Pony Express

As we enter October, we are proud to announce that this month is dedicated to Bullying Prevention. At Austin ISD, we believe that every student has the right to feel safe and supported in their school environment. This month, our schools will focus on raising awareness about bullying, educating students on its various forms, and promoting kindness and inclusion within our community.

Understanding the Difference: Bullying vs. Conflict It's important for families to understand the difference between bullying and conflict. Bullying is intentional, repeated behavior that aims to harm, intimidate, or control another person. It often involves a power imbalance, where the bully seeks to assert dominance over the victim. Conflict, on the other hand, is a normal part of relationships and can occur when two or more individuals have a disagreement or differing opinions. While conflicts can sometimes be hurtful, they can often be resolved through communication and mutual understanding.

Why Bullying Prevention Matters: Bullying can manifest in many ways, including physical, verbal, emotional, and cyberbullying. It not only affects the victims but can also impact bystanders and the overall school climate. Our goal this month is to empower students to recognize bullying, speak out against it, and support one another.

Weekly Themes and Activities: Throughout October, each week will feature specific themes and challenges designed to engage our students in meaningful conversations and actions. We encourage parents to discuss these topics at home and support their children in completing the weekly challenges. Here’s what we’ll be focusing on:

• Week 2: Understanding Bullying (Invite someone sitting alone to join you)

• Week 3: Bystanders vs. Upstanders (Be an upstander when witnessing bullying) & On October 16 we will wear something Orange to show your support for bullying prevention and for students who have been bullied.

• Week 4: Cyberbullying Awareness (Spread positivity online)

• Week 5: Gratitude and Appreciation (Thank someone who has shown kindness)

How Parents Can Get Involved:

• Discuss: Talk with your child about bullying and encourage open communication. Ask them about their feelings and experiences at school.

• Model Kindness: Demonstrate kindness and empathy in your interactions, reinforcing the importance of treating others with respect.

• Support School Efforts: Encourage your child to participate in school activities related to bullying prevention and be active in fostering a positive school environment.

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We want to ensure that families have access to tools and information to support their children effectively. Below are some valuable resources:

• StopBullying.gov: A comprehensive site with information on bullying prevention, types of bullying, and how to report incidents.

• National Bullying Prevention Center: Offers resources and tools for schools and families to work together in preventing bullying.

Thank you for partnering with us in fostering a safe and supportive environment for our students. Together, we can make a significant impact in preventing bullying and promoting kindness within our schools.

Let’s make it a great week to be an O. Henry Mustang!

☮️, ❤️, and 🐴’s,
Marlo Malott

Monday 10/7-- C Day

• 5th period STIR time- always have a book with you
• • Football at House Park
  • 6:00 7A vs. Marshall MS
  • 7:30-8A vs Austin Achieve
  • Note-- all students should be picked up within 15 minutes of the conclusion of the game. An administrator will ask students to contact their rides at the 3rd quarter of the final game.

Tuesday, 10/8 --C Day

• 5th 4-SEL Lesson-Hispanic Heritage Month Part 2
• 4:00 Boys Soccer Pre Tryout Practice

Wednesday,10/9--A day

• 8:30-12:30 PSAT for all 8th Graders
• Note that A lunch and C lunch are switched on Wednesday. -- See schedule below
• ACES- 6th Outside Back; 7th Competition in Gym; 8th Intramurals or Study Hall
• 4:00 Boys Soccer Pre Tryout Practice
  
• 6:00/7:00 Volleyball for Semi Play-Off Tournament at OHMS
• 7th grade vs Bailey
• 8th grade vs Small

Thursday, 10/10-- B Day

• ACES: 6th Study Hall; 7th Outside Back; 8th Outside Front
• 4:00 Boys Soccer Pre Tryout Practice
• 6:30-7:30 Beginning Band Performing at Pre-Game at House Park

Friday, 10/11-- C Day

• 5th period-SEL Mustang News

No School on Monday, October 14th

Central Texas Dyslexia Conference 2024 - (Virtual)

• Dates: October 10th-31st

• Information: Join the AISD Dyslexia Team for the 2024 CTDC Dyslexia Conference. Registration is NOT required for the conference. On October 10th, a YouTube channel link will be available on this page to watch any and all of the presentations. The link will be available October 10-31, 2024.

