Letter From Principal Bedford

Hello Smallville!

I hope you had a wonderful week and enjoyed the long weekend! Our Cougars have been fully engaged in academics, athletics, and the many enriching activities happening across our community.

One of the most anticipated events of the season, our annual Smalloween Dance, is just around the corner! Events like Smalloween are not only fun, they help build community, encourage creativity, and give students a chance to unwind and celebrate together.

I’d also like to take a moment to express sincere gratitude to our incredible community members and parents. Your ongoing support whether through volunteering, attending events, or simply encouraging your student plays a vital role in our success. It is through your partnership that we are able to create such an amazing and supportive learning environment for our Cougars.

This time of year can be especially busy, and while there's much to celebrate, it's also important to slow down and take care of ourselves. I often remind our staff to make time for rest, reflection, and self-care and I want to extend that same message to you. Whether it's taking a walk in the fall air, attending a performance on campus, or simply connecting with loved ones, I hope you find moments of peace and joy in the days ahead.

Thank you for being an essential part of our Small community. Let’s keep the momentum going as we head into the heart of the fall season together.

Stay Present,
Bedford

Halloween Spirit Week - 10/27 - 10/31

🎃 Get Ready for Halloween Spirit Week! 👻

It’s almost that time of year! Halloween Spirit Week is coming the week of October 27–31, so it’s not next week, but the week after.

Start planning your outfits and get ready to have some fun showing off your school spirit! Each day will have a different theme, so stay tuned for the full schedule coming soon.

Let’s make it a spooky, spirited, and fun week for everyone! 🧡🖤

Important Update:

Pending District Consolidation Plan

Due to the district consolidation draft plan, we are temporarily pausing all transfer information, tours, and transition events until after the official school board vote on November 20.

Once the district’s plan is finalized, we will update our website with all the details you’re looking for — including open house dates, campus tours, and our traditional events such as Cougar Camp, the Scavenger Hunt, and our online Parent Camp.

We want to ensure that no family is left out of the process, especially since attendance zones may change depending on the final plan.

➡️ Stay tuned! Our updated website with all event and enrollment information will launch after the November 20 vote.

For the most current details about the district’s consolidation plan, please visit the District Consolidation Information Page.

🗓️ Upcoming Transition Timeline (as of today)

November 20, 2025 – AISD School Board Vote on Consolidation
We’ll solidify our plans after the district’s final decision.
TBD January 2026 - Virtual Welcome Parent Meeting for newly zoned families to learn all about Small and to welcome them into the Smallville family.
TBD January 2026 – Feeder School Student Tours
Elementary students zoned to Small (Patton, Oak Hill, Mills & Baldwin) visit campus during the school day.
1/27/26 - 2/6/26 – Counselor Visits to Feeder Schools
Counselors introduce the 2026–2027 course selection process.
2/10/26 – Smallville Discovery Fair
Feeder and prospective transfer families explore campus, classrooms and chat with elective teachers at Small.
Mid February – Choice Sheets Due for Feeder Students
Mid-January–Mid-March – After-School Family Tours
For families zoned to Small or considering a transfer.
Early Spring – Application-Based Transfers Open
Limited spots in Dual Language and Green Tech Academy programs.
Feeder student application process TBA.
Late March – Transfer Choice Sheets Due
and General Transfer Requests Open in Enroll Austin (lottery-based).
🌞 Summer Events
- Cougar Camp – Two-day camp for new students.
- Scavenger Hunt – Families explore campus before school starts.
- Parent Camp – Virtual session to learn about policies and procedures.

Smalloween

Community Ofrenda

Girls Basketball Schedule

Library Bookfair is coming...

