Cougar News
Week of 2/12/18 - 2/16/18
Letter from Principal Nelson
Cougars!
How thankful I am that the Smallville community opened its doors and hearts to our 26 visiting educators from Taiwan on Wednesday. This group of principals, professors, teachers and superintendents are here in Texas this week to learn about our education system and to tour typical American campuses. The bad news for them, as I told them early on that cold winter morn, is that our school is anything but typical.
We took our guests on learning walks showcasing our electives and the four core and they were enthralled by our teachers’ rooms and their colorful anchors of support that adorned the walls. You see, in Taiwan students stay in the classrooms and the teachers rotate in and out. Therefore, there is less ownership of the room by the teacher and it’s hard to dedicate the decorations to one particular subject. A plus, I suppose, is that the passing period consists of teachers walking to and fro versus all 1,252 kids galloping off to 70 different locations. When they did see the magic which is a middle school passing period, they were amazed at how calm and polite our kids were. They were warned to expect the opposite and that cowering in a fetal position during the transition was completely acceptable.
During our Q&A afterwards, the majority of their questions were about how we were able to make our kids and teachers appear so happy as every class they entered was energetic and our students were actively engaged in the learning process. They loved the collaboration between our students and the positive rapport our staff has with them. They saw teachers cold-calling, kids answering other kids’ questions, and students taking risks in front of their peers; all possible through the culture and climate the teacher has created in each class. They were able to witness firsthand our philosophy of taking care of kids first. I explained to them our intention and effort is to make sure each student feels accepted, that h/she has worth, and to create safe spaces for growth. Once that is taken care of, everything else is gravy.
Big Ups to mom Hsin-Yi Chen for reading this newsletter last week (now I know I have at least one reader) and offering to assist with our Taiwanese visitors. She welcomed them with us, served as a translator on a Learning Walk, and was able to share her personal story as to why her son chose to attend Small. She also served as a perfect example as to why our students are so successful: loads of support and care from home.
Have a great weekend! If you are on Twitter, be sure to follow me @smallprincipal This being the season of showcases, you’ll find my feed is chopped full of the goings on here in Smallville and beyond.
Matthew Nelson
Principal
Small Middle School
(512) 841-6505
@smallprincipal
Where in the World is Principal Nelson?
Save the Date! 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 to $30 a team.
Click here for more details and to purchase tickets!
Questions? Contact Jennifer Newell at jennifer.newell@austinisd.org
NJHS 2018-2019
Information meeting Friday, March 23rd during PRIDE in front of the Counselor Corner.
Academic UIL update
Student that have signed up or were nominated for an academic UIL event should have received a notice as to who the coach is and when the team will meet.
Teams will start meeting the Feb 12.
PTA Mid-Year School Supply Drive
It is about this time of year when the supplies start to dwindle.
Show Cougar teachers and staff some l❤ve.
Drop off supplies at the Front Office today through February 13.
Teacher requests:
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Pencils
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Notebook paper (wide ruled)
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Kleenex
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Dry erase markers
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Hand sanitizer
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Glue sticks
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Markers
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Many more - please see the google doc
Teachers and Staff are invited to "shop" the supply store on
Valentine's Day, February 14th at CSMS Library
Sheep
Capstone student and eighth grader,
These sheep are the first breed to be introduced to the United States and have been adapted to Texas climates for quite some time. Sophie found a breeder online at the national harlequin sheep breeding website and found one just outside of Austin in Smithville, Texas. She worked closely researching on her own accord for most of the fall semester and spent some time in Smithville with the breeder, learning what it would take to introduce sheep to our schools program and how to ensure that the transition to campus would be an easy and smooth one.
We are very excited to train them and introduce them to the rest of our flock of animals this spring semester. We would love and appreciate any and all help of donations to ensure there transition to our program is a smooth one.
To help with the cost of the sheep go to https://www.gofundme.com/blackjack-and-adoniss-care
2018-2019 Small PTA needs you!
Treasurer - Check
Secretary - Check
Fundraising Chair - Check
Vice President - Check
Hospitality - Check
Carnival - Check
All the PTA needs is a President. We know that is a lot to ask, but we have a great team and our current President has done 2 terms and now we need someone new to take charge. If you would like to learn more, contact Jennifer Newell at jennifer.newell@austinisd.org
FYI, no president means no PTA :(
February PTA membership
Parents, family members, and teachers:
Just a reminder that anyone can join the PTA at any time so February is as good a time as any.
If we get 14 new members this month, we can apply for this TxPTA award:
XOXO Award:
Given to PTAs that share the love of PTA with 14 new members and submit qualifying membership roster and dues between February 1 and February 28th.
Click Here to Join or stop by the main office to pick up a membership envelope.
Many thanks,
CSMS PTA
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
National Charity League, Inc.
South Austin Wildflowers Chapter will begin our membership drive on March 8, 2018. We would like to extend an invitation to area Mothers/Daughters that would like information about becoming a member. NCL is a group of Mothers and Daughters serving the community together. Our focus is on volunteerism, leadership development, and cultural experiences. An informational meeting will be held on March 25. The classes that are open for membership include incoming 7th graders (Class of 2024) and current 7th through 10th graders (Class of 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020). If you wish to attend the informational meeting, please send an email to nclsouthatxmembership@gmail.com for more details.
***Members in our chapter reside or attend school in the Circle C, Sunset Valley, Bear Creek, Southside Barton Creek, Dripping Springs, and the Southwest Austin.***
Mountain Bike Team
Notable race results include:
8th grade girls
Abby Ruth -- 2nd place
8th grade boys
Grant Clark -- 5th place
7th grade boys
Ethan Doucette -- 2nd place
6th grade boys
Jackson Bobbitt -- 3rd place
Derrick Neptune -- 4th place
FLL Lego Robotics Workshop
Food Service Survey
As we develop school menus for the 2018-19 school year, feedback from our school communities is crucial. We are launching a survey, which will be open Jan. 22 - Feb. 16, to collect information that will help us create menus that best meet the needs and tastes of our communities.
Parent Survey
2017-2018 Career Fair - Volunteers Needed
College and Career Day at Small Middle School is Friday, March 2, 2018.
Please sign up to present by Friday, February 23, 2018.
The School Counseling Department at Clint Small Middle School cordially invites you to participate in College and Career Fair 2017-2018 which will be held from 1:45 to 3:15 pm. We are looking for enthusiastic, dynamic presenters. As a presenter, you will share information regarding your career so that students can make informed decisions about their educational and career paths. Please feel free to bring visual aides or tools used in your occupation to enhance your presentation. Students have previously selected your career as a career of their interest and will be prepared to approach you at your tables and inquire about your profession.
Schedule:
1:45 to 2:15 Lunch will be provided.
2:15 to 2:45 Session 1(1/2 of all eighth grade students will visit with presenters)
2:50 to 3:20 Session 2 (1/2 of all eighth grade students will visit with presenters)
Click here (link has been fixed) to sign up to be a Career Fair Presenter
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