Pony Express

In This Issue:

• Principal's Message
• Happening This Week at O. Henry
• Incident Report
• Staff Spotlight - Robbi Horvath, Librarian
• Roundup Save the Date (Sept 29th)
  
• Athletics News
• Mustang Club Membership Flyer - Support for Athletics
• Library News- Book Clubs at Lunch
• PTA Updates: Round Up, PTA Membership, Call for Volunteers, Secret Pals, Thank You's
  
• Photos Around O. Henry
  
• Club Announcements
• Previously Posted Logistical Resources: Bell Schedule, AISD Calendar, Absence Reporting, Transportation, AISD Health Services
  

Monday, September 11th:

• 7:00 A - Cross Country and Running Club Practice
• 4:00-- HW Club in Library
• 4:00-4:40 - Mustang Jazz Band Rehearsals

Tuesday, September 12th:

• 4:00-- HW Club in Library
• 6:00 - 7A OHMS vs. Lamar Football at House Park
• 7:30 - 8A OHMS vs. Lamar Football at House Park

Wednesday, September 13th:

• Wear a College/Career Shirt Day
• 7:00 A - Cross Country and Running Club Practice
• 4:00-- HW Club in Library
• 6:00 - 7B Football @ OHMS, 8B Football @ Murchison MS

Thursday, September 14th

• 4:00-- HW Club in Library
  
• 6:00 - 7th Grade Volleyball vs. Paredes
• 6:00 - 8th Grade Volleyball @ Paredes

Friday, September 15th

• Wear OHMS Spirit Shirt Day
• 6:30 - Austin HS Future Maroon Game @ House Park: O.Henry students are invited to run the tunnel at the upcoming Maroons football game. The first 150 students at the game are free!
  
• No HW Club after school on Fridays

This week we would like to shine our Staff Spotlight on Robbi Horvath, who serves as O. Henry Middle School's librarian!

Students and staff alike know our campus library as a place where students can check out books and resources relative to their interests, but running a modern public school library program is so much more than stocking books on shelves! Librarians inside Austin ISD are integrated part of our instructional team, working together with PLCs to create lessons and learning opportunities throughout the year. In addition to growing reading interests, our library staff is happy to help students hone their research skills, using both paper and online resources to find high quality evidence and avoid plagiarism.

Throughout the year, Library staff also take an active role special events, such as running book fairs, setting up author visits (watch this space for more information!), and organizing book clubs, such as the three clubs already in progress!

Thank you for everything you do across our campus, Ms. Horvath!

O. Henry students have an opportunity to take an incredible journey to Costa Rica and Panama with parents and students in the spring break of 2025! Our 9-day tour will allow students to connect more deeply with a foreign culture and history and will showcase a glimpse of so much of what these two unique countries have to offer. You’ll snorkel in the Caribbean Sea, zipline through the tops of the jungle, participate in a traditional cooking class, and so much more!

This trip will fill up quickly, so please join our informational meeting where we’ll discuss:

● Where and when we’re going

● What we’ll see and do

● Travel logistics

● How your child can earn academic credit

● Flexible payment options that keep the tour affordable

All trip details (price, dates, travel partner, safety), will be revealed at the meeting on September 21st at 6:30 in the cafeteria. We have many students expressing interest, so we expect the trip to fill up quickly. I truly hope you and your student will be there!

If you plan to attend our informational meeting, please take 30 seconds to register here: https://bit.ly/3OOCHaZ.

Thank you,

Amber Bass Patterson

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!

Congratulations to the O. Henry Cross Country team, who competed in their first meet of the season at the St. Andrews Invitational on Saturday. A special congratulations to Jude Wilson who placed 2nd, Oscar WIlliams who placed 5th, and Annie Bettis who placed 15th. Great job OHXC!

Cross Country (7th and 8th grade)

Cross Country practice is on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 AM at the OH track.

6th Grade Running Club

Running Club is open to all 6th graders. We practice on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7AM at the OH track.

Please email jenny.parker@austinisd.org for more info!

Sign up with the Mustang Club and help support athletics at OHMS!

