Cougar News
Week of March 27, 2023
Letter from Mr. Nelson
Cougar Nation-
At an AISD principal’s meeting this week, I overheard some advice I would like to share with you about working with middle school students. Remember that this consortium included some of the brightest minds in education, and their profound views on this age group may seem too heady at first read. Still, after repeated perusing, you should be able to gleam the sentiment:
Arguing with a middle school student is like mud wrestling with a pig. You both get dirty, but they’re the only ones having fun.
This means that teachers and staff here on campus must ensure we have plenty of systems in place and procedures mapped out for any issue that could arise. As you well know, the gray zone is where the arguments lie. We eliminate unease, anxiety, and frustration if we ensure we have a plan for every portion of a student’s day and let them know the plan before we enact it. When we tell them WHAT we will do and then (this is the big piece) tell them WHY we will do it, they are more apt to follow along.
As for our agreed-upon class procedures and systems, teachers know to refer to them when correcting a student’s behavior. As you know, “because I said so” is not a readily accepted answer for the middle school sect, so referring to the classroom rules, contracts, or previously discussed norms and expectations is crucial. So, when students ask why they aren’t allowed to leave class after the tardy bell or get up to sharpen their pencils during direct instruction, the teacher reminds them of the expectation and refers to the systems in place. Then, the student is left with an abstract system or concrete poster to argue with, and we all know they do not put up too much of a fight.
When we argue with our students or children, we let them think that rules are open to interpretation, which is a slippery slope. Yes, rules should be questioned, preferably while crafting or introducing them, but the midst of Spring Fever is not the time. By now, we all should know what our expectations are and know why the expectations are as such, and this should leave little room for arguments. Besides, whenever you argue with a middle school student, h/she always wins, regardless of the subject or outcome.
World Down Syndrome Awareness Day:
The amazing kids and adults worldwide who rock that extra 21st chromosome received love, support, and celebrations from our students on Tuesday, March 21st. Seeing how chromosomes are shaped like socks, we all wore our funkiest, craziest socks all day to show the world, and kids in Smallville, that we care. It’s a small, fun way to celebrate those living with this condition and to raise awareness. Need proof that raising awareness and money for research is working? Digest this fact: in 1983, the average life expectancy of a person with Downs was 25 years. Today, the average life expectancy is 60. Wow! Just think, with positive, progressive, proud kids like ours in Smallville joining the fight, we can expect that number to climb even higher.
HAPPY NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROM DAY!!
Thank you for teaching your student to love and accept all.
Matthew Nelson
Principal
matthew.m.nelson@austinisd.org
(512) 841-6705
Congratulations!
Congratulations to 8th grader Liam Smith for making it as a finalist in the National Trumpet Competition! He Will be performing and competing for the final round in Colorado next week! Good Luck Liam!
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
Attendance Procedure Change
REACHING EVERY NEWCOMER IN OUR SCHOOL TPT CAMPAIGN
Dear families,
It only takes a minute to support our ESL program so that our Emergent Bilingual students get the equitable learning resources they so much need!
Please CLICK ON THE LINK and donate as little or as much as you can. Thank you! https://tinyurl.com/2z42uw93Parents of Small:
Each year your child(ren) attend an AISD School, they must be pre-registered for the next school year. Online registration is an integral part of our campus’ success (funding and appropriate staffing as well as updated contact information).
Please be sure to log in to your Parent Portal and confirm your child’s information via the Online Registration tile.
Thank you for being a part of the Cougar Community and helping us win together!
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.
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.
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!
Order a yearbook online!
Our yearbook is a full color celebration of everything that makes Small special; it's a great fun way to preserve all your student's fond memories of Small. The price is now $40. Get your yearbook today!
Click here for the easy link: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/2369067/Small-Middle-School/2023-Yearbook/2022092615150740089/CATALOG_SHOP/
If you have any yearbook questions, please email Mr. Shoptaw at thomas.shoptaw@austinisd.org.
Thank you to our Gold Sponsors
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