Pony Express
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF O. HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Happy Friday, Mustangs!
Spring Break has arrived, and it is well deserved. Everyone has earned a chance to recharge. I hope our Mustang families are able to enjoy some time together. Whether your plans include travel, spending time with friends and family, or simply enjoying a slower pace for a few days, we wish you a wonderful and restful Spring Break.
While students are away, a few important things will be happening on campus. Our construction team met with staff during Tuesday’s faculty meeting to provide updates on the O. Henry modernization project. Fencing around the construction areas was completed last week, and portable classrooms will be installed over Spring Break. The construction team will be working to hook up electricity and prepare the portables; however, students and staff will not move into the portables until the 2026–27 school year. We appreciate your patience and support as we take these important steps toward improving our campus facilities.
STAAR Interim Progress Reports will be sent home soon. Math teachers will distribute progress reports to students this week, and ELA teachers will send home STAAR Interim progress reports by Friday, March 27. Please be on the lookout for these hard copies in your child’s backpack as we work to prepare our students for state testing in April.
Student Performances & Fine Arts Highlights
Congratulations to the O. Henry Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band for each earning a Sweepstakes trophy and Superior ratings in Concert and Sightreading at UIL this week. The OHMS Symphonic Band earned its UIL Sweepstakes trophy during the performance at the AISD Performing Arts Center. We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful for the leadership of Band Director Sedric Pinkney. Thank you to our students and families for the many hours of preparation and support that made this achievement possible.
8th Grade Families: Please bookmark our dedicated HS Advancement Newsletter! It will continue to be updated with relevant information throughout the spring.
Transfers:
General enrollment and general transfers such as to Austin HS opens on Feb 16th. Applications for admissions-based and magnet programs opened on January 12th.
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.
