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Pony Express

Week of September 18th-24th

Pony ExpressWeek of September 18th-24th
In This Issue: - See the Full-Length Roundup Feature This Week!
  • Principal's Message
  • Happening This Week at O. Henry
  • Incident Report
  • Gifted and Talented Nominations
  • Athletics News
  • Mustang Club Membership Flyer - Support for Athletics
  • Band News
  • Library News- Book Clubs at Lunch
  • Club Announcements
  • PTA Updates: Round Up, PTA Membership, Call for Volunteers, Secret Pals, Thank You's
  • Roundup Full Feature - Details and Volunteering Opportunities
  • Photos Around O. Henry
  • Previously Posted Logistical Resources: Bell Schedule, AISD Calendar, Absence Reporting, Transportation, AISD Health Services

Principal's Update

Mustangs,

We had a strong week filled with wins from our Volleyball and Football teams, Cheerleader on the coustangs,

We had a strong week filled with wins from our Volleyball and Football teams, Cheerleader on the court showing Mustang Pride, and many fans in the stands at our local events and at the AHS Vertical Team Night.


Our Mustangs have also been doing what they do best which is learning and collaborating in the classroom. Many projects, experiments, and published writings are underway. One of the ways our Mustangs can continue to be successful is by coming with a fully charged Chromebook to school everyday. At this time all of our students have been issued their device as should be an essential part of their daily school supplies.


Our 8th graders will be taking the PSAT on October 11th and we will be offering a brief information session about test, format, and the benefits of getting connected on the College Board account. Please join us on Tuesday evening via Zoom.


Just two weeks away is our biggest event of the year: Round Up! Our school carnival and dance is a great way to support our school and we hope all Mustangs and their families will volunteer and join us at our games, food court, inflatables, and school dance. Our PTA will be fundraising for school field trips, guest speakers and assemblies, program needs, technology, and campus improvement projects. We are so grateful for this huge support from our community.


Let's Make It Another Great Week to Be An O. Henry Mustang,

Marlo Malott

PSAT Information Zoom Link
https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/my/ohmsmustangs

Photos Around O. Henry - Sports, Academics, and More! Photos Around O. Henry - Sports, Academics, and More!

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French students circle up in order to practice listening and speaking skills.
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French students circle up in order to practice listening and speaking skills.
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A US History class personifies one of the original 13 colonies.
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A US History class personifies one of the original 13 colonies.
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Coaches McNally and Gray speak with the team following the 7B game against Murchison MS.
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OHMS hosted its bus drivers for our annual informational breakfast

Happening This Week Around Campus

Monday, September 18th:

  • 7:00 A - Cross Country and Running Club Practice
  • 4:00-- HW Club in Library
  • 4:00-4:40 - Mustang Jazz Band Rehearsals


Tuesday, September 19th:

  • 4:00-- HW Club in Library
  • 5:00-- 8th Grade PSAT Information Session via ZOOM
  • 6:00 - 7A OHMS vs. Lamar Football at House Park
  • 7:30 - 8A OHMS vs. Lamar Football at House Park


Wednesday, September 20th:

  • Wear a College/Career Shirt Day
  • 7:00 A - Cross Country and Running Club Practice
  • 4:00-- HW Club in Library
  • 6:00 - 7B Football @ OHMS, 8B Football @ Murchison MS


Thursday, September 21th

  • 4:00-- HW Club in Library
  • 6:00 - 7th Grade Volleyball vs. Paredes
  • 6:00 - 8th Grade Volleyball @ Paredes


Friday, September 22th

  • Wear OHMS Spirit Shirt Day
  • No HW Club after school on Fridays

Million Bazillion Live! “Who Wants to be a Bazillionaire?” Sponsored by Greenlight

Parents and Guardians, we are thrilled to announce that our school has been awarded the opportunity to host a new tour focused on financial literacy on our campus at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, September 27th.


Presented in a fun and entertaining game show format, Million Bazillion Live! “Who Wants to be a Bazillionaire?” Sponsored by Greenlight is an immersive experience with personal finance trivia and challenges. During their day of performances on campus, students will cheer on their classmates while learning about real money matters such as budgeting, saving, investing and interest rates. To learn more, please visit millionbazillionlive.com.

American Public Media’s® (APM) Marketplace®, the most widely consumed business and economic news programming in the country, has partnered with Greenlight® Financial Technology, Inc. (Greenlight), the fintech company focused on helping parents raise financially smart kids, to launch this dynamic financial literacy tour.


