Pony Express
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF O. HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal's Update - Week of October 5th to October 9th
O. Henry Families,
I find myself warmly reflecting on last Friday’s Round Up. It was truly a fantastic event, and the entire O. Henry faculty and staff are immensely grateful for a school community that comes together to enrich the middle school experience for our students. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: we have the absolute best PTA around.
While it may not quite be sweater weather in Austin just yet, October has brought us welcome cooler temperatures and much-needed rain. As fall unfolds, our students continue to shine with Mustang Pride through their dedicated hard work, kindness, and wonderful community spirit.
Upcoming Student Holiday & Parent-Teacher Conferences
Looking ahead, Monday, October 12 will be a student holiday while our staff hosts Parent-Teacher Conferences. We look forward to connecting with families to discuss student progress, share insights, and collaborate on goals for the second nine weeks. While teachers are prioritizing conferences for students with identified academic needs, we welcome all families who wish to connect. Please feel free to reach out directly to your child’s teachers via email to arrange a time to meet in person, by phone, or via Google Meet.
MAP Test Reports
We recently sent home MAP test reports for Math and Reading through your student's math class. If you did not receive your child's report, please email Cassidy Serio at cassidy.serio@austinisd.org, and we will happily provide another copy. We encourage you to review grades and assessment information together with your student and celebrate their hard work as we set goals for the quarter ahead.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership as we embrace this season of learning together at O. Henry Middle School.
Make it a great day to be an O. Henry Mustang.
Giddy Up!
Camie Fillpot
Principal, O. Henry Middle School
Save the Dates:
Mark your calendars for the upcoming dates for O. Henry Middle School.
- Austin High Vertical Team Night, Thursday, October 8, begins at 6:15 pm
- Student and Staff Holiday, Friday, October 9
- No School for Students (Indigenous People Day), Secondary Parent Teacher Conferences, October 12
- 6th Grade Field Trip, Grand Prixview at COTA, October 22
Thursday, October 8th: Future Maroon Night
Join our vertical team at House Park on Thursday.
Future Maroon Night! Join our vertical team at House Park on Thursday, October 8th for Future Maroon Night. Students are encouraged to wear their school t-shirt. We will gather outside House Park and then enter the stadium when they open the gates at 6:30. Students and very brave Principals/Staff :) will then go to the north end of the field and run through the tunnel before the football players (around 7:15/7:20). Then we will line the field and cheer on our Austin High Maroons before Kick-off. Parents - you will need to purchase tickets to enter House Park. You will need to meet us at the south end of the stadium field after we run. Then we encourage you to stay for the game. There is no school for students the following day :)
Parents reached out that they forgot to save the QR codes for the teacher wishlists on Wednesday night. Here are the links to some of the teacher wishlists. We will add more in the coming weeks.
Thanks for supporting educational excellence in O. Henry classrooms.
Classroom Spotlight: Samantha Stewart, Chamber Orchestra
This week we are proud to show a brief performance from O. Henry's Chamber Orchestra, with students performing on violin, viola, cello, and bass.
Ms. Stewart is new to our campus, but not new at all to high-level music instruction, having led multiple-awarded ensembles at Bedichek Middle School. She is able to exemplify the high standards of professional musicianship, and our orchestra program is grateful to have her direction.
So far this year, students have already competed in All-City Orchestra competitions, with one student receiving first chair Bass for the entire district! Their next public performance will be the AISD Monster Concert on October 24th, (schedule of performances to come,) and they are beginning to prepare for UIL competition in the spring. Bravo, Mustang Orchestra.
In Pursuit of Excellence Awards
This week we celebrated students through our In Pursuit of Excellence Awards, recognizing Mustangs who exemplify Respect, Responsibility, Perseverance, and Integrity. Teachers and staff nominate students who demonstrate kindness, leadership, and doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
We are proud of these students and thankful to partner with you in celebrating the positive impact they make on our campus.
6th Grade Trip - October 22nd
O. Henry students have been invited by Circuit of the Americas for a multidisciplinary field trip to tour the F1 Academy paddock and . The trip is being provided at no cost to students or to the District.
Next week the 6th grade Math teachers will send home more details including the official information sheet and the required field trip form.
Mustang Council
Mustang Council (Campus Advisory Council) Accepting Applications for New Members!
If you are looking for a way to get involved and impact decisions affecting the entire campus, please consider applying to join the Mustang Council! Our Mustang Council's mission is to promote excellence in education for all students through broad-based representation, by providing valuable input to our Principal, who ultimately has decision-making responsibility. This unique Council includes classroom teachers, campus professional staff, parents/guardians, local business leaders and other community members, and student representatives, and our discussions cover a wide variety of issues that impact overarching goals and day-to-day operations. Meetings will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from September-April at 4pm, except the March meeting will be on March 9th. Want to learn more? Complete a standard membership application (Español).
