Here are some easy access links to help make things easier

Hello Smallville! 

This week, I want to take a moment to appreciate the incredible work of our counseling team. Their dedication to our students’ academic, emotional, and social well-being makes a lasting impact every day. Sending Mrs. Asadi, Mr. Gonzalez, Ms. Moran, and Mr. Garcia a special thank you for all of their hard work to ensure our students are well taken care of. Their dedication helps create a safe and supportive environment where all of our Cougars can thrive.

As a campus we remain committed to nurturing the whole child, ensuring our Cougars have access to resources that support their mental health and overall well-being. Our incredible counseling team plays a vital role in this by providing individual and group counseling, conflict resolution support, academic guidance, and social-emotional learning opportunities. They also work closely with teachers, families, and community partners to connect students with additional resources when needed. 

February also marks the celebration of African American History Month. Throughout the month, we will be engaging in activities and discussions that honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of African Americans. We encourage you to talk with your students about what they are learning and continue these important conversations at home.

Whether you are rooting for the Eagles or Chiefs, I hope you enjoy Superbowl Sunday and all of the yummy snacks that go along with watching the game. 

Have an amazing weekend! 

Stay Present Cougars,

Bedford

Hello Cougar Families!

We are seeing an increase in illnesses and are deep in flu-season. Any flu-like symptoms or low-grade fever constitute a student staying home to recover.  As a reminder, students need to be fever-free (99.9 or below) for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning to school.   For more information please refer to the Austin ISD website.

https://www.austinisd.org/health-services

Parent Volunteers Needed - Please sign up here:
Sign Up Genius for parents to help with the dance (wristbands, donations, chaperone): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C49A8A82FABFE3-54785185-valentines

• Need help with Choice Sheets?

• Questions about School Supplies

• How to apply to Green Tech..

• Register for Cougar Transition camp!

Did you know there is a "New to Small" page on our website? It is updated with everything you need to know about transition to Small next year. Check it out!

Thank you to those that have signed up to speak at our Career Expo. We have just few more spots and would love to have speakers from the health care fields as well as other professions.

Please sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYNXNh9TzQAkMC_g7yWIvsXsj23HwmQG0pfiJuvM_m-yArww/viewform?usp=header

Dear Small Middle School Parents/Guardians:

The Texas Education Agency has launched the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness Interim Assessment as a tool to help educators tailor the instructional practice to address students’ needs. This is made possible because the student’s relative strength or weakness in each reporting category will be available for teachers to analyze.

This interim test aims to help improve student scores on the actual STAAR exams in April. The assessments include some former STAAR items as well as questions with the new types of interactions (inline choice, drag and drop, graphing, etc) and gives the students the ability to practice with the online STAAR interface before the April administration. For more information about the new types of questions, CLICK HERE.

The district has chosen to participate in administering the exams districtwide. Interim assessments will be administered on campuses in the month of February for all tested subjects (6-8 Math and Reading; 8th Science and Social Studies). 

Week of February 4-9

• 8th grade Science - Tuesday, February 4

• 8th grade Social Studies - Wednesday, February 5

• MAKEUP TESTING - Thursday, February 6

Week of February 10-14

• ALL grades Math - Wednesday, February 12

• ALL grades Reading - Thursday, February 13

• MAKEUP TESTING - Friday, February 14

ALL SCHOLARS MUST BRING THEIR CHARGED DEVICES AS TESTING WILL TAKE PLACE ONLINE. 

STAAR TESTING CANNOT TAKE PLACE ON PERSONAL DEVICES - STUDENTS MUST USE AISD CHROMEBOOKS FOR ALL ASSESSMENTS!

Parents are asked to encourage their child to treat this interim assessment as if it were the real STAAR test. By using the test taking strategies they normally would on test day, students can best prepare themselves for success on STAAR and can help to foster a positive testing environment for their PRIDE class. 

Testing Tips:

1. Plan an early bedtime the night before the test to ensure that your child has a restful night's sleep.

2. Arrive to school before the first bell rings at 8:15 AM.

3. A healthy breakfast is crucial for optimal performance. Make sure your child eats breakfast before dropping them off.

4. Motivate with positive words! Speak to your child about doing his/her best on the test.

5. Remind your child to take his/her time during the test. Rushing leads to careless mistakes!

6. For those students with accommodations, encourage your child to practice using these features on the assessment so that they become comfortable with the integrated systems.

