Pony Express
Week of October 9-15, 2023
Tomorrow, October 9-No School- Student Holiday Staff Development
- Principal's Message
- Happening This Week at O. Henry- Homecoming and Spirit Week Volleyball
- PSAT on Wednesday - 8th Graders
- Incident Report
- Athletics News-NEW- 8th Gr Basketball Tryouts, Boys Soccer Tryouts
- Fine Art News-Art In Action, Orchestra News, November 2024 Hawaii Trip with AHS
- Library News- NEW-Million Minute Challenge, Scare Fair, Author Visit
- Club Announcements
- PTA Updates: Round Up, PTA Membership, Call for Volunteers, Secret Pals, Thank You's
- Roundup Wrapup and Thank Yous
- Previously Posted Logistical Resources: Bell Schedule, AISD Calendar, Absence Reporting, Transportation, AISD Health Services
Principal's Update
Mustangs,
As we close out the first 9 weeks, I am reminded of the intentions and plans we set for the 2023-2024 School Year for each and every Mustang:
Learners will feel welcomed as valued in school and in the classrooms.
We will focus on the strengths and passions of each learner.
Learners will feel that their contributions are necessary to the success of the class and the school as a whole.
We are not just thinking differently about the way we “do school” but we are “doing different”. It has been intentional to have our staff teach their students 4 out of 5 days a week, to make connections to the content, and to foster positive relationships with their peers and teachers. Our hard work has paid off as content retention has been stronger this year and students know their classmates.
Students have been also engaging in assessments, project based learning, learning through creativity, and finding their strengths in group activities. Students and their families have been connected through community activities like Derby Day, Round Up, Back-to-School Night, Sporting event, and PTA coffees. Our attendance is better than last year and our discipline data has decreased.
Thank you for a great start to the school year as a community-- I know it takes all of us in our entirety to rethink and reimagine what our school can not only be for the future but for your Mustang learner each and every day. We are having the best school year ever!
This week at O. Henry is also Spirit Week as we celebrate our first 9 nine weeks of school. On Tuesday, please show your spirit by wearing O. Henry school colors of Red and White. Our student athletes will be recognized in our first Pep Rally on Tuesday afternoon as our Band, Cheer, and Dance teams perform, we highlight the fall sports and players, and get ready for Homecoming and Championship Playoff games. Please find out by checking out our school calendar below.
Making it another great week to be an O. Henry Mustang,
☮❤️&🐴's
Marlo Malott
Happening This Week Around Campus
Monday, October 9
- No Events - Staff Development Day
Tuesday, October 10-- TODAY IS A B DAY
School Spirit Colors Day
- 8th Grade Book Club at A Lunch
- 2:30 Pep Rally- Band, Cheer, Dance Perform, Spirit Games
- 4:00 7th vs 8th VB at OHMS
- 6:00 7th A FB vs. Kealing at House Park
- 7:00 8th A FB vs Kealing at House Park
Wednesday, October 11-- A Day
Wear Pink Dress Up Day
- PSAT for 8th Grade: Alternate Schedule in Morning, A and C Lunches Swapped
- 7th Grade Book Club at B Lunch
- 4:00-- HW Club in Library
- 6:00 8th Grade VB Championship Game at Ann Richards
- 6:00- OHMS B Team FB-- 7B at OHMS, 8th at Small
Thursday, October 12-- TODAY IS A C Day
Throwback Thursday- Vintage and Decade Day
- 6th grade Book Club at C lunch
- 6:00 7th Gr VB Championship Game at Burger Center
Friday, October 13-- C Day
Western Dress Up Day
Last Day of the 9 Week Grading Period
- No HW Club after school on Fridays
8th Grade PSAT - October 11: What you Need to Know
A few reminders for the PSAT:
Please make sure your 8th grader brings their fully charged Chromebook and charger for testing. If they do not have a Chromebook and we run out of back-ups (we have very few for testing purposes), they will not be able to take the PSAT.
Please arrive to school on time. Since this is a TIMED test, arriving late may mean your student will not be able to take the PSAT.
If you know your student will be absent on Wednesday, October 11th for testing, please email casi.cook@austinisd.org so she can adjust the testing rooms accordingly.
