A Letter from Ms. Bedford

Hello, Smallville!

I hope you had an amazing week. This week marked the completion of another round of STAAR testing. I want to take a moment to say how proud I am of our Cougars. Their hard work, focus, and perseverance throughout testing was truly impressive. We know these assessments can be challenging, but our students showed up with determination and gave it their best. We see their effort, and we’re proud of the growth they’re making every day.

It’s hard to believe, but next week is the last week of April. The final stretch of the school year is officially in sight, and we’re continuing to push toward strong finishes in all areas, academically, socially, and emotionally. Thank you for your continued support in helping us keep momentum through the end of the year.

And don’t forget, Splash Fest is right around the corner! This is one of our favorite annual events and a great opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate a fantastic school year. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend!

Stay present, Cougars,
Bedford

Save the Date

We’re buzzing with excitement over here! 🎉 Our annual end-of-year FUNdraiser is shaping up to be better than ever, and we want YOU to be a part of it! Mark your calendars for May 9th, 2025, after school—this is the event of the year, and your students won’t want to miss it!

How can you get involved?

🎁 Donate a raffle item! 🎁

Just like last year, instead of giving out prizes at each booth, we’re going all in with a RAFFLE! The kids will have a chance to win some super cool prizes (no more junky toys that end up in the trash 😅). It’s simple—just donate something off our Amazon wishlist and have it shipped directly to Small. Easy, breezy, and your donation will make a huge impact on making this event unforgettable!

The kids are telling me there are some items they wish they could win that are not on Amazon. If you would be willing to grab one (or more) of these items and donate it to the school that would kick this event to the next level!

Pink Palm Puff Hoodie
Life Size Cut out of Libran James
Any of the items on our Amazon Wishlist
Ifly gift Card or gift card to any of the fun to do things in Austin for Pre-teens\teens

You get the idea, the more items we have to raffle the more kids can win!

Stay tuned for more info on donations, sponsorships, volunteering, and ticket sales—coming your way soon!

If you have something else to donate you know the kids will LOVE—or have a connection to someone who might be willing to set up an activity at Splashfest, please reach out to Jennifer.newell@austinisd.org. Let’s make this the best Splashfest ever! 💦🎉

Splashfest Details

Raffle Prizes

Our raffle prizes are trickling in. Thanks you everyone who has donated so far. We need more! The more prizes the more kids can win! Please consider donating a raffle price today, see the post above this one for more details.

Volunteers

We also need lots of volunteers the day of and the week leading up to Splashfest. If you can donate some time to help pull off this event, please sign up here:

What is Splash Fest?

It is our end-of-year celebration/fundraiser all rolled up in one. It's a big carnival with waterslides and games - as well as other adventures for everyone to have crazy fun while bringing in money to fund the next school year.

What does Splash Fest include?

Water Slides Dry Inflatables Games Prizes Raffle Items Food Fun

Sounds fun, how do we participate?

Students purchase wristbands, which provide unlimited access to games, booths, and inflatables. Tickets are for food concessions. Raffle tickets are to win prizes. Students may want to bring cash on the day to buy additional tickets and purchase food from some food vendors. Save money with bundles! Bundle sales start next Friday 4/25/25 ON-LINE Check out next weeks newsletter for the link!

Or you can just buy what you need ala carte:

$20 - Wristbands - Unlimited games, booths, inflatables, and activities
$1 - Concession Tickets - Needed for carnival concession food and drinks
$5 - (3) Raffle Tickets - You can purchase raffle tickets - or win them by playing games and doing activities
$5 - Water Proof Phone Pouch - Big enough to hold cell phone, tickets, and extra money
Donation - Donations go towards gifting wristbands to students who can't afford them. (If you need financial help buying your wristband, please fill out a form in the counseling office to request a scholarship)

FAQ:

