Pony Express
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF O. HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal Update
Dear O. Henry Students, Families, and Caretakers,
As the season of gratitude is upon us, we pause to reflect on the incredible support that makes our school such a special place. This message is dedicated to you—our parents, guardians, and community members—who continually give your time, energy, and resources to ensure the success of our students and staff.
Thanks for Giving Your Time
Our school thrives because of the time you invest:
Volunteers: Whether you reshelve books in the library, assist teachers in classrooms, or lend a hand during campus events, your time is invaluable.
Committees & Parent Groups: Your participation in PTA, Site-Based Decision-Making Committees, and other groups shapes the future of our school.
Office Helpers: Assisting in the front office is a wonderful way to support our school’s daily operations. From greeting visitors to helping with light administrative tasks, your presence makes our campus more welcoming and organized.
Thanks for Giving Your Support
Every act of generosity strengthens our community:
Fundraisers & Donations: Your contributions allow us to fund classroom supplies, extracurricular programs, and campus improvements.
Events & Celebrations: From chaperoning dances to setting up for staff appreciation lunches, you make every event feel special.
Kind Words: Your encouragement and recognition fuel our staff’s passion for teaching and leading.
Thanks for Giving Your Love
Above all, we’re thankful for the love and care you show to your students and our school community.
Your Students’ Education: Every day, you reinforce the importance of learning, preparing your children for success.
Your Partnership: Your collaboration with teachers and staff creates a shared vision for the growth and achievement of all students.
Your Spirit: From wearing school colors to cheering at performances and games, your pride in O. Henry inspires us all.
Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving
As we gather with friends and family this holiday season, we want you to know how much you mean to our O. Henry Middle School family. We are endlessly grateful for your continued dedication, compassion, and care.
Thank you for making O. Henry Middle School an extraordinary place to learn, grow, and belong.
With heartfelt gratitude,
☮️, ❤️, and 🐴’s,
Marlo Malott
Happening This Week
7:15 -- Jazz Band
5th period STIR time- always have a book with you
3:05- Boys Basketball Tryouts
Tuesday, 11/19-C Day
6th Period- Tornado Drill
4:00 Campus Advisory Council
Wednesday,11/20--A day
Support AVID- Dress in college, career, or military t-shirt
9:30-12:15 Eastside High School Field Trip
9:30-1:30 7th Grade Athletics Field Trip
1:45-2:15 ACES
5:00-- Camp O. Henry Parent Meeting
6:00- Austin High Maroon and White Night
6:00/7:00-- Girls Basketball Game versus Murchison 7th@ OHMS, 8th @MMS
Thursday, 11/21- B Day
7:30 Student FCA in Big Gym
1:45-2:15 ACES
Friday, 11/22-- C Day
Saturday, 11/23
9:00/10:30 OHMS Boys Soccer vs Murchison @ MMS
Thanksgiving SUR-Pies
The 8th Annual SUR-PIES Thanks For Giving- Pie Day The tradition continues. Let’s give thanks to everyone who works for AISD and supports our school and students. Every day, I am deeply grateful for their dedication and commitment to making O. Henry Middle School a great place to learn and grow.
Please give thanks to the legion of O. Henry teachers, counselors, assistant principals, office staff, custodians, and cafeteria staff by donating a pie or any kind of baked goods! These treats can be home-made or store-bought.
Please drop these pies off by Friday, November 22nd before 11:30 pm. We can start taking PIES on Thursday, November 21st in the front office.
If there are extra donations, we will be donating to the local Fire Department Station.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Marlo Malott @ marlo.malott@austinisd.org
Google Form to Sign Up linked here and the bar above: https://forms.gle/isfVD7QQrFEdEPM46
Campus Advisory Council
PSAT Results for 8th Graders
PSAT Scores for 8th Graders
Our 8th grade students took the PSAT in October. The scores have arrived. Your 8th grade student will receive a score report in their math class this week. Please refer to the attached PSAT Score Information handout to know more about how to read the score and what they mean.
How To Become A Campus Volunteer
Become a Campus Volunteer
Austin ISD now directly manages all volunteers through the Voly platform, including running background checks.
School-Based Volunteer
School-based volunteers help address campus needs throughout the school year. From field trip chaperones to volunteering to organize a school-wide event, numerous opportunities exist to help Austin ISD schools achieve their goals.
Interested in volunteering at an Austin ISD campus? Visit our volunteer management platform to get started with your background check.
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
Student Council---OHMS Fall Food Drive
Student Council News
It's time for the annual OHMS Fall food Drive! Every year, Student Council asks Mustangs to help our local community by raising money for the Central Texas Food Bank. Each ACES is challenged to raise $20 at school, and we also have our own fundraising page. All money raised goes to local families during the holiday season. Let's show them how much our Mustangs care!
We are starting this week and running our initiative through December 6th.
Help us show how much O. Henry cares!
