Cougar News
Week of 2/26/18 - 3/2/18
Letter from Principal Nelson
And how was your week?
Clint Small made headlines this week by allowing our students their right to peacefully assemble and our students were able to take what they’ve learned from their history books and apply it to a cause meaningful to them. We as educators know that the simple part of our job is over; keeping our eyes on our kids and making sure they are safe. However, our task at hand now is far more difficult as we are to make sure all students learn from this event and are able to compare their actions to the actions of others who stood before them. Our stance has been, and always will be, one where we neither condone nor condemn these actions; we merely create systems and procedures to monitor their safety if they choose to participate.
What we have done, and are continuing to do, is make sure our school is as safe as it can be by tweaking our own security and adding extra measures to improve campus safety We know the safety of our students is our number one priority, so we are always researching methods to improve upon it. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please send them my way.
Here are a few of the new measures we will begin enacting:
- We are removing the bell by the bandhall so visitors without badges only have one entry point.
- We are locking the door from the office to the Academic Areas. Now, there are 2 locked entry points before an visitor is allowed in our hallways.
- We are ordering multiple copies of keys to each room so our subs can lock their doors on their own. This is vital as all adults on campus need to be able to lock doors in the event of an actual emergency. We’ve been relying on our security guard and custodians to help in the past, but will now save time with this measure.
- Visitor name tags and badges must be visible! When you arrive on campus, please make sure your name tag is front and visible for all to see.
- Students will be reminded not to open any doors for any adults or delivery drivers, AISD or not, in an effort to have one central point on campus for entry and exits.
The administration team and I will also be heading to various trainings over the next few months in an effort to be on the forefront of campus safety. We will continually audit ourselves, then invite the local authorities to do so as well. We need to be aware of what it is we need to improve upon sooner rather than later and invite any and all to help us keep our campus safe.
PALS Students on Wellness Wednesdays:
In a strange coincidence, our school made headlines twice on Wednesday: for the above events and as part of KVUE’s weekly series Wellness Wednesdays. Several students in Mr. Hopkins PALS Program were recently interviewed by a KVUE journalist about cyberbullying as part of their weekly series, which is focusing on youth voice and youth issues this month. This connection was facilitated by our friend Randy Randolph from SAFE Alliance/SafePlace Austin, who is their education outreach person and has worked with our PALS and NPFH Student Coalition groups for the last 4 years.
The piece with our students debuted on Wednesday. Enjoy this excellent piece featuring some of our amazing 8th graders as they discuss issues relevant to middle school students all across America. http://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/wellness-wednesday-talking-to-kids-about-cyberbullying/269-514796441
Have a great weekend! Thank you once again for sending your student to us each day and for allowing us to watch them grow and learn.
Matthew Nelson
Principal
Small Middle School
(512) 841-6505
@smallprincipal
Where in the World is Principal Nelson?
Looking for some family fun?
We are opening up the CSMS Campus for a
fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Saturday, March 3rd 12:00 - 3:00 pm
Part Scavenger Hunt!
Part Escape Room!
All Ice Cream Socal!
Teams of 2 to 4 compete to win prizes --- Ice Cream Social at the end!
Parents are encourage to participate, but don't have to. You should know, teams DO get a bonus point if they have a parent or teacher on their team. Team members do not have to be CSMS Students, Invite your older brother or younger sister to join your team. Mom and dad can play too!
Early Bird Special $20 a team! -
- Price goes up on Friday 2/23 to $30 a team.
Click here for more details and to purchase a team!
We need about 6 Volunteers for this event. If you can help Email Jennifer Newell
Questions? Contact Jennifer Newell at jennifer.newell@austinisd.org
Small School, Big World
Do you love reading Rick Riordan's Olympians series? Do you love studying mythology? Love adventure? Join our adventure to Greece!
Spring Break 2019!
Interested?
Informational Meeting
February 28, 2018
6:00 pm
Clint Small Library
Current Clint Small Students/Parents and Rising 6th Graders are WELCOME!!!
It is that time again!
Registration for school year 2018-19 is now open! Please visit your Parent Cloud click on the REGISTRATION tile and complete the registration for all current AISD students. Please visit my webpage for further instructions.
NJHS 2018-2019
Information meeting Friday, March 23rd during PRIDE in front of the Counselor Corner.
Join Small Middle School Ultimate Frisbee Club!
https://sites.google.com/view/smallultimate After-school twice a week on Mon/Thurs starting February 26th through mid-May - check website for latest info Faculty sponsor - Coach Mullen $25 joining fee, disc and shirt extra Go to the website above to register and for additional information on the city-wide youth Spring league and other playing opportunities
Another Summer Camp Idea
Fun with Chemistry will be hosting two-types of Day Camps this summer for students entering 4th-8th grades in the Fall semester of 2018. The Physical vs. Chemical Change sessions will give students the chance to experience hands-on learning while performing chemistry experiments, meet successful chemistry professors, and even enjoy an explosive chemistry circus.
We are excited to announce a second type of camp this summer: forensic science! This day camp will be a two-day experience, during which students will learn about different forensic science professions and what goes into an investigation. This camp will end with the students using their new skills to unveil the identity of the “UT Campus Dog-Napper” in a mock investigation. Registration opens TODAY (February 15th) and spots are limited so be sure to reserve yours soon!
For dates and more information, please follow the link below. If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out at outreach@cm.utexas.edu. I’m excited to see you all back this summer!
https://cm.utexas.edu/about/fun-with-chemistry#summer-camp
Hook ‘em horns!
The Fun with Chemistry Team
Kate Biberdorf, Ph.D.
Lecturer; Director of Demonstrations and Outreach
The University of Texas at Austin
Library BoxTops
2017-2018 Yearbooks On Sale Now!
You can order your yearbook online anytime. Click here
Clint Small, Jr. Middle School
Email: jennifer.newell@austinisd.org
Website: http://www.smallmiddleschool.org/
Location: 4801 Monterey Oaks Boulevard, Austin, TX, United States
Phone: (512) 841-6700