Cougar News

Week of May 9th - May 13th

Letter from Principal Nelson

Cougar Nation-


We honor and celebrate individuals after significant accomplishments, which is perfectly fine, but sometimes we like to celebrate our students before their amazing feats here in Smallville. Enter Splashfest; a way to celebrate our students before the STAAR tests. We want them to know that we appreciate and applaud them regardless of their scores. We mean it when we say we just want them to do their best because we know if they are relaxed and take it seriously, the teaching we have done over the last eight months will take over once they begin. Follow our lead and let them know that we do not base their success on a multiple-choice test on Tuesday of next week. We consider them successful if they work hard, do their best, and work on ways to improve in areas they are lacking.

Please make sure your student has their ChromeBook and charger with them on Monday of next week so we can house them here on campus to ensure they are present and charged for the tests. Each student is allowed four hours per exam, so they must have power for the duration. Yes, I do mean the Chromebooks and the student :)


STAAR Schedule:


Monday, May 9th, will be a C-Day, and each student will see each of their teachers. At the end of the day, all students will report to their testing site (PRIDE for the most part) and deposit their device and their charger. This way, we’ll have their fully-charged CB ready and waiting for them first thing Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday, May 10th, all students will be taking the Math STAAR test. Even though it will be on the computer, please remind your students to do the work on paper. We’ve been working on writing every question down and doing all the work on paper before submitting it via computer. Still, these middle school students are forgetful, so help us remind them.

Wednesday, May 11th, all students on campus will be taking the STAAR Reading test. For this one, it‘s all about taking one’s time and engaging with the text. Have your students read the passage, read the questions, and re-read the selection with the questions in mind.

Thursday, May 12th, will be a typical school day for 6th and 7th, and our 8th graders will be taking the STAAR Science test. This test is unlike the others in that it is a cumulative test that covers grades 6, 7, and 8.

Friday, May 13th, again, 6th and 7th graders will have a semi-normal day, while this time, our lucky 8th graders get to take the Social Studies STAAR. Unlike the composite science exam, this one exclusively deals with what they have learned in US History this year.


Please make sure for each day the student tests they have plenty of non-messy and non-smelly (I’m talking to you, Corn-nuts) snacks available and plenty of water. They’ll also need a book or two to read as that is all they will be allowed to do after completing the exam. If your student is without a book of choice now, please spend the weekend looking or have them come to the Library on Monday. Do not let them tell you they’ll pick something up in their PRIDE class; make them select something of interest since they may be spending up to two hours a day with their book. If it piques their interest, they’ll be quiet, and others will be able to test peacefully.


Enjoy your weekend, and remember that during the days we are testing next week, there will be no homework, after-school activities, or parent/guardians allowed on campus. You can still drop off food and such; only you can’t stay with them and eat.


Matthew Nelson

Principal

Clint Small Middle School

(512) 841-6705

www.smallmiddleschool.org

matthew.m.nelson@austinisd.org

Splash Fest 2022. That's a wrap!

What a blast we all had at Splash Fest 2022!!!!


HUGE SHOUT OUT to everyone that participated and made this years Splash Fest such a fun and successful event! We should know how much we made on Monday. That money is going directly back to the departments and clubs that participated.


Thank you to...


Teachers and Staff:

Creating booths and supporting this amazing event.


Volunteers:

We could not have put on this event without you!


PTA:

For sponsoring, planning and being the amazing ROCK STARS you all are!


Raffle Donators:

We had about 45 - 50 awesome prizes for the kids to win! They were so excited!


Sponsors:

You were the backbone to this event!


Please support our splash fest sponsors, see their info below the photo gallery!

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Thank you to our Sponsors!

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Mental Awareness Month

Here are some links to resources



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Links to Physical Forms

Here is all the info you need for your 7th or 8th grader to try out for sports next school year.


Rank One

22-23 Physical English

22-23 Physical Spanish

Parent Release Form

Austin High Sports Medicine Program will be hosting a Sports Physical day on Thursday May 12th starting at 3:30pm. Physicals are $20 per child or $30 for sibling pairs. Physicians from Austin UT Health will be completing all physicals. All proceeds go directly to the Sports Medicine program. Austin ISD requires a new sport participation physical every year, so this is a great way to help support the sports medicine program and complete your child's annual physical.


To Sign-Up for Physical Day:

-complete the Medical History Form *make sure any questions answered "yes" are explained and that the parent and student signatures are completed.

-complete the Parent Release Form

-return completed forms to Abby Edwards, Austin High's Athletic Trainer by May 11th

*forms need to be handed to Abby Edwards, NO EMAILING


Important Reminders:

-Physicals need to be completed before any summer or fall athletic activities. This includes summer conditioning camps and fall tryouts.

-All physicals (completed at physical day or on your own) need to be given directly to the Austin High Athletic Trainer(s). NOT emailed and NOT given to a coach.


