Pony Express
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF O. HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal Update
Dear Mustang Families and Caregivers,
We hope this message finds you well and that your winter break was restful and rejuvenating. As we prepare to welcome our students back to campus, we are excited to kick off the Spring 2025 semester together!
When students return on Tuesday, they will report to their ACES homeroom teacher to start the day. Please remind your child to bring everything they need and be ready to begin the semester strong.
Looking ahead, we have some important dates and events on the horizon, so please stay tuned for updates and reminders in our school communications. Please check out our Save the Date Section below.
As we enter this new semester, let's encourage our students to set meaningful goals for growth and improvement. Whether itâs academically, socially, or personally, this is the perfect time to reflect and focus on achieving new milestones.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Letâs make Spring 2025 a season of success and achievement for our Mustangs!
âŽď¸, â¤ď¸, and đ´âs,
Marlo Malott
SAVE THE DATE
Coming Up January
- 6 (Mon)Staff Development / Student Holiday (LEADERSHIP)
- 7 (Tue)FIRST DAY BACK FOR STUDENTS
- 9 (Thur)Evacuation Drill: 11:00 am- 4th period
- 15 (Wed)ACES TIME Honor Roll / GL Assembly 6th and 7th Grade-- AB Honor Roll, Super Star Awards, No Tardies, Attendance
- 15 (Wed) Course Fair for SY 25-26--5:30-7
- 16 (Thur) ACES TIME Honor Roll / GL Assembly 8th Grade-AB Honor Roll, Super Star Awards, No Tardies, Attendance
- 17 (Fri) AISD MS All-City Band Rehearsal & Concert (All City Band members only)
- 18 (Sat) AISD MS All-City Band Rehearsal & Concert (All City Band members only)
- 20 (Mon)NO SCHOOL - MLK HOLIDAY
- 21 (Tue)-24 (Fri)Camp O. Henry
- 21 (Tue) Mustang Council (CAC) Meeting
- 23 (Thur) Lockdown Drill: 2:35 pm, 8th period
- 24 (Fri) Beginning Band Bowling- Westgate Lanes
- 27 (Mon)Austin HS Choice Sheets
- 29 (Wed) Staff Development / Student Holiday / Lunar New Year (Grade Level/Parent Mtg)
- 31 (Fri)7th/8th Grade Band O Rama@ Austin HS
Happening This Week
Tuesday, 1/7 C Day
All Students Report to ACES for a copy of their schedule
Wednesday, 1/8 -A day
Thursday, 1/9- B Day
7:30 Student FCA in Big Gym
Friday, 1/10- C Day
National Junior Honor Society
NEW NJHS Applicants
WE are excited to announce that we have decided to open up the O. Henry NJHS chapter to 7th graders (and eligible 8th graders) this year. We are going to have a mid-year application process for interested students.
NEW NJHS Applicants-- check out the Link about NJHS and the application OR Students can self-enroll in the Blend course Application at this URL: https://aisdblend.instructure.com/enroll/D9EBFT
SAVE THE DATE
NJHS induction ceremony will be Thursday, Jan 30th at 6:00pm
If you have any questions please contact Mrs. White - Becky.White@austinisd.org.
Art In Action
Athletics News
Girls Soccer Tryouts
Girl Soccer Tryouts- more information coming soon
January 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th
4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Counselor Corner
Grief and Loss
Mustang Families, we are planning to host a grief and loss group for O. Henry students beginning on Friday, December 6th. If you would like your student to be part of this group, or would like more information, please email ivy.claflin@austinisd.org (OHMS counselor).
Principles of Business and Marketing Newsletter- Mustang Times Christmas Edition
Thank you to our Sponsors
PTA News
VOLUNTEERS - WE NEED YOU!
đParent involvement is what makes a school GREAT!
Office Volunteers: 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 Salman (brookesalman@gmail.com ) with any questions.
Mustang Mall Volunteers: Mustang Mall sells OHMS supplies and swag in the cafeteria during lunch and needs volunteers. If you are interested, please email jennasilvers@me.com.
âTHANK YOUsâ
MANY thanks to the parents who have helped with the campus tours: Holly Lanham, Jennifer Pac, Meg Rein, Brooke Salman, Pam Roberts, Jarod Neece
Upcoming Important PTA Dates:
- January 15 - Course Fair Night 5:30 - 7pm - Any prospective and interested students and families are invited to this come and go event. Students will preview course sheets and be able to talk to teachers and students enrolled in courses. Mustang Mall will be selling swag, PTA will have a membership and info table. Refreshments and treats will be provided.
- January 20 - NO SCHOOL - MLK
- January 28 - Mustang Council (CAC) Meeting - 4pm
- January 29 - STUDENT HOLIDAY
REPEAT INFORMATION
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
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 â but the student did not attend at least 90% of the time. Please contact your studentâs 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:
2024-2025 Bell Schedule
Community Information
Nominations for Salute!
Salute is Austin ISDâs annual celebration to recognize some of the districtâs outstanding team members for their continued dedication to student excellence and achievement in our schools.
Nominations for 2025 Salute Awards are now open!
District staff, families, and the community are invited to submit a nomination for a campus staff member they believe represents the very best of Austin ISD.
The Salute Awards recognizes campus-based staff members in TEN categories. The winners will be celebrated at our Salute Awards ceremony, where we will also honor Teachers of Promise and Teachers of the Year.
Nominations will close January 15 at 5pm.
All Austin ISD staff, students, family, and community members are invited to nominate Austin ISD staff members in the following categories:
- Campus Clerical/Office Support Staff of the Year
- Teaching Assistant of the Year
- Custodial/Facilities Maintenance Staff of the Year
- Transportation Staff of the Year
- Food Service/Warehouse Staff of the Year
- Campus Safety and Security Staff of the Year
- Librarian of the Year
- Counselor of the Year
- Assistant Principal of the Year (Includes Academy Directors & Academic Deans)
- Principal of the Year
Click here to submit your nominations!
Check out last year's Salute Winners and Finalists below!