Cougar News
The Weekly Newsletter of Clint Small, Jr. Middle School
May 29th - June 1st
Letter from Principal Nelson
Cougar Nation-
For those of you who were here for Carnival on Thursday night either as a volunteer, or participant, thank you for making the event so special. We had well over 1,000 students participating in various activities (Big Baller, Bottle Flip Challenge, Karaoke, confetti eggs, etc..) with only one significant injury/casualty; I had to kiss a pig. We let the students put tickets in the jar for the person they would most like to see kiss a pig, and through an accounting snafu of some sorts, I had to lay a big wet one on an even bigger wet one. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one to dis on swine (I always thought Arnold from Green Acres was amazing) but being a romantic at heart, I find it a tad awkward for a couple’s first kiss to be so public. I would have preferred we got the chance to root through some trash together first, or drink from the same trough a few times together before we became a PDA spectacle. Oh well...tis’ for the kids.
... And, the fun is not over yet, Check out the Silent Auction information below.
Speaking of kids, be sure to compliment your student on h/her behavior these last few weeks. We’ve had several events they’ve earned (pep rally, faculty basketball and volleyball, carnival) and they have been respectful and polite through each one of them. So much so that I even invited my parents to attend the Carnival on Thursday night without any fear or worry of them having to witness any poor behavior. Our students behavior and attitude at these events are a direct reflection of our staff’s, your’s and my teachings and expectations, and this week was direct evidence that we are all on the same page; be kind, do good deeds, and be rewarded thusly. I watched my mother, father and sister from afar and was pleased as punch as to how our kids treated them, without any knowledge or idea who they were. All our kids knew is that there were 3 adults here in the backyard helping out their school, and that in itself commanded their respect.
Thank you for helping us help your students see the bigger picture.
Matthew Nelson
Principal
Small Middle School
(512) 841-6505
@smallprincipal
Carnival Wrap-Up
Unfortunately we fell shy on our goal of $20,000. But, it is not too late to help and get a good deal in the process. Check out our experimental ON-LINE Silent Auction!
Deadline is Monday at midnight
https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/32951/auctions/39828
Here is a sneak peek of what you will find...
- 10 Frequent Jumper Altitude Passes - Socks and T-shirt
- Chuy's Dinner for 4
- Afternoon at 22nd Century Toys Game Studio for a Student and a friend
- Really Cool hand crafted Armadillo and Cougar Key Chains
- 1 Free Acupuncture Session
- $30 Main Event Gift Card
- One Case of Assorted Wine
- Pamper Yourself Gift Basket
- A 4 Friends for 3 hours Spa Party!
- Autographed Baseball
- Passes to Pete's Piano Bar
- 4 Presidential Seats for a Round Rock Baseball Game
- WestGate Bowling Passes
- Wholly Bagel Gift Cards
- A SportsBrella Sun Shelter
- Plus Much More....
https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/32951/auctions/39828
Please help us reach our goal and bid on one or more of these items by Monday!
Contact Jennifer.newell@austinisd.org if you have any questions!
Yearbook Info!!!
There are still a few yearbooks left for sale! Swing by room 113 or the Main Office this week to get one!
(this ad was produced by 8th grader Nick Mosrie)
8th grade Promotion Ceremony Information
- When – Thursday, June 1st @ 10am
- Where – Clint Small Gymnasium
- Who can come to the ceremony – Parents and family members are invited to the ceremony
- REMEMBER – Parking is LIMITED! Please consider carpooling and/or limiting the number of guests.
- Siblings who attend Small should be checked out of class in the front office before attending the ceremony – 6th and 7th graders cannot attend the ceremony without a pass.
- What do I do before the ceremony? – All students will report to PRIDE at the beginning of the day. 8th graders will then report to an assigned ALPHA room. 6th/7th graders will be on an alternate schedule.
- When you report to your assigned holding room, you will be given reminders of the instructions for the ceremony. We will begin lining up in alphabetical order at 9:30. When lining up in the hallway, you need to stay quiet and attentive in case your assigned teacher needs to give you instructions. You will follow your assigned teacher up the stairs to the gym at 9:58. During the ceremony, remember to be quiet, polite audience members and to enjoy your last day as a CSMS Cougar.
