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Clint Small Middle School
Weekly Newsletter
Week of: Spring Break
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Reminder - No School on TUESDAY 3/31 |
A Letter from Principal Bedford
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Hello Smallville,
I hope your spring break treated you well! We’ve had a really great first week back, and it’s been so nice to see everyone back and in high spirits. There’s a calm, focused energy across campus right now and our Cougars are settling in, getting back into routines, and genuinely engaging with what’s happening in their classrooms. It’s one of those weeks where you can just feel the positive energy throughout the building.
As we get back into the swing of things, this time of year often has many of us parents trying to better understand our tweens and teens while navigating the middle school years right alongside them. It doesn’t always make it easier when we check in with our Cougars, asking how they’re feeling or how things are going at school and are met with those familiar one-word answers. We’ll take them, of course, but sometimes it can feel like we’re being shut out.
While every child is different, I’ve found that a few simple approaches can help open the door to more meaningful conversation:
Catch them in low pressure moments: Car rides, walking the dog, or even sitting next to them while they do homework can be the easiest times to talk. Sometimes our kiddos just need our presence.
Keep questions simple and open: Instead of “How was your day?” (which often gets “fine”), try something like “What was the best part of your day?” or “Did anything surprise you today?”
Give them space to talk it out: When they do start sharing, it can help to just listen. Sometimes they’re not looking for advice, just someone to hear them. Again in these middle school years, our presence is sometimes all they need.
We’re really looking forward to building on this positive start to the week and keeping the momentum going. Thanks, as always, for being such an important part of Small!
Have a great weekend!
Stay Present,
Bedford
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🐑 You’re Invited: Farm Day and Retirement Party! 🐐
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Come spend the morning with us and meet our amazing animals! Families are invited to:
✨ Get up close with our campus animals, say goodbye to Fern and Kale, and meet some new friends.
✂️ Watch a live sheep shearing demonstration
🌿 Learn what it takes to care for our animals
Interested in helping out this summer? This is the perfect chance to see what’s involved and sign up to volunteer for animal care!
📅 Date: April 4
🕘 Gates Open: 8:30 AM (come early to visit the animals!)
🕙 Event Begins: 10:00 AM
Bring the whole family—we can’t wait to see you there!
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If your student plans to run for Track, please fill out the Sports You Info below. |
Scan the Sports U Code below for Girls |
Click the image below to register for Green Camp or use the QR code |
Do you own a business? Know someone who does? Dive in and help us make a splash! 💦
We’re looking for Splashfest sponsors to help fund inflatables, activities, and other event costs for our end-of-year carnival.
When you sponsor Splashfest, you won’t just be helping us keep the fun afloat—you’ll also get your business promoted to our entire school community. It’s a win-win… or should we say a splash-splash!
The more successful Splashfest is, the more funding we can pour directly back into classrooms next year.
⏰ The sooner you jump in, the longer we can wave your business name around our community!
Click here sign up to Sponsor
So don’t stay on the sidelines—dip your toes in and sign up to sponsor today!
Let’s work together to make this year’s Splashfest the biggest splash yet!
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🎒 Help Us Hit 100% – Register Your Student for Next Year! |
Believe it or not, we are already planning for next year! Teachers, schedules, and class sizes all depend on one very important thing…
YOU registering your student in the Parent Portal.
Right now we are on a mission to reach 100% registration by May 31.
Why register now?
✔ Helps us plan classes and teachers
✔ Prevents last-minute summer stress
✔ Makes you our favorite kind of parent (the prepared kind)
💻 Log into the Parent Portal and register today.
It only takes a few minutes and helps us tremendously!
BONUS: We’ll be tracking which grade level gets to 100% first… bragging rights included.
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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.. |
Don’t Miss Out — Pre-Order Your Yearbook!
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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!
Prices are now $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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SPIRIT NIGHT 4/9/2026
Get ready to bring the energy, Cougars!
Save the date. We’re turning our upcoming track meet into a full-on Spirit Night with a sweet twist—Shaka Sno ATX is rolling in on April 9th at 6 PM!
Come cheer on our Small MS track team while cooling off with some seriously delicious snow cones. Even better? It’s for a great cause—Shaka Sno ATX is giving back 20% of all sales to Small!
