Pony Express
Week of September 25-October 1
IT IS ROUND UP WEEK!
Monday, September 25th-No School- Student Holiday Staff Development
- Principal's Message
- Happening This Week at O. Henry
- Incident Report
- Gifted and Talented Nominations
- Athletics News
- Art in Action
- Fine Art News-Jazz Band, Band News
- Club Announcements
- PTA Updates: Round Up, PTA Membership, Call for Volunteers, Secret Pals, Thank You's
- Roundup Full Feature - Details and Volunteering Opportunities
- Previously Posted Logistical Resources: Bell Schedule, AISD Calendar, Absence Reporting, Transportation, AISD Health Services
Principal's Update
This is one of our busiest and most exciting weeks of the school year. Round Up. Not only is it our fall campus fundraiser to support this school year's new technology, field trips, department bugets, scholarships, and school improvement-- BUT IT IS THE PLACE TO BE ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
We will begin dismissing our 6th graders at 3:30 to make their way down to the cafeteria to drop off their backback on Alphabetical labeled tables. Students will leave their bags behind (and school instrument and lunch box) with parent volunteers so they can enjoy the afternoon hands free. 7th and 8th graders will be dismissed at 3:40 and 3:50
Grab any money for snacks and your phone for pictures and it is sure to be a fun afternoon! The late bus will run at 5:30 and Round Up is over at 6:30. All Mustangs should be picked up by 6:45 p.m.
Our dance, cheer, and band ensembles will be performing, take a shot and dunking a staff member in the dunking booth, jump and climb around the inflatables, and dance the night away in the large gym. The best part will be making memories.
Our AMAZING PTA is still looking for volunteers to help, and of course as a Family Event, we want everyone to come out and enjoy the
But don't forget about WEDNESDAY. Mustangs will be competing for Millions Bazillion during our school assembly and then again at our evening Family Event. We hope to see you there.
Let's Make It Another Great Week to Be An O. Henry Mustang,
Marlo Malott
Happening This Week Around Campus
Monday, September 25
- School Holiday
Tuesday, September 26:
- 4:00-- HW Club in Library
- 6:00 - 7A OHMS vs. Murchison Football at House Park
- 7:30 - 8A OHMS vs. Murchison Football at House Park
Wednesday, September 27
- Wear a College/Career Shirt Day
- 7:00 A - Cross Country and Running Club Practice
- 4:00-- HW Club in Library
- 5:30-- Family Night- Millon Bazillion Live- American Public Radio at OHMS Lg Gym
- 6:00 - 7B Football @ Murchison, 8B Football @ OHMS
Thursday, September 28
- 4:00-- HW Club in Library
- 6:00 - 7th Grade Volleyball vs. Paredes
- 6:00 - 8th Grade Volleyball @ Paredes
Friday, September 29
- Wear OHMS Spirit Shirt Day--
- 6th Wear a Red Shirt
- 7th Wear a White Shirt
- 8th Wear a Black Shirt
- No HW Club after school on Fridays
- ROUND UP- 3:30-6:30
Million Bazillion Live! “Who Wants to be a Bazillionaire?” Sponsored by Greenlight
Parents and Guardians, we are thrilled to announce that our school has been awarded the opportunity to host a new tour focused on financial literacy on our campus at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, September 27th.
Presented in a fun and entertaining game show format, Million Bazillion Live! “Who Wants to be a Bazillionaire?” Sponsored by Greenlight is an immersive experience with personal finance trivia and challenges. During their day of performances on campus, students will cheer on their classmates while learning about real money matters such as budgeting, saving, investing and interest rates. To learn more, please visit millionbazillionlive.com.
American Public Media’s® (APM) Marketplace®, the most widely consumed business and economic news programming in the country, has partnered with Greenlight® Financial Technology, Inc. (Greenlight), the fintech company focused on helping parents raise financially smart kids, to launch this dynamic financial literacy tour.
The show is based on Million Bazillion, a Webby award-winning podcast from Marketplace® that inspires families to talk about money. Described as “a godsend for anyone who knows a little kid with big questions about money,” by the New York Times, the podcast tackles questions from “What is a credit card” to “How do I save money?” and “How does inflation work?”
We are so excited to have this tour at our school and look forward to watching our students gain critical life skills while enjoying a live performance with their peers.
Cross Country Updates
Congratulations to the Cross Country team! The 7th and 8th graders competed in the McNeil Invitational on Saturday. Great job, team!
The season is coming to an end this week. Our last practice is this Wednesday, 9/27, and our last meet will be at the Marble Falls Invitational on Saturday, 9/30.
Boys Soccer 2023 Information
Coach Gray coaches the A Team scott.gray@austinisd.org
Coach Hibbard coaches the B Team leslie.hibbard@austinisd.org
If your 7th or 8th grade boy is interested in playing soccer this fall, please fill out the following survey -HERE
Soccer Tryout Information
-You must have a completed AISD physical in order to try out for Soccer. The entire physical packet must be completed, with signatures, in order to be valid. The physical must be turned in by the first day of tryouts.