8th Grade Girls Basketball Tryouts
Coach Wolfe B Team jerrod.wolfe@austinisd.org
Tryouts Schedule
Monday (10/16) 8th period athletics - 4:30pm
Tuesday (10/17) 8th period athletics - 4:30pm
Wednesday (10/18) No tryouts
Thursday (10/19) 8th period tryouts (3:50 dismissal) *A and B teams will be posted by 4:15 pm on 10/19 Friday (10/20) A/B practice
Please wear your gray OHMS athletics shirt to tryouts with your name on it. Wear basketball shoes if you have them, athletic shoes if you don’t. All athletes must be in the athletics period and have a cleared physical to try out.
8th Grade Practice Schedule (beginning on 10/23):
● Monday - 8th period athletics - 4:30pm
● Tuesday - 8th period athletics - 4:30pm
● Wednesday - no practice (we may add practices come playoff time in December)
● Thursday - game day
● Friday - 8th period athletics
Boys Soccer 2023 Information - Tryouts October 19th and 20th
Coach Gray coaches the A Team scott.gray@austinisd.org
Coach Hibbard coaches the B Team leslie.hibbard@austinisd.org
If your 7th or 8th grade boy is interested in playing soccer this fall, please fill out the following survey -HERE
Soccer Tryout Information
-You must have a completed AISD physical in order to try out for Soccer. The entire physical packet must be completed, with signatures, in order to be valid. The physical must be turned in by the first day of tryouts.
-Pre-Tryout Practice will be held after school from 4:00 to 5:15 on the following dates: October 10th, 12th, 13th, 17th.
-Tryouts will be 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm on October 19th and 20th.
-Please wear cleats and shin-guards to every practice.
Regular Practice Schedule (subject to change)
- Monday, 4:00 - 5:15
- Wednesday, 4:00 - 5:15
- Thursday- 4:00 - 5:15
- Saturday - 9:00am A Team Game - 10:30am B Team Game
Our Game schedule is shown in the survey above. If your child participates in club soccer and has game/practice conflicts, please reach out to me. We can work out a plan to make sure they can still participate.
Fine Arts News
Save the Date: Thursday October 19th at 6:00 PM
Come hear the Choirs and Guitar students present their Fall Concert.
The concert will begin at 6PM - Everyone is invited to attend.
The concert will be in the O. Henry MS Cafe.
Art in Action
Austin HS - Band and Choir Trip to Hawaii Fall 2024
Who can go on the trip?
All Austin High Band and Choir students and their families are invited to participate in this trip. We need a minimum of 110 total travelers to confirm the trip, and the more people we sign up, the lower the prices will be. Students, chaperones, family members, and Directors are all considered travelers.
What's on the itinerary?
The trip itinerary, video, estimated costs, and sign-up page can be found here.
How much will the trip cost?
The tour company’s estimated $3,745-per-traveler quote is based on previous year’s trips. They will get a final price quote for airfare and hotel costs in January and will update the final trip pricing at that time. The payment schedule is included in the chart of important dates below.
When do we have to decide?
We have extended the deadline to sign up for the trip and pay your $100 non-refundable deposits to November 7, 2023. Our goal here was to give families plenty of time to consider the cost and timing of this trip before making this commitment. Two different trip insurance packages are available to purchase for additional fees and each package has trip refund options. This will be explained in detail at the meeting referenced below.
Who can answer my questions?
We have scheduled a virtual Informational/Q+A call for Wednesday, October 25th from 6 – 7 pm CST. The Band Boosters, Directors, and our Greenlight Trip Coordinator will be available to tell everyone more about the trip and answer everyone's questions. We encourage all students and parents to review the trip information at the link above before attending this meeting. We’ll also record the meeting for those who can’t attend.
