Pony Express
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF O. HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Week of August 11-17, 2025
PRINCIPAL UPDATE
Dear Mustang Families and Caregivers,
At O. Henry Middle School, we are gearing up for a year filled with growth, and connection. Our staff is passionate about making sure every student feels welcomed, challenged, and supported from the very first day of school.
Last week, our teachers returned to campus, and the excitement is already building. Along with our dedicated staff, they will all be hard at work next week: planning engaging lessons, organizing inviting classrooms, and building a warm, supportive environment where every Mustang thrives. We can’t wait until our students join us on the first day of school, August 19th, to kick off what we know will be an amazing year at O. Henry Middle School.
This week, I’m especially looking forward to Derby Day, a perfect opportunity for students to get comfortable on campus before school starts. Please join us on Friday, August 15, from 4:00-6:00 PM for this fun tradition and take the opportunity to meet our incredible team.
Thank you for your trust and partnership. Here’s to an exciting and inspiring school year together, in pursuit of excellence!
With Mustang Pride,
Camie Fillpot
Interim Principal
Paul Kleiman
Assistant Principal
Mustang 101 Presentation
Did you miss Mustang 101?
Each year, the administrators and counselors hold a session for new and returning parents to have their questions answered by campus staff and experienced parents. Linked below is a copy of the slides from the evening of August 6th.
O. Henry Middle School Parent and Student Handbook 2025-2026
Derby Day
ATHLETICS
IMPORTANT INFO about Physicals for SPORTS
Attention all parents of student athletes:
Attention all parents of student athletes:
EVERYONE must complete these online forms as well as have a physical on file in order to try out or participate in any sport this school year. Please take a minute to complete these forms prior to Derby Day.
Thank you!
Ryan Richter
Athletic Coordinator/Physical Educator
O.Henry Middle School
512-414-7118
Cross Country
Attention all 7th and 8th graders:
Come out and join the cross country team! Our first practice will be held on Wednesday, 8/20, from 7 - 8 AM at the OH track. Come dressed out and ready to run. Bring a change of clothes for school.
Practices will be held every M-W-F at 7 AM until early October. Meets will be on Saturdays.
All students must have a current AISD physical exam and all Rank One forms filled out before the first practice. Contact Coach Parker for more information. jenny.parker@austinisd.org
Volleyball
7th Grade Tryouts
2025 7th Grade Volleyball Tryouts
Coach Kobs A Team kristine.kobs@austinisd.org
Coach Gaffney B Team crystal.gaffney@austinisd.org
Monday, August 18th
Open Gym 10:00-11:45 AM
Coaches will have the nets up and balls out for 7th and 8th grade girls to come play! Please pick up your girls no later than 11:45.
*NOT required and NOT coached
Tryouts:
You must have a current physical in order to try out for volleyball. The entire physical packet must be completed with signatures in order to be valid. The physical must be turned by the first day of tryouts (Wednesday, 8/20). We prefer to have them before Wednesday if possible. UIL forms will need to be completed by parents prior to the first game.
7th grade tryouts will be held Wednesday, Thursday, and possibly Friday (Aug. 20,21, possibly 22).
Please see this handout for further information about 7th grade Volleyball and Schedule
8th Grade Tryouts
2025 8th Grade A and B Volleyball Tryouts
Coach Cohen A Team macie.cohen@austinisd.org
Coach Borders B Team luke.borders@austinisd.org
Monday, August 18th
Open Gym 10:00-11:45 AM
Coaches will have the nets up and balls out for 7th and 8th grade girls to come play! Please pick up your girls no later than 11:45.
*NOT required and NOT coached
Tryouts:
You must have a current physical in order to try out for volleyball. The entire physical packet must be completed with signatures in order to be valid. The physical must be turned by the first day of tryouts (Wednesday, 8/20). We prefer to have them before Wednesday if possible. 8th grade tryouts will be held Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (Aug. 20,21,22).
Please see handout below for additional 8th grade volleyball information.
7th Grade Football Information
OHMS 7th Football Information 2025--
You may also find this information in the attachment below
Coach Richter ryan.richter@austinisd.org
Coach McNally patrick.mcnally@austinisd.org
Coach Gaffney kevin.gaffney@austinisd.org
Before trying out:
-You must have a CURRENT AISD physical (signed/dated after April 15th, 2025) 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).