Who can come to Splash Fest? Anyone! All 6th, 7th & 8th graders are welcome. We also encourage incoming 5th graders and other supervised siblings to come.
How do we get our wristbands? Students pick up wristbands and other purchases during lunch the week of the festival - or at the festival ticket table
What do the kids wear? Many, but not all activities are wet. Kids may wear their bathing suits, but we ask them to wear a t-shirt and shorts. Many students wear clothes they don't mind getting wet. Bring a towel and sunscreen - and water shoes are recommended for foot safety
Where do they put their backpacks? Students leave their backpacks in the 8th grade hallway after school
What about cell phones? The best thing is to keep phones in their backpacks. If they want their phones with them, we have waterproof cell phone pouches for sale for $5.00. They're great for keeping phones safe and big enough to hold tickets and extra money
What if it rains? Splashfest is a rain or shine event. The only way we would cancel or postpone if the forecast looks dangerous or too cold.
What time do I pick up my student? Splashfest will be over at 6:30 pm.
How can I support Splash Fest?
- VOLUNTEER!!! We need a lot of adult supervision, sign up to volunteer today! We also need volunteers the week before to help distribute and sell wristbands.
  - Splashfest Ticket Sales Sign Up
  - Splashfest Event Sign Up
- Donate a Raffle Item: We would love to have a lot of different prizes for the kids to win. Please go to our Amazon Wishlist to donate something for the kids to win
- Sponsor: The less it costs for us to put on this event, the more funds for the school departments and clubs that participate. See our sponsor page to learn more about how you or your small business can help.

No Refunds - This event is Rain or Shine!

Attention Current 6th Graders

Parents of 6th graders,

This is a reminder to make sure you start early to get an appointment at your doctor’s office for immunizations for the 7th grade school year (SY ’25-’26). The vaccines you will need are T-dap and meningococcal. These are required by Texas State law for students to be up to date with their immunizations coming into 7th grade. Once your student has received these vaccines, please submit the immunization record either via email or paper copy to the school nurse at Small Middle school. Thank you!

Immunization Requirements Quick Reference: 2025-2026 School Year Seventh Grade

3 doses of DPT, DTaP, DT, Td, Tdap with one dose given on/after the 4th birthday.
1 dose of Tdap is required within the last 5 years. (Td acceptable if pertussis is contraindicated)
3 doses of Polio with one on/after 4th birthday
2 doses of MMR with first dose on/after the 1st birthday
2 doses of Hepatitis A
3 doses of Hepatitis B*
2 doses of Varicella on/after 1st birthday (if the child has NOT had chickenpox)
1 dose of Meningococcal (MCV4 or MenACWY) on / after the 11th birthday**

You also have the right to be exempt from vaccines with the proof of an affidavit to be turned in every 2 years to the school nurse.

Vaccination records can be turned in at the front office or emailed or faxed to the school nurse.

Erin Clifford, BSN, RN (she/her)
School Nurse
Small Middle School
phone: (512) 414-1543
Fax: (512) 841-6745
erin.clifford@austinisd.org

Award winning PTA news

May Events

We have two events happening on May 13 to wrap up the year!

5:30pm Final PTA Meeting- let's celebrate the end of a great year!
6:00pm Family Education Talk- Managing Difficult Feelings: Practical Insights from Inside Out presented by Dr. Mandy Menzer. Both caregivers and kids are invited to attend this event, or as Dr. Menzer said, "Anyone Riley's age or older."

🎉 Exciting News: Yearbooks Are Now On Sale!

Don’t miss your chance to secure your very own yearbook—pre-purchase yours today! You have two easy options:

Buy Online: $40!
Cash or Check: Have your student bring payment to Mr. Shoptaw in room 300.

Our yearbooks are super popular and always sell out! Don’t wait until May to get yours—avoid disappointment and pre-order now! Remember, we only print enough for those who pre-purchase, plus a few extras, which means getting one later is nearly impossible.

Make memories last—grab your yearbook today! 📚✨

Smallville Travel Section

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