Zoom Meeting Link
https://zoom.us/j/98588878921?pwd=UVlrdFZEMUFnblN2TjhKL3NWeWRZQT09
Meeting ID: 985 8887 8921
Passcode: 663083
IMPORTANT DATES
- October 25, 2023: Virtual Informational/Q+A Call with Band Boosters, Directors, and Greenlight Trip Coordinator
- November 7, 2023: Deadline to pay your $100 non-refundable deposit per traveler
- February 7, 2024: 1st of 5 payments due (approximately 20% of total trip cost)
- April 7, 2024: 2nd of 5 payments due
- June 7, 2024: 3rd of 5 payments due
- August 7, 2024: 4th of 5 payments due
- October 7, 2024: 5th of 5 payments due *Trip must be paid in full by this date
- November 21, 2024: Depart for Hawaii
- November 27, 2024: Return to Austin
- November 28, 2024: Thanksgiving Day
We look forward to seeing everyone at the virtual meeting on October 25th. All trip-related questions can be sent to MaroonHawaiiTrip@gmail.com.
Library News
October PTA Events And News - Austin HS Partnership on Brain Based Parenting
Wed, October 18: Parent Ed Webinar: Know your NeuroWhereabouts: Brain-Based Parenting for Preventing High Risk Behaviors, 6-7:30 p.m.
All O.Henry parents and caregivers are invited to attend a Zoom meeting on understanding teen brain development and executive functioning. This webinar is hosted by the AHS PTSA, all are welcome!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/j/83653397501?pwd=R1RWazFESEdIK0EwdmFxTDhpQ1Badz09
Meeting ID: 836 5339 7501
Passcode: AHSPTSA
PTA Thank Yous
PTA Thank Yous! We want to again acknowledge Shannon Grethel, Lynn Kasten, and Jennifer Murchison, our wonderful chairs, for helping to make Round Up 2023 a huge success! Thank you to our generous sponsors, teachers and staff plus everyone who helped set up, worked a volunteer shift, bought tickets, wristbands or merchandise, helped clean up or participated in any way. Way to go Mustang Family! You are AMAZING! AND, thank you to Stephanie Jastrow and Lindsey Majors for celebrating our wonderful custodians this week on behalf of the PTA.
Questions/Comments/Concerns? Please reach out to 2023-24 PTA President Christy Merritt
PTA 2023-24 Membership Drive
Calling all parents and caregivers! The O. Henry PTA Membership Drive for 2023-24 is still underway. Please consider joining today!
We need PTA Volunteers!
Parent involvement is what makes a school GREAT!
Please consider giving your time and talent to the Mustang Family. We have volunteer opportunities that accommodate a wide variety of interests and availability from front office staff, Mustang Mall, library, Honor Roll assemblies and more! Please sign up for volunteer opportunities HERE
ROUND UP 2023 IS A WRAP! Thank you!
Round Up was a HUGE SUCCESS with the highest level of parent volunteer participation and sponsorship donations EVER! Thank you to everyone who sponsored, volunteered, donated drinks, or attended the event. Your contribution of time and resources will help fund important supplementary department budgets, staff stipends, and teacher wish list items that enhance the learning experience for EVERY O. Henry student THIS school year.
Special thanks to our amazing Round Up Committee!!
Chairs: Jennifer Murchison, Lynn Kasten, Shannon Grethel
Committee: Melanie Dow, Brooke Salman, Amber Reed, Jenni Shirk, Joy and James Speers, Lindsey Majors, Xio Goss, Kelly and Matt Shook, Dalton Young, Mary Swanhaus, Erin Edmonds, Alana Lilie, Marjann Cooper, Jenny Butterworth, Leslie Newberry, Megan Sink, Elisabeth Anderson, Sara Trantham, Nikki Williams, Heather Chesney, Glenn Chase, Lauren Sicarelli, Lissa Anderson and Christy Merritt.
An EXTRA Shout Out to Mane Men: Erich Grethel, Patrick Hadlock, Corby Jastrow, Will Majors and Austin Trantham for helping with set up, and to Lindsay Hadlock and Lauren Sicarelli for staying late into the night with Treasury duties!
THANK YOU to our GENEROUS ROUND UP SPONSORS!
