Cougar News
Week of April 24, 2023
Letter from Mr. Nelson
Smallville-
The first round of STAAR (RLA) has passed us by, and there are only 11 testing days left on this track. Our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will take the Math STAAR on May 4th (STAAR Wars Day), and only our 8th graders will test next week. They’ll take the STAAR Science test n the 26th and the US History STAAR on the 27th.
While we like the 3-week window for all tests, we still have issues with so much time spent assessing students on information that doesn’t impact what they learn (our 8th graders will be in their testing rooms for a minimum of 16 hours) and would instead use those 16 hours for other projects. I would love for TEA to mandate 16 hours of community service and exploration this time of year and actually think that would benefit our students way more than these exams. Don’t get me wrong, we love assessing our kids whenever we can use the data to drive instruction, but with STAAR, by the time we reach the data, the students are in a new grade level, and one-third of them are off to a different campus. That’s why we refer to it as a post-modem report. We prefer assessments like MAPS Growth and the SCAs, which provide our teachers with valuable information to create flexible learning groups, provide intervention, and even reteach unfamiliar or lost concepts.
All we ask of your student is that they do their best and try their hardest. Then, no matter the outcome of the exam, you, them, and I can be proud of their accomplishments. Only some students can pass, but every student can put forth their best effort.
Now, if TEA could only find a way to reward effort over execution.
Soup and Worm Update: Since two amazing families donated two 20-gallon tanks for Soup (the lizard), we could give one to Worm, the rat. You see, Worm is a rat living in a 5-gallon abode and was set to move on to the 10-gallon tank abandoned by Soup whenever Soup received his (or her) new home. Because of our community's amazingness, Worm bypassed the studio apartment and moved directly to the penthouse in the sky. Worm and Soup were overjoyed and loved their new digs! Whenever we let Worm know he (or she) would also be moving to a luxurious new tank, he (or she) gnawed on a piece of wood and drank from a water bottle. I’m told this is the rat way of saying “splendid.”
Thank you for all you do for our staff, students, and furry and scaly friends.
Have a great week!
Matthew Nelson
Principal
matthew.m.nelson@austinisd.org
(512) 841-6705
Splashfest Sponsor\Raffle donation
- Splashfest Sponsor Information
- Splashfest Raffle Amazon Wishlist Feel free to purchase an item from our wishlist and have it sent directly to Small. We will let you know when we receive it. - THANK YOU to those of you that have donated so far!!! We have gotten some great stuff. Keep it coming!!!
Splashfest is our end-of-year celebration/fundraiser where we turn the back of Small into a giant carnival, full of inflatable activities, games, food and much more! Kids can do wet, or dry activities and everyone has a blast! The money raised at this event goes directly to the departments that participate so all parts of Small are represented and get much needed funds to start the school year off right!
Save the Date May 12th
right afterschool until 6:30
More details to come!
STAAR Tests are coming
Chargers
Every chromebook comes with 1 charger. If your student loses that charge, you must purchase a new one. We do not have extra chargers in the office to loan or give out.
Click here to purchase or see what charger you need for the school chromebooks.
Click on image below to enlarge it.
Austin Park and Pizza
Online Payment
https://austinisd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/30233/63/False/True
AISD School Family Survey
Click here to Apply for Student Council for next year: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffk2_so_BTBpGz-9tmxfNsk9TzMbUkE2K9uw-lPY-3MWfCrw/viewform
Spring Break 2023
Small Middle School had the BEST time Spring Break 2023: Germany, Italy & Switzerland. Check out more photos on Instagram: @smallschool.bigworld
For more information on how you can be a part of next year's trip: Spring Break 2024: Italy & Greece, please contact sarah.dietz@austinisd.org
Volunteers:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C49A8A82FABFE3-csms
Concession Donations:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C49A8A82FABFE3-spring
Counseling Corner
Incoming 5th Grade Info
Choice Sheets: It is time to turn in your choice sheet for next year. Please go to our Counseling Choice Sheet Page. There you can learn more about what we offer, print a choice sheet and fill it out. Please turn it in asap to our front office. If you have any questions about the choice sheet, contact our counselors cynthia.diaz@austinisd.org, zahra.asadi@austinisd.org, brilina.pursche@austinisd.org
Registration:
Don't forget to register your student every year. Please visit https://small.austinschools.org/parents/registration to register your child(ren) for the 23-24 school year. You will be able to access step-by-step instructions to newly register your student or to confirm your family’s current information. Please remember that registering your child is essential for appropriate funding and staffing at our school. Feel free to contact our Family Support Line at 512-414-9187 or parenttechsupport@austinisd.org if you encounter any technical issues.
