Pony Express
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF O. HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal's Update - Week of August 31 - September 4
O. Henry Families,
I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere thanks to all of you for joining us for Back to School Night. It was wonderful to see so many of you on campus, walking the halls, and meeting our incredible teachers. It was a pleasure to see you exploring the classrooms and witnessing firsthand the passion our teachers have for building relationships and supporting your students from day one.
A special thank you to our PTA for providing dinner for staff on Back to School Night. And an extra warm shout out to Renee Bair and Laura Cross for setting up the special pizza dinner and the beautiful decorations.
I am incredibly excited about this school year. The strong start we experienced together during Back to School Night is a first step towards academic growth that will take place in our classrooms over the coming months.
Please mark your calendars for our next events:
O. Henry Beautification Day on Saturday, September 12th 8:30-11:00 am
Round Up on September 25th, 3:30-6:30. See this week's Pony Express for lots of ways to get involved with the school's biggest event of the year.
It is a great day to be an O. Henry Mustang.
Giddy Up!
Camie Fillpot,
O. Henry Principal
O. HENRY ROUND UP 2026
Friday, September 25
3:30–6:30pm
Round Up is a fun, family-friendly carnival at O. Henry that’s open to our entire community. Join us for games, a bungee jump, inflatables, food trucks, and a middle school dance!
While Round Up is a fun community tradition, it is also the O. Henry PTA’s largest annual fundraiser. This year, with significant budget challenges across AISD, the support of our entire community is more than appreciated, it is essential.
Our 2026 fundraising goal is $150,000. Every dollar raised goes directly back to our students, teachers, and school, to provide resources and opportunities that support the O. Henry experience, including:
New library furniture and books
Updated cafeteria and classroom technology
Outdoor water fountains and shade sails
Drama and chess programs
Mustang Cares, ensuring every student can participate in activities and field trips
Feed and supplies for our unique agriculture program
New art supplies and science lab supplies
Teacher appreciation and classroom wish lists
And more needs across the school
We hope you’ll join us for Round Up and help the PTA reach our $150,000 goal! Together, we can show our students how much our community believes in them and help ensure they continue to have the resources and opportunities to thrive.
For information on sponsorship, wristbands, and volunteer opportunities visit https://ohenrypta.org/round-up/
Parents reached out that they forgot to save the QR codes for the teacher wishlists on Wednesday night. Here are the links to some of the teacher wishlists. We will add more in the coming weeks.
Thanks for supporting educational excellence in O. Henry classrooms.
Texas Public schools are funded by attendance and correct coding for absences.
If your student is absent for illness or any other issue, we request that you please use the AISD absence reporting link.
No need to pick up the phone and call the office - you can click the picture below to go directly to our form!
Daily attendance time will remain the same as last year at 9:45 AM.
NEW 8/28: Gifted and Talented (GT) Identification Window and Information
The nomination window for GT identification is now open for middle school. The window closes October 16th and this will be the only nomination window for this school year. If you are interested in nominating your child for GT services, please fill out this form: CLICK ME.
Please note that signing the form gives permission for your child to be tested and screened for the Austin ISD Gifted and Talented Program. If you have any questions, please contact Casi Cook. (casi.cook@austinisd.org)
ATHLETICS
ALL 26-27 Athletes Must Have A Physical Dated After Apr 15 2026 - ALL SPORTS
- You must have a CURRENT AISD physical (signed/dated after April 15th, 2026) in order to try out. PHYSICAL FORMS (click me) or are in the front office, and they must be filled out in their entirety (e.g., students and parents must sign the Participation Form; explain any “yes” marked questions in medical history; complete Emergency Card). Upon completion, please upload physical and complete online forms. (QR CODE at the bottom right of physical form.)
- You must complete all Rank One UIL Online Forms and be GREEN in the Rank One system before participation. Rank One Instructions (click me)
NO COMPLETED FORMS = NO EQUIPMENT
Tennis Tryouts - Click Flyer to Sign Up
7th Grade Football Info
Click the link above in order to view detailed information re: physicals, rosters, tickets, and parent communication.