LASA Presentation, November 5

AustinISD Parent U

Parent U as a districtwide initiative designed to equip families with the tools and knowledge to actively support their child’s postsecondary journey. Through engaging monthly virtual sessions, parents and guardians gain practical strategies on topics such as navigating college applications, understanding financial aid, exploring advanced academic opportunities, preparing for college entrance exams, and supporting students through key school transitions. 2025–2026 Parent U Sessions:

September 3, 2025 – Senior Year Success: College Apps & More
Overview of key senior-year milestones, college application steps, and important dates. Learn how to guide your student through the process.
October 1, 2025 – Paying for College: What Parents Should Know
Financial aid, scholarships, FAFSA/TASFA, and budgeting strategies to support your student’s college plans.
November 5, 2025 – Advanced Opportunities Night
Explore options like Dual Credit, CTE, Fine Arts, Multilingual, AP, OnRamps, and Early College programs.
January 7, 2026 – Testing for College: SAT, ACT, TSIA2, and AP Explained
Learn the purpose, timelines, and preparation strategies for key college entrance and placement

Soccer Tryouts

The boys' soccer season starts on Oct 21st. Tryouts will be held Oct 21-24, and we anticipate to have the squad finalized by Monday, Oct 27th. A completed physical is necessary to try out. New for this year is that the physical form needs to be uploaded by the parent to the Rank One portal -

Please contact coaches Ben Chiovaro or Tony Johansson for questions.

A Message from our Counselor's

Next week, Mr. Gonzalez, the 8th grade counselor, will be visiting classrooms to share important updates and guidance on the transition to high school.

Upcoming High School Visits to Small:

Austin High School will visit on October 29th to present high school information for incoming 9th graders.
LASA (Liberal Arts and Science Academy) will visit on November 5th to speak with students interested in applying.

Students who wish to attend the LASA presentation must sign up with their counselor in advance.

Connected and Protected: Supporting Your Teen in the Social Media Age
Helping teens navigate social media in a healthy and appropriate way is one of the most important and sometimes challenging parts of modern parenting. Here are some key points on how to help your teen navigate social media safely:

Talk early and often: Discuss social media before problems arise. Ask what platforms they use and why.

Be curious, not judgmental: Show interest in their online world without immediately criticizing it.

Discuss values: Talk about kindness, respect, privacy, and how those apply online.

Create a family tech agreement: Outline rules like screen time limits, no phones at dinner, and appropriate content.

Use parental controls wisely: These can help, but shouldn’t replace trust and communication.

Model good behavior: Teens notice how parents use their phones so lead by example.

Privacy settings: Help them set up strong privacy controls on their accounts.

Stranger danger still applies: Teach them not to share personal info or talk to unknown people online.

Recognize red flags: Help them spot cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or manipulative behavior.

Think before posting: Remind them that what goes online can stay online.

Avoid drama: Talk about how online arguments can escalate and affect real-life relationships.

Build empathy: Encourage them to consider how their posts might affect others.

Watch for signs of stress: Social media can impact self-esteem and mood.

Promote balance: Encourage offline hobbies, exercise, and face-to-face friendships.

Be a safe space: Let them know they can come to you if something online makes them uncomfortable.

PTA News

No Hassle Fundraiser Open until End of October

Just a quick reminder—our No Hassle Fundraiser is underway, and we’re making great strides! We’ve reached $4,405 so far, which puts us at about 73% of our $6,000 goal. Remember, no selling, baking, or laps needed. Every donation goes straight to supporting Small Middle School’s programs, staff, and campus.

If you haven’t given yet and are able, a $50 contribution per family helps so much—but every dollar makes a difference. Thank you for helping us get closer to 100% and making Smallville a fantastic place to learn and grow!

Just donate. That’s it.

Cougar Cage

We have lots of volunteer shifts to cover in the coming weeks. This is a fun volunteer opportunity if you love to observe middle school students in the wild! If it’s your first time volunteering be sure to sign up for a “trainee” shift.

Spirit Night-November

Be on the lookout for our next Spirit Night at VIA 313 in November. Official date coming soon. It's a win/win when dinner is easy AND you're supporting Smallville!

Upcoming General Assembly Meeting-Save the date

11/5 - Wednesday @ 5:30pm.

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