
Pony Express
Week of February 5-11, 2024
No School Friday, February 9- Staff Development Day
In this Issue
Newest Updates in BOLD
- Principal's Update
- Happening This Week at O. Henry-Interim Assessment
- Attendance Updates- Feeling Sick
- Mustang News- Episode 18
- Counselor Corner- 8th Grade Academy Preferences due February 6th, 24-25 Transition SMORE
- Athletic and PE News-6th Grade and Elementary Basketball Spirit Night, Track and Field News,Thank you to Canes
- Fine Art News-Theatre News-Help Needed
- PTA Updates- Directory Spot Licv, Save the Date,Mustang Spirit Wear, Randall's Rewards
- Other Campus and AISD News: Enrollment for 24-25 School Year, Bell Schedule, AISD Calendar, Transportation, AISD Health Services, Weather Guidelines
Principal's Update
Weekly Principal Update
2/4/24
Mustang Families,
I hope this message finds you well. As we navigate through the academic year, it's important to take a moment to express our gratitude and appreciation for the dedicated professionals who play a crucial role in supporting our students - our school counselors.
This week, February 5th to 11th, is Counselor Appreciation Week, a special time set aside to acknowledge the hard work, empathy, and guidance our counselors provide to our students on a daily basis. These individuals go above and beyond to ensure that our students are not only academically successful but also emotionally and socially well-adjusted.
Our counselors serve as a valuable resource for both students and parents alike, offering guidance on academic planning, career exploration, and personal development. They create a safe space for students to express their thoughts and concerns, fostering a positive and inclusive school environment.
We encourage you to take a moment to recognize and appreciate the efforts of our wonderful counselors. Whether it's a simple note of thanks, a small gesture, or even an email expressing your gratitude, your acknowledgment can make a significant impact and show them that their dedication is truly valued.
Thank you to our Counselors who contribute so much to the well-being and success of our students: Rachel Price (Alpha A-L and Lead), Ivy Claflin (Alpha M-Z), Carrie Hedinger (Counseling As a Related Service-Special Education), Jaime Escareno (Licenced Mental Health Professional ), and Adrienne Walk (Licenced Mental Health Professional) for supporting our O. Henry Community.
Make it a great week to be an O. Henry Mustang!
☮❤️&🐴's,
Marlo Malott
Happening This Week Around Campus
Interim Assessment This Week
Monday, February 5--A Day
ELAR Interim Assessment-- Students report to testing groups
5th period- AHS PALS
ACES-6th Grade Competions in Big Gym, 7th Grade-Outside Time, 8th Grade-Intramurals and Hall Decorating
4:00- HW Club, Twilight Credit Recovery, Orchestra UIL practice
Tuesday, February 6- B Day
- 7:00 6th Grade Girls Workout Club
- Math Interim Assessment-- Students report to testing groups
- ACES- Black History Month Lesson
- 4:00-HW Club, A Team Soccer, GBB, 7-CTeam, Theater
Wednesday, February 7 - A Day
College Shirt Day
- 8th Grade Science and Social Studies Interim Assessment-- Students will take with their Course Teacher.
- B Lunch-7th Grade Book Club
- ACES-6th Grade--Intramurals and Hall Decorating, 7th Grade- Competions in Big Gym, 8th Grade-Outside Time
- 4:00-HW Club, A Team Soccer, GBB, Theater
Thursday, February 8 - B Day
- 7:00 FCA Huddle
- 8th Grade Science and Social Studies Interim Assessment-- Students will take with their Course Teacher.
- C Lunch- 6th Grade Book Club
- ACES-6th Grade--Outside Time, 7th Grade--Intramurals and Hall Decorating, 8th Grade-Competions in Big Gym,
- 4:00-HW Club, Soccer, DND, 7/8-C Team, Theater
- 6:00/7:30 Boys BB OHMS vs Paredes, 8th @OHMS, 7th @Paredes 6th Grade and Elementary Spirit Night
Friday, February 9--No School- Staff Development Day
Saturday, February 10
- 9:00 Girls Soccer vs. Paredes @OHMS
Attendance and Absence Reporting
Feeling Sick?
Counseling Corner
8th Grade News
Academy preference surveys are due by February 6th. Links can be found on the main Austin High website austinhighmaroon.org.
Athletics News
Track and Field
SAVE THE DATE
Thank you
Thank you fot Cane's for sponsoring meals for our Athletics programs.
Fine Arts News
Theatre News
Help Needed
Yearbook Pre-Orders Starting Now at Balfour.com!
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.
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! Questions: Email Kathleen Loughlin at Kathleen.irvin@gmail.com
Save The Date:
· CANCELLED: Thursday, February 8th - PTA/Principal Coffee
· Wednesday, Feb 21, 8:30 a.m. in Cafeteria – General PTA meeting, Principal report and monthly speaker: Margaret Wallace. Chief of Staff to Roland Guitierrez, Texas Senator
Show your Spirit with Mustang Wear!
Let's show our spirit in 2024. Mustang Spirit wear for students and all ages can be purchased here: https://ohenrypta.org/market/spirit-wear/
Other Campus and AISD News
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
Spring 2024 Club Basketball Tryouts!
Spring 2024 Club Basketball Tryouts!
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, our mission is dedicated to provide players with on and off the court development, exposure, and life building characteristics through the game of basketball.
- Tryouts Registration Link: https://www.hoopgeneration.org/spring-2024-tryouts
- Reduced Fees Application for Underprivileged Students: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5cb6d8b89d414962d009ecd7/t/656ea6c38f22c247cd7a6be2/1701750467868/HG+reduced+fee+program+application+-+2.pdf
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