Pony Express

Dear Mustang Families,

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” - Robert Brault

As we step into this well-earned Thanksgiving break, I hope each of you finds time to slow down and enjoy the little moments. Whether it’s a family meal, a quiet morning walk, a belly-laugh with friends, or a chance to turn your alarm off. Wishing all of our Mustang family a restful, restorative break filled with and the simple things and people who matter most.

Gratitude for Sur-Pies!

Every O. Henry staff member went home with a Thanksgiving pie today -thanks to our generous, best in Austin, PTA. We were also able to share pies with our AISD police officers, bus drivers, substitute teachers, and our mail carrier. Thank you for helping us show thanks to those who care for and support our students every day.

Welcome, New Mini-Mustang

Congratulations to Mustang News teacher and coach Luke Borders and his wife, Amanda, on the arrival of their baby boy, Dupree Thomas Borders, born yesterday at 11:26 p.m. Help us welcome the newest member of our Mustang family.

Austin High Volleyball State Bound

Let’s cheer on our Austin High Maroons as they compete in the State Volleyball Championship tomorrow in Garland, Texas against Southlake Carroll. We are proud of our former Mustangs and all they have accomplished this volleyball season. If you are not able to go watch the game in person, you can watch online. Go Maroons!

Fine Arts in Action

This week, history teacher Mike Simms visited our guitar class to demonstrate the steel guitar and share his journey as a musician. He introduced students to the Three Ts of Music: Timing, Taste, and Tone, and even performed alongside the class. Thank you, Mr. Simms, for inspiring our student musicians.

Student vs. Staff Volleyball Tradition

We wrapped up the week with our long-standing Mustang tradition, the Student vs. Staff Volleyball Games. Our staff showed their skills, and our students brought the energy. Thank you to our coaches and ACES team for keeping this 15-year tradition alive. These joyful moments are part of what makes O. Henry the best middle school in Austin.

A&C Lunch Schedule Flip: Monday, December 1

6th graders will attend an academic field trip to the IMAX at the Bob Bullock Museum. On this day:

• 6th grade will eat A lunch
  

• Students who normally eat A lunch will shift to C lunch
  
  

Classes moving to C lunch on December 1:
Bass Patterson, Bliss, Carrillo, Coffey, Coronado, Gaffney, Gray, Hibbard, McHorse, Sokolowski, Wolfe.

In Pursuit of Excellence Awards

Each week, we celebrate Mustangs who exemplify Respect, Responsibility, Perseverance, and Integrity. Teachers nominate students who show kindness, leadership, and integrity, doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Congratulations to this week’s recipients.

Monday-Friday 11/24-28: Thanksgiving Break

Monday 12/1 - Fire Drill

- 6th Grade Field Trip During 5th and 6th Periods

- 7th Grade Boys' Basketball Tryouts during 1st Period

- 8th Grade Boys' Basketball Tryouts - Until 5:15 PM

Tuesday 12/2

- 6th Grade Boys Weightlifting Club before school

- 7th Grade Boys' Basketball Tryouts During 1st Period

- 8th Grade Boys' Basketball Tryouts - Until 5:15 PM

Wednesday 12/3

- 6:55 AM: Run Club at track

- 7:00 AM: 7th Grade Boys' Basketball Tryouts

- MAP Testing during ELA Classes

- 8th Grade Boys' Basketball Tryouts - Until 5:15 PM

- 6:00 PM/7:00 PM: 7th Grade Girls' Basketball HOME vs. Lamar

- 6:00 PM/7:00 PM: 8th Grade Girls' Basketball AWAY vs. Lamar

Thursday 12/4

- 6th Grade Boys Weightlifting Club before school

- MAP Testing during ELA Classes

- 8th Grade Boys' Basketball Tryouts - Until 5:15 PM

Friday 12/5

- 7:00 AM: 7th Grade Boys' Basketball Tryouts

- 8th Grade Boys' Basketball Tryouts - Until 5:15 PM

Saturday 12/6

9:00 AM - Boys' Soccer AWAY at Gorzycki MS

LOGISTICS NOTE: Due to the need to keep a schedule and miss minimal class time, all 6th graders will swap to "A Lunch" (11:35-12:05) and A lunch students (majority of 8th grade) will swap to "C Lunch (12:50-1:20)

Our 6th grade World Cultures classes will be taking an academic field trip to the Bob Bullock Museum on Monday December 1st. Students will miss 5th and 6th period as excused school trip absences.