Note: Don’t worry if it says your home school and not Small. Go ahead and complete the registration, once the Transfers are completely processed, It will change to Small.
Band Instrument Selection: If your student plans to join our amazing band this year, please go to https://clintsmallmsband.weebly.com/beginning-band.html to sign up for a band instrument selection date.
Transition Events: We are offering some summer transition events to make sure your student is very comfortable coming to Small next year. Save the date...
- Cougar Camp: (Kids only) July 31st & August 1, 2023 This is a 2 day, 1/2 day camp
- Scavenger Hunt: (Parents and Kids) August 3rd, 2023 11 - 1 PM
- Parent Camp: (zoom) August 3rd, 6 to 7:30 pm - Sign-ups TBD
Communication Tools: You can get lots of information in the following places.
- This newsletter ;) - If you want to get it in your in box every week, Click here
- Our Website - Keep an eye on the Calendar and take a look at our FAQ for incoming families. It needs a little updating, but there is a lot of good info there.
- Parents of Small Facebook - Join here, Ask questions and get answers from other families from Small.
Before/After School:
- Carpool - If you would like to find others in your neighborhood that go to Small, sign up for carpool
- Cougar Club - If you would like to have your student supervised after school, Join Cougar Club here.
Austin Community College Summer Camp - FREE
We are excited to announce that we are providing our AISD Middle School Students with the opportunity to attend a FREE all day (Monday thru Friday ) summer camp during June 2023, sponsored by Austin Community College. Please share while space is available!!!!! See links below for online application, in English and Spanish. Students may choose 1, 2 or all 3 camps.
There will be (3) choices for our AISD Middle School Students to choose from, which include:
- Health Sciences - June 12 - 16, 2023, at ACC Eastview Campus, 3401 Webberview Road, Austin, TX
- Advanced Manufacturing - June 20 - 23, 2023, at ACC Highland Campus, 6101 Highland Campus Dr, Austin, TX (*note: 6/19 is a holiday - camp will be closed on this day)
- Information Technology - June 26 - 30, 2023, at ACC Highland Campus, 6101 Highland Campus Dr, Austin, TX
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057380592586
We're returning July 10-14, 2023 and Applications are out! Use the QR code on the flyer to apply today for Camp NAWIC 2023. We will be accepting 24 first year campers and 16 returning campers. Applicants will receive notice of acceptance or waitlist status by the end of April. Apply today!
All Bowie Camps
Baseball Camp
June 6-8, 2023
9:00-12:00
$175
Boy’s Basketball Camp
June 19-23, 2023
9:00-4:00 Daily
Ages: Incoming 3rd-9th graders
Price: $200
Lunch is offered for $10 Day
Link to sign up: https://forms.gle/AnUxBwUydcvffg3Y9
Cheer Camp
July 10-13, 2023
7:30-4:30
$250
Cross Country Camp
Mon-Thurs, June 5-July 31, 2023
7:00-10:00
$100
Football Camp
July 24-26, 2023
8:00-12:30
$150
Silver Star Dance Camp
June 12-15, 2023
8:00-5:00
$130 half-day / $220 full day
Softball Camp
June 5-8, 2023
9:00-12:00 or 9:00-3:00
$135 half-day / $185 full day
Clint Small Middle School
Email: jennifer.newell@austinisd.org
Website: https://small.austinschools.org/
Location: 4801 Monterey Oaks Boulevard, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-841-6700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057069836221