Best Regards,

Rebecca Smootz
Campus Testing Coordinator - Small MS

Link to StuCo application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpOyrYJNaNb9PorsOMCs8luZ5qCFcUtl2D3wm9Mv4ywv1IpA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Rally Day

Cleanup Phase 2

Thanks to everyone who came out this past weekend to help clean up the courtyard!  We have a little more work to complete before students can begin utilizing this space.  Come out on Sunday OR Monday February 16 or 17 to help get us over the finish line.  Sign up HERE.

Trivia Night & PTA Meeting

Mark your calendars for February 19 and plan to bring the family! Pizza provided for all in attendance, but please RSVP so we can get a good headcount.  See flyer for more details.

Spirit Night

Celebrate Mardi Gras and support CSMS PTA at La Madeleine! Our next Spirit Night is Tuesday February 18 at La Madeleine in Sunset Valley, 5-7pm.  Be sure to mention Small and our PTA will receive 30% of sales.

Faculty Lounge Snack Donations

Going to the grocery store this weekend? Pick up some snacks to help stock the Faculty Lounge and keep our teachers fueled! Drop off anytime at the front of the school with the label "Faculty Lounge Snacks. All items should be snack size or individually wrapped. Suggested items include: chips, granola bars, trail mix, cookies, crackers, nuts, jerky, etc

Pajama Pants on Sale!

Stay warm with Small Middle School crewneck sweatshirts! This week only, save $10 on all crewnecks! Promotion ends Monday February 3. Shop at https://1stplace.sale/92689

Sponsor Shout Out

New this year, you can put an add for your business, or cheer on your 8th grader on to high school in the 2024-2025 yearbook!

3 easy steps

• Choose your ad size and layout

• Add your photo

• Enter your text

Price: $25.00
Deadline: 02/13/25

ENROLLMENT is NOW OPEN! Enroll with $95 to reserve your spot!

**Enroll by Sept. 22nd for $200 off.

*Repeat travelers, as usual, add an extra $100 off.

🇬🇷🇮🇹 GREECE & ITALY WEBSITE & ENROLLMENT: https://www.eftours.com/tour-website/2817051TA

🇯🇵 JAPAN WEBSITE & ENROLLMENT: https://www.eftours.com/tour-website/2805919DV

• Affordable bi-weekly or monthly plans. 

• Want to save up and pay in lump sums as you go? You can choose to do that too. 

• Free personal fundraising page for your student!

• Earn $1,000 EF scholarship!

These two itineraries were picked with a lot of thought put into them. Students (and adults!) will get to see so many iconic places on tour, including a great number of World Heritage Sites. The hands-on experiences chosen are great as well, the landmarks we'll visit, and the sights you'll see are all world-class: From the Island of Capri "faraglione" to the Acropolis, to swimming on Heraklion beaches in Crete, to stepping on Kyoto's most amazing temple - a national treasure itself, to visiting technology museums in Tokyo and Japanese gardens in Osaka, walking in the steps of Gladiators in the Colosseum and Roman Forum, or learning about how Pompeii got buried in ashes with Mount Vesuvius in the background, or stepping into Delphi and learning about oracles in Greece, it's going to be amazing!

Reach out any time with any and all questions, or to schedule a chat!

Mariel Early 

mariel.early@austinisd.org 

512-841-6700 Ext. 70774 / Conference: 2:30-4:00 pm

This section is for anything outside of Small that you might be interested in.

Find items that I've picked out specifically for our team.

There is also Spirit Wear available for your family and friends.

Check out the shop details below.

Items will be shipped to the school and the coaches will be distributed when they arrive.

If your an incoming student Coach Miller will try to deliver to the middle school or set up a time for pick up at Bowie, please indicate what school you attend and name of the player and phone number when you order please.

OUR SHOP DETAILS

    - Shop Now: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/kVD4DoVLTB

    - Store Open From: January 28 - February 21, 2025