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Clint Small Middle School
Weekly Newsletter
Week of: January 19th, 2026
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Reminder, No School Monday! |
A Letter from Principal Bedford |
Hello Smallville!
We are excited to share that our spring sports are underway, girls soccer and boys basketball are officially underway! It’s great to see our Cougars back on the fields and courts. We look forward to a fun and active season. I encourage you to come out and support our teams.
As we move into spring, I wanted to give you a heads up and acknowledge a phase that many middle school students experience this time of year. Spring semester often brings noticeable changes, emotionally, socially, and physically and with those changes can come some very big feelings. Increased energy, mood swings, and behaviors that may feel unpredictable are all common during this season.
While it can be challenging, this is also a time when our Cougars need stability most. Checking in regularly, listening without judgment, and responding with patience and understanding can make a meaningful difference. If your Cougar seems a little “all over the place,” know that this is normal, and you’re not alone.
As spring unfolds, expect the unexpected, stay consistent, and give yourself and your Cougar lots of grace. This phase will pass, even on the days it feels like emotions are changing faster than the weather. Your calm, steady presence truly will make all the difference.
Enjoy the three day weekend, and we will see everyone bright and early on Tuesday morning.
Wishing everyone a restful long weekend!
Stay Present,
Bedford
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📌 Student Registration for the 2026–2027 School Year |
Every year, families must register their student for the upcoming school year. This important step: |
- ✔️ Keeps your student’s records updated with current information
- ✔️ Tells the district and the school where your student will attend
- ✔️ Helps schools plan for staffing and available student seats for transfers
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Important: The district has changed some registration procedures this year. Please read the section below that applies to your family. |
🎒 Current 6th & 7th Grade Students (Returning to Small) |
If your student is currently in 6th or 7th grade (including transfer kids) and plans to continue at Small Middle School next year, you will complete registration through Enroll Austin in the Parent Portal during Round 2.
🗓️ Round 2 Dates: February 16 – April 10
👉 If you accidentally submitted an Enroll Austin application before February 16, please email Jennifer Rich at jennifer.rich@austinisd.org so the district can disregard the application.
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🎓 Incoming 6th Graders or Outgoing 8th Graders (Changing Schools or Applying to a Program) |
If your student will be transitioning to a new school next year and you want to apply to a campus with a specialty program, Transfers and homecampus's with specility programs - your application window is open now.
🗓️ Application Window: January 12 – February 6
Log into the Parent Portal and select the Enroll Austin tile to apply.
This includes applications for our Green Tech Academy, whether you live in our attendance zone or are applying as a transfer.
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Parents/Guardians - On Thursday January 15, many students may have brought home a pink or green letter detailing their participation in the NAEP assessment. Austin ISD participates in NAEP every year and this year, Small MS was selected as a participating school with 150 8th graders randomly selected. NAEP stands for the National Assessment of Educational Progress. This test will take place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 during the school day. If your student has a pink paper, they are taking the MATH test. If your student has a green paper, they are taking the READING test. This test does NOT count against their grades, it does not mean that they won’t graduate from high school…it is simply a way for the federal government to gather data and compare how 8th graders in Texas are performing compared to 8th graders in other states. If you have questions about the NAEP test, please reach out to the testing coordinator Rebecca Smootz via email at rebecca.smootz@austinisd.org.
Padres/Tutores: El jueves 15 de enero, muchos estudiantes probablemente llevaron a casa una carta rosa o verde con información sobre su participación en la evaluación NAEP. El Distrito Escolar Independiente de Austin (Austin ISD) participa en la evaluación NAEP todos los años, y este año la Escuela Secundaria Small fue seleccionada como escuela participante, con 150 estudiantes de octavo grado seleccionados al azar.
NAEP significa Evaluación Nacional del Progreso Educativo. Esta prueba se llevará a cabo el miércoles 11 de febrero de 2026 durante el horario escolar. Si su hijo/a recibió una carta rosa, realizará la prueba de Matemáticas. Si recibió una carta verde, realizará la prueba de Lectura. Esta prueba NO afectará sus calificaciones ni impedirá que se gradúe de la escuela secundaria; simplemente es una forma en que el gobierno federal recopila datos para comparar el desempeño de los estudiantes de octavo grado de Texas con el de los estudiantes de otros estados. Si tiene preguntas sobre la prueba NAEP, comuníquese con la coordinadora de pruebas, Rebecca Smootz, por correo electrónico a rebecca.smootz@austinisd.org.
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Students currently in 6th grade will need two vaccines before starting 7th grade: Meningococcal and a Tdap booster. Whether your student has had them already, or are planning to get them soon please email a copy of the record to me once you have it. If you have any specific questions for your student, do not hesitate to call or email.. |
We have updated our A/B Calendar for the second semester. Please print this one and put it on your fridge as there have been some changes in March and we added the Staar Dates. |
ARE YOU ONE OF OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST COUGARS?
We are looking for students who exemplify what being a Small Cougar is all about! Help make Small a better place to learn as a member of NJHS. Applications for Clint Small Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society are open through February 24, 2026. Students must access the link through an AISD account. The link can be found on the school website. The application is editable, so it does not need to be completed at a single time. The committee will make determinations by spring break. Please direct any questions to shelby.ottleybujan@austinisd.org
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****Help us help you!!!**** |
Hello Families,
After more than 25 years with AISD, one of our beloved front office clerks and substitute coordinator has retired. While we are excited for her next chapter, due to district budget cuts we are unable to re-hire for her position. This means our front office team is now operating with one fewer staff member.