Students received emails from their teachers earlier this week with details. If you have an interest in attending as a chaperone, please contact your child's World Cultures teacher. In order to defray costs of the buses and the film, we are asking each family to pay $10 for the fee. The easiest way to pay this is through our school payment site, MySchoolCentral or by sending a check to the office.

GIVING THANKS FOR OHMS STAFF

9th Annual - Sur-Pies! - Thank you to everyone that brought in pies and treats for OHMS staff. We had a great turnout!

Secret Pals - All Secret Pals have been claimed. Thank you to everyone that has signed up! Please consider bringing a surprise for your pal before the December break starts on Friday, December 19.

NEW VOLUNTEERS

This year the district is requiring that all volunteers go through the new Voly system for background checks. The system is very quick and usually does not take more than 24 hours. Please use the link below to complete your application.

https://austinisd.voly.org/

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

The PTA provides a free online directory and mobile app for O. Henry Middle School, hosted by DirectorySpot. The directory is accessible to OHMS parents and staff only, and your information will never be shared or sold. If your family would like to be included please fill out the information found at this link.

• Week of December 1-5, 2025

• M,12/1 & TU,12/2 @ 8:15am sharp (regular 1st period)

• W,12/3 & F,12/5 @ 7am sharp (PLEASE NOTE EARLY START!); Locker Room Door will open @ 6:45am

• No tryouts or Athletics Period on Thursday, 12/4

Interested players must:

• be enrolled in 1st Period Athletics.

• have a CURRENT AISD physical (dated after April 15th, 2025).

• have completed all Rank One UIL Online Forms

• attend all tryout sessions.

• be dressed and on the court @ scheduled start time.

• dress in athletic wear (basketball shoes recommended).

• bring school clothes, towel, and toiletries.

Tryouts will be held Monday, December 1st to Friday, December 5th until 5:15pm.

First cut will be made on either Tuesday or Wednesday. Final cut will be posted on Friday at the end of tryouts.

If a student-athlete does not make the cuts they will begin the year on the C-team with an opportunity to move up as the season progresses.

Coach Gaffney A Team crystal.gaffney@austinisd.org

Coach Kobs B Team kristine.kobs@austinisd.org

Regular 7th Grade Practice Schedule

Monday: Before school and 1st period athletics (7:30-9:05)

Tuesday: Before school and 1st period athletics (7:30-9:05)

Wednesday: 1st period athletics (8:20-9:05)

Thursday: Game Day

Friday: 1st period athletics (8:20-9:05)

Regular Season Remaining Game Schedule:

11/20 Thursday vs Marshall Home OHMS B-6pm A-7pm

12/4 Thursday vs Lamar Home OHMS B-6pm A-7pm

Playoffs

A team playoff schedule TBD - 12/10 and 12/17. “B” team does not have playoffs.

Team Parent: Amanda Thompson - adhthompson@gmail.com

Coach Borders: A Team Head Coach - luke.borders@austinisd.org

Coach Cohen: B Team Head Coach - macie.cohen@austinisd.org

Regular 8th Grade Practice Schedule

Monday: 8th period athletics (3:05-3:50)

Tuesday: 8th period athletics (3:05-4:30)

Wednesday: After school (4:00-5:00)

Thursday: Game Day

Friday: 8th period athletics (3:05-3:50)

C Team - Coach Pappas - ethan.pappas@austinisd.org

We will practice weekly on Monday and Tuesday from 7-8 am. The Locker room will be open at 7 am, and the girls will be in the small gym by 7:10 to start practicing. You can drop your students off at the gymnasium entrance on Exposition. I recommend they come dressed for practice and bring their change of clothes in their backpack. If you have any further questions, please email me.

We will update you about scrimmage schedule as it is finalized.

Coach Gray A Team scott.gray@austinisd.org

Coach Hibbard B Team leslie.hibbard@austinisd.org

Regular Practice and Game Schedule - subject to change, more information as we get closer

• Tuesday, 4:00 - 5:15

• Wednesday, 4:00 - 5:15

• Thursday- 4:00 - 5:15

• Saturday - 9:00am A Team Game - 10:30am B Team Game

The season schedule is shown below. If your child participates in club soccer and has game/practice conflicts, please reach out to Coach Gray and Coach Hibbard. Coaches can work out a plan to make sure athletes can still participate.