-You must complete all Rank One UIL Online Forms before participation
Rank One Instructions (click me) (if needed)
Early Equipment Handout:
ONLY IF you have all physical forms and Rank One forms completed, we will issue football equipment and locker (please bring your own lock) on Derby Day (Friday, August 15th from 3:30PM-6PM).
NO COMPLETED FORMS = NO EQUIPMENT
We will continue issuing equipment Tuesday, 8/19 AFTER SCHOOL for those who did not get theirs on Derby Day.
7th Grade Practice times: Our first practice day will be Wednesday, August 20th - dressed and on the field promptly at 7am (doors to locker room will open at 6:45am). Please drop off along Exposition and NOT in the coaches parking lot. We will practice every single school day for the first THREE weeks @ 7am in order to get our UIL required practice dates in (Aug 20 - Sept 5). After the first three weeks we will practice only on days we have our 1st period Athletics class, so NO practices on Thursdays (for 7th grade).
7th grade STACK TEAM app: Please download the Stack Team app for the latest communications concerning practices, game changes, etc. We will use this for quick communications once we begin. OHMS 7 FOOTBALL 2025 now has their own smartphone app which is 100% FREE to join. It will keep you updated with all the latest news and events plus much more.
To get the full features of this app please go to the App Store or Google Play and download Stack Team App onto your mobile device, then follow these simple steps:
1. Sign-up to Stack Team App. You'll be sent an e-mail to activate your account.
2. Log-in and search for OHMS 7 FOOTBALL 2025, then request to become a member.
2025 A Football Schedule (click)
2025 B Football Schedule (click)
7th A Football Jersey Roster (coming soon)
7th B Football Jersey Roster (coming soon)
Items you’ll need to start: forms completed, O.Henry athletic tee (purchased at Mustang Mall and black shorts, cleats (please initial somewhere with permanent marker), mouthpiece if you have braces, a towel and any items needed for showering. Any personal football equipment must be two years or newer and approved by coaching staff.
Games: -7th grade games will start at 6:00pm for both A and B groups unless otherwise stated
Tickets to games at Burger/House Park/Nelson: (A team games)
Purchase tickets online via the Hometown fan app. Tickets will not be sold on campus or at the event.
All visitors are required to follow the clear bag policy:
Approved bags must be clear and not exceed 12 in. (by 6 in. by 12 in.) or be a clear one-gallon resealable plastic freezer storage bag.
One per person. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and have a maximum of one logo imprint not exceeding 4.5 in. tall x 3.4 in. wide.
Gamedays: We will keep all players playing with us for HOME/AWAY games and do a study hall and have a light snack (that each student will need to bring if we don’t have team meals) before we get ready for the game.
Uniform: Players will receive a game jersey before the game starts and will return the jersey after the game is over to be washed. We will wear our black practice pants as our game pants.
Transportation: There will be buses provided, students are encouraged to leave with their parents after the game, they must check out with the coach prior to doing so.
Water: Athletes are expected to bring their own personalized water bottles to practice and to games. Please encourage them to hydrate throughout the school day!
Injuries: Throughout the season there will be injuries that happen. Please communicate any injuries that your student athlete gets with us (assuming it’s not a serious injury) so we can direct you to the Athletic Trainer at Austin High School for best possible treatment.
If you go to a doctor, your student athlete must have a doctor's clearance letter before returning to practice/games.
Please feel free to contact us through email or the Stack Team app if you have any questions.
8th Grade Football Information
OHMS 8th Football Information 2025
You may also reference the attachment below.
Coaches:
Coach Wolfe 8A: jerrod.wolfe@austinisd.org
Coach Brouillard 8A: tyler.brouillard@austinisd.org
Coach Hilliard 8B: elliott.hilliard@austinisd.org
Coach Mehta 8B: neal.mehta@austinisd.org
Before trying out:
-You must have a CURRENT AISD physical (dated after April 15th, 2025) in order to try out. PHYSICAL FORMS (here) or are in the front office, and they must be filled out in their entirety (students and parents must sign the Participation Form and explain any “yes” marked questions).