• Flyers: CTDC flyer- English CTDC flyer- Spanish

Hopeville Screening - (In-person)

• Date and Time: Thursday, October 10, 2024, 6:30-8:00 PM

• Location: Austin ISD Performing Arts Center (PAC), 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Austin, TX 78723

• Information: Join the AISD Dyslexia Team for a live screening of the new documentary "Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars"

• Registration: Registration is required. Please register here.

• Flyers: Hopeville Flyer- English Hopeville Flyer- Spanish

If your child’s backpack has been affected by the latest trend to take a toggle, we now have string-toggles in a variety of colors for Mustangs to pick up. Students should bring their back-pack to the office to show how many they need.

We appreciate your partnership in helping us stop this behavior and maintain a positive school environment for everyone.

Come out and support the cross country team this Thursday, October 10, as they compete at the AISD district meet. The meet will be held at Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park.

The boys' race is at 6 PM and the girls' race is at 6:30 PM. Good luck Mustangs!

Do you love basketball? Want to be a part of a dynamic and competitive team? Girls Basketball Tryouts are coming up, and we want YOU to showcase your skills and join us for an exciting season!

This is your chance to be part of a team that focuses on teamwork, skill development, and making great memories on and off the court. All skill levels are welcome, so whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, come ready to give it your all!

What to Bring:

• Athletic wear and basketball shoes
• Water bottle
• A positive attitude and team spirit!

Special Note: "A" team volleyball will begin tryouts once playoffs are over.

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8th Grade Tryout Dates: 📅 Date: Start 10/7 (First cut 10/11; Final cut 10/18)
🕒 Time: 8th Period Week of 10/7
📍 Location: O. Henry Big Gym

For any questions or further details, contact Coach Borders at luke.borders@austinisd.org

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7th grade Tryout Dates: 📅 Date: Start 10/7 (First cut 10/11; Final cut 10/18)
🕒 Time: 1st Period Week of 10/7
📍 Location: O. Henry Big Gym

For any questions or further details, contact Crystal Gaffney crystal.gaffney@austinisd.org

Let’s make this season the best one yet—see you at tryouts!

🏀💪

7th and 8th grade Volleyball Plays in the Semi-Finals Tournament this week.

7th A versus Bailey@ 6:00

8th A versus Small @ 7:00

Let's fill the stands with our fans! Both games are at O. Henry.

Coach Gray A Team scott.gray@austinisd.org

Coach Hibbard B Team leslie.hibbard@austinisd.org

If your 7th or 8th grade Boy is interested in playing soccer this fall, please fill out the following survey. (Link below if it is easier)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfESgrz8Zu6nKsGJX0GYk12OoNKDgSnrrqWVFq3iUAcZBRHBQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Soccer Tryout Information

• You must have a completed AISD physical in order to try out for Soccer. The entire physical packet must be completed, with signatures, in order to be valid. The physical must be turned in by the first day of tryouts.

• Pre-Tryout Practice will be held after school from 4:00 to 5:15 on the following dates: October 8th, 9th, and 10th.

• Tryouts will be 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm on October 15th, 16th and 17th.

• Please wear cleats and shin-guards to every practice.

Regular Practice Schedule

• Monday, 4:00 - 5:15

• Wednesday, 4:00 - 5:15

• Thursday- 4:00 - 5:15

• Saturday - 9:00am A Team Game - 10:30am B Team Game

This is subject to change - more info will come as we get closer.

Our Game schedule is shown in the survey above. If your child participates in club soccer and has game/practice conflicts, please reach out to me. We can work out a plan to make sure they can still participate.

Beginning Band Performance - Thursday, October 10

Our first beginning band performance of the year is this Thursday evening at House Park (1301 Shoal Creek, 78701). Beginning Band members are performing during pre-game of the Austin High vs. Westlake football game. Students will meet outside the southeast end of the stadium at 6:20 PM wearing their red O. Henry Band t-shirt and black or blue jeans/pants.

Austin High is the home team so we will be sitting on the west side of the stadium. Band students must bring their own instrument. Instrument cases should be kept in your vehicle. We will perform during the pre-game (around 7:00 pm). We will go on the field and perform “House Park Blues” while standing in place. After our pregame performance, we will sit in the stands next to the Austin High Maroon Band. Students are free to leave immediately at the end of the first quarter.

Band members will be admitted free; however, admission is $7 for adults. All tickets are sold online at https://gofan.co/event/1039504?schoolId=TX25425 We look forward to seeing you there!

