Cougar News
The Weekly Newsletter of Clint Small, Jr. Middle School
Principal Interview Committee
You must be available on Monday, Jan. 25 at 3:00 p.m. to develop interview questions, and then on Thursday, Feb. 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to conduct the interviews. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Please email Jena Weber at jena.weber@austinisd.org if you are interested. CAC will meet next week to select a candidate.
NAEP 2016 - DBA grade 8 pilot assessments
Small Middle School will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on March 2, 2016. NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. It is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. NAEP is different from our state assessment because it provides a common measure of student achievement across the country. The results are released as The Nation's Report Card, which provides information about student achievement to educators, parents, policymakers, and the public.
If randomly selected to take the NAEP test, your child will take a mathematics, reading, or writing pilot assessment on a tablet. The assessment also asks students questions about their daily routine and their educational experiences. For example, students are asked if there is a computer at home and about the amount of reading they do. Student responses provide context and meaning to the assessment results. Please visit http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/about/booklets.asp to review sample questions.
The assessment takes about 120 minutes for most students. The results are completely confidential (in accordance with the Confidential Information Protection provisions of Title V, Subtitle A, Public Law 107-347). The information collected is used for statistical purposes only, and the results are anonymous. Your child’s grades will not be affected. Students may be excused for any reason, are not required to complete the assessment, and may skip any question. While the assessment is voluntary, NAEP depends on student participation to help policymakers improve education. However, if you do not want your child to participate, please notify me in writing by February 15, 2015.
There is no need to study in preparation for NAEP, but please encourage your child to do their best. A brochure that explains what participation in NAEP means for you and your child is available at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/parents/2012469.pdf. Contact Kurt Obersteller at (512) 841-6707 or at kurt.obersteller@austinisd.org if you have any questions.
We are excited that our school is participating in NAEP. We know that Small Middle School's students will show what our nation’s students know and can do.
Gifted and Talented?
Gifted and Talented Spring Nominations
Austin ISD 2015-2016 Gifted and Talented nomination window is January 11-22. Parents can nomination students by completing the nomination form link below. Please return forms to the Clint Small main office care of Becky White Advanced Academic Coordinator.
Secondary Parent Nomination Form for Austin ISD Gifted Program http://www.austinisd.org/sites/default/files/dept/adv-academics/GT_Parent_Nomination_Form_Sec_Bilingual_8262014.pdf
PTA News
The PTA is collecting Box Tops $ Education and Labels for Education! Please submit to the front office.
http://www.boxtops4education.com
TEDxYouth@Austin
TEDxYouth@Austin is an annual forum created to bring high school and middle school students from the central Texas area into the TEDx movement. With engaging stories, inspiring performances, and intriguing presentations, we will explore the theme of (in)visible.
This year’s TEDxYouth@Austin event is scheduled for Saturday, February 13,2016.
This FREE and inspirational event is for our students in 8th grade.
For more information visit: http://tedxyouthaustin.com/.
Kuk Sool Won
Women's Self Defense Class
Bring a friend and do something healthy for yourself!
Kuk Sool Won of Oak Hill Martial Arts will be offering a Women's Self Defense Class on Saturday, January 30th from 1:00-2:30pm. This informative, hands on class will teach some personal protection skills such as:
- Principles of self defense that may be applied to a variety of situations,
- Practical self defense techniques based on martial arts traditions that can be adapted to today's changing environment,
- Pressure points that can be used in any self defense situation.
Kuk Sool Won of Oak Hill Martial Arts is located at 6001 West William Cannon Drive, Ste 307, 78749. To learn more about the martial arts, visit www.kswoakhill.com or call 512-899-8710. Each of the black belt instructors is CPR/First Aid Certified and have passed their FBI Fingerprint Checks and Background Checks.
Space is limited, so please sign up with barbarak@kswoakhill.com.
Clint Small, Jr. Middle School
Email: jena.weber@austinisd.org
Website: http://www.smallmiddleschool.org/
Location: 4801 Monterey Oaks Boulevard, Austin, TX, United States
Phone: (512) 841-6700