Pony Express
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF O. HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mustang Families,
Thank you for an amazing fall semester at O. Henry Middle School. There is so much to celebrate, from student achievements and performances to the strong sense of community that makes our campus so special. As we head into winter break, I hope each of you has exactly the kind of time you need, whether that means traveling for adventure or enjoying quiet moments at home. I’ll be spending a restful break with my family and gathering with my parents in Georgetown for Christmas.
Wishing you and your family a joyful, restful, and well-deserved break.
Fall Sports Playoffs
Congratulations to our 7th and 8th grade girls basketball teams, who competed in the playoffs at home on Wednesday night.
7th grade defeated Murchison
8th grade defeated Bailey
Both teams finished 3rd place in our division, an outstanding accomplishment.
In addition, our Mustang soccer team competed in the playoffs and earned 5th place in the division.
We are incredibly proud of our athletes and coaches for a fantastic season
Austin High Course Selection Upcoming Dates:
Future Maroons, it’s almost time to pick your courses for Austin High! Please see below for upcoming dates regarding course selection.
Tuesday, Jan 6: 8th graders receive their choice sheets back. Earlier in the fall, AHS counselors worked with 8th grade students on draft choice sheets for Austin High. 8th graders will receive a copy of their draft choice sheets to look over with their guardians before selecting courses.
Monday, Jan 12th: AHS will host an information session about course selection. Students/guardians will be able to select their courses with the help of AHS counselors. This event will take place at 6PM at Austin High School
Tuesday, Jan 13th: AHS counselors visit O. Henry during science classes to help 8th graders select their courses for AHS. Selections are final. Students will need to bring their choice sheets to school.
8th grade students who are applying to transfer into Austin High (or another high school) will be able to select their courses once their transfer is accepted. For transfer enrollment timelines and information, please see the Enroll Austin website.
Car, Bus, Bike, and Walking Transportation
Bus Transportation: Students who take AISD buses will be picked up and dropped off on Wayside Dr on the east side of the property. The map to the side shows our bus lane. Families use the Where's the Bus through the AISD Portal or the phone app to track bus arrival times. Students pick up and drop off in the same place on Wayside Drive. Link to AISD's Bus Transportation Department homepage with contact information. Families seeking a "bus pass" to ride a route that they are not zoned to cannot be placed on routes for the first two weeks of school until space for zoned riders is confirmed. More information is available 7:45 am to 4:45 pm Monday though Friday at 512-414-0238.
Car Riders, Walkers, and Map: We understand that car dropoff can be a stressful time for families, especially at the beginning of the year for unfamiliar drivers and passengers. The map to the side shows the main drop off areas as well as the bus lane. While we do not close the street to eastbound traffic, having cars travel westbound on 10th Street is the safest option so that students do not have to cross in front of traffic or risk opening doors into traffic.
Staying on Campus Once Dropped Off: A reminder to all students, whether walkers, car riders, or bus riders, that once your mode of transportation has brought you to campus, you may not leave the campus to visit HEB, 7/11, or other locations. Students may not leave the property without being checked out by their guardian.