-Pre-Tryout Practice will be held after school from 4:00 to 5:15 on the following dates: October 10th, 12th, 13th, 17th.
-Tryouts will be 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm on October 19th and 20th.
-Please wear cleats and shin-guards to every practice.
Regular Practice Schedule (subject to change)
- Monday, 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
Our Game schedule is shown in the survey above. If your child participates in club soccer and has game/practice conflicts, please reach out to me. We can work out a plan to make sure they can still participate.
Stock up on Spirit + Athletic Wear at BSN Team Store by 9/28
The Mustang Club is selling spirit wear and athletic wear through BSN and 10% of proceeds will benefit O.Henry! All items can be purchased online and will ship directly to your home. The deadline to place an order is 9/28/2023. Shop HERE: BSN
Please Contact Shannon Grethel with questions at shannon_mullen@yahoo.com
Gifted and Talented (GT) Information
Gifted and Talented (GT) Information
The nomination windows for GT identification will be open from September 18th - October 6th for middle school. This will be the only nomination window for this school year. If you are interested in nominating your child to be evaluated for GT services, please complete the referral form using the link below. If your child has already been identified as GT in AISD, they do not need to be reevaluated. Any questions can be directed to our campus GT Advocate, Casi Cook. (casi.cook@austinisd.org)
If you would like more information about GT services in AISD, there are two Virtual Gifted & Talented Information Sessions coming up on September 19th at 6pm or September 20th at 12:00pm. Use the Zoom link below to attend. Contact advancedacademics@austinisd.org with questions or for more information.
Fine Arts News
Art in Action
James J-6th Grade
Chloe H-6th Grade
Valentina B.R. _7th Grade
Jazz Band News
We are starting after school rehearsals on Monday, September 11. Rehearsal will be from 4:00 until 4:40 in the Jazz Room (Room 701). Jazz band is for experienced students who play Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Piano, Guitar, Bass, and Drums. If you're just starting an instrument, you'll be able to join in the fun in the future when you have a few more skills. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Ms. Boltz at jennifer.boltz@austinisd.org
Jazz band will be an ongoing ensemble throughout the school year. We will be playing both swing and rock style songs. Come and play along!
It's Round Up Time!
WANTED: Sponsors, Donors and Volunteers
We need YOU and EVERY dollar counts!
Click HERE to make a donation or find out more!
Sponsor --- There’s still time to donate!
Many thanks to every family who has already sponsored! You have only missed your name on the banner at Round Up but can still have your name listed on the entry banners and the Exposition fence signs. This is the main time during the school year that the PTA asks for money donations. We welcome EVERY family to give ANY amount to show their support for our amazing school. Click HERE to make your donation.
THANK YOU to our generous sponsors as of Thursday, September 21st!
Thoroughbred
Harrell Investment Partners
Jennifer & Jimmy Murchison
Poolie
Tarrytown Pharmacy
Stallion
Benchmark Bank
Emily and Clayton Chandler
Marjann and Michael Cooper
The Duckworth Family
Easy Tiger
Frost Bank
Horizon Bank
The Ip Family - Vincent, Lindsey, Vince, Cole and Ivy
Natalie and Trent Kelly
Basil, Kelly and Samuel Mahmoud
Merritt Law
Acia and Edward Moody
The Person Family
The Rigby Family
The Skloss Family
Dalton and Victor Young
Appaloosa
The Albee Family
The Alexander Family
Lissa Gray Anderson / Gottesman Residential
Austin Radiological Association
The Barksdale Family
The Dow Family
April & Josh Fox
The Grethel Family
The Hadlock Family
Mini Kahlon & Raj Patel
Kelly Legal Group
Kindred Realty Group
The Kolerich Family
The Laverty Family
Lucas Tire & Auto
The Majors Family
The Matetich Family
Nantz Orthodontics
Hunter & Robert Norris
Angie Kaps-Oberman
The Pac Family
The Roberts Family
The Seiler Family
The Shirk Family
Kelly & Offir Schwartz
SWBC MORTGAGE CORPORATION
The Trantham Family
The Wittenbraker Family
Clydesdale
Archer Investment Management
The Bludworth Family
The Butterworth Family
The Campbell Family
Brad & Jessica Dierks
Annie Downing Interiors
The English Family
Rick and Heidi Hansen
Team Harrison
Anne and Charlie Henderson
Lynn and Ryan Kasten
The Koster Family
The Krieg Family
Kelley and Joe Newberry
The Owens Family
The Pounds Family
Kit Purdy
The Rousseas Family
James and Jessica Scott
Anna and Ben Smith
Tarrytown Dance
The Thomas Family
Quarterhorse
The Alejandro Family
Barre 3 Austin Downtown
Heather and Bobby Chesney
The Daigle Family
The Edmonds Family
The Elder Family
James Gonin, LLC
Xio Goss
Kevin Haines - Realty Austin
The Jester Family
Meredith and Alan Marks
Metcalf/Burke Family
Sam Monreal
The Nehme Family
Mary Emma Partain
Suzanne & Gary Perez
Ranger Environmental Services
Dave and Amber Reed
The Salman Family
Teeter/Segrest Family
The Vertuno Family
Lisa Womack
Palomino
The Beavers Family
The Calver Family
Raluca Carp
CHA Law Group, PC
The Crumley Family
Allen & Alison Darnell
The Goldstein Family
The Granato Family
Jeter-Myers Family
Jim McHugh
Mark Menzie
Ashley Morgan
Ross & Joyce Purdy
MORE WAYS TO HELP ROUND UP!
