Cougar News
The Weekly Newsletter of Clint Small, Jr. Middle School
The Five Days of Love
Greenhouse Vandalized
Over the weekend of January 30th and 31st, our Small Middle School greenhouse was vandalized and hundreds of dollars of equipment and plants were destroyed. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that the greenhouse has been damaged, there were other incidents last semester as well. Last weekend, sinks were torn out, several ollas smashed, the wind turbine damaged, and many student-propagated plants were overturned. The investigation into who committed this vandalism is still ongoing.
If you have any information please contact the school to make a report, 512-841-6700. Security systems will be installed to help prevent this in the future. The best way to prevent random acts of vandalism is to report any suspicious activity to the Austin ISD Police Department , 512-414-1703.
We are currently exploring installing cameras around the greenhouse to prevent further vandalism. However, there is no power source in the greenhouse and installing a power line is too costly at this time. The Small Green program welcomes any help you can provide be that suggestions that lead to possible solutions or information about the investigation.
Thank you for your time and support as we take steps to secure our students hard work and insure other incidents of vandalism do not happen in the future.
The Small Green Tech Team
Please Congratulate the Faculty and Staff Nominated for Awards at the Annual A.I.S.D. Salute
Small MS Teacher of the Year- Mrs. Rhonda Offield, Math Intervention and Support – nominated by her peers, Mrs. Offield is a leader in the Growth Mindset Movement at Small.
Small MS Teacher of Promise – Mr. Michael McCabe, 8th grade ELAR – recognizing an outstanding first year teacher.
Small MS Assistant Principal of the Year – Ms. De’Sean Roby – Ms. Roby brings a unique perspective and wonderful sense of humor to her position.
Small MS Classified Staff of the Year – Kammie Holmes – Teaching Assistant to Darron Johnson in our Social behavior Skills Program. Ms. Holmes also ensures the safety of our students each morning at the crosswalk.
What a great team to represent our Small family at the Salute Awards, held at the Long Center in May.
Parent Camp Session 3
Elective Showcase Shout Out to Parents
March 1st 4:00-5:00: Pride Fest!
Take Pride in who you are. Come up to the third floor for games, music, and food (first come first served). Help us create an inclusive, no-hate environment where everyone can learn knowing they are safe and accepted.
COUGAR CAGE SCHOOL STORE HOURS
A/B DAYS (Wed. thru Fri.) 11:20 - 1:25
C DAYS (Mon) 11:35 - 1:45
Come see all the spirit items and school supplies
Native Seed Request for ART!
The Green Academy is once again collaborating with our Visual Arts Department.
This time we are working on creating a mosaic mural using only native seeds as the medium. We are requesting native seeds that are hearty, resistant to water damage and are difficult to germinate.
Examples of requested seeds are yellow/brown Texas Ebony seeds, red Mountain Laurel seeds and black Mexican Buckeye seeds. These seeds are usually found in pods on and around trees. We will explore the use of any types of seeds that are donated.
There is no limit to the number of seeds we could use. We will attempt to germinate excess seeds.
Thank you for your support!
Bowie Parent Meeting
NAEP 2016 - DBA grade 8 pilot assessments
Small Middle School will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on March 2, 2016. NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. It is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. NAEP is different from our state assessment because it provides a common measure of student achievement across the country. The results are released as The Nation's Report Card, which provides information about student achievement to educators, parents, policymakers, and the public.
If randomly selected to take the NAEP test, your child will take a mathematics, reading, or writing pilot assessment on a tablet. The assessment also asks students questions about their daily routine and their educational experiences. For example, students are asked if there is a computer at home and about the amount of reading they do. Student responses provide context and meaning to the assessment results. Please visit http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/about/booklets.asp to review sample questions.
The assessment takes about 120 minutes for most students. The results are completely confidential (in accordance with the Confidential Information Protection provisions of Title V, Subtitle A, Public Law 107-347). The information collected is used for statistical purposes only, and the results are anonymous. Your child’s grades will not be affected. Students may be excused for any reason, are not required to complete the assessment, and may skip any question. While the assessment is voluntary, NAEP depends on student participation to help policymakers improve education. However, if you do not want your child to participate, please notify me in writing by February 15, 2015.
There is no need to study in preparation for NAEP, but please encourage your child to do their best. A brochure that explains what participation in NAEP means for you and your child is available at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/parents/2012469.pdf. Contact Kurt Obersteller at (512) 841-6707 or at kurt.obersteller@austinisd.org if you have any questions.
We are excited that our school is participating in NAEP. We know that Small Middle School's students will show what our nation’s students know and can do.
PTA News
The PTA is collecting Box Tops $ Education and Labels for Education! Please submit to the front office.
http://www.boxtops4education.com
TEDxYouth@Austin
TEDxYouth@Austin is an annual forum created to bring high school and middle school students from the central Texas area into the TEDx movement. With engaging stories, inspiring performances, and intriguing presentations, we will explore the theme of (in)visible.
This year’s TEDxYouth@Austin event is scheduled for Saturday, February 13,2016.
This FREE and inspirational event is for our students in 8th grade.
For more information visit: http://tedxyouthaustin.com/.
Kuk Sool Won
Kuk Sool Won of Oak Hill Martial Arts is offering Spring Break Camp for ages 7-13. This is a great place for your child to enjoy Spring Break in a constructive, structured, positive, safe environment. Spring Break Camp is a physically active, hands on instructional and interactive martial arts camp; there will be no TV or videos at this camp! Please make sure your child is well prepared for this type of physical activity for four hours a day, four days a week.
Spring Break Camp Dates:
Monday, March 14th - Thursday, March 17th
11:45-3:45pm
Ages:
Ages 7-13 beginner students are welcome to attend.
Registration
Early Bird Registration: If you register and pay in full by February 15, 2016: $160 per camper
After February 16, 2016: $185 per camper
The camp is open to everyone, you do not need to be a current student or have any martial arts background to attend, SO INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!
Kuk Sool Won of Oak Hill Martial Arts is located at 6001 West William Cannon Drive, Ste 307, 78749. We specialize in 3-young 6 year old classes, children's classes, adult day, evening, home school, and family classes, Women's Self Defense, AISD Middle/High School PE Credit. Each of our Black Belt Instructors is CPR/First Aid Certified and have passed Criminal Background Checks and FBI Fingerprints Checks.
For more information or to sign up for the Spring Break Camp, please contact KSN Barbara King at barbarak@kswoakhill.com or 512-899-8710.
Clint Small, Jr. Middle School
Email: jena.weber@austinisd.org
Website: http://www.smallmiddleschool.org/
Location: 4801 Monterey Oaks Boulevard, Austin, TX, United States
Phone: (512) 841-6700