Our phones and front desk are very busy all day, and your support truly makes a difference. Here are a few simple ways you can help keep things running smoothly:
✔ Save the Parent Info Center on your phone - Shortcuts to everything you may need from “ordering your student” to “what's for lunch” can be found here. Before calling the office, look here for your answers. Better yet, make a shortcut on your phone for easy access. https://small.austinschools.org/parents/parent-info-center
✔ Pre-order early pick-ups. - If you need to pick up your student early, please complete the ‘Early Student Pick-Up’ form linked here and in our Parent Info Center on our website or call the front office well in advance so that we can have your student ready when you arrive. Your student may not be in a classroom. They may be outside for PRIDE, Green-Tech, other electives, at lunch, or outside for PE. It can take up to 30 minutes to locate them if we are not notified in advance.
✔ Reporting an Absence - Submit all doctor’s notes and report all absences via the district form linked here and on our website.
✔ Drop off forgotten items on the shelf outside the office. - Lunches, Chromebooks, chargers, cleats, PE clothes, etc. can be left on the black shelves in the secured vestibule. There’s no need to come inside and tell us they are there — the shelf is monitored by staff, cameras, and trained student aides. Just make sure the name is written clearly on the item and we will take care of getting those items to students.
✔ No DoorDash or other food delivery services due to campus safety and security protocols!
✔ Please avoid pick-ups after 3:15 PM. - Late pick-ups are difficult due to dismissal procedures and traffic. If you arrive after this time, you will experience delays.
✔ Student confidentiality is our priority. - If your student is in the nurse’s office, counselor’s office or in an administrator’s office, front office staff are unaware of the details. Private information is not shared with front office staff due to student confidentiality. We are happy to transfer your call or notify the appropriate person that you have arrived to collect your student.
✔ Parking - PLEASE DO NOT park your vehicle in the spaces labeled ‘Reserved’ in our front parking lot. Those spaces are assigned parking for our office staff and campus administrators.
Thank you for helping us support our amazing front office team and keep our school running smoothly!
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Don’t Miss Out — Pre-Order Your Yearbook! |
If you’re new to Small this year, you may not know just how coveted our yearbooks are. This is something you must pre-purchase! We only print the number of books that are ordered in advance, and there is no option to print additional copies after delivery. Every year, students and parents wait until the last minute and are disappointed when they miss out — we don’t want that to be you!
Buy your yearbook before Winter Break to get the Early Bird price of $35.
After the break, the price increases to $40, and all purchases must be made by the end of February to guarantee your copy.
Order online at: 2026 Small Josten's LInk
Our yearbooks are created by our Yearbook classes, who spend the entire school year capturing the memories, moments, and magic of Small. Their work is truly something special!
Check out the artwork this year designed by one of our yearbook students because she said "Each student is a piece of a puzzle and at Small they can always find where they fit in"
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Attention 8th Grade Parents |
Calling all proud 8th grade parents
If you would like to purchase ad space in this years yearbook to congratulate your 8th graders middle school success, You can buy your add here: Josten Yearbook Ads
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Schedule Changes window has closed |
The deadline for schedule changes was 1/16. No more requests will be reviewed. |
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Spirit Night @ P. Terry's
We'll see you at P. Terry's this Tuesday, Jan 20 for a night of community and fundraising! 15% of sales will be donated to Small PTA!
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9th Grade Next Steps Night
Join the discussion for academics, campus life, and insider tips for rising 9th graders and their families. Thursday, Jan 22, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the Clint Small Middle School Cafeteria. RSVP so we can plan food and seating.
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February Save the Date:
Be Internet Awesome Family Night- Wednesday, Feb 25
Be Internet Awesome is a program sponsored by Google and YouTube, designed to help parents and caregivers support their middle schoolers in being smart, kind, and safe online. During this interactive session families will “Meet LEO” (Learn and Explore Online) and learn about helpful safety tools like SafeSearch and Family Link.
Please RSVP so we can plan materials and refreshments.
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Cougars Traveling the World |
Educational Travel Programs at Small
At Clint Small Middle School, we are proud to have multiple teachers who sponsor Educational Travel Programs each year. These programs are structured group trips for students, organized in partnership with professional travel providers. The providers take care of the big details—like flights, hotels, meals, guides, and safety—while our teachers lead the learning side of the experience.
What is an Educational Travel Program?
An Educational Travel Program is more than just a trip. It’s an opportunity for students to step outside the classroom and experience history, culture, and language firsthand. Whether exploring another U.S. city or traveling abroad, students gain independence, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the world.
Why might families be interested?
Students experience hands-on learning tied to classroom topics. Travel builds maturity, problem-solving, and independence. Professional travel companies provide safety, structure, and support 24/7. Payment plans and group arrangements make these experiences more accessible than traveling on your own.
👉 With multiple teachers sponsoring programs, families can choose from a variety of destinations and opportunities that best fit their student’s interests.
Here is a list of upcoming opportunities
Trips in 2026
Trips in 2027
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Info from AISD High Schools |
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