Pony Express
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF O. HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal's Update - Week of September 21-25th
Dear Mustang Families,
I am thrilled that next Friday, September 25th, is Round Up. We are truly grateful for the generous support of our community, which helps us provide the very best learning environment for our students at O. Henry Middle School. The festivities begin at 3:30 for all students. Please see ways to volunteer and support O. Henry Round Up in this week's newsletter.
I'd like to give a special shout-out to our cheer coach, Ava Sokolowski, for organizing our first pep rally of the year during the last hour of school today. It was a fantastic way to kick off Spirit Week as we build excitement for next Friday's Mustang Round Up. It was also wonderful to see so many parents and family members at the pep rally cheering on our students.
If you plan to volunteer at O. Henry, please ensure you have completed your Voly application. The process helps us ensure everyone is cleared to step in and help, though approval can take a little time to process.
Next week, be on the lookout for your child's MAP Family report. This progress report will be passed out by your child's math teacher on Wednesday, September 23rd. The MAP family report will communicate fall achievement and growth information for reading, math and science.
Also, a quick reminder that this coming Monday is a Professional Learning Exchange Day for teachers, so there will be no school for students on Monday, September 21.
We hope everyone enjoys a long, restful, and safe weekend. Make it a great week to be an O. Henry Mustang.
Giddy Up!
Camie Fillpot
O. Henry Principal
ROUND UP IS ALMOST HERE, AND THE SPONSORSHIP DEADLINE IS TOMORROW!
O. HENRY ROUND UP 2026
Friday, September 25
3:30–6:30pm
We need YOU to support Round Up 2026, O. Henry Middle School’s biggest annual fundraiser!
This fun, family-friendly event is open to the community and features raffle prizes, sports booths, carnival games, a bungee jump, inflatables, food trucks and a middle school dance.
Our goal is to raise $165,000. Every gift counts, and sponsorship recognition on printed materials is due TOMORROW, Saturday, September 19, 2026.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
• Become a sponsor
• Donate any amount
• Volunteer for a 1-hour shift (or two!)
• Help stock the snack bar
• Help with setup or cleanup
WRISTBANDS
$30 all-access wristband includes all booth and game activities and the dance. Food and drinks are separate.
For information on sponsorship, tickets, and volunteer opportunities visit https://ohenrypta.org/round-up/
If you have any questions, reach out to the Round Up Co-Chairs: Jenny St. George, Erinn Edmonds, and Kirsten Matetich at roundup@ohenrypta.org.
Save the Dates:
Mark your calendars for the upcoming dates for O. Henry Middle School.
- Student Holiday (Staff PLED), Monday, September 21, 2026
- Spirt Week, September 22-25
- Round Up, Friday, September 25, 3:30-6:30 pm
- Austin High Vertical Team Night, Thursday, October 8, begins at 6:15 pm
- 6th Grade Field Trip, Grand Prixview at COTA, October 22
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.
O. Henry Spirit Week, September 21-25
O. Henry Spirit Week is happening September 21–25, and we want everyone to join in on the fun to gear up for Round Up on Friday, September 25. Show off your school spirit every day with these daily dress-up themes.
Get creative, show your pride, and let's make this week unforgettable leading up to Round Up.
Classroom Spotlight - Intro to Engineering Popsicle Bridges
An early highlight of our Discovering Careers in Engineering course is always the Popsicle Bridges Project. Students work in teams to build bridges that are judged on various engineering objectives, such as length spanned, weight and materials used, and strength/weight ratio.
Let's give a hand to these students and their teacher, Mr. Gaffney, for exploring the engineering process.
In Pursuit of Excellence Awards
We are excited to celebrate our students who embody our core values of Respect, Responsibility, Perseverance, and Integrity through the "In Pursuit of Excellence Award." These weekly nominations recognize Mustangs who treat others with kindness, own their actions, push through challenges, and do the right thing even when no one is watching. Each recipient is nominated by a staff member for specific positive behaviors and receives a certificate signed by our principal. Please join us in congratulating this week's honorees for making O. Henry Middle School a great place to learn and grow.