FCA is having it's first HUDDLE meeting this Thursday morning at 7:30 in the Big Gym. Please make sure you've approved your student to attend OHMS School sponsored clubs in order to attend. Hope to see you there!

We know that some of our Mustang families may be struggling to get the food they need right now. If you are a family in need of help getting food and other necessities, please email ivy.claflin@austinisd.org. Need extra food support outside of school? These community partners can help you find assistance in your area. Please let us know if you would like help finding a food pantry in your area.

- Central Texas Food Bank

- Travis County Food Pantry

- United Way for Greater Austin

- Sustainable Food Center

- Texas Health and Human Services - Call 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905 to speak to a live operator.

Without signed consent, your child will not be able to receive these services or participate in any clubs.

1. Mental Health-Related Services
   The district must notify parents of staff services related to school counseling and give parents the opportunity to opt out before those services are provided to their child. Mental Health Services Consent Form: English/Spanish
   
   

2. Physical Health-Related Services
   Certain school-based health services, such as non-emergency medical screenings or treatments, now require your written permission.
   Physical Health Services Consent Form
   
   

3. Participation in school-sponsored Student Clubs
   If your child wishes to participate in school or district-sponsored clubs or organizations, parental approval is required. (You may have already received and completed this form if it was previously sent by your school.)
   Student Club Participation Consent Form

In addition to support in class, each teacher holds an hour of before school, after school, or lunch tutorials for students to get help on a concept, make up assessments, or connect in a smaller teacher to student ratio.

Expert tips for successful tutorial visits include

• Ensure your teacher knows you are coming - ideally confirm the date with them beforehand and the specific assessment or grade you need help with so they are prepared for you.
• Spend time figuring out "what you know" and "what you know you don't know." Teachers will be better equipped to help you master a learning concept if we can identify gaps.
• Come prepared with all materials - if you have a specific paper assignment, bring it. Your Chromebook should always be fully charged at the start of every school day.
• Be respectful of other students in tutorials, consider collaboration. Before and after an important assessment, there will likely be many students who need help with the same concepts. Understand that your teacher will offer as much individual assistance as they can but may work with you and your peers in a group on a concept if needed.

Please make use of our Bell Schedules for planning doctor's visits, other pickups from school. These times reflect bell transitions on C Days (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays,) and A/B Days (Wednesdays/Thursdays.)

House Bill 1481 - Student Device Rules: What Parents and Students Need to Know

Grades and Attendance: Parents will find their student's grades, schedules, and other key information in the Frontline Parent Portal (access instructions linked.) While students may access content on the BLEND or Google Classroom platforms (see instructors' syllabi for more detail,) Frontline is the only official record for grades in Austin ISD.

Lunch Money in AISD: Guardians are able to deposit money into a student's account for school purchases. Guardians must make an account at https://www.schoolcafe.com/AUSTINISD

Bus Transportation: Students who take AISD buses will be picked up and dropped off on Wayside Dr on the east side of the property. The map to the side shows our bus lane. Families use the Where's the Bus through the AISD Portal or the phone app to track bus arrival times. Students pick up and drop off in the same place on Wayside Drive. Link to AISD's Bus Transportation Department homepage with contact information. Families seeking a "bus pass" to ride a route that they are not zoned to cannot be placed on routes for the first two weeks of school until space for zoned riders is confirmed. More information is available 7:45 am to 4:45 pm Monday though Friday at 512-414-0238.

Car Riders, Walkers, and Map: We understand that car dropoff can be a stressful time for families, especially at the beginning of the year for unfamiliar drivers and passengers. The map to the side shows the main drop off areas as well as the bus lane. While we do not close the street to eastbound traffic, having cars travel westbound on 10th Street is the safest option so that students do not have to cross in front of traffic or risk opening doors into traffic.

Staying on Campus Once Dropped Off: A reminder to all students, whether walkers, car riders, or bus riders, that once your mode of transportation has brought you to campus, you may not leave the campus to visit HEB, 7/11, or other locations. Students may not leave the property without being checked out by their guardian.

School Accounts

Facebook: facebook.com/ohenryms

Instagram: @ohenryms

X/Twitter: @ohenryms

Clubs and Organizations

Band on Instagram: @ohms_mustangband

Library on Instagram @ohenryreads