Please consider the following contributions to help support our program:

$30 Mustang Club membership

$100 contribution for each sport your child is participating in

($200 for two sports; $300 for three sports)

Scholarship donation of any amount that will support another student

JOIN THE MUSTANG CLUB

The Mustang Club supports all athletics at O. Henry Middle School by providing funds for coach stipends, new equipment, and equipment maintenance, as well as promoting school spirit and organizing volunteers. AISD does not provide funding for all of O. Henry’s athletic needs, and we appreciate the support of parents and the community to help fund the financial gap and maintain our high level of athletic offerings to students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.

Please consider the following contributions to help support our program:

• $30 Mustang Club membership

• $100 contribution for each sport your child is participating in ($200 for two sports;$300 for three sports)

• Scholarship donation of any amount that will support another student

Questions?

Heather Davis hmcusack@yahoo.com (512) 799-1759

Martha Dyess martha@marthasmallhomes.com (512) 587-0308

Shannon Grethel shannon_mullen@yahoo.com (832) 370-7960

Students, are you looking for a quiet, safe environment to work on homework without any interruptions or distractions? Can't make your teachers tutorials? Then Homework Club is the place for you!

What: An opportunity to work on any homework in a quiet environment.

When: Mondays-Thursdays from 4-5 pm.

Where: Library

If you have questions, please contact our main sponsor Mr. Jurkovic in room 208.

The OHMS library has now seen every ELA class and all students have had a chance to check out over 800 books in total!

Students can visit the library before school from 8-8:15 and during lunches with a pass. Students must eat lunches in the cafe before coming to the library.

Student book clubs start next week! We'll select our first books and meet new friends. Students can stop by the library to learn more.

• 8th grade (A lunch) meets Tuesday
• 7th grade (B lunch) meets Wednesday
• 6th grade (C lunch) meets Thursday

Click the image above to view the full Roundup Flyer and website updates!

Your annual PTA membership helps support many valuable programs and activities throughout the year at O.Henry. We are committed to nurturing every student’s well-being and providing opportunities to show our appreciation for our hard-working staff.

Membership is $12 - It's the best investment you'll make this year! Renew here: join today!

Friday, Sept. 15 - Calling all Future Maroons! O.Henry students are invited to run the tunnel at the upcoming Maroons football game at House Park, 6:30 p.m. The first 150 students at the game are free!

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/

Ever wonder who the parents are behind the front office desk? They are volunteers!! There is a role for EVERY parent at O. Henry based on your availability and interests, and we encourage you to participate at any level. New 6th grade parents - it's a great way to get involved and get to know the staff. Please sign up for volunteer opportunities at school HERE

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!

Join us at O. Henry on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 from 3:30-6:30 PM for a fun-filled evening for the entire family. We need sponsors and donors!! Round up is our primary PTA fundraiser, so if you own a local business or would like to donate, act now! Banner recognition deadline is September 22, but any amount from $5 to $5000 is appreciated and needed! Click here to sign up to sponsor or donate: ohenrypta.org/round-up/

Demonstrate your gratitude for O. Henry staff by becoming a Secret Pal! Sign up to be a Secret Pal and anonymously deliver a minimum of 4 small homemade or store-bought gifts to the front office throughout the year. This is a great way to show your love and support to the teachers and staff that make OHMS amazing. Email Chris Napierkowski at cnapierk@me.com to sign up to help!

We appreciate Rachel Price and Ivy Claflin, OHMS Resource Officer Green Sergeant Juarez from Austin ISD PD, and representatives from Austin ISD Crisis Intervention Team for speaking at our September Parent Coffee.

Thank you to Melanie Dow, Alison Darnell and Principal Malott for representing O. Henry PTA at the Austin High Vertical Team meeting for the Austin Council of PTAs!

2023-2024 General School Supply List

Attendance Laws and Regulations

Chromebook Distribution Questions

Enrichment/ACES Supplies We Are Looking For!

Foodservice Information: Breakfast and Lunch Menus, Meal Drop Off Guidelines

Safety Planning - Temperature and Weather Health Guidelines

Teacher Wishlist Items

Have a question or concern for the district, or aren't sure who to ask? Submit a Let's Talk at the button above.

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.

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