2018-2019 Wish List Summary

Round Up is the O. Henry PTA’s main fundraiser that provides funding for staff Wish List requests each fall. These requests directly benefit EVERY student during THIS academic school year. Due to the generous support of our families and community, the PTA is proud they can grant $70,000 to support the following Wish List requests:

• $30,000 in new technology such as Chromebooks, desktop computers, LCD writing tablets, and Vex Robotics Kits for various departments and the library
• $15,500 for the Fine Arts (Choir, Band, Orchestra, Art, Dance, and Theatre) for risers, instruments, music, costumes, and other equipment
• $5,000 for Science supplies for innovative labs and activities
• $4,000 to support Electives and ESL
• $2,900 in supplemental pay for staff who have taken on additional responsibilities on our campus
• $2,800 for AVID college visits and end of year celebration
• $2,600 for Physical Education and Health for equipment, jerseys, and supplies
• $2,500 for Mustang Day, a schoolwide event on the last day of school
• $1,400 for English Language Arts for magazines, online subscriptions, headphones with microphones, and other materials
• $1,300 for Social Studies to purchase class sets of atlases and online subscriptions
• $1,200 for our Counselors to support Career Day and provide counseling supplies
• $1,000 for Office & Cheer for art supplies to foster school spirit

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O. Henry DirectorySpot app now available

We are excited to announce that the O. Henry DirectorySpot App is now available!  Your DirectorySpot data will match what you gave to AISD when you registered your student(s) this current year.  Your family’s listing can be edited but it will be every family’s responsibility to make changes in their own family entry.  You may only make changes on a desktop or laptop computer, not on a cell phone.

Your family information is included in DirectorySpot if you:

• Agreed to have an email address in the Directory
• Have given an email address(es) to AISD when registering their child(ren) for school.

You will receive an email from DirectorySpot directing you how to log on to their system. If you previously used Directory Spot at another school, just log in using your existing username and password and you can easily switch between all the directories you have access to.

If you did not “Opt-In” to be included in the school directory, then you will not receive a login.

 For Smartphone Users:

Download the DirectorySpot app by going to your app store and searching “DirectorySpot” or by clicking on the appropriate link here: iPhone – http://goo.gl/5U2Tzq or Android – http://goo.gl/iBK9lY

Launch DirectorySpot, enter your email address as your Username, and click on “Reset Password.”
Click on the link in your email to set your password, relaunch the DirectorySpot app, and login with your username and password.

 For Tablet, Mac, or PC Users:

Go to directoryspot.net and click on “Login” in the upper right hand corner.
Enter your email address as your Username, and click on “Reset Password.”    An email will be sent to you with a link to set your password.
Click on the link in your email to set your password and login.

Note – if downloading to an iPad, just search for “iPhone apps” and you will find DirectorySpot.

Make sure to check out all the features, such as the auto dial when you click on a phone number, or the auto launching of maps when you click on an address.  If you hold down the cell phone number, you will get an option to send a text or call the number (iPhone only).  DirectorySpot will even create an email if you click on someone’s email address.

For help editing or changing information for your own family, or if you have any other questions, please contact Heather Chesney at hrchesney@yahoo.com.

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New School and PTA web sites

Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year O. Henry’s school web site will be hosted by the district and managed by AISD employees. Information like bell schedules, faculty rosters, class descriptions, and sports information will now be available at the new OHMS web site located at:

http://ohenry.austinschools.org/

The PTA site you are viewing now will continue to provide information about our steadfast efforts to help promote an enriching and nurturing learning environment and exceptional middle school experience for all our students. You’ll find information about fundraising events like Round Up and our spring Golf Tournament, as well as opportunities to show your support by joining the PTA and volunteering.

Should you have any questions or suggestions regarding the new PTA web site please contact PTA President Tammy Cochran at president@ohenrypta.org

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TESTIMONIALS

“Sometimes middle school parents feel like their kids don’t want them up at school or there are not many opportunities to get involved like in elementary school. The O. Henry PTA provides a variety of ways to support our school and stay involved in your child’s education. Stay involved even if your child rolls their eyes at you for being there … you are sending a powerful message that their school is important!”

“I love having PTA parent volunteers in our front office, screening visitors, fielding phone calls and being a part of our office family.”

“I love the OHMS PTA because they are friendly, welcoming and supportive of our kids in all ways.”

“Due to the amazing support of our PTA, we are able to serve our students in so many ways. They support us in our Annual College and Career Fair, our counseling initiatives to help motivate our students to do their best in class, and help us support the Whole Child.”

“My kids love getting to see performances at school by amazing artists such as Blue Lapis Light aerial dancers and Outspoken Bean, an award-winning slam poet. It means a lot to me that the OHMS PTA supports the arts in our students’ educational experience.”

“Because so many parents donate via the PTA to the library, we are able to buy more copies of the books your students want to read! We need to capture the reading excitement when it happens … when parents, teachers, and students buy books at our author visits, we are able to keep bringing the rock star writers to O. Henry via BookPeople. THANK YOU!”

“The PTA gave us money for new classroom computers in our history classrooms. These new laptops were the breath of fresh air that we needed to fully invest in technological innovation in our classrooms. As the district pushes new uses for technology, these new laptops helped our students take the needed steps in that direction!”

“We are SO grateful for the PTA. In photojournalism and yearbook, we strive for a 1:1 student to technology ratio and the PTA has helped us get closer to that. With the help of the PTA, we now have four Mac laptops, which give students experience using technology that photographers use in the real world. We now also have enough cameras in the classroom for every student to get hands on experience.”

“When my older daughter started sixth grade at O. Henry, I couldn’t believe how active the PTA was! There are so many opportunities to get involved in this special community. I have volunteered during lunch at the Mustang Mall, been involved in the Coffee Angels program, helped teachers with afternoon tutorials, served on the Round Up Committee, and helped support the many sports teams on which my daughter played.

I encourage all families to get involved! You’ll not only make lasting friends, but also you’ll help fulfill the teachers’ wish lists and amazing field trip opportunities that enrich every student’s three years at O. Henry.”

“The You Are Loved mural would not be possible without the support of the PTA. Everyone is welcome at O. Henry no matter where you come from, your skin color, who you love, your gender, your religion, or your resident status. Students, faculty and community members helped design, create tiles, mosaic and grout this mural that was dedicated to Karen Aidman for her service to the O.Henry community.”

“As the O.Henry Cheerleading program has grown to be a nationally competitive squad, the PTA has been instrumental in that growth! Last year, they bought us a complete floor of tumbling mats to help our cheerleaders stay safe while learning new and more difficult stunts and skills. This year, they bought us new pom poms to help us look sharp and professional at our national-level competitions!”

  • O. Henry Middle School PTA

    2610 West 10th Street
    Austin, TX 78703 USA

  • 512-414-3229
  • ohenrypta@ohenrypta.org

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