O. Henry Clubs
O. Henry Clubs Have Started!
Please see the O. Henry Clubs and Sports available for the 2026-2027 School Year. If your student is interested in starting a club that aligns with their interests, please reach out to Assistant Principal, Paul Kleiman, paul.kleiman@austinisd.org for more information.
Click here to learn about start days and times for O. Henry Clubs.
NEW: 10/2 6th Grade Boys' Weightlifting Club: Signup Form
Coach Hilliard was a competitive powerlifter in college and would like to pass on the love of the sport and the opportunity for general physical fitness onto our students.
6th Grade Boys Weightlifting Club sign up form - https://forms.gle/tXLnRRFXrjuxEANR8
Library Homework Club
Homework Club is a place for students to get adult supervision while completing assignments and waiting for parent rides Monday-Thursday from 4 PM to 5 PM.
Reading, individual study halls, and student work groups are all options for students. We hope your students will come to Homework Club if they need it!
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
Interested in being a part of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)this year? Meeting times are listed below. You can also find the flyer for the "Fields of Faith" in the Community Events section below.
Please contact Ryan Richter Ryan.richter@austinisd.org if you have any questions.
Counseling Corner
O. Henry Counseling Webpage
Please check out the O. Henry Counselor Webpage for counseling resources.
https://sites.google.com/austinisd.org/ohmscounseling/meet-your-counselors?pli=1&authuser=0
Attendance Information and Credit Recovery
We will be sent home attendance updates to families this past week for students whose attendance has fallen below 90%. Please note that, under Texas Education Agency (TEA) guidelines, students must maintain at least 90% attendance to receive credit for their courses, both high school credit courses and middle school courses. Students who fall below this threshold may not be granted credit unless they complete credit recovery hours. Keep in mind that even excused absences can count against the 90% attendance calculation.
To recover attendance hours, students may participate in the following options:
Saturday School – 5 hours of credit recovery per Saturday session
Homework Club – 1 hour of credit recovery for each day attended (Monday–Thursday in the library)
Teacher Tutorials – 1 hour of credit recovery for each hour of attendance
Students can pick up a Credit Recovery Form in the front office to log their make-up hours. Once completed, forms should be submitted to Assistant Principals Paul Kleiman (paul.klieman@austinisd.org) or Jessica Dillenberger (jessica.dillenberger@austinisd.org).
Deadline October 16: Gifted and Talented (GT) Identification Window and Info
If your student is already identified as GT you will not need to reapply.
The nomination window for GT identification is now open for middle school. The window closes October 16th and this will be the only nomination window for this school year. If you are interested in nominating your child for GT services, please fill out this form: CLICK ME.
Please note that signing the form gives permission for your child to be tested and screened for the Austin ISD Gifted and Talented Program. If you have any questions, please contact Casi Cook. (casi.cook@austinisd.org)
ATHLETICS
NEW! Boys' Soccer Info
Coaches:
Tryout Schedule:
Tryouts will be held after school on October 20, 21, and 26. Please click here to fill out the interest form. Students need to have a current AISD Physical filled out.
Practice Schedule: To Be Announced
7th Grade Football Info
Click the link above in order to view detailed information re: physicals, rosters, tickets, and parent communication.
Coaches:
7th Grade Football Schedule
8th Grade Football Info
Click the link above in order to view detailed information re: physicals, rosters, tickets, and parent communication.
A-Team Coaches:
B-Team Coaches:
NEW! 7th Grade Girls Basketball Tryouts
Coach Crystal Gaffney (A team) crystal.gaffney@austinisd.org
Coach Kristine Kobs (B team) kristine.kobs@austinisd.org
Basketball Tryout Information
-You must have all forms completed and the physical uploaded to Rank One in order to try out for basketball. Rank One: https://www.austinisd.org/athletics/forms
-7th grade tryouts will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, October 13th and 14th
-Tryouts will begin at 7:15 am and go through 1st per athletics. Drop off on Exposition!
-There may be an additional tryout for girls who make the first cut on the 15th and 16th
-Please wear athletic clothes and shoes with good traction. NO JEWELRY!
7th Grade Girls Basketball Game Schedule
7th Grade Girls Basketball Practice Schedule
Practice Schedule:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 7:15 am - 1st period athletics
Thursday - practice only during 1st period, Game Day
Friday - practice only during 1st period
**Team Mom: Lisa Yoch - lisa@lisayoch.com
C Team Girls Basketball Info
C Team - Coach Ethan Pappas - ethan.pappas@austinisd.org
Practice and game times are still TBD
C team will be a combination of 7th and 8th grade athletes
Volleyball - 8th Grade Girls A and B Teams
Coach Hinojosa (B Team): victoria.hinojosa@austinisd.org
Volleyball Tryout Information
-You must have a completed physical in order to try out for volleyball. Rank One: https://www.austinisd.org/athletics/forms
-Tryouts will begin during 8th period athletics and will end after school at 5:00pm.
