Cougar News
Week of October 31, 2022
Letter from Mr. Nelson
Cougar Nation-
If you’re going to have the Friday to end all Fridays in Middle School, here’s a simple formula to follow:
First, start the day off with a downpour. Not just any rainfall, but one where the sun is completely absent.
Second, have all the students and staff wear Halloween costumes. Especially cumbersome ones that do not respond well to wet conditions.
Next, take the kids out of the familiar by closing off the main hallway to electives and reroute them through the bus ramp. For added flair, close down the front and back courtyard where students typically congregate before school. This way, we can add more sopping-wet teenagers together at one time.
Once you have as many soaked, cold students as possible, have about 35 undead (not really) students perform a flash mob of Thriller right before we dismiss to our first class of the day.
Now that the ingredients are prepared, all before 8:20 a.m., you have set the stage for your perfect Friday, culminating with two dances after school and a haunted house running until 7:15.
At any other middle school, I would fake any number of illnesses and quickly take my leave. However, Small is not your typical middle school, and our kids will rise to the level of expectations. Our staff too, and we can handle any Friday the Friday Gods send us and come out on top.
Learning Walk Feedback: We were graced with 37 parents/guardians on Wednesday as we held our first learning walk of the year. Those in attendance were treated to electives, core classes, and good vibes. We popped into several classes and got to see a lot of incredible things happening. At the Q & A session, walkers commented on how happy the students and teachers seemed and how they could feel a tangible sense of mutual respect. In each class we visited, we witnessed evidence of collaboration and communication. Minimal teacher talk and maximum student engagement. It was so lovely to be able to share a slice of the Smallville pie with so many, and we will do this again very soon for our 7th and 8th-grade families. Stay tuned.
HB4545 Tutorials: If you still need to fill out the Google Form sent out earlier in the week, do so as soon as possible. If you do not select your desired time and day for your student’s tutoring sessions, we will choose one. For questions, please contact gracie.zamarripa@austinisd.org
Here is the link in case you misplaced it. HB4545 Form Again, this is only for students who did not meet passing standards in Math and Reading on STAAR last year.
PSAT for 8th-Grade Students: On Monday, November 7th, all 8th-grade students will get to take the PSAT Test for free here on campus. For more information, please refer to the attached letter. PSAT info
Have a Happy Halloween, and be safe. Also, try to limit the amount of candy your student brings to campus on Tuesday, as we do not want to make our custodians' jobs any harder and the pests around the school’s jobs any easier. However, if they have a surplus of Reeses Peanut Butter cups, feel free to drop them off in my office.
Matthew Nelson
Call Sign: Maverick
matthew.m.nelson@austinisd.org
(512) 841-6705
Dr. Davis Celebration of Life
Crossing Guard/Crossing light
Crossing guards are employees of the City and we have not heard from them if we will be getting one or not. One of our parents let us know that we can request crossing guards by contacting the city of Austin at https://www.austintexas.gov/Crossing-Guards
She also mentioned that If we want a crossing light, parents can request it here https://www.austintexas.gov/page/signal-requests?fbclid=IwAR0guZlf0-ZNCyrY0ToITsK8DK8W84lbvR7RlwjpQ14Ge1MITZc778SBvSc
The more requests we they get, the more likely we will get on their radar (think squeaky wheel). Please help us keep our students safe crossing Monterey Oaks Blvd.
Ofrenda at Small
Our annual Day of the Dead community ofrenda is taking shape, and there's still time to be a part of it! If you'd like to memorialize someone who has died, please send a picture (in a frame if possible), and make sure to tape a note with the name of your son or daughter on the back so we can return it on Monday, November 7th when we disassemble the instalation. Also, we are still taking donations of marigolds (the traditional flower), sugar skulls, and 'pan de muerto' (likely available at Supermercado Fiesta and Mi Tradición Bakery).
Tissue Donations Please
Small Middle School
4801 Monterey Oaks Blvd.
Austin, TX 78749
Helpful Reflection Links:
Official Rules available here:
2003–2004 NATIONAL PTA REFLECTIONS PROGRAM (txpta.org)
Entry form available here:
Website/Calendar
Counseling Corner
AISD Bond Information
PTA Give Away
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.
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