If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Abby Edwards

Email: abby.edwards@austinisd.org

Office Phone: (512) 414-7242

8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

Join us on


May 27th at 10 AM


In the big gym for our 8th grade promotion ceremony

2 guests per student

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Incoming 6th Grade Information

Important dates for incoming 6th Graders


Cougar Camp - August 1st - 2nd, 2022 (Choose AM or PM Session)

This is the transition camp to help teach kids about how middle school works, make new friends and learn more about the campus - Click here to register and learn more


Scavenger Hunt - Aug 4, 2022 - Time TBD

Come show your parents what you learned in camp. See if you can find your way around Small and that you are ready for the first day of school. More details to come


Parent Camp - August 4th. 5:30 pm - Zoom

This is all the information every new to middle school parent will need to know about Small and how middle school works. Click here to register


First Day of School - August 15th, 2022


Ways to keep informed.

Website: www.smallmiddleschool.org

Newsletter: https://small.austinschools.org/our-school/announcements/newsletters

Parent facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/groups/SmallMiddleSchoolParents/


Questions?

Small FAQ Page

Small Acronym

Email or call Jennifer Newell at


jennifer.newell@austinisd.org 512-841-6701

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Please, Please, Please Register for Next Year!

Do you hate seeing all these reminders about Online Registration?

We do too! We don’t like bothering you guys.


We have 845 people who have NOT registered for the 2022-2023 school year. The more people who register, the faster we can stop bugging you!


Are you thinking “do I really have to register online? My kid is already enrolled.”

Yes! We need all parents to online register EVERY year, so that we have the most current information on file. This helps ensure we have appropriate staffing too.


Can’t remember what you need to do to register?

Please visit portal.austinisd.org click or search the “AISD Student Registration” Tile.


Here are some step by step instructions:

Parent Guide to Online Registration: English

Guía de inscripción en línea para padres y tutores legales Espanol


Not coming back to Small?

No problem, just email giovana.mcgettrick@austinisd.org your student’s full name, and what school they will be attending in the fall. We will update the database, so you come off our list.

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Summer Camp Section

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The AISD Summer Theatre Series is back!

Students of all experience levels are welcome to shine on stage during the free Summer Theatre Series program. Current fifth through 12th graders in Austin ISD are invited to try out for the program’s seventh consecutive season.


The program will start June 6 and run through July 25 and will feature The Addams Family musical production, Alice in Wonderland black box studio production, and the new Summer Theatre Series Rising Stars program—a one-week educational theatre camp that offers workshops in acting, dance and voice.


The technical track of the Summer Theatre Series allows students to explore design and construction in costumes, make-up, scenery, properties, lights, and sound. Students will work with professionals from the Austin theatrical community to create all of the technical elements of the productions.


Rehearsals take place at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center. Several transportation options will be provided for participating students, including a daily bus running to and from Bedichek Middle School, carpools and free city bus passes available through the Kids Ride Free program with Capital Metro. City bus locations are located at the corner of Mueller Boulevard and Barbara Jordan Boulevard, and across from Dell Children’s Hospital.

Students interested in participating must register by April 13 and video auditions need to be submitted by April 15.


An audition workshop and Q&A session will be available Monday, April 11. For access to audition materials and more information on the 2022 Austin ISD Summer Theatre Series, go to www.austinisd.org/arts.


For questions, please contact Program Coordinator, Jessica Champion, at jessica.champion@austinisd.org.



Se invita a estudiantes con cualquier nivel de experiencia a brillar en el escenario durante el programa gratuito de la serie de teatro de verano. Se invita a los estudiantes de quinto a 12.° grado del Austin ISD a hacer una audición para la séptima temporada consecutiva del programa.


El programa comenzará el 6 de junio y continuará hasta el 25 de julio y presentará la producción musical La familia Addams, la producción de cámara negra Alicia en el País de las Maravillas y el nuevo programa Estrellas en Ascenso de la serie de teatro de verano, un campamento educativo de una semana que ofrece talleres de actuación, danza y voz.

La opción técnica de la serie de teatro de verano les permite a los estudiantes explorar el diseño y la construcción de vestuario, maquillaje, escenarios, utilería, iluminación y sonido. Los estudiantes trabajarán con profesionales de la comunidad teatral de Austin para crear todos los elementos técnicos de las producciones.


Los ensayos se llevan a cabo en el Centro de Artes Escénicas del Austin ISD. Se proveerán varias opciones de transporte para los estudiantes participantes, incluyendo un autobús diario de ida y vuelta a la Escuela Secundaria Bedichek, vehículos compartidos y pases gratuitos para autobuses de la ciudad disponibles a través del programa Los Niños Viajan Gratis de Capital Metro. Las paradas de autobuses de la ciudad están en la esquina de Mueller Boulevard y Barbara Jordan Boulevard y frente al Hospital Dell Children's.


Los estudiantes interesados en participar deben registrarse a más tardar el 13 de abril y las audiciones en video deben enviarse a más tardar el 15 de abril.


Habrá un taller para las audiciones y una sesión de preguntas y respuestas el lunes, 11 de abril. Para acceso a los materiales de audición y más información sobre la serie de teatro de verano del Austin ISD de 2022, vaya a www.austinisd.org/arts.


Si tiene preguntas, comuníquese con la coordinadora del programa, Jessica Champion, a jessica.champion@austinisd.org.

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Green Academy Blog

Did you know the Green Academy has a blog? Check it out!