Pony Express
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF O. HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL
BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION
NEWSLETTER SECTIONS
Newsletter Sections
- Welcome NEW Mustangs!-- Still time to register for TRANSITION CAMP
- Mustang 101- Parent and Caretaker Information Session- Thursday, August 2nd
- Derby Day- Friday, August 11th- 4:00-6:00 PM
- Chromebook Pick Up
- Registration Reminders-helpful back to school resources
- 2023-2024 Bell Schedule
- Athletics News- NEW-- Physical Forms and Information for 23-24, Cross Country, Football and Volleyball Tryouts
- Band Camp
MUSTANG TRANSITION CAMP- STILL TIME TO REGISTER
Student Schedules- Pick up at DERBY DAY or view on the Parent and Student Portal
How do I get my student schedule?
Note: If you look before then, you will likely see something that is inaccurate.
- If you have not completed a choice sheet yet please see the link below or contact at counselor at ___
- As a friendly reminder, no change of mind requests will be offered. We had worked hard to try and give our students their top choices but there are times when a student's top choices do not all fit in the master schedules.
Registration Reminders and Helpful Links
Log in problems or any system issues- enrollment questions:
Parent Technology Support- (512)414- 9187
Office of Student Services- (512)414-1726
Helpful link to information about online registration
- O. Henry Website- https://ohenry.austinschools.org/
- Transportation/ Transportacion: https://www.austinisd.org/transportation
- Registration/ Registracion: https://www.austinisd.org/technology/parent-portal/student-registration
- Parent Portal/ Portal de Padres: https://www.austinisd.org/technology/parent-portal
- School Café: https://www.schoolcafe.com/austinisd
- Find your School/ Encuentra tu Escuela: https://www.austinisd.org/school-finder
- Transfer Information/ Informacion sobre Transferencia's: https://www.austinisd.org/school-finder
- Class choice Sheets/ Hojas de Eleccion de Classes: https://www.smore.com/ftmhc
- Parent Technology Support- (512)414- 9187
- Office of Student Services- (512)414-1726
- __________________________________
My student would like to attend O. Henry but do not live in the O. Henry attendance zone.
Parents need to complete the registration for the student first. Then continue with the transfer request, this is on their parent portal. If for some reason it is not showing type in “transfer” into the search bar and it should come up.
On the AISD transfer information it shows the status and current times they are working on. https://www.austinisd.org/transfer
We also have the Staff transfer file. It only allows us to view if their request has been denied or approved. http://aisdapp1.austinisd.org/StudentTransfer/stuSer.htm
Campuses do not handle transfers.
Find my attendance zone school: Attendance Zone
CHROMEBOOKS
Computer Pick-Up -
Chromebook pick up at Derby Day from Friday, August 11th from 4-6 p.m.. Students not able to attend Derby Day will be able to get their chromebook during ACEs during the first week of school.
Q. Can my student use their own laptop?
A. No. All OHMS students will need to use an AISD Chromebook. Some laptops have trouble connecting to the district wifi, your student will not be able to use personal laptops for district official testing, and the wear and tear of a student going to 8 classes a day are just a few of the reasons.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
O. Henry Middle School
General School Supply List
2023-2024
Get a Leg up on Basic Back to School Supplies to Start School: These supplies will be used throughout the school day in your core and elective classes. Replenish as needed, students will learn of additional needs mid August
- Athletics and PE Uniform Shirt--$5; students may wear any black shorts, leggings, track pants, skorts and a pair of rubber soled shoes.
- Lock for Physical Education/Athletics locker
- Pencils - No. 2
- Hand-held pencil sharpener
- Erasers (NO stretchy/kneaded rubber erasers please)
- Pack of colored pencils
- Pens
- Highlighters
- Pack of markers - variety of colors
- Pair of Scissors
- Glue sticks and/or small tape dispenser
- Optional: small container/bag to store these items
- Notebook paper (loose leaf/filler paper - college or wide ruled)
- Composition Books (100 pages) - Spiral bound notebook is acceptable, but not recommended
- 2 COLLEGE RULED Composition notebooks - one for each class - Science & Social Studies
- 2 WIDE RULED Composition notebooks- one for each class - Math & English Language Art
ATHLETICS NEWS
Cross Country -
Join the cross country team! Open to all 6th-8th graders as a fall sport. Practices will start the first week of school, Tues/Thurs 7am-8am. Meets will be held Fridays/Saturdays from Sept- Oct. Email jennifer.parker@austinisd.org with interest or questions!
Football and Volleyball tryouts will begin on August 15th (second day of school). Physicals must be completed and turned in before that date in order to try out.
Physical Forms are available in the Main Office at O. Henry and will be handed out to all interested students who are currently on campus.
Please make sure this is the form that is used when the physical is received. If it is not on the current form, it will not be accepted.
Steps to take to make sure Physical Form is complete and ready to be turned in:
The physical is on 2023-2024 Participation Form (yellow form in OHMS main office)
all information on the front page of form is filled out completely (all "yes" marked answers have a brief explanation on space provided).
BOTH STUDENT and PARENT SIGNATURES are completed (electronic signatures will not be accepted).
All students participating in athletics, marching band, cheerleading, drill team, and dance will be required to obtain a new physical dated after April 15, 2023 prior to participating in any practice or activity for the 2023-24 school year.
AISD Required Online Participation Forms
All athletes must complete Forms found in the parent portal at RankOneSport.
Parents can drop off completed Physical Forms on Friday, August 11st (DERBY DAY) from 4-6 pm or on the first day of school.
OHMS Band Camp
The OHMS Mustang Summer Band Camp is right around the corner! Band Camp will take place July 31 - August 3 (Monday - Thursday) from 1:30 - 4:30 PM. Rehearsals will take place in the OHMS band hall. Band Camp is free and open to all 7th and 8th grade band students with at least one year of playing experience. Students who attend band camp will get to perform with the O.Henry Pep Band in the fall. Pep Band provides school spirit by performing at pep rallies, two O.Henry football games, the Casis Carnival Parade, Mustang Round-Up, and other fun events. Band Camp is a great opportunity to improve your performance skills while learning some fun music. For more information, please contact Mr. Pinkney at sedric.pinkney@austinisd.org
Please use this link to RSVP for Summer Band https://forms.gle/GWSwyqZvt199euwT8