Hunger affects people from all walks of life. Working families, retired seniors on fixed incomes, grandparents with custody of grandchildren, the chronically ill and the disabled all turn to the Food Bank for help in emergencies or as part of their regular meal planning.
Nearly 437,000 people in the 21 counties we serve faced hunger last year. Inflation and higher costs of living have driven a sustained increase in the demand for our services.
With hunger impacting 1 in 7 Central Texans and higher rates in some groups we all know someone who is going through this or who has gone through this.
The amazing thing is that even though hunger is a large and complex issue, our community is also large, and full of understanding and generosity. It takes our entire community coming together to ensure all our neighbors have food on the table.
A donation of $10 covers the groceries provided to a neighbor facing hunger at a Food Bank distribution. Every little bit counts.
NJHS and Coats for Kids
Help us share the warmth this year and donate a coat to Coats for Kids!
O. Henry MS has joined The Junior League of Austin’s Coats for Kids Coat Drive Competition! Help NJHS keep Central Texas children warm by dropping off a new or gently used coat in the collection bin in the front office between Nov. 12 and Nov 22!
Did you know there are multiple ways to donate to our Coats for Kids Coat Drive?
Until Nov 22nd, you can drop off a coat in the front office collection bin,
purchase a coat from the Coats for Kids Gift Registry,
donate online by visiting https://www.jlaustin.org/coats/donate-coats-for-kids/ and clicking “DONATE.” Every $20 buys a new coat.
Thank you for help NJHS and Coats for Kids
Athletics News
8th Grade Boys Basketball Tryouts
8th Grade Boys Basketball Tryouts:
1st Round of Tryouts starts Monday, November 18th during the Athletics Period (8th). Tryouts will be Monday, Tuesday and Thursday during the period.
The first cut will be posted on Friday, November 22nd.
6th Grade Boys Weights and Conditioning Club
Change in Game Days for Girls Basketball
Games are now on Wednesdays
AISD has moved Girls Basketball Games to Wednesdays in order to secure referees for events. We look forward to seeing our fans in the stands cheering us on for our wins and great hoop playing.
Counseling Corner
Mustangs are going to NYC and Washington DC!
Informational meeting November 19, 6:00 OHMS library
ELA teacher Amber Bass Patterson will lead a group of O. Henry MS students on an EF Tours trip to Washington, D.C., and New York City the first week of June 2026. On this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, students will feel the pulse of the American spirit during this journey to two of the nation’s most influential cities. From the White House and the U.S. Capitol to Times Square and the Statue of Liberty, discover how these two great cities have helped shape our past, present, and future. This will be a truly impactful trip for your students where they will create lifetime memories!
Get up-to-date meeting details and RSVP to attend the informational meeting at: https://bit.ly/4huCfMn
Information covered: itinerary, activities, dates, academic opportunities, cost, and EF’s risk-free enrollment period. Space on this tour is limited, and families at the meeting will have the ability to enroll first at a discounted rate.
We would love to have you attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
Questions? contact Amber Bass-Patterson amber.bass-patterson@austinisd.org
Meet Our Mustangs
In this section
Meet our Mustangs- You will have a chance each week to meet two members of our Mustang Family.
Yearbook Sales
O. Henry Middle School Yearbook Sale!
Don't miss out on capturing the memories of the school year—our yearbook is on sale now for just $40, the lowest price of the year! These keepsakes are incredibly popular and tend to sell out every year, so act fast to ensure you get your copy. Order yours today at jostens.com and relive all the special moments of this unforgettable year!
PTA News
Help us beat our goal - JOIN THE O.HENRY PTA TODAY!!
JOIN THE O.HENRY PTA TODAY!! We currently only have 178 members - let's beat last year's goal of 248!!
Your membership in the PTA helps support the many valuable programs and activities that occur throughout the year at OHMS. Don't forget to get your spouse or partner to sign up too! Only $12! CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE PTA TODAY!
Upcoming Important August PTA Dates:
November 23-December 1- No School- Thanksgiving Holiday
Thursday, December 5th- 8:15- Principal Coffee, 8:30 PTA General Meeting and Fine Arts Highlights
VOLUNTEERS - WE NEED YOU!
Parent involvement is what makes a school GREAT!
We have NEW office volunteer opportunities on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons between 1:30 and 3:30!! The staff would love any amount of time you are able to help out! SIGN UP HERE TO VOLUNTEER IN THE OFFICE or email Brooke
REPEAT INFORMATION
Attendance Reminders/Updates
**90% rule what does it mean?**
**90% rule what does it mean?**
If a student drops below 90% in a course, an "NC" is entered instead of a grade. The grade may be passing – but the student did not attend at least 90% of the time. Please contact your student’s Assistant Principal to see what corrective steps must be taken.
Notices are going out to families this week whose students are dropping below 90% attendance and we will be required to attend "Attendance Matters" workshop: