Letter from Principal Nelson
Cougar Nation-
We are most fortunate to be able to welcome back so many new students to campus this week. Whereas last week we were averaging around 220 a day, this week the average daily attendance rose to 252 with Thursday being the highest total at a robust 276. As far as middle schools in AISD go, we have the 7th highest number of students on campus. To put this in perspective, we have the 3rd highest total enrollment.
What does all this mean? It means we are ready, willing, and able to receive your student on campus and will welcome h/her back with open arms. To date, I have yet to encounter a single student who regrets being on campus. In fact, the overwhelming majority of kids I talk to state “relief” and “focused” as the most prevalent feelings about returning. They love seeing their friends, socializing, and being able to work in classrooms with somewhat less distractions than at home.
School is starting to feel like school again.
Speaking (actually writing) of school being school, next week we officially kick off testing season with our 7th grade Writing STAAR exam. We have a handy-dandy flowchart for you to refer to in regard to who is testing and when the dates are (see attached) since this year is so vexing. Please look the info over and then email us with any questions you have. By now all students should have an AISD issued device that is compatible with the system and know that if they are on campus, they will be taking the STAAR test. No ifs, ands, or buts. Everybody should also be aware that if on campus taking the test, it will have to be indoors as we are not offering outside testing.
If your student will be on campus taking the STAAR tests, please make sure h/she has a book to read once they are finished. Nobody will be allowed to use their computer, leave the testing center, or do anything else other than read a book or magazine after completion. This is not new, but please remind your student so they come prepared. Also, it’s a good idea to come prepared with snacks too.
Earth Day in Smallville!
This Thursday, April 22nd, in honor of Earth Day we will be planting 8 trees around campus. The Green Team (where every day is Earth Day) will be spearheading this effort with assistance from kids and teachers in Smallville. If you would like to donate your time or a tree, send me an email and we can give you the particulars. We have plans for the 8 trees but also have more plans for up to 20 more trees.
With trees and students, our motto is and always has been, the more the merrier :)
Have a great weekend.
Matthew Nelson
Principal
Clint Small Middle School
(512) 841-6705
Yearbook
WHAT A YEAR! Even with all of the crazy events that happened, there were so many good memories made. Don't miss out on your chance to purchase your copy of the yearbook so your child can look back on the year that changed EVERYTHING! A limited number of yearbooks are still available for sale for $40. The last day to pre-order is May 9th, but the site will close early if books sell out. Order today at the link below:
https://www.balfour.com/texas/austin/clint-small-middle-school/yearbook-packages
Pride Week Activities
To celebrate LGBTQIA+ students, staff and families, next week, April 19-24, Austin ISD is hosting its own Pride Week. Austin ISD staff will receive training opportunities and students will get to benefit in a range of activities, such as Friday’s student-led Day of Silence, a national youth movement highlighting the silencing and erasure of LGBTQIA+ people at school.
We invite our students, staff and community to join us Saturday, April 24, for a virtual Pride Week Conference where we can continue to celebrate, inform and inspire knowing that all means all at Austin ISD. To register or for more information, please visit austinisd.org/pride.
NJHS
Induction Ceremony for 2019-2020 (current 8th graders who were selected for NJHS as 7th graders last Spring) and for 2020-2021 (current 7th graders who have been recently selected) NJHS members will be held on May 20th at 7:30pm. Current NHS members from LASA will be hosting and welcoming new members and we will have a very special guest speaker! The virtual ceremony should last about half an hour (no commute time!)
Mrs. Manners, your NJHS sponsor, has the emails for the students in 7th and 8th grade as well as the adults-of-7th-graders and she will send a Zoom link to those emails closer to May 20th. If you are an adult-of-an-8th-grade NJHS member who would like to attend the virtual ceremony, please send an email to christie.manners@austinisd.org with the emails of anyone you'd like included (grandparents, bonus parents, etc). Please include the name of your NJHS member and "Zoom Link Request" in the subject line.
Carpool
Thursday April 8 the Beginning Percussion students in the band had a “Percussion Accessory Experience” Day. They got to try percussion instruments that are important but were unable to play before due to COVID. We had sooo much fun!
LIBRARY BOOKS
If students have any library books from last spring from ANY AISD campus they can be returned at Small. You can put them in the first floor book drop if you are on campus or drop them by the office if you are virtual. Your help is appreciated getting books back in our AISD libraries!
Austin High Basketball Camp
When: June 28 – July 1
Where: Small Middle School gym
Who:
- Boys and Girls entering 3rd – 5th grades 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
- Boys and Girls entering 6th – 9th grades 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Cost: $100 per camper
The Austin High Basketball Camp will focus on teaching the fundamentals of basketball and will provide campers the opportunity to improve and have fun with the game. Each camper will receive individual as well as group instruction from professional coaches. Coach Brad Ingram, head boys basketball coach at Austin High, will be the Camp Director. All equipment will be provided. Students will need to bring their own water bottle.
Sign up online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfI2AXbNcpoAvgQIcS-SKnkh2owOX_TIYkmqaDhCyvcUj2png/viewform link and pay at https://austinisd.schoolcashonline.com/ (search for Austin High Basketball Camp)
Austin High Swim Team
We have three dates available for TRYOUTS
(1) Thursday, April 22
(2) Thursday, April 29
(3) Thursday, May 6
Address the CAC Committee
If you are interested in speaking to our CAC using our Citizen Communication time, please email our CAC chair Co-Chair Chasee chappellhudgins@mac.com for the meeting Zoom details.
Citizens Communications. For all regular and other plenary meetings of the CAC, time at the beginning of the meeting shall be set aside for citizens communications. This time is specifically for non-members to make comments to the CAC. The Co-Chairs may limit the time for citizens communications and the time given to individual speakers. The Co-Chairs shall ensure that the district’s “Citizens Communications and Visitor Guidelines” are applied. Under these guidelines, except for requests for clarification, dialogue shall not occur between speakers and members. If the CAC is interested in hearing more from a speaker, the speaker may be invited to a future meeting and placed on the agenda specifically for that purpose. Or, the CAC may call a special meeting specifically for the purpose of open dialogue with non-members (e.g., a “community conversation”), but it must be posted for discussion on a specific topic or topics.
PARENTS CAMPAIGN TO RAVE!
Parents, are you looking for a way to give back to teachers and staff at Small Middle School?
We (A handful of Small Parents) have found a free and very effective way to show some love and thought we would share it with you all.
RAVE: Recognizing All Valuable Employees
Let's send some sparkly gratitude to our faculty & staff this holiday season with an AISD RAVE submission!
- Does your student have a favorite teacher?
- Has someone at Small (or any other AISD School) gone above and beyond for you and your family?
- Do you want to support teachers and let everyone (Teacher, Principal, AISD District) know about it?
All of our faculty and staff have gone above and beyond this semester. The best free, easy, sparkly way to show our gratitude is via the RAVE form on the AISD website (link below.) It only takes a couple of minutes to complete!
This form is received by AISD administration. RAVE submissions mean a lot to teachers and staff. It's equivalent to a virtual hug! And, there's never been a better time to remind the Superintendent how indispensable they all are.
Please submit a RAVE for any teacher or staff member (current or from school years past.)
Maybe send one or two a day! You do need the first and last name of the employee you wish to RAVE about. Those can be sourced on Small's Staff Directory :
https://www.austinisd.org/schools/small/directory
Flooding AISD administration with positive feedback will make an important and lasting impact. Let's make this holiday season sparkle a little extra with RAVES!
https://www.austinisd.org/hr/customer-service/rave
Thank you,
Small Parents
Clint Small, Jr. Middle School