Book clubs are held in the library during lunches:

8th grade meets Tuesdays during A lunch

7th grade meets Wednesdays during B lunch

6th grade meets Thursdays during C lunch

We are currently reading:

8th grade - The Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (young adult mystery)

7th grade - Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (coming-of-age multi award winner)

6th grade - Caraval by Stephanie Garber (fantasy romance)

The GSA club meets every other Wednesday during ACES in the library. Last week we listened to music and made bracelets.

All students are welcome at both book club and GSA! Stop by the library to learn more.

Our annual Scare Fair (book fair) will be held on Oct 21-25. Stay tuned for more information!

Robbi Horvath

Librarian

O. Henry Middle School

Meet our Mustangs- You will have a chance each week to meet two members of our Mustang Family.

Did you know that washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to stay healthy? Your hands touch so many surfaces every day—desks, doorknobs, and even your phone. Germs can spread quickly, but a simple handwash with soap and water can stop them in their tracks. Make sure to scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds—you can sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice to keep track!

Remember, clean hands = happy, healthy students! 🌟

Stay safe and stay clean!

October 10 - PTA Coffee 8:30am

October 14 - STUDENT HOLIDAY

October 31 - Honor Roll Recognition

Your membership in the PTA helps support the many valuable programs and activities that occur throughout the year at OHMS. Help us beat our goal of 248 members and JOIN THE PTA TODAY! Membership is $12 - It's the best investment you'll make this year!

Parent involvement is what makes a school GREAT!

Please consider giving your time and talent to the Mustang Family. A great way to help and get to know the staff is to volunteer in the front office. SIGN UP HERE TO VOLUNTEER IN THE OFFICE There are also openings in many other areas. Fill out this VOLUNTEER FORM to let us know what areas you are interested in volunteering and we will contact you with volunteer needs!!

Many thanks to our office volunteers last week: Valerie Pardo-Jules, Jennifer Pac, Lee Kinnser, Samara Hull, Tara Heavner and Brooke Salman.

• Need to report an absence? Please do so within 2 days. All student absences are to be emailed to ohenry@austinisd.org
• Need to check out your student early from school? Please bring your ID to the office for check out. You may call ahead (512-414-3229) for us to send a pass, however an in-person check out is still required. NOTE: No early check outs will be accepted after 3:30 p.m.

At O. Henry Middle School, we believe that regular school attendance is crucial for your child's academic success and overall development. Consistent attendance not only helps students stay on top of their coursework but also fosters a sense of responsibility and discipline that will benefit them throughout their lives. Encouraging your child to attend school every day helps them stay connected with their peers and teachers, creating a more cohesive and supportive learning environment.

We kindly ask that you review the attached attendance slide deck, which outlines both Austin ISD and Texas attendance policies and laws. Thank you for your continued support in fostering a positive and productive school experience for all our students at O. Henry Middle School.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1nrhCEXu_cJckkuIw3ss9tlNISB-3TlvNjQlhdioX-gE/edit?usp=sharing

How to Stay Updated:

• Current Parents and Staff: Download the new AISD app and follow O. Henry Middle School to get all updates.

• Other Community Members: If you're a step-parent, grandparent, future parent, or simply interested in O. Henry Middle School download the app and follow us to stay informed.

App Features:

• Follow Multiple Schools: Once you have the app, you can follow all the schools your children attend.

• Customize Your Feed: You can set your preferred school as the default in the app settings, so you see updates from O. Henry Middle School without being distracted by other posts.

Action Steps:

1. Download the AISD app today. Look for the AISD apple with the white background.

2. Follow O. Henry Middle School within the app.

3. Set O. Henry as your default school in settings

Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to keeping you updated through the new AISD app!

The nomination window for GT identification is now open and will remain open until October 6th. This will be the only nomination window for this school year. To learn more about GT services in AISD and to submit a referral, click here. Please note that signing the form gives permission for your child to be tested and screened for the Austin ISD Gifted and Talented Program. Questions? Reach out to: Casi Cook (casi.cook@austinisd.org)

GT Family Information Session

1. In order to streamline the GT referral process for families, the GT Referral Window opened on the first day of school. The window will close on October 7 for campuses and Advanced Academics to move forward with GT assessment and screening.

2. Advanced Academics will host 2 virtual information sessions: one on Tuesday, September 24 at 6 PM and one on Wednesday, September 25 at 12 PM via this zoom link. Information can also be found on the Advanced Academics website.

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.