-You must complete all Rank One UIL Online Forms before participation
Rank One Instructions (if needed)
Early Equipment Handout:
If you have all physical forms and rank one complete, we will issue football equipment and locker on Derby Day (Friday, August 15th from 4-6:00pm) if you don’t have the forms completed, you must wait to get your locker/equipment once completed. We will issue equipment on Monday after school as well.
8th Grade Practice times:
Due to new UIL Standards we will not be able to have afternoon practices with our pads on. 8th Grade will now practice in the mornings and then have walkthroughs (helmets only) during 8th Period Athletics.
Our first practice day will be Wednesday, August 21st in the morning at 6:45am (Locker Room opens at 6:30am)
1st 3 Weeks Practice Schedule: Practice Schedule
8th Grade Team Remind App:
We will be using Remind for communication regarding practices, games, etc. Please use the information below to sign up for the 8th Grade Football Remind.
Text @bd9faa to the number 81010
Or go to: https://www.remind.com/join/bd9faa
8th Grade Football Schedule 2025
Items you’ll need to start: forms completed, O.Henry athletic tee and shorts, cleats (please initial somewhere), mouthpiece if you have braces, a towel and any items needed for showering. Any personal football equipment must be two years or newer and approved by coaching staff.
Games: 8th Grade A-Team games start at 7:30 (10 Minutes after 7th Grade Ends)
8th Grade B-Team games start at 6:00pm
Tickets to games at Burger/House Park/Nelson Field: (A team games)
Purchase tickets online via the Austin ISD Athletic app or from the GoFan website. Tickets will not be sold on campus or at the event. (this ticket info may change as it was last seasons information)
All visitors are required to follow the clear bag policy:
Approved bags must be clear and not exceed 12 in. (by 6 in. by 12 in.) or be a clear one-gallon resealable plastic freezer storage bag.
One per person. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and have a maximum of one logo imprint not exceeding 4.5 in. tall x 3.4 in. wide.
Gamedays: We will keep all players playing with us for HOME/AWAY games and do a study hall and have a light snack (that each student will need to bring if we don’t have team meals) before we get ready for the game.
Uniform: Players will receive a game jersey before the game starts and will return the jersey after the game is over to be washed. We will wear our black practice pants as our game pants.
Transportation: There will be buses provided. Any students wishing to leave with their parents after the game must check out with the coach prior to doing so.
Water: Athletes are expected to bring their own personalized water bottles to practice and to games.
Injuries: Throughout the season there will be injuries that happen. Please communicate any injuries that your student athlete gets with us (assuming it’s not a serious injury) so we can direct you to the Athletic Trainer at Austin High School for best possible treatment.
If you go to a doctor, your student athlete must have a doctor's clearance letter before returning to practice/games.
Please feel free to contact us through email or the Remind Team app if you have any questions.
Mustang Club
BAND NEWS
Thank you to all of our Mustangs who participated in Band Camp before the start of the year. We look forward to a great year of music and spirit, and we will see you at Derby Day.
PTA NEWS
Upcoming PTA Dates:
- Derby Day - Friday, August 11, 4:00 to 6:00pm: PTA will have some tables with volunteer, membership and merchandise so please plan on attending and assisting.
- Round Up 2025 - Friday, September 26, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. All hands on deck! Please plan on volunteering at our #1 fundraising event.
ENROLL AUSTIN- 2025-2025
Annual Registration
Dear Parent or Guardian,
We hope your child has had a fantastic year so far at O. Henry! We appreciate your partnership this year and are thrilled to begin preparing for the upcoming year.
We wanted to announce that our annual registration process is now open. To ensure your child is all set for next year, you will need to register your child using the AISD Portal by mid-May.
Registering online will only take a few minutes and ensures your child has a smooth transition into the following year. This process allows us to make sure all of your information is up to date.
If you have any questions about the registration process, please call 512-414-7328 or our front office at 512-414-3229.
Lizbeth Rodriguez-Loza
Registrar/ PEIMS Clerk
SCHOOL CALENDARS
FUTURE AISD SCHOOL YEAR CALENDARS ARE SET ✅✅
Austin ISD trustees have approved the calendars for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.
For the 2025-26 school year, the first day of class for students will be Aug. 19 and the last day of class will be May 28, 2026.
For the 2026-27 school year, the first day of class for students will be Aug. 18 and the last day of class will be May 27, 2027.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Get Connected with WAYA