Coaches:
7th Grade Football Schedule
8th Grade Football Info
Click the link above in order to view detailed information re: physicals, rosters, tickets, and parent communication.
A-Team Coaches:
B-Team Coaches:
Volleyball - 7th Grade Girls' A and B Teams
Coach Kristine Kobs (A team) kristine.kobs@austinisd.org
Coach Crystal Gaffney (B team) crystal.gaffney@austinisd.org
Volleyball Tryout Information
-You must have a completed physical in order to try out for volleyball. Rank One: https://www.austinisd.org/athletics/forms
-7th grade tryouts will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Aug 19th and 20th.
-Tryouts will begin at 7:15 am and go through 1st per athletics.
-There may be an additional tryout for girls who make the first cut at 7:15 am on Friday, Aug 21st.
-Please wear athletic clothes and knee pads.
7th Grade Game Schedule
Weekly 7th Grade Practice Schedule:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 7:15 am - 1st period athletics
Thursday - practice only during 1st period, Game Day
Friday - practice only during 1st period
**7th C Team practices scheduled Mondays and Wednesdays after school through 5 pm in the small gym.
Volleyball - 8th Grade Girls A and B Teams
Coach Hinojosa (B Team): victoria.hinojosa@austinisd.org
Volleyball Tryout Information
-You must have a completed physical in order to try out for volleyball. Rank One: https://www.austinisd.org/athletics/forms
-Tryouts will begin during 8th period athletics and will end after school at 5:00pm.
- Please wear athletic clothes and knee pads.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8th period athletics - 5:00pm
Thursday - practice only during 8th period, Game Day
Friday - practice only during 8th period
**8th C Team practices scheduled Mondays and Wednesdays after school through 5 pm in the small gym.
C Team Volleyball - 7th and 8th Grade
Attention all 7th and 8th grade C team Volleyball players. Practices have begun, and further practices will be Mondays and Wednesdays after school through 5 pm, in the small gym.
Hope to see you there! - Coach Elliott Hilliard
NEW! 8/28 Cross Country Meet Schedules
Come out and join the Cross Country team! Cross Country is open to all 7th and 8th graders. Come dressed out and ready to run. Practices are every M W F at 6:55 until early October. We meet at the O. Henry track. Most races are on Saturdays. Be sure to upload your physical to Rank One before the first practice. Email Coach Parker if you have any questions at jenny.parker@austinisd.org
O. Henry 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.
Hometown Sports Ticket Link - Click Photo or Scan QR Code
FINE ARTS + PERFORMING ARTS
OHMS PTA Updates
UPCOMING PTA DATES
📣 PTA General Meeting- Friday, September 11th 8:00–9:00 a.m.
🌱 Beautification Day- Saturday, September 12th 8:30–11:30 a.m.
🤠Round Up 2026- Friday, September 25th 3:30–6:30 p.m.
Stay connected!
PTA Website | Instagram: @ohmspta
PONY UP! OHMS Needs Your Help!
PONY UP! OHMS NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Round Up is O. Henry Middle School’s biggest annual fundraiser and a fun, family-friendly fall carnival. This year’s event is Friday, September 25 from 3:30–6:30pm, and the whole community is welcome to join us for carnival games, a bungee jump, inflatables, food trucks, and a middle school dance!
While Round Up is a fun community tradition, it is also the O. Henry PTA’s largest annual fundraiser. This year, with significant budget challenges across AISD, the support of our entire community is more than appreciated, it is essential.
Our 2026 fundraising goal is $150,000. Every dollar raised goes directly back to our students, teachers, and school, to provide resources and opportunities that support the O. Henry experience, including:
New library furniture and books
Updated cafeteria and classroom technology
Outdoor water fountains and shade sails
Drama and chess programs
Mustang Cares, ensuring every student can participate in activities and field trips
Feed and supplies for our unique agriculture program
New art supplies and science lab supplies
Teacher appreciation and classroom wish lists
And more needs across the school
You can also help by donating in-kind! think cool gadgets and goodies (speakers, candy, and more), experiences (like tickets to UT sports), and gift certificates for fun services and activities. Help us make the raffle one of the most exciting parts of Round Up! To donate in kind, contact roundup@ohenrypta.org.
