Pony Express
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF O. HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal's Update - Last Week of School Edition!
Happy Friday, Mustangs!
I cannot believe we are already at the end of the school year. This year truly flew by, and what a wonderful week we had at O. Henry.
Our 8th grade dance was a huge success! The 8th graders in attendance had a great time celebrating together. Thank you to Leslie Newberry and all of the parents who helped put this special event together in celebration of our 8th grade Mustangs.
This week, we also celebrated the start of an exciting new chapter for our campus with our groundbreaking ceremony for the O. Henry construction bond project. It was a special opportunity to celebrate the future of our school community.
On Wednesday evening, we celebrated our newest National Junior Honor Society members at the NJHS Induction Ceremony. We also hosted our Principal Coffee and parent panel for families of incoming Mustangs joining O. Henry for the 2026–2027 school year. Throughout the week, students turned in Chromebooks, and we welcomed several former Mustangs from Austin High School who participated in Austin High’s “Teach for the Day” in our ELA and Social Studies classes.
Please remember that Monday is a school holiday in observance of Memorial Day.
Tuesday will be students’ final day attending all classes and will follow a C-Day schedule. On Wednesday, we have grade-level field trips planned, and Thursday will be filled with fun activities for students throughout the day, with students spending the majority of the day with their ACES advisory groups. Our 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony will take place Thursday at 10:30 AM for 8th graders and their families.
Save the Dates
May 27 – End-of-Year Grade Level Field Trips
May 28 – 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony (10:30 am) and Mustang Day, Last Day of School.
Let’s make it another great week to be an O. Henry Mustang!
Giddy Up!
Camie Fillpot
Principal, O. Henry Middle School
O. Henry Final Exam and Project Calendar
ATHLETICS
ALL 26-27 Athletes Must Have A Physical Dated After Apr 15 2026
Mustang Club 2025-26
Thank you so much to all of our families who supported Mustang Club this fall! The Mustang Club supports all athletics at O. Henry by providing funds for coach stipends, new equipment, and equipment maintenance, as well as promoting school spirit and organizing volunteers. It isn't too late to donate for the school year if you haven't already, or if you would like to give additional funds for a spring sport. Please consider a $100 donation/student/sport and/or a scholarship donation that would help support another student. Please see the attached flyer for more information. You can also make your contribution directly HERE!
Thank you for supporting O. Henry Athletics!
FINE ARTS + PERFORMING ARTS
OHMS PTA Updates
Howdy from PTA! We hope you all have a fun filled and relaxing Memorial Day Weekend as we roll into the final 3 days of school. Please be on the lookout next week for the final edition of The Rodeo, our PTA Newsletter, which will cover all end-of-school-year and Summer opportunities! Happy Memorial Day!
Jessica Hershey
2025-26 OHMS PTA President
ROUND UP! SAVE THE DATE!
Mark your calendars: Round Up is coming this fall!
OHMS’s annual Round Up fundraiser will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026. We will be actively seeking sponsors and volunteers to help make this year’s event a success. Stay tuned for more details coming soon! Reach out to chairs Jenny St. George, Erinn Edmonds, and Kirsten Matetich with any questions.
STAFF SECRET PAL REMINDER
Thank you to everyone who participated in Staff Secret Pal this year. Hopefully, you have been able to bring your last surprise for the year and revealed your name to your Staff Pal.
VOLUNTEERS
Thank you to all these wonderful volunteers for their hard work, time, and support this year. Everyone's dedication strengthens the Mustang Community and provides a more memorable middle school experience for our students and staff.
25-26 Round Up Chairs: Katie Romano, Jenny St. George, and Erinn Edmonds
Cornhole Chairs: Natalie Kelly, Ashley Koenings, and Jessica Worrel
8th Grade Graduation Ceremony: Ann Cardenas and Melanie Dow
8th Grade Dance: Leslie Newberry, Elisabeth Anderson, Stephanie and Todd O'Neil
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Meal Chairs: Laura Cross, Renee Bair, Lindsay Fell, Jennifer Bigbee, and Adrian Williams
Front Office Bulletin Board Design: Valerie Jules-Pardo
Front Office Support Chairs: Angela Bradley and Becky Hatcher
Honor Roll Assemblies Chairs: Anne Marie Gonin and Amanda Thompson
Mustang Cares Chair: Gillian Barksdale
Mustang Mall Chairs: Stacy Baker and Hillary Deck
Secret Pals Chair: Whitney Fraser
Staff Appreciation Days Chair: Whitney Fraser
Taco Deli Breakfasts Chairs: Lindsay Hadlock and Leslie Newberry
Special thanks to O. Henry staff, Angelica Tagle and Teresa Zardiackas for all of their help behind the scenes with everything PTA related.
2026-2027 PTA OFFICERS
President: Allison Jackson
First Vice President/President-Elect: Jennifer Robertson
Second Vice President/VP Fundraising/Ways and Means: Katie Romano
Third Vice President/VP Support/Services: Renee Bair
Fourth Vice President/VP Communications: April Allen
Secretary: Meredith Butterfield
Treasurer: Hunter Norris
Treasurer-Elect: Stephanie Edgar
Volunteer Coordinator: Tegra Swogger
Historian: Erinn Edmonds
ACPTA Representative: Melanie Dow
Parliamentarian: Kacy Dudley
Austin HS and Other HS Advancements
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.