The show is based on Million Bazillion, a Webby award-winning podcast from Marketplace® that inspires families to talk about money. Described as “a godsend for anyone who knows a little kid with big questions about money,” by the New York Times, the podcast tackles questions from “What is a credit card” to “How do I save money?” and “How does inflation work?”


We are so excited to have this tour at our school and look forward to watching our students gain critical life skills while enjoying a live performance with their peers.

Incident Report

Gifted and Talented (GT) Information

Gifted and Talented (GT) Information


The nomination windows for GT identification will be open from September 18th - October 6th for middle school. This will be the only nomination window for this school year. If you are interested in nominating your child to be evaluated for GT services, please complete the referral form using the link below. If your child has already been identified as GT in AISD, they do not need to be reevaluated. Any questions can be directed to our campus GT Advocate, Casi Cook. (casi.cook@austinisd.org)


Referral Form Link


If you would like more information about GT services in AISD, there are two Virtual Gifted & Talented Information Sessions coming up on September 19th at 6pm or September 20th at 12:00pm. Use the Zoom link below to attend. Contact advancedacademics@austinisd.org with questions or for more information.


Zoom Link

Costa Rica and Panama Spring Break 2025 - Informational Meeting Sept 21


O. Henry students have an opportunity to take an incredible journey to Costa Rica and Panama with parents and students in the spring break of 2025! Our 9-day tour will allow students to connect more deeply with a foreign culture and history and will showcase a glimpse of so much of what these two unique countries have to offer. You’ll snorkel in the Caribbean Sea, zipline through the tops of the jungle, participate in a traditional cooking class, and so much more!


This trip will fill up quickly, so please join our informational meeting where we’ll discuss:


● Where and when we’re going

● What we’ll see and do

● Travel logistics

● How your child can earn academic credit

● Flexible payment options that keep the tour affordable


All trip details (price, dates, travel partner, safety), will be revealed at the meeting on September 21st at 6:30 in the cafeteria. We have many students expressing interest, so we expect the trip to fill up quickly. I truly hope you and your student will be there!


If you plan to attend our informational meeting, please take 30 seconds to register here: https://bit.ly/3OOCHaZ.


Thank you,

Amber Bass Patterson

BAND News

Tuesday, September 19 - AISD Marching Band Jamboree

Please join us on Tuesday, September 19, at the Tony Burger Stadium, 3200 Jones Road, Austin, TX 78745, for the 50th Annual AISD Marching Band Jamboree. It features marching bands from each high school in the district, and showcases their unique styles, talents, and hard work. Performances begin at 6:30 PM. This is an optional enrichment activity for O.Henry Band members and their families. Band members should wear their Mustang Band T-shirt to this event for free admission. Tickets are $3 for adults and are only available online. Children 12 and under are free. Purchase Tickets

Jazz Band News

We are starting after school rehearsals on Monday, September 11. Rehearsal will be from 4:00 until 4:40 in the Jazz Room (Room 701). Jazz band is for experienced students who play Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Piano, Guitar, Bass, and Drums. If you're just starting an instrument, you'll be able to join in the fun in the future when you have a few more skills. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Ms. Boltz at jennifer.boltz@austinisd.org


Jazz band will be an ongoing ensemble throughout the school year. We will be playing both swing and rock style songs. Come and play along!

Athletics News
Cross Country, Volleyball, Football, Physicals

Mustang Club

Sign up with the Mustang Club and help support athletics at OHMS!


Please consider the following contributions to help support our program:


$30 Mustang Club membership

$100 contribution for each sport your child is participating in

($200 for two sports; $300 for three sports)

Scholarship donation of any amount that will support another student


JOIN THE 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.


Please consider the following contributions to help support our program:


  • $30 Mustang Club membership

  • $100 contribution for each sport your child is participating in ($200 for two sports;$300 for three sports)

  • Scholarship donation of any amount that will support another student


Questions?

Heather Davis hmcusack@yahoo.com (512) 799-1759

Martha Dyess martha@marthasmallhomes.com (512) 587-0308

Shannon Grethel shannon_mullen@yahoo.com (832) 370-7960

Stock up on Spirit + Athletic Wear at BSN Team Store by 9/28

The Mustang Club is selling spirit wear and athletic wear through BSN and 10% of proceeds will benefit O.Henry! All items can be purchased online and will ship directly to your home. The deadline to place an order is 9/28/2023. Shop HERE: BSN

Please Contact Shannon Grethel with questions at shannon_mullen@yahoo.com

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Mustang Club QR codes 2023-2024.pdf
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FYI: Homework Club Continues This Week!

