Pony Express

NEW featureed items will be in BOLD

• Winter Dance this Friday- 4-6
• School Calendar for Week of December 12-18
• Quick News
• Fall Testing, Final Exams and Project Calendar
• Counselor Corner-Donations Needed, How to Contact Your Counselor, Grading Period Dates
• Mustang News-Episode 14
• Art In Action- Each week we will feature student Art
• Athletics-8th grade Volleyball Questionnaire, Girls Soccer
• Fine Arts News- Winter Concerts
• PTA News
  

• From AISD--Events and News

Short Cycle Assessments (9 weeks tests) in English, Math, 8th Science, 8th Social Studies

Monday,12/12 A Day1,2,3,ACES, 4

4:00-5:30 Twilight Grade Recovery, Homework Club, Science Club

Tuesday, 12/13 B Day---5,6,7, ACES, 8

6:00 Winter Choir, Dance and Guitar Concert

Wednesday, 12/14--B Day---5,6,7, ACES, 8

4:00-5:30 Twilight Grade Recovery, Homework Club, History Club, GSA Club

4:00-5:00 Cheer Practice OHMS

4:00-5:00

4:00 Boys Soccer Practice

Thursday, 12/15 B Day-5,6,7, ACES, 8

4:00 Boys Soccer Practice

4:00-5:30 Twilight Grade Recovery, Homework Club, Math Club

6:45-8:15 Cheer Practice WAYA

6:00/7:00 Playoff Basketball Games-- 6:00 7A vs. Bailey, 7:00 8a vs Gorzycki-Both games at OHMS

Friday, 12/16-C Day periods 1-8

STUDENT COUNSEL SPIRIT DAY--Wear your holiday hats and socks

4:00-6:00 Winter Dance

Saturday, 12/17

9:00 B Team Soccer vs. Small at OHMS

SAVE THE DATE-

Austin High School Academy Survey

ALL students interested in going to Austin High School (zoned students, transfers, or applicants) should plan to fill out the Academy Preference Survey. It will open on Friday, December 2nd. Links will be available on the Counselor Blend page and on the Austin High website.

Counselor Blend Page/High School Central (must be logged into the portal):

https://aisdblend.instructure.com/courses/227758/pages/high-school-central

Austin High Application Website: https://austin.austinschools.org/academy-admissions

Human Sexuality and Responsibility (HSR) Permission Form

During the two weeks prior to Winter break the Science department will be presenting the district Human Sexuality and Responsibility curriculum to our students.

We have sent letters home that need to be returned and emails with google forms for you to fill out that need a response. Please check your email or Childs backpack for the letter from your students science teacher.

This year you will have to “Opt In” for your child to receive the information. If you would rather not have your child receive the information, then you will need to let us know you are Opting them out so we can plan for alternative lessons.

If you would like to view the curriculum before deciding, you can see it here: https://www.austinisd.org/pe-health/health-education/hsr

Which ever you decide, we will need the information as soon as we get back from Thanksgiving break.

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Science teacher.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Four Year Planning for 8th graders

Counselors will be hosting two sessions for eighth graders to come hear about high school requirements and learn about four year plans. This can be helpful for choosing high school classes in January. Students will receive an email on Monday to sign up or the link is also included here: https://forms.gle/gkGTwwNB19e2i6o99

Austin High School Academy Preference Survey

All students planning to attend Austin High School, whether zoned or applying, must complete the Academy Preference Survey by Jan. 13, 2023. Students will have an opportunity to do so in ACES but you can also fill out the link here. If filled out multiple times, AHS will take the most recent submission. https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSZdbcafXi37ZGHfhnFRsVS4okMNeLyUjn1eIZQmme4shdbA/viewform

November/December Classroom Presentations

Counselors visited the math classrooms throughout November and December to talk to students about what it means when your brain "flips its lid" and strategies to help calm, energize, or focus your brain. Read more about "flipping your lid" and some of the strategies on the Counselor Blend Page (must be logged on to the portal to access) https://aisdblend.instructure.com/courses/227758/pages/flipping-your-lid?module_item_id=39616262

Save the Date - Choice Sheet Presentations

January 10th & 11th - current sixth graders will fill out their choice sheet in ELA. These are the first two days back from break!

January 12th & 13th - current seventh graders will fill out their choice sheets in TX History.

The counselors are looking for any donations of healthy snacks for students and gently used clothing. Clothing needed: boys and girls athletics shorts, tshirts, sweatpants/joggers - all adults sizes needed. We are so grateful for your help!

Need to Reach Your Counselor

You can email at ohenry.counselors@austinisd.org

Grading Periods and Progress Reports

Progress 1-- Closes 9/2

Progress 2- Closes 9/23-- student eligibilty check

1st Nine Weeks- closes 10/7-- student eligibilty check on 10/13, lost or gained 10/20

Progress 3- closes 11/4--student eligibilty chek on 11/4, lost or gained 11/11

Progress 4- closes 12/2-student eligibilty chek on 12/2, lost or gained 12/9

2nd Nine Weeks-closes 12/20, lost or gained 1/17

We will have tryouts on January 10th, 11th and 12th after school from 4:00pm to 5:00pm.

We will be taking 18 girls on the A - Team and about 20 on the B - Team.

If you are interested in playing for the O. Henry Girls Soccer Team this year, please fill out the following survey. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdEKM5ZjbxUUVH07Kse2KWS69WWdZmSVYIM8sAgGMc8LgLhg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Our schedule is also attached.

Come to tryouts with athletic clothing (it may be cold), cleats, shin guards and water.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Coach Gray - scott.gray@austinisd.org

AHS incoming athlete volleyball questionnaire for 8th graders -

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctqZbnfwcnwp7fXqcGz-T_dJVa5g2mK9s5AZJcYbYrWwglCg/viewform

Hey Everyone,

Please join the O. Henry team and run the Cap10K with us! Click the link below to register. You can find our team under "O. Henry Middle School." School teams are comprised of staff members and students. I know some of our cross country runners plan to run with us. Please extend the invite to any students you think may be interested in joining the team. The price is currently $35 and it will increase on 12/5. Let me know if you have any questions!

https://www.cap10k.com/register-now/