Pony Express
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF O. HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL
No School on Monday, May 26th
PRINCIPAL UPDATE
Dear Mustang Families and Caregivers,
As we wrap up the school year, here are a few important reminders and ways you can help us finish strong:
š± Chromebook Collection This Week
All students will turn in their Chromebooks this week according to the schedule shared in class. Please note that missing or damaged Chromebooks may result in a replacement fee of up to $500.
Students taking finals will return their devices after their exams on Thursday.
š End-of-Year Field Trips ā This Friday!
Weāre celebrating the year with grade-level field trips:
6th Grade ā Pinballz
7th Grade ā Austinās (Parks & Pizza)
8th Grade ā Typhoon Texas
Students may bring water bottles, sunscreen, money for snacks. Transportation and lunches are a part of the trip package.
š 8th Grade Families
Donāt miss the special section in this week's communication dedicated to your studentās end-of-year celebration activities. We canāt wait to send off our 8th graders in true Mustang style!
š Enroll Austin ā Action Needed
We need your help! If you havenāt yet completed your Enroll Austin registration for next year, please take a moment to do so. Our enrollment directly impacts staffing, elective options, and your studentās ability to get their top course choices. Reminders will be sent again this weekāthank you for your attention to this important task!
š Volunteers Needed for Mustang Day
Weāre planning a fun-filled final day celebrationāMustang Dayāand weād love your help to make it memorable! If you're available to volunteer, itās a joyful way to end the year as a community.
Thank you for being such an essential part of our Mustang community. Letās finish strong!
Letās make it a great week to be an O. Henry Mustang!
ā®ļø, ā¤ļø, and š“ās,
Marlo Malott
HAPPENING THIS WEEK
ABAB---C- Field Trips on Friday
Monday, May 19 A Day:
6th ACES--Chromebook Sticker and ID and Competition in Big Gym
7th ACES-Chromebook Sticker and ID and Student Climate Survey
Tuesday, May 20 B Day
6th ACES-Chromebook Sticker and ID and Student Climate Survey
7th ACES--Chromebook Sticker and ID and Competition in Big Gym
8th ACES-Panoramic Grade Picture
4:00-5:00 OHMS Mustang CAC- End of the Year Campus Review- Open to Public Comment
Wednesday, May 21 A Day
6th Graders will turn in their Chromebooks on this day
4:30-6 OHMS Campus Architecture (CAT) Team Meeting #7-- Open to Public Comment
6:00 NJHS Induction Ceremony in Cafe
Thursday, May 22 B Day
7th and 8th Graders will turn in their Chromebooks on this day
Friday, May 23 C Day
Grade Level Field Trips
6th Grade- Pinballz
7th Grade- Austin Parks and Pizza
8th Grade- Typhoon Texas
_____________________________________________________________________________
2024-2025 Yearbook Distribution- Tuesday and Wednesday of next week
JUST FOR 8TH GRADERS
8th Grade and Families
We know that you want to keep up with all things End of the Year for your 8th Grader. We made a special link for you to see all the End of the Year Celebrations and Activities.
MUSTANG NEWS
COUNSELING CORNER
Spring Final Exam, Project Calendar SY 24-25
HELP NEEDED- Mustang Day and 8th Grade Promotion
Mustang Families-
Are you able to donate your time on to help us with some end of the year events? The campus SEL and Admin team could really use your help.
Check out this sign up genius to let us know you can help:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0944ACA729A5FA7-56698469-mustang
- Promotion Ceremony
- Chair and Sign Set Up the day before
- Family Check in- morning of
- Celebration Luncheon Set Up
- Celebration Luncheon Take Down
- Mustang Day- Shifts from 10:30-3:50
- Office check in and check out
- Lunch duty help
- Outside Time Supervision-Recess on Field
- Outside Inflatables-pop a shot, gaga-ball, football, volleyball, free play, music
- Kona Ice Tickets
- Dance in Small Gym
ART IN ACTION
ATHLETICS
Be Ready for Athletics and Sports in 2025-2026- SAVE THE DATES
- Tryouts for 7th grade Volleyball will be Aug 20th and 21st from 7:15-1st period, The 8th grade tryouts will be Aug 20th and 21st during 8th period- 5 pm. Students must have a AISD current 2025-26 physical in order to tryout.
- 7th and 8th grade football tryouts will begin the second day of school. Students must have physical completed and turned in before trying out.
- Students who have their physical forms to turn in will receive their equipment and locker the Friday before school during Derby Day.
- Physicals for the 2024-25 school year went home last week.
- Please make sure it is filled out completely and all signatures are completed. Please turn in physicals to Coach Kobs or Coach Richter. Physicals are required to try out for a sport and to be in the athletics period. They can be turned in the first day of school.
It is also recommended to make a copy for your records.
- Next Level Urgent Care is offering $10 physicals until the end of May. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are welcome. Please take your AISD form to be filled out. There are multiple locations in Austin. https://www.nextlevelurgentcare.com/locations/city/austin-tx/page/2/
BAND NEWS
O. Henry Summer Band Camp (August 4 - 6)
Mustang Summer Band Camp will take place August 4 - 6 (Monday - Wednesday) from 1:30 - 4:30 PM in the O. Henry band hall. Band Camp is free and open to all rising 7th and 8th grade band students with at least one year of playing experience. Students who attend band camp will get to perform with the O. Henry Pep Band in the fall. Pep Band provides school spirit by performing at pep rallies, two O. Henry football games, the Casis Carnival Parade, O. Henry Round-Up, an Austin High football game, and other fun events. Band Camp is a great opportunity to improve your performance skills while learning some fun music. Please use this Summer Band Camp Link to RSVP. For more information, please contact Mr. Pinkney at sedric.pinkney@austinisd.org
ORCHESTRA
MEET THE MUSTANG
Each week we will feature a member of our faculty and staff. Thank you for being a part of our Mustang Family!
PTA News
Upcoming PTA Dates:
May 21 - NJHS Induction
May 23 - Grade Level Field Trips
May 26 - Memorial Holiday - NO SCHOOL
May 27 - Athletic Awards Ceremony- 1st period
May 29 - 8th Grade Recognition Assembly & Student Luncheon - 10am
May 29 - Mustang Day/ Last Day of School
Parents of Austin High School incoming 9th graders
you are invited to a general PTSA meeting on Wednesday, May 14th at 9:30am in the AHS Performing Arts Center. (See flyer below.)
Enroll Austin School Year 25-26
Annual Registration
Dear Parent or Guardian,
We hope your child has had a fantastic year so far at O. Henry! We appreciate your partnership this year and are thrilled to begin preparing for the upcoming year.
We wanted to announce that our annual registration process is now open. To ensure your child is all set for next year, you will need to register your child using the AISD Portal by mid-May.
Registering online will only take a few minutes and ensures your child has a smooth transition into the following year. This process allows us to make sure all of your information is up to date.
If you have any questions about the registration process, please call 512-414-7328 or our front office at 512-414-3229.
Lizbeth Rodriguez-Loza
Registrar/ PEIMS Clerk
School Calendars
FUTURE AISD SCHOOL YEAR CALENDARS ARE SET ā ā
Austin ISD trustees have approved the calendars for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.
For the 2025-26 school year, the first day of class for students will be Aug. 19 and the last day of class will be May 28, 2026.
For the 2026-27 school year, the first day of class for students will be Aug. 18 and the last day of class will be May 27, 2027.