Students, are you looking for a quiet, safe environment to work on homework without any interruptions or distractions? Can't make your teachers tutorials? Then Homework Club is the place for you!


What: An opportunity to work on any homework in a quiet environment.


When: Mondays-Thursdays from 4-5 pm.


Where: Library


If you have questions, please contact our main sponsor Mr. Jurkovic in room 208.

Library News and Continued Book Clubs

The OHMS library has now seen every ELA class and all students have had a chance to check out over 800 books in total!


Students can visit the library before school from 8-8:15 and during lunches with a pass. Students must eat lunches in the cafe before coming to the library.


Student book clubs start next week! We'll select our first books and meet new friends. Students can stop by the library to learn more.


  • 8th grade (A lunch) meets Tuesday
  • 7th grade (B lunch) meets Wednesday
  • 6th grade (C lunch) meets Thursday

PTA Updates - Special Roundup Edition PTA Updates - Special Roundup Edition

Roundup Flyer with Hyperlink
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It's Round Up Time!


WANTED: Sponsors, Donors and Volunteers

We need YOU and EVERY dollar counts!

Click HERE to make a donation or find out more!

The O. Henry PTA depends on donations from families and community partners to make the Round Up fundraiser a success. The money raised will be used this school year to fund supplemental department budgets, staff stipends and the teacher wish list grants that enhance the learning experience for every student. The deadline for sign and banner recognition is Friday, September 22nd. Don’t let the levels make you think smaller donations don’t matter…whether it’s $5 or $5,000 or any amount in between, we welcome EVERY family to give ANY amount to show support for our amazing school!

THANK YOU to our generous sponsors as of Thursday, September 14th:

Thoroughbred

Harrell Investment Partners

Jennifer & Jimmy Murchison

Tarrytown Pharmacy


Stallion

Emily and Clayton Chandler

Marjann and Michael Cooper

Horizon Bank

Natalie and Trent Kelly

The Person Family

Dalton and Victor Young


Appaloosa

Austin Radiological Association

Barksdale Family

The Dow Family

The Grethel Family

The Hadlock Family

Kindred Realty Group

The Kolerich Family

The Majors Family

Hunter & Robert Norris

The Pac Family

The Seiler Family

The Shirk Family

The Wittenbraker Family


Clydesdale

The Campbell Family

Annie Downing Interiors

Anne and Charlie Henderson

Lynn and Ryan Kasten

The Koster Family

Kelley and Joe Newberry

Kit Purdy

The Thomas Family


Quarterhorse

Heather and Bobby Chesney

The Edmonds Family

The Elder Family

James Gonin, LLC

Xio Goss

The Jester Family

Meredith and Alan Marks

Mary Emma Partain

Dave and Amber Reed

The Vertuno Family

Palomino

The Beavers Family

CHA Law Group, PC
Allen & Alison Darnell

Jeter-Myers Family

Ross & Joyce Purdy

MORE WAYS TO HELP ROUND UP!

Volunteer

Volunteers make Rounds Up possible and we have almost 200 shifts to fill! There are many opportunities to help including supervising game booths, chaperoning the dance, working drink stations and providing supplies. Sign up HERE or email Jenni Shirk at shirkyfamily@yahoo.com

  • Be a Mane Man (or Woman)

The OHMS Mane Men need volunteers for set up before and tear down after Round Up. Sign up HERE or email Will Majors at wmajors6980@gmail.com

  • Donate Drinks

Please donate drinks for Round Up now through September 29th. We need cans of Sprite, Coke, Diet Coke and Dr. Pepper and 12 or 16-ounce bottles of water in 6-packs, 12-packs or cases. Drop off donated drinks in the office and mark them “For Round Up.”

  • Buy Tickets

Kids will need tickets ($5 for a card with 10 tickets) or a wristband ($30 for all-access to booths & games plus the dance) to participate in the booths and games at Round Up. Food and drinks will be cash only. Tickets and wristbands will be for sale at the event and during lunch the week of Round Up. Bypass the lines by preordering HERE to pick up at the event. The deadline to pre-order is Friday, September 22nd. Questions? Email Leslie Newberry at leslienewberry@yahoo.com

  • Middle School Dance

OHMS students and their middle school friends are invited to a dance in the gym during Round Up from 4:30-6:30. The $30 Round Up wristband will cover entry into the dance. There will be an option to purchase a $10 dance only wristband at the event. The dance will have staggered end times by grade level:

6:10 for 6th graders

6:20 for 7th graders

6:30 for 8th graders

Questions? Email Joy Speer at joymarshallspeer@gmail.com

QUICK ROUND UP LINKS

BECOME A SPONSOR by Friday, September 22nd

PREORDER TICKETS and WRISTBANDS by Friday, September 22nd

VOLUNTEER for a 1-hour shift (or two!)

