Pony Express
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF O. HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal's Update - Week of Oct 27th - October 31st
Dear Mustang Families,
We’ve had another exciting week at O. Henry, and I wanted to share a few updates and celebrations from around campus. This week we welcomed our new art teacher, Leslie Blanco, to the O. Henry community. We’re so glad to have her creativity and energy on campus.
On Monday we held our first Parent-Teacher Conference Day at O. Henry. Thank you as well to everyone who participated in the conferences, whether in person, Google Meet or on the phone. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together and collaborate on how to best support our Mustangs in their academic growth. We will be having another opportunity to collaborate in parent conferences in February.
Student Council held officer elections yesterday, and we’re excited to announce the results:
President: Noa Milch
Vice President: Alaina Benavides
Historian: Delaina Dominguez-Brown
Mustang News Liaison: Calvin Tyler
We have two more positions to be voted on next week. Congratulations to all of our new officers, and a big thank you to Mrs. Bass Patterson, our Student Council faculty sponsor and to everyone who participated in the election.
On the field, our 7th A and 8th A football teams played a double-header at House Park and both came away victorious against the Bailey Bears, way to go, Mustangs. Thursday marked the first girls’ basketball game of the season at Austin High against Gorzycki and on Friday we’ll wrap up the week with our Choir and Guitar Concert.
Looking ahead to next week, students are welcome wear costumes to school on dress up on Friday, October 31. We want our Mustangs to have a festive, fun and safe day together. Please take a moment to review the costume guidelines below:
• Costumes should not cover your face. Masks and face paint are not allowed.
• Costumes must allow students to sit comfortably in a chair or desk. Inflatable or oversized costumes are not permitted.
• Props, weapons, or accessories (including replicas) are not allowed to be carried throughout the day.
• Costumes must be school appropriate. Please avoid blood, gore, violent elements, or replica weapons.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership.
With Mustang Pride,
Camie Fillpot
Interim Principal, O. Henry Middle School
In Pursuit of Excellence
Weekly Schedule of Events
Monday 10/27
Tuesday 10/28
Wednesday 10/29
Thursday 10/30
6:00 PM B/7:00 PM A: Girls Basketball Kealing vs O. Henry - 7th at KMS/8th at OHMS
Friday 10/31 - Halloween! See note about costumes
Saturday 11/1
9:00 AM - Soccer, Lively vs. OHMS
12::00-6:30 PM: Monster Concert @ Austin HS
OHMS PTA Updates - Families Needed for Secret Pals!
OHMS SECRET PALS - SIGN UP
There are still plenty of OHMS teachers and staff left for Secret Pals! Show your gratitude by becoming a Secret Pal! PTA Secret Pals anonymously deliver a minimum of 4 small gifts to the front office throughout the year (birthday, holidays, just because). It's a great way to show support for the amazing OHMS teachers and staff! Please sign up below for a teacher/staff member and you will receive their preferences. Happy gifting!
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.
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.
Halloween Costumes and Candy - 10/31
We love to see the spirit and creativity on display from our students and staff on Halloween. We ask for student compliance on a few key rules to keep everyone having a safe and festive time.
- Dress code for covering all parts of your body still applies
- School staff should still be able to identify you. Costumes should not cover your face. Masks and face paint are not allowed.
Costumes must allow students to sit comfortably in a chair or desk. Inflatable or oversized costumes are not permitted.
Costumes must be school appropriate. Please avoid blood, gore, violent elements, or replica weapons.
Props, weapons, or accessories are not to be carried throughout the day.
- No costumes allowed that are designed to parody or mock another nationality or race
Additionally, while we know that all students love candy, students who bring bags and baskets of candy will be asked to leave them in the office to be collected at the end of the day. Help keep our classrooms, hallways, and buses clean by following normal rules regarding not eating in class.
ATHLETICS
7th Grade Girls' Basketball
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 Game Schedule:
10/30 Thursday vs Kealing @ Kealing B-6pm A-7pm
11/6 TBD BYE Week - Possible Scrimmage against 8th grade
11/13 Thursday vs Murchison @ Murchison B-6pm A-7pm
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
8th Grade Girls' Basketball
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 Girls Basketball
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.
Boys' Soccer
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.
FINE ARTS + PERFORMING ARTS
Art in Action - Ceramics Unit
Art in Action - Ceramics Unit
Art in Action - Ceramics Unit
Repeated Logistical Information - Tutorials, Supplies, Calendars, Handbook, Tech
Nurse's Office, Mental Health, and Student Clubs - Parent Consent Forms
Without signed consent, your child will not be able to receive these services or participate in any clubs.
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/SpanishPhysical 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 FormParticipation 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
Homework Club in Library - 2025-26
Teacher Tutorials
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.
Daily Bell Schedules
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.)
Parent Technology FAQ
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
Car, Bus, Bike, and Walking Transportation
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 Absence Reporting
Follow Us on Social Media!
School Accounts
Facebook: facebook.com/ohenryms
Instagram: @ohenryms
X/Twitter: @ohenryms
Clubs and Organizations
Band on Instagram: @ohms_mustangband
Library on Instagram @ohenryreads