Future Mustang Dedicated Advancement Newsletter
Future Mustang Families: Please bookmark our dedicated advancement newsletter! It will continue to be updated with relevant information throughout the spring.
This newsletter contains examples of student choice sheets for all grades, videos, and presentations about how to choose classes, and more.
Summer Learning Opportunities for All Students
Community Events and Information
A Summer Typing Camp - hosted by our teacher Dell Mann, is available for any students age 3rd grade and up. Call 737-235-6962 to register.
Demo developed by Ms. Mann
Calling all rising 3rd–8th grade Future Maroons! Join Austin High football coaches and players for a fun, non-contact camp focused on building fundamentals, confidence, and a love for the game. Open to all skill levels, the camp will be held June 18–19 from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM on the Austin High turf field.
Registration Link:
https://ahsfootballboosterclub.org/youthcamp
2026 AHS Summer Speed & Strength Camp: For 7th - 9th Grade Athletes
The Austin High summer strength and conditioning program will run June 8th through July 30th. Camp will be Monday-Thursday weekly with the exception of Thursday, June 18th, for our Future Maroons Football Camp, and the week of July 4th. Camp will be $250.00 and the link for registration and payment is below. Choose Maroons Summer Speed & Strength Camp and choose the appropriate group from the drop down menu. See attached flyer as well.
https://austin.myschoolcentral.com/(S(hjv0g24vypafwnrz4bxsmfjc))/Index.aspx
*If the link does not show up correctly click the Start Again button and you should be redirected to the correct page."
Repeated Logistical Information - Tutorials, Supplies, Calendars, Handbook, Tech
O. Henry Construction Project Timeline and Milestones
O. Henry Bond Project Website
Community Resources Hub for Families in Need
We know that some of our Mustang families may be struggling to get the food they need right now. If you are a family in need of help getting food and other necessities, please email ivy.claflin@austinisd.org. Need extra food support outside of school? These community partners can help you find assistance in your area. Please let us know if you would like help finding a food pantry in your area.
- Central Texas Food Bank
- Travis County Food Pantry
- United Way for Greater Austin
- Sustainable Food Center
- Texas Health and Human Services - Call 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905 to speak to a live operator.
Nurse's Office, Mental Health, and Student Clubs - Parent Consent Forms
Without signed consent, your child will not be able to receive these services or participate in any clubs.
Mental Health-Related Services
The district must notify parents of staff services related to school counseling and give parents the opportunity to opt out before those services are provided to their child. Mental Health Services Consent Form: English/SpanishPhysical Health-Related Services
Certain school-based health services, such as non-emergency medical screenings or treatments, now require your written permission.
Physical Health Services Consent FormParticipation in school-sponsored Student Clubs
If your child wishes to participate in school or district-sponsored clubs or organizations, parental approval is required. (You may have already received and completed this form if it was previously sent by your school.)
Student Club Participation Consent Form
Homework Club in Library - 2025-26
Teacher Tutorials
In addition to support in class, each teacher holds an hour of before school, after school, or lunch tutorials for students to get help on a concept, make up assessments, or connect in a smaller teacher to student ratio.
Expert tips for successful tutorial visits include
- Ensure your teacher knows you are coming - ideally confirm the date with them beforehand and the specific assessment or grade you need help with so they are prepared for you.
- Spend time figuring out "what you know" and "what you know you don't know." Teachers will be better equipped to help you master a learning concept if we can identify gaps.
- Come prepared with all materials - if you have a specific paper assignment, bring it. Your Chromebook should always be fully charged at the start of every school day.
- Be respectful of other students in tutorials, consider collaboration. Before and after an important assessment, there will likely be many students who need help with the same concepts. Understand that your teacher will offer as much individual assistance as they can but may work with you and your peers in a group on a concept if needed.
Daily Bell Schedules
Please make use of our Bell Schedules for planning doctor's visits, other pickups from school. These times reflect bell transitions on C Days (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays,) and A/B Days (Wednesdays/Thursdays.)
Parent Technology FAQ
House Bill 1481 - Student Device Rules: What Parents and Students Need to Know
Grades and Attendance: Parents will find their student's grades, schedules, and other key information in the Frontline Parent Portal (access instructions linked.) While students may access content on the BLEND or Google Classroom platforms (see instructors' syllabi for more detail,) Frontline is the only official record for grades in Austin ISD.
Lunch Money in AISD: Guardians are able to deposit money into a student's account for school purchases. Guardians must make an account at https://www.schoolcafe.com/AUSTINISD
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.
School Absence Reporting
O. Henry Lost and Found Claim + Lost Jewelry
Additionally, the office has had a large amount of lost jewelry turned in that belongs to students. We do not leave these in the lost and found with regular items. Many times jewelry is lost and never found and we know how important jewelry is to its owner and how each piece may have a sentimental value.
Follow Us on Social Media!
School Accounts
Facebook: facebook.com/ohenryms
Instagram: @ohenryms
X/Twitter: @ohenryms
Clubs and Organizations
Band on Instagram: @ohms_mustangband
Library on Instagram: @ohenryreads
Yearbook on Instagram:@o.henryyearbook