VOLUNTEER to help set up in the morning or clean up after the event

PTA Strong: Join O. Henry PTA Today!

Please consider joining O. Henry PTA for the 2023-24 school year. Your membership in the PTA helps support the many valuable programs and activities that occur throughout the year at O.Henry Middle School. We are committed to nurturing every student’s well-being and providing opportunities to show appreciation for our hard-working staff. Please help us reach our goal of 275 members and join today!

September PTA Events:

Wednesday, Sept. 27th at 6 p.m. for an informative parent session financial literacy for children. Students will have sessions during the day and parents will be able to learn more in the evening. These sessions were made possible by a grant from NPR. Parent education is part of our PTA mission so please make plans to attend!


Friday, Sept 29, 3:30-6:30 p.m. for Round-Up! Students, parents and the entire community look forward to this community-wide event. Don't forget to pre-order student wristbands and we need more parent volunteers. Find out more here: ohenrypta.org/round-up/

We need PTA Volunteers!

Parent involvement is what makes a school GREAT!

Please consider giving your time and talent to the Mustang Family. We have volunteer opportunities that accommodate a wide variety of interests and availability from front office staff, Mustang Mall, library, Honor Roll assemblies and more! Please sign up for volunteer opportunities HERE

MUSTANGS CARE! - Community Support Program

O. Henry Middle School is excited to once again provide our community with the Mustangs Care program.


Mustangs Care addresses specific staff, student and family needs as they arise, such as a student who needs school supplies or a family who is experiencing financial difficulties and needs grocery money or a staff member who has experienced a loss. We have a wonderfully diverse community and are fortunate to have many resources and a fabulously generous group. Please join us in helping our Mustang community - if you want to be on the email list to receive these special requests to help, please email Jessica Hershey at jesshershey@gmail.com. Thank you!

Grateful for a Teacher? Be their Secret Parent Pal!

Demonstrate your gratitude for O. Henry staff by becoming a Secret Pal! Sign up to be a Secret Pal and anonymously deliver a minimum of 4 small homemade or store-bought gifts to the front office throughout the year. This is a great way to show your love and support to the teachers and staff that make OHMS amazing. Email Chris Napierkowski at cnapierk@me.com to sign up to help!
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Thank you to our amazing PTA Volunteers!

We appreciate Rachel Price and Ivy Claflin, OHMS Resource Officer Green Sergeant Juarez from Austin ISD PD, and representatives from Austin ISD Crisis Intervention Team for speaking at our September Parent Coffee.


Thank you to Melanie Dow, Alison Darnell and Principal Malott for representing O. Henry PTA at the Austin High Vertical Team meeting for the Austin Council of PTAs!

News In Review - Previously Published, Reposted For Your Reference

2023-2024 General School Supply List


Attendance Laws and Regulations


Chromebook Distribution Questions

Enrichment/ACES Supplies We Are Looking For!


Foodservice Information: Breakfast and Lunch Menus, Meal Drop Off Guidelines


Safety Planning - Temperature and Weather Health Guidelines


Teacher Wishlist Items

"Let's Talk" title on a banner with multicolored speech bubbles and thought bubbles.
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Have a question or concern for the district, or aren't sure who to ask? Submit a Let's Talk at the button above.

ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE REPORTING ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE REPORTING

Austin ISD School Year Calendar

Regular Bell Schedule 2023-2024 Regular Bell Schedule 2023-2024

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O. Henry Bell Schedule 2023-2024.pdf
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Transportation and Traffic Transportation and Traffic

Car Riders: To keep traffic flowing, follow the arrows on the map below. Be patient, student safety is our most important priority. To keep our Mustangs safe, do not drop off in back bus lot. If pickup is altered due to bad weather, a Schoolmessenger alert will go out from the Principal.


Bus Riders: Bus riders may only ride their assigned bus. Use the Bus Finder page to check which route you are assigned. Buses leave promptly at 3:57 PM each day - information about late buses will be available in coming weeks. Buses drop off and pick up on the east side of campus. For additional questions about transportation see AISD's website here.


Walkers/Bike Riders: If walking or biking to school please be safe and use crosswalks to get across streets. Bike racks are available for student use.

AISD Health Services
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O. Henry Middle School

Website: https://ohenry.austinschools.org/
Location: 2610 West 10th Street, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-3229
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohenryms
Twitter: @Ohenryms

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