the cafeteria.

Camp O. Henry Payment Link - click here if your child is attending camp

Camp O. Henry Donation Link - click here if you would like to donate and send an 8th grader who is in need of financial assistance to camp

Please reach out to Macie Cohen (macie.cohen@austinisd.org) and Crystal Gaffney (crystal.gaffney@austinisd.org) with questions.

LASA - Liberal Arts and Science Academy

Date: Tuesday, November 7th

Location: Library

Time: 12:50 PM-1:30

Info: This presentation is for 8th grade students who are interested in learning more about LASA.

Did you enjoy the visit from McCallum's Fine Arts Academy? Check out the flyer for their showcase below.

8th Grade Girls:

8th grade basketball:

Monday (C Day) - practice 8th period - 4:30

Tuesday (C Day) - practice 8th period - 4:30

Wednesday (C Day) - practice 8th period, 3:50 pick up

Thursday (B Day) - Game day! AWAY game vs. Lively - 8th period practice, team dinner and study hall, carpool to Lively at 4:45PM, B team plays at 6:00 and A team at 7:00

*be in the lookout for an email about carpool volunteers!

Friday (A Day) - no practice, 3:50 dismissal

O.Henry Middle School peeps! 🎉 Guess what? The 23-24 Yearbook is packed with all our crazy moments, and awesome memories. Grab yours now for just $35! But heads up, if you snooze and wait till after December 1st, it's gonna cost ya $40. So, why pay more later when you can snag it for less today? Let's make this year unforgettable! Don't miss out! Go to balfour.com and click the "Shop My School" tab or go directly to this O. Henry hyperlink to pre-order your copy.

Randall's Good Neighbor Program gives 1% back to O.Henry!

As we enter the holidays, please take a moment to link your Randall's Rewards card to help earn money for O.Henry. It is as simple as emailing goodneighbor@randalls.com and requesting a link between your phone number to O.Henry Middle School #713. See attached flyer for more details - every trip to Randall's adds up!

Thursday, November 9, 8:30 a.m. - PTA Coffee with Principal Malott. All are welcome to join for coffee and updates from Principal Malott to learn more about AISD's "Enroll Austin" program, High School Credit Courses and more!

Thursday, November 15, 6-7:30 p.m - Maroon & White Night at Austin High. All O.Henry families are welcome to attend to explore programs and academic opportunities as a future student of Austin High School.

2023-2024 General School Supply List

Attendance Laws and Regulations

Chromebook Distribution Questions

Enrichment/ACES Supplies We Are Looking For!

Foodservice Information: Breakfast and Lunch Menus, Meal Drop Off Guidelines

Safety Planning - Temperature and Weather Health Guidelines

Teacher Wishlist Items

Have a question or concern for the district, or aren't sure who to ask? Submit a Let's Talk at the button above.

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.

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