Garden Day Kudos
A huge shout out to our students who came out to clean up O. Henry this past Saturday for our gardening and campus beautification event. I also want to acknowledge Chelsea Combs, who has spearheaded our gardening and outdoor beautification efforts. Thanks also goes to Mr. Kleiman, Ms. Dillenberger, Allison Jackson, Mr. Gray and Natalia Wulfe who came out to help on Saturday. Our new butterfly garden looks beautiful.
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).
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.
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.
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?
First FCA Huddle Meeting will be Friday morning, SEPTEMBER 25th at 7:45am in the BIG GYM. FCA leaders please be there at 7:30am. Thanks
Please contact Ryan Richter Ryan.richter@austinisd.org if you have any questions.
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
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:
Volleyball - 7th Grade Girls' A and B Teams
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.
7th Grade Game Schedule
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
**7th C Team practices scheduled Mondays and Wednesdays after school through 5 pm in the small gym.
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.
NEW: First Game C Team Volleyball - 7th and 8th Grade
The first C Team Volleyball game is this coming Wednesday, 9/16, at 5:30 at Gorzycki Middle School.
Practices will continue to take place Mondays and Wednesdays after school through 5 pm, in the small gym.
Hope to see you there! - Coach Elliott Hilliard
Cross Country Meet Schedules
Cross Country
Our next meet is 9/19 for the McNeil Invitational. Come support our cross country runners!
Cross Country
Congratulations to the O. Henry Cross Country team! The 7th and 8th grade runners competed in their first meet of the season at the Hays CISD Invitational last Saturday. And good luck to them as they compete in the AISD Middle School Invitational at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park this evening. Let's go 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
OHMS Families,
As many of you know, AISD is facing significant financial challenges. For the 26/27 school year AISD allocated O. Henry $74.25 per student for operating expenses and supplies.
After essential school expenses such as copier costs, general teacher supplies, office supplies, and library materials, only about $3,992 remains for all academic classes, which works out to roughly $6.25 per student for the entire year. As parents, we know how quickly that can disappear. When a teacher needs additional supplies, something breaks, or a classroom needs materials for a special project, this is where our PTA steps in.
That’s why your support is so important. When you support the PTA, you directly support our students, teachers, and the O. Henry community.
Please consider supporting our biggest fundraiser, Round Up. No donation is too small or too large! We also welcome business sponsorships and corporate matching. Help Sponsor Round Up
There are also many opportunities to volunteer, and Round Up is a great way to get involved while supporting our school.Volunteer at Round Up
Thank you for helping us make a difference for our O. Henry Mustangs!
Warmly,
Allison Jackson
OHMS PTA President
QUICK ROUND UP LINKS
Mustang Crew - Mount Up
Calling all strong dads and moms - we need you to sign up for the Mustang Crew! This group of volunteers helps with the jobs that need a little bit of extra muscle (like hanging signs, setting up for events like Round Up, building equipment, etc) on an as-needed basis. Fill out the VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION to sign up for the crew! Questions? Contact Volunteer Coordinator Tegra Swogger
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 over 50 spots 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!
We had our campus Beautification Day last Saturday and we want to say thank you to everyone who helped beautify our campus before Round Up. A special thanks to Chelsea Combs, Mr. Kleiman, Ms. Dillenberger, Mr. Gray, Allison Jackson, and Natalia Wulfe! We are so grateful for your help and we can’t wait to see the butterfly garden grow throughout the year.
Thank you, Laura Cross, for coordinating the Back to School meal for teachers and staff.
Sarah Cain for decorating and updating our bulletin boards.
Kristen Raven for coordinating and supplying bagels and refreshments for PTA meetings.
Michele Karp, Mandy Craig, Hillary Deck for the countless hours you spend organizing, purchasing, and working for the Mustang Mall.
…and to all the volunteers who have volunteered at OHMS! Thank you!
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
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.
No need to pick up the phone and call the office - you can click the picture below to go directly to our form!
Daily attendance time will remain the same as last year at 9:45 AM.
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.
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