- What do I do after? – After the ceremony, 8th grade students may leave campus with their parent/guardian. Those students who are not able to leave will finish out the day with their teachers.
- What do I wear? – 8th grade students need to come to school dressed and ready for the ceremony. There will not be holding areas for belongings, so minimizing what you bring to school that day is important. Students should come dressed nicely as you will be walking across the stage to get your certificate. YES, YOU MUST BE IN DRESS CODE! NO BACKPACKS/BAGS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE CEREMONY.
- STUDENTS AND FACULTY ATTENDING CEREMONY –
- Dress, skirt/blouse, or slacks/blouse – Dress to impress!!
- All clothes should be free of rips.
- Dresses and skirts must meet length requirement (below the fingertips)
- No bare shoulders are allowed – if a dress has thin straps or no straps, a sweater/cardigan/cover must be worn.
- Shoes should be comfortable and easy to walk in – you will be standing for a while and walking up stairs!
- Slacks or nice jeans.
- Collared shirts are preferred – a polo or button down dress shirt.
- PARENT FAQ
- Can I bring flowers/balloons/gifts for my student? You may bring small gifts, but NO BALLONS as they violate AISD policy.
- Where do I enter the school? The exterior stair case by the gym. Elevators are available through the main office for those with a physical need. SIGN OUT SHEETS FOR TAKING YOUR CHILD HOME AFTER THE CEREMONY WILL BE UPSTAIRS OUTSIDE THE MAIN GYM DOORS.
- Can I take younger siblings (other CSMS students) home after the ceremony as well? Yes, but you must sign them out as well.
- When can we get a seat for the ceremony? Doors to gym will open at 9:20. Parents will not be allowed in the gym before that time.
HUGE SHOUT OUT TO OUR CARNIVAL SPONSORS
Lewis Family Medical
Austex Sprinklers
Double Dave's
Summer Camps at Small MS
Click the links below for more details.
Austin High School Volunteer Opportunities
As the 2016-2017 school year winds down, we are busy getting ready for the 2017-2018 school year, and we need your help. Can you volunteer a few hours a month, a few times a month or even every week? This is a great way to get to know the inner workings of Austin High and it helps bridge the budget gap created by Austin High's under-enrollment that prevents the hiring of additional employees. I invite you to join our volunteer team in working in the Austin High School Office at one (or both) volunteer positions
Attendance Office Volunteer
Work alongside our fantastic attendance clerk Patty Ballin to sign students in and out, fill out tardy passes, and help with filing. The Attendance Office is always busy and these volunteers are of the utmost importance, in high demand and much appreciated by staff and faculty.
Volunteering in the Attendance Office at Austin High is a great way to get to know your child's school better, gain insight into how it runs, and get to the know the faculty and staff who work with and mentor our children daily.
Phone Duty Volunteer - in the Main Office
Work in the main office answering and directing phone calls. This is a new opportunity for the 2017-2018 school year.
Volunteer Shifts
The shift times are either 8:30am -11:15am, 11:15am-2pm or 2pm-4:20pm. Volunteer monthly, weekly, whatever works with your schedule! We also need back up volunteers to fill in when someone can’t make their shift. Weekly (usually on Sunday afternoons), I send out an email reminding everyone of their upcoming shift as well as listing the shifts that need substitutes for the upcoming week.
Volunteer Training
If you are interested in helping, we have a 30-minute training during any of the shifts training alongside a previous volunteer (marked on the schedule with an asterisk). After that you are ready to go! If you ever have any questions, Patty Ballin and Linda Garcia will be there to help you out.
Sign Up!
If you would like to volunteer with attendance, please, check out our schedule of available slots with this link:
If you would like to help with answering phones, please, check out this link:
If you find a spot you’d like (or more than one) email to let me know and I will sign you up!
Thank you for your consideration,
2017-2018 Registration
Online registration for school year 2017-18 begins March 1st.
All current\new to AISD students need to register for the upcoming school year.
Please click here for step by step instructions.
Any questions? Call Diane Ewing 512-841-6710
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