So grab your family, invite your friends, and make a night of it. Nothing says school spirit like cheering from the sidelines with a rainbow snow cone in hand Let’s show up, get loud, and support our athletes—and our school—one scoop at a time!
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PTA Nominating & Election Timeline
3/25 – Publish notice of a General Membership Meeting to elect the PTA Nominating Committee
Week of 3/30 – General Membership Meeting: members vote to elect the Nominating Committee
3/30–4/14 – Nominating Committee meets to recruit and recommend a slate of officer candidates
4/15 – Nominating Committee’s recommended slate of officers is published to PTA members
4/22 – PTA General Membership Meeting: officer elections for 2026–2027 following Be Internet Awesome Event.
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The Cougar Cage Needs You!
Volunteer shifts in the Cougar Cage are open through the end of the school year! Check out the SIGN UP to see when you can help out. Working in the Cougar Cage is a fun volunteer opportunity that brings in funds for our PTA and gives you a chance to interact with students during the school day. We love our Cougar Cage volunteers!
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LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS - We Need a Nominating Committee
Clint Small MS PTA is forming this year’s Nominating Committee and we’re looking for three members and one alternate to help identify candidates for next year’s PTA leadership. The committee is a short‑term group that reviews nominations, may seek additional candidates, and recommends a slate of officers. PTA membership is required, but experience is not—training and support are provided.
We are also beginning recruitment for 2026–2027 PTA roles, including:
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- President
- Spirit Nights Representative
- Advocacy Representative
- Projects & Goals Chair
- VP of Memberships (we might have a taker)
- Volunteer Coordinator (we might have a taker
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If you are interested in serving on the Nominating Committee, serving in a role next year, or nominating someone, please email president@clintsmallmspta.org. |
Be Internet Awesome Family Night- April 22
Be Internet Awesome, sponsored by Google and YouTube, helps parents and caregivers support their middle schoolers in being smart, kind, and safe online. Families will “Meet LEO” (Learn and Explore Online) and discover helpful tools like SafeSearch and Family Link.
Plus: Enjoy giveaways and refreshments as part of this interactive session!
We hope you’ll join us for this valuable and enjoyable family event. And right after the program, our general meeting will take place — we’d love for anyone who can to stick around and join us.
Please RSVP here so we can plan materials and refreshments. Thank you again for your patience and enthusiasm—we can’t wait to see you on April 22!
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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
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Global Cougars Fly – Enrollment Now Open for 2027!
Enrollment is now open for three incredible Global Cougars Fly travel experiences in 2027! As the founder of Global Cougars Fly and a long-time student travel sponsor, I’ve had the privilege of safely taking students and families to destinations all over the world . These journeys are thoughtfully designed to be educational, exciting, and truly unforgettable.
Spring Break 2027 – Egypt & the Nile
Stand before the Pyramids of Giza, see King Tut’s treasures at the Grand Egyptian Museum, and sail the Nile River on a cruise to Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, Aswan, and more.
Summer 2027 – Innovation in Japan
Experience the incredible blend of cutting-edge technology and ancient culture -from robotics and Tokyo city life to bullet trains and views of Mount Fuji.
Summer 2027 – The Alps & the Mediterranean
Travel through Switzerland, Italy, France, and Spain, with highlights including the Swiss Alps, Lake Como, colorful coastal villages, and vibrant Barcelona.
Explore the flyers and visit the Global Cougars Fly website for full details and enrollment information.
Questions?
Mariel Early
marel.early@austinisd.org
Conference time: Monday–Friday, 2:30 PM
Feel free to reach out if you’d like to chat or learn more!
The World Is Waiting.
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Info from AISD High Schools
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Check Austin High's Website for all transition events. |
Bowie Color Guard Friends and Family Event |
Come to the Bowie Color Guard Friends and Family Event next Thursday, April 2nd at 7:30 pm in the main gym. Both the Varsity and JV teams will perform their shows, with JV's being their last performance of the season.
BONUS: if you are an incoming 9th grader or current student that is deciding what to join at Bowie - this is a great way to see if it's a fit for free Additional free experience clinics will be held next month as well!
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