- Please wear athletic clothes and knee pads.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8th period athletics - 5:00pm
Thursday - practice only during 8th period, Game Day
Friday - practice only during 8th period
**8th C Team practices scheduled Mondays and Wednesdays after school through 5 pm in the small gym.
Cross Country Meet Schedules
AISD District XC Meet - 10/14
The AISD district cross country meet will be held on Wednesday. 10/14, at Walter Long Park. Races are at 6 PM and 6:30 PM. Come out and cheer on our Mustangs!
O. Henry 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.
FINE ARTS + PERFORMING ARTS
OHMS PTA Updates
Did you know you have perks included with your PTA membership?
Being a PTA member means more than supporting our school—it also gives you access to exclusive discounts and special offers.
Click here to see some of the discounts available to you.
Not a member yet? There’s still time to join here!
Warmly,
Allison Jackson
OHMS PTA President
Secret Pals
Grateful for an OHMS staff member? Show your gratitude by becoming a Secret Pal! PTA Secret Pals anonymously deliver about 4 small gifts to the front office throughout the year (birthday, holidays, just because). We have 20 spots left to fill so please help PTA shower our amazing staff with gifts this year.
To keep this year’s pals secret, email Whitney Fraser at whitneyannefraser@icloud.com and she will send you the sign-up link and staff preferences. Happy gifting!
A big thanks to Laura Cross, Lindsay Fell, and Renee Bair for serving Cabo Bob's for the Staff Appreciation Lunch this week!
Whitney Fraser for coordinating our various OHMS staff appreciation weeks!
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK THE PTA E-BULLETIN BOARD
We’ve gathered flyers and information about a variety of events, activities, programs, camps, and more all in one place. Take a peek to see what’s happening and check back regularly for new additions! Click here to view!
Ongoing ways to help PTA:
🐴Join the PTA Link to Join
🐴Volunteer in Mustang Mall Sign up here
🐴Lost and Found Sign up to help reunite students and their possessions here!
🐴Join the Membership Directory link to sign up for Directory Spot
🐴Stay connected! PTA Website | Instagram: @ohmspta | E-bulletin board
Librarian's Corner - ACES Reading Challenges and STIR
We are so excited that our students are making use of the library and picking up books to read at home, between classes, and during our weekly ACES STIR time. Each ACES class will have a semester-long competition to read the most books, so ask your student what they are reading!
Ms. Horvath and her library team will continue to publicize one-off and continuing events throughout the school year for interested students, and students are welcome to visit the library every morning starting at 8 AM.
Mustangs Travel to Spain, Spring Break 2027 –
Spain Presentation Link - Canva - resharing of the September 17th presentation.
Contact Ms. Bass-Patterson directly via email, amber.bass-patterson@austinisd.org , with any questions. Please note this is a non-school sponsored or district affiliated trip.
Repeated Logistical Info - Attendance, Bell Schedules, Transportation, and More!
Texas Public schools are funded by attendance and correct coding for absences.
If your student is absent for illness or any other issue,
we request that you please use the AISD absence reporting link: austinisd.org/you-count
or the school email ohenry@austinisd.org.
No need to pick up the phone and call the office - you can click the picture above to go directly to our form!
Official daily attendance time will remain the same as last year at 9:45 AM.
However, attendance is taken at every period. The district will notify you of absences through their system. If you do not receive these notifications update your information with our registrar.
Early Checkout Cut off time is 3:30pm.
Walking, Biking, Busing, and Driving to O. Henry
- Westbound dropoff/pickup is fastest and safest for students
- For pickups during the day, feel free to park on 10th Street, otherwise keep clear
- Be mindful of bikers and walkers during peak times
- Bike racks located by front entrance
Reminder: No Late Activity Bus for O. Henry Middle School.
Due to budget reductions for Austin Independent School District, there are no late activity buses for the 2026-2027 school year.
Bike Safety Reminders
With so many students riding bikes to school, and in light of recent local bicycle-related accidents, we wanted to share these safety reminders. Please take a moment to review essential bike safety practices with your student: wearing a correctly fitted and buckled helmet on every ride, staying alert to surrounding traffic, obeying all traffic laws and signals, riding in the direction of traffic and walking their bike on school grounds.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students safe on their way to and from school.
School Supply Info
Community Events and Information
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
Who Do I Contact?
Assistant Principals
Paul Kleiman, Assistant Principal, Last Names A-L
Jessica Dillenberger, Assistant Principal Last Names, M-Z
jessica.dillenberger@austinisd.org
Counselors
Vikki Harisis, Last Names A-L
Ivy Claflin, Lead Counselor, Last Names M-Z
Attendance
Brenda Gill, Attendance Specialist
504 Coordinator and Project Specialist
Casi Cook
Special Education Department Head
Kristin Smith
Librarian
Robbie Horvath