Pony Express

Students will have the same schedule every day, with no block days.

Parents, please note changes to Advisory time (now in the mornings rather than in the afternoon,) and in the change to lunches. 6th graders will eat first, then 7th, then 8th grade last.

Daily attendance time will remain the same as last year, 9:45 AM. If your student was absent for illness or any other issue, we request you use the AISD absence reporting link. No need to pick up the phone and call the office - you can click the picture below to go directly to our form!

- 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

Help fuel a love for reading at O. Henry! During our campus-wide STIR (Strategies to Improve Reading) time in ACES, every single student will "drop everything and read."

To make this time as engaging as possible, our teachers are building small classroom libraries—and we need your help!

We are hosting a Middle School Book Drive to collect gently used books looking for a new home. If you have age-appropriate books your family has outgrown, please consider donating them.

• What we need: Gently used middle school-level books

• Where to drop off: O. Henry Main Office

Thank you for supporting our students and helping us build a vibrant culture of reading!

• You must have a CURRENT AISD physical (signed/dated after April 15th, 2026) in order to try out. PHYSICAL FORMS (click me) or are in the front office, and they must be filled out in their entirety (e.g., students and parents must sign the Participation Form; explain any “yes” marked questions in medical history; complete Emergency Card). Upon completion, please upload physical and complete online forms. (QR CODE at the bottom right of physical form.)

• You must complete all Rank One UIL Online Forms and be GREEN in the Rank One system before participation. Rank One Instructions (click me)

NO COMPLETED FORMS = NO EQUIPMENT

We will continue issuing equipment Tuesday, 8/18 AFTER SCHOOL for those who did not get theirs on Derby Day.

Click the link above in order to view detailed information re: physicals, rosters, tickets, and parent communication.

Coaches:

• ryan.richter@austinisd.org
• patrick.mcnally@austinisd.org
• ethan.pappas@austinisd.org

Click the link above in order to view detailed information re: physicals, rosters, tickets, and parent communication.

A-Team Coaches:

• jerrod.wolfe@austinisd.org
• tyler.brouillard@austinisd.org

B-Team Coaches:

• elliott.hilliard@austinisd.org
• kevin.gaffney@austinisd.org

Coach Kristine Kobs (A team) kristine.kobs@austinisd.org

Coach Crystal Gaffney (B team) crystal.gaffney@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

-7th grade tryouts will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Aug 19th and 20th.

-Tryouts will begin at 7:15 am and go through 1st per athletics.

-There may be an additional tryout for girls who make the first cut at 7:15 am on Friday, Aug 21st.

-Please wear athletic clothes and knee pads.

Weekly 7th Grade 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

**C Team practice/scrimmages - TBD (this is dependent on finding a teacher who will coach)

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

-8th grade tryouts will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Aug 19th and 20th.

-Tryouts will begin during 8th period athletics and will end after school at 5:00pm.

-There may be an additional tryout for girls who make the first cut at 7:15 am on Friday, Aug 21st.

- 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

**C Team practice/scrimmages - TBD (this is dependent on finding a teacher who will coach)

Come out and join the Cross Country team! Cross Country is open to all 7th and 8th graders. Practice begins on Wednesday, August 19, at 6:55 AM at the OH track. Come dressed out and ready to run. Practices are every M W F at 6:55 until early October. Most races are on Saturdays. Be sure to upload your physical to Rank One before the first practice. Email Coach Parker if you have any questions at jenny.parker@austinisd.org

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.

Welcome Back, O. Henry Families!

We're excited to welcome you to a new school year! The PTA is proud to support our students, teachers, and staff, and we invite you to be part of the fun. Join the PTA, sign up to volunteer, and explore the opportunities below. Every membership and every volunteer helps make a difference. We look forward to an amazing year together—Go Mustangs!

Ways to stay informed: Pta website Instagram: ohmspta

UPCOMING PTA DATES

• Coffee with PTA - Friday, September 25th 8:30 - 9:15 a.m.

• Round Up 2026 - Friday, September 25th 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.

PTA Membership

Your membership in the PTA helps support the many valuable programs and activities that occur throughout the year at OHMS. We are firmly committed to every child’s well- being and to improving school performance. Please help support our efforts and join today! Link to Join

2026-2027 PTA OFFICERS

President: Allison Jackson

First VP/President-Elect: Jennifer Robertson

VP Fundraising/Ways and Means: Katie Romano

VP Support/Services: Renee Bair

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

SAVE THE DATE!

O. HENRY ROUND UP 2026

Friday, September 25

3:30–6:30pm

Round Up is a fun, family-friendly carnival at O. Henry that’s open to our entire community. Join us for games, a bungee jump, inflatables, food trucks, and a middle school dance!

While Round Up is a fun community tradition, it is also the O. Henry PTA’s largest annual fundraiser. This year, with significant budget challenges across AISD, the support of our entire community is more than appreciated, it is essential.

Our 2026 fundraising goal is $150,000. Every dollar raised goes directly back to our students, teachers, and school, to provide resources and opportunities that support the O. Henry experience, including:

• New library furniture and books

• Updated cafeteria and classroom technology

• Outdoor water fountains and shade sails

• Drama and chess programs

• Mustang Cares, ensuring every student can participate in activities and field trips

• Feed and supplies for our unique agriculture program

• New art supplies and science lab supplies

• Teacher appreciation and classroom wish lists

• And more needs across the school

We hope you’ll join us for Round Up and help the PTA reach our $150,000 goal! Together, we can show our students how much our community believes in them and help ensure they continue to have the resources and opportunities to thrive.

For information on sponsorship, wristbands, and volunteer opportunities visit https://ohenrypta.org/round-up/

MUSTANG MALL

Parents, we need your help at the Mustang Mall! The Mustang Mall lives in the OHMS cafeteria and supplies students with anything they may need throughout the day: lipbalm, PE shirts, OHMS spiritwear, gym locks, fidgets, pencils, paper, etc.! Shifts are one hour during lunch and a fun way to support our amazing student body! Sign up here

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