Letter from Principal Nelson
Smallville-
We need your help in regards to cell phone use by students on campus. Meaning, please share with your students why we are not allowing the use of cell phones or other personal technology devices this school year and for the foreseeable future. It’s not the device we have a problem with (we love our phones and are amazed at all their functions) but what our students are doing with them when they should be concentrating on their studies and their friends.
Currently, we cannot monitor what a student sees, where they visit, or what they say on their phones like we can on their Chromebooks with the help of our program Go Guardian. This means that students can visit and post on social media sites, which is the main reason behind the ban. When students are too concerned with who said what, who wore that, or what so and so thought of them, it is hard to fully engage in being a student on campus. When their minds constantly worry about what others are thinking, it is challenging to create original thoughts. We need our students to be present, and unfortunately, social media creates obstacles in being so.
Another reason we are not allowing our students to use their phones is due to the recent viral posts of destruction of property and the like on social media sites such as Tik Tok. We firmly believe that if somebody cannot air their demolition, said demolition will not occur. If we can eliminate the show, the performance should not exist. It’s akin to the age-old question: “If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is around, does it make a sound?” Other schools are going to extreme measures to curb this rash of inappropriate behaviors and we are hopeful this simple measure will work just as effectively.
In the past, we had to rely on phones to level the technology playing field, but since every student on campus has an AISD issued Chromebook, that is no longer the case.
If you, or your student, have any concerns or questions in regards to our policy, please let me know. We welcome any feedback and assure you that if and when a student does need to contact home for any reason, we have phones in every single one of our classrooms as well as around 10 or so in the office.
Thank you for your support and have a great weekend!
Matthew Nelson
Principal
Clint Small Middle School
(512) 841-6705
Pie Tradition
Small PTA is asking for Pie donations for the last friday before Thanksgiving break (November 19th) our goal is 110 pies, so every Teacher, Admin, Custodian, Cafeteria worker, and Support Staff gets to take home a pie to start thier much needed and well deserved break with a sweet treat.
Here is how you help, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4dadad28aafb6-pies to sign up to donate a pie or volunteer your time to help that day
Assistance for the Holidays
Families with children 14 years of age and under qualify for this program. Click Here for Blue Santa to apply
Flag Rugby Club
Rugby players wanted. Open to everybody.
Tuesdays 4:00 - 5:00 on the Football Field.
Learn to play non-contact Flag Rugby.
Contact Coach Moore if you questions. joe.l.moore@austinisd.org
NJHS Application Open for 6th AND 7th Graders!
Yes, you read that right! This year we have opened candidacy and membership in NJHS to eligible 6th graders. Students should make a copy of this document to their GoogleDrive and submit their completed application by Friday, Dec 10, 2021. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_iESrJd1Ux0RVS7JogeVAyPhRyG5LihJePwH9O1vj7o/copy
What are the eligibility requirements? 6th graders--an average of at least 85 over all classes for Quarter 1 and a history of good character, service, and leadership. 7th graders--an average of at least 85 in all classes for Quarter 1, a yearlong average of at least 85 over all classes for 6th grade, and a history of good character, service, and leadership. Part of the application process includes teacher recommendations. See the application for details and dates.
Complete applications received by Friday, Dec 10, will be reviewed by the Faculty Council. Students and parents will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance in early January.
Order a Yearbook
Have your heard the new jingle staring our 6th grade choir? Check it out here.
NJHS Meetings for SY 2021-2022
All students inducted into NJHS this spring are encouraged to attend as part of participating in NJHS. Meetings will be in Mx. Manners' room, 204, from 4:00-4:45. Students have been invited to join a BLEND course for NJHS and the BLEND course will be the best place for communications and updates regarding NJHS.
- Thursday, Sept 9
- Thursday, Oct 14
- Thursday, Nov 4
- Thursday, Jan 13
- Thursday, Feb 10
- Thursday, Mar 10
- Thursday, Apr 14
- Thursday, May 5, 19
Current 7th graders who are interested in NJHS: Watch the Cougar News in October for information about applying to NJHS! If you have any questions for contact Mx. Manners at christie.manners@austinisd.org
Clint Small, Jr. Middle School