WAYS TO SUPPORT ROUND UP
• Make a donation of any amount
• Become a Round Up sponsor
• Volunteer your time
• Join us at the carnival!
We hope you’ll join us for Round Up! Together, we can show our students how much our community believes in them and help ensure they continue to have the resources and opportunities to thrive.
For information on sponsorship, wristbands, and volunteer opportunities visit https://ohenrypta.org/round-up/
If you have any questions, reach out to the Round Up Co-Chairs: Jenny St. George, Erinn Edmonds, and Kirsten Matetich at roundup@ohenrypta.org.
MUSTANG MALL
Parents, we need your help at the Mustang Mall! The Mustang Mall lives in the OHMS cafeteria and supplies students with anything they may need throughout the day: lipbalm, PE shirts, OHMS spiritwear, gym locks, fidgets, pencils, paper, etc.! Shifts are one hour during lunch and a fun way to support our amazing student body! Sign up here
PTA Membership
Your membership in the PTA helps support the many valuable programs and activities that occur throughout the year at OHMS. We are firmly committed to every child’s well- being and to improving school performance. Please help support our efforts and join today! Link to Join
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 have access to the directory, please fill out the information found at this link.
Lost and Found Volunteer Signup
PTA is looking for volunteers to assist campus office staff in sorting and organizing lost and found items so our students can find them, and bringing labeled items to the office so school staff can deliver them. This is an invaluable job, especially whenever the weather changes.
Sign up to help reunite students and their possessions here!
Questions? Contact Tegra Swogger - (512) 922-0988 or tegralillie@gmail.com
Beautification Day
Let’s get OHMS looking its best!
We need your help cleaning up flower beds and sprucing up campus before Round Up. Grab your family and come lend a hand! NJHS service hours available.
📅 Saturday, September 12th
⏰ 8:30–11:30 a.m.
Bring a water bottle and gardening gloves if you have them. We’ll provide the rest!
Librarian's Corner - Battle of the Books Signup Continues!
The list of books for this year's Battle of the Books has been selected! Last year was the first time O. Henry competed, and it was so much fun.
Battle of the Books is a quiz-show-style competition between AISD middle schools (plus a few surrounding districts) where teams answer questions about books from many different genres.
This year we'll be reading:
Nonfiction: Free Lunch by Rex Ogle
Realistic/Sports: Free Throws, Friendship, and Other Things We Fouled Up by Jenn Bishop
Mystery/Adventure: I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall
Realistic/Romance: Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
Manga: Mashle: Magic and Muscles (Volume 1) by Hajime Komoto
Fantasy: Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Realistic: Restart by Gordon Korman
Historical: War Games by Alan Gratz
Graphic Novel: When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
We have these in the library, and they're also widely available at any bookstore. All students are encouraged to participate! Ms. Horvath and her library team will continue to publicize one-off and continuing events throughout the school year for interested students, and students are welcome to visit the library every morning starting at 8 AM.
Repeated Logistical Info - Attendance, Bell Schedules, Transportation, and More!
Walking, Biking, Busing, and Driving to O. Henry
- Westbound dropoff/pickup is fastest and safest for students
- For pickups during the day, feel free to park on 10th Street, otherwise keep clear
- Be mindful of bikers and walkers during peak times
- Bike racks located by front entrance
School Supply Info
Community Events and Information
O. Henry Book Drive - Supporting Literacy and O. Henry Reading Challenge !
Help fuel a love for reading at O. Henry! During our campus-wide STIR (Strategies to Improve Reading) time in ACES, every single student will "drop everything and read."
To make this time as engaging as possible, our teachers are building small classroom libraries—and we need your help!
We are hosting a Middle School Book Drive to collect gently used books looking for a new home. If you have age-appropriate books your family has outgrown, please consider donating them.
What we need: Gently used middle school-level books
Where to drop off: O. Henry Main Office
Thank you for supporting our students and helping us build a vibrant culture of reading!
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
Yearbook on Instagram:@o.henryyearbook