Pony Express
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF O. HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mustang Families,
Happy Friday! Spring is in full swing at O. Henry, and you can feel the energy across campus. As we enter the month of March, our days are filled with performances, competitions and celebrations. It is a busy season, but it is also one of the most exciting times of the year. We are looking forward to next week and all the amazing events taking place. We also want to highlight some of the celebrations from this oast week at O. Henry Middle School.
African American Heritage Celebration
Six outstanding African American students and were honored on Friday at the Performing Arts Center for the 43rd Annual Austin ISD African American Heritage Celebration. This years recipients are 8th graders Nicholas Hill and Gabrielle Williams, 7th graders Brandon Williams and Chloe Johnson and 6th graders Zane Nasser and Zeta Barker. Congratulations to these scholars for their hard work, dedication and excellence.
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.
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.