**List updated as of Thursday, September 28**
Thoroughbred
Harrell Investment Partners
Jennifer and Jimmy Murchison
Poolie
Tarrytown Pharmacy
Stallion
Benchmark Bank
Emily & Clayton Chandler
Coats Homes
Marjann and Michael Cooper
The Duckworth Family
Easy Tiger
Frost Bank
H-E-B
Horizon Bank
The Ip Family - Vincent, Lindsey, Vince, Cole and Ivy
JuiceLand
Natalie & Trent Kelly
Basil, Kelly and Samuel Mahmoud
Merritt Law
Acia & Edward Moody
The Person Family
The Rigby Family
The Skloss Family
Dalton & Victor Young
Appaloosa
The Albee Family
The Alexander Family
Elisabeth & Zach Anderson
Lissa Gray Anderson / Gottesman Residential
Austin Radiological Association
The Barksdale Family
The Dow Family
April & Josh Fox
The Grethel Family
The Hadlock Family
The Hershey Family
Mini Kahlon & Raj Patel
Kelly Legal Group
Kindred Realty Group
The Kolerich Family
The Laverty Family
Lucas Tire & Auto
The Majors Family
The Matetich Family
Nantz Orthodontics
Hunter & Robert Norris
Angie Kaps-Oberman
The Pac Family
The Roberts Family
The Seiler Family
The Shirk Family
Kelly & Offir Schwartz
SWBC MORTGAGE CORPORATION
The Trantham Family
Troy Medical
The Wittenbraker Family
Clydesdale
The Allen Family
Archer Investment Management
The Bludworth Family
The Burnett Family
The Butterworth Family
The Campbell Family
Brad & Jessica Dierks
The Dillawn Family
Annie Downing Interiors
The English Family
Rick & Heidi Hansen
Team Harrison
Randall and Thu Heaton
Anne and Charlie Henderson
Lynn & Ryan Kasten
The Koenings Family
The Koster Family
The Krieg Family
The Landis Family
The Meley Family
The Milch Family
Kelley & Joe Newberry
The Owens Family
The Pounds Family
Kit Purdy
The Rousseas Family
James & Jessica Scott
Anna & Ben Smith
Tarrytown Dance
The Thomas Family
Adolfo Valadez, Alicia Zander, Elena Valadez
Quarterhorse
The Alejandro Family
Barre 3 Austin Downtown
The Chen Family
Heather& Bobby Chesney
The Daigle Family
The Edmonds Family
The Elder Family
James Gonin, LLC
Xio Goss
Kevin Haines - Realty Austin
The Hartmann Family
Windsor Ikard
The Jester Family
Terra Lynch & Aric Cheston
Meredith & Alan Marks
Chris & Amy McClung
James McMichael
Metcalf/Burke Family
Sam Monreal
The Nehme Family
The Palmer Family
Mary Emma Partain
Suzanne & Gary Perez
Ranger Environmental Services
Dave & Amber Reed
The Salman Family
The Teeter/Segrest Family
The Tidmore Family
The Vertuno Family
Lisa Womack
The Yz /Neece Family
Palomino
The Beavers Family
The Calver Family
The Crumley Family
Raluca Carp
CHA Law Group, PC
Allen & Alison Darnell
Alan & Heather Davis
The DiRe Family
The Goldstein Family
The Granato Family
Kate Kyle
Jeter-Myers Family
Jim McHugh
Mark Menzie
The McCormick Family
Ashley Morgan
The Pearson Family
Ross & Joyce Purdy
The Rhoden Family
The Sicarelli Family
The Simpsamantes
Ruth & Roland Smith
News In Review - Previously Published, Reposted For Your Reference
ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE REPORTING
Regular Bell Schedule 2023-2024
Transportation and Traffic
Car Riders: To keep traffic flowing, follow the arrows on the map below. Be patient, student safety is our most important priority. To keep our Mustangs safe, do not drop off in back bus lot. If pickup is altered due to bad weather, a Schoolmessenger alert will go out from the Principal.
Bus Riders: Bus riders may only ride their assigned bus. Use the Bus Finder page to check which route you are assigned. Buses leave promptly at 3:57 PM each day - information about late buses will be available in coming weeks. Buses drop off and pick up on the east side of campus. For additional questions about transportation see AISD's website here.
Walkers/Bike Riders: If walking or biking to school please be safe and use crosswalks to get across streets. Bike racks are available for student use.
O. Henry Middle School
Website: https://ohenry.austinschools.org/
Location: 2610 West 10th Street, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-3229
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohenryms
Twitter: @Ohenryms