Volunteers Needed --- Over half our shifts are still open!
Volunteers make Round Up possible and we have almost 100 shifts left to fill. There are many FUN opportunities to help including supervising game booths, chaperoning the dance, working drink stations, and providing supplies. Sign up HERE or email Jenni Shirk at shirkyfamily@yahoo.com
Be and Mane Man (or Woman)
The OHMS Mane Men need volunteers for set up Friday morning and tear down after Round Up. Sign up HERE or email Will Majors at wmajors6980@gmail.com
Donate Drinks
Please donate drinks for Round Up now through September 29th. We need cans of Sprite, Coke, Diet Coke and Dr. Pepper and 12 or 16-ounce bottles of water in 6-packs, 12-packs or cases. Drop off donated drinks in the office and mark them “For Round Up.”
Buy Tickets or $30 All-Access Wristbands
Kids will need tickets ($5 for a card with 10 tickets) or a wristband ($30 for all-access to booths & games plus the dance) to participate in the booths and games at Round Up. Food and drinks can be purchased with cash or card. Tickets and wristbands will be for sale at the event and during lunch the week of Round Up. Bypass the lines by preordering HERE to pick up at the event. The deadline to pre-order is Monday, September 25th. Tickets or wristbands ordered online will be available for pick up at the ticket/wristband table at Round Up. Questions? Email Leslie Newberry at leslienewberry@yahoo.com
Raffle
Win awesome raffle items like 2 tickets to UT vs. Kansas Football, 2 tickets to UT vs. BYU Football, 2 Lexus Box tickets to an Austin FC game (excluding Miami), $200 gift card to Tiff’s Treats, 2 tickets to Parker McCollum at Moody Center, 4 Tickets to any show at Moody Amphitheater, a Junk Food Basket, a Candy Basket and a Spa and Brunch package with a signature facial from Milk and Honey and Breakfast basket of fresh pastries from Easy Tiger.
Middle School Dance
OHMS students and their middle school friends are invited to a dance in the gym during Round Up from 4:00-6:00. The $30 Round Up wristband will cover entry into the dance. There will be an option to purchase a $10 dance only wristband at the event. The dance will have staggered end times by grade level:
5:40 for 6th graders
5:50 for 7th graders
6:00 for 8th graders
Questions? Email Joy Speer at joymarshallspeer@gmail.com
Backpack Storage
We will provide backpack storage in the cafeteria during Round Up. Students are welcome to keep their backpacks will them, but no backpacks will be allowed in the dance.
PTA Strong: Join O. Henry PTA Today!
Please consider joining O. Henry PTA for the 2023-24 school year. Your membership in the PTA helps support the many valuable programs and activities that occur throughout the year at O.Henry Middle School. We are committed to nurturing every student’s well-being and providing opportunities to show appreciation for our hard-working staff. Please help us reach our goal of 275 members and join today!
September PTA Events:
Wednesday, Sept. 27th at 6 p.m. for an informative parent session financial literacy for children. Students will have sessions during the day and parents will be able to learn more in the evening. These sessions were made possible by a grant from NPR. Parent education is part of our PTA mission so please make plans to attend!
Friday, Sept 29, 3:30-6:30 p.m. for Round-Up! Students, parents and the entire community look forward to this community-wide event. Don't forget to pre-order student wristbands and we need more parent volunteers. Find out more here: ohenrypta.org/round-up/
We need PTA Volunteers!
Parent involvement is what makes a school GREAT!
Please consider giving your time and talent to the Mustang Family. We have volunteer opportunities that accommodate a wide variety of interests and availability from front office staff, Mustang Mall, library, Honor Roll assemblies and more! Please sign up for volunteer opportunities HERE
MUSTANGS CARE! - Community Support Program
O. Henry Middle School is excited to once again provide our community with the Mustangs Care program.
Mustangs Care addresses specific staff, student and family needs as they arise, such as a student who needs school supplies or a family who is experiencing financial difficulties and needs grocery money or a staff member who has experienced a loss. We have a wonderfully diverse community and are fortunate to have many resources and a fabulously generous group. Please join us in helping our Mustang community - if you want to be on the email list to receive these special requests to help, please email Jessica Hershey at jesshershey@gmail.com. Thank you!
Grateful for a Teacher? Be their Secret Parent Pal!
Thank you to our amazing PTA Volunteers!
Thank you to Anne Henderson and Sara Trantham for arranging Breakfast Bites for the amazing O. Henry teachers and staff last week!
News In Review - Previously Published, Reposted For Your Reference
ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE REPORTING
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.
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