Hello Smallville! 

We had a busy and exciting week on campus! We kicked off our volleyball season this week and are incredibly proud of our athletes and coaches as they started strong against the Marshall Rams. Football season is just around the corner, and I’m looking forward to cheering on our team and celebrating their hard work and dedication.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Back to School Night! It was a fun evening, and we appreciate your continued support as we work together to make this year a success. Thank you for all of the positive feedback. Our teachers and campus felt the love! 

We are thrilled to share that our campus has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Austin Ed Fund. The project, Expanding Outdoor Learning through Agriculture and Tech, will help us improve and expand our outdoor classroom workspaces. This opportunity will allow our students to engage more deeply in hands-on learning experiences that connect science, agriculture, and technology in meaningful ways.

Thank you again for your partnership. We are looking forward to a great year ahead!

Have an amazing weekend!

Stay Present,
Bedford

There is a new Texas law (SB 12) that requires schools to have parental consent on file each year for certain student services and activities.

These forms are necessary for student participation in clubs, access to health-related support, and compliance with state laws.

A letter was emailed to all Parents/Guardians on 8/27/25.
To read this letter from Ms. Bedford, CLICK HERE!

Please fill all 3 forms out by September 1st

Mental Health-Related Services
The district must notify parents of staff services related to school counseling and give parents the opportunity to opt out before those services are provided to their child.  Mental Health Services Consent Form-English - Mental Health Services Consent Form-Spanish

Physical Health-Related Services
Certain school-based health services, such as non-emergency medical screenings or treatments, now require your written permission. [Physical Health Services Consent Form]

Participation in school-sponsored Student Clubs
If your child wishes to participate in school or district-sponsored clubs or organizations, parental approval is required. - Student Club Participation Consent Form

Parents, you’ll be hearing from your child’s teachers throughout the year about various school fees. These might include things like Lab Fees, Enrichment Fees, Chromebook Fees, and more.

If you ever need to pay a fee online, it’s easy to find! Just visit our website → small.austinschools.org, click the Parent tab, and then select Pay Online.

This will always be your one-stop spot for online payments.

Mark your calendars:
Wednesday, 9/3 & Thursday, 9/4
(Pictures will be taken in Social Studies or Texas History—depending on whether your student has class on an A day or B day.)

👉 VERY IMPORTANT:
When ordering online at www.1stphototexas.com

• Click “School AH25”

• Use Online Code: 501725F03
  ⚠️ Please double-check that it says School AH25—otherwise your order may end up at a completely different school!

💵 Payment Options:

• Online (easiest!)

• Exact cash (because photographers don’t carry change)

• Check (yes, they still take those!)
  Order forms also went home with your student this week.

📖 This is the picture that will go in the yearbook—a photo that will live on forever and ever. So, parents, give your kiddo a quick reminder to comb their hair, wipe the syrup off their face, and flash that million-dollar smile.

Tickets for Middle School Games Updated from last Newsletter

This year, AISD has introduced a new online ticketing system for all athletic events.

• If you’d like the convenience of buying in advance, you can purchase tickets online https://events.hometownticketing.com/. Be sure to download the Hometown Ticketing App.

• Online ticket sales go directly to the AISD Athletic Department. Prices are $5.00 per Adult, $3.00 per student plus fees.

We also know that many middle school families prefer cash at the door—especially for students being dropped off. Middle schools still have the option to accept cash at the gate.

• At Small, cash tickets are $3.00 per person, and this money goes straight into our Athletic Activity Fund to support Cougar sports.

You now have two easy ways to attend the games:
✅ Buy online for convenience
✅ Pay cash at the door to directly support our school

We’re excited to see you in the stands this season—Go Cougars! 🐾

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time dedicated to breaking stigma, spreading hope, and connecting people to life-saving resources. It’s not just about raising awareness—it’s about fostering real conversations and building a culture of compassion and support. For guidance on how to support your child around the topic of suicide, this link offers helpful insights and resources.

🌱 Help Our Green Classes Grow! 🌱
We’re collecting a few everyday items for projects and would love your help!

• 🥚 Empty egg cartons

• 🪣 Buckets or empty kitty litter containers

Donations can be dropped off on the shelves in the Vestibule (outside the main office).
If it’s after hours, just leave them on the bench outside.

Thank you for helping our Cougars stay green! 💚

🎃 Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser – Saturday, Oct. 4th | 10 AM – 2 PM 🎃

Why buy your Halloween pumpkins anywhere else when you can pick them up at our Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser AND enjoy a full day of fall fun? 🍂

🌟 What’s waiting for you:

• 🎃 Pumpkins for sale (find the perfect one for your jack-o’-lantern!)

• 👻 Haunted House Inflatable

• 🌽 Inflatable Corn Maze

• 🚜 Hayrides

• 🐐 Petting Zoo

• 🐔 Chicken Poop Bingo (yes, really!)

• 🎨 Pumpkin Painting & Face Painting

• 🎯 Fall Carnival Games

• 🎃 Pumpkin Launching (see how far yours can fly!)

• 🍔 Delicious Food, 🍧 Kona Ice & More!

✨ Every pumpkin you buy helps support Small Middle School — so stock up here and skip the grocery store!

📍 When: Saturday, Oct. 4th | 10 AM – 4 PM
📍 Where: Small Football field

Bring your family, bring your friends, and come celebrate fall with us. Help us spread the word🍁

If you are interested in being a sponsor for this event, Please email jennifer.newell@austinisd.org

Procedures for Misuse of Cellphones & Personal Electronic Devices

1. FIRST OFFENSE - Teacher/Staff takes earbuds/phone/smart watch/personal electronic device TURNS IT INTO THE OFFICE, DOCUMENTING INCIDENT with parent contact.

2. SECOND OFFENSE - Teacher/Staff takes earbuds/phone/smart watch/personal electronic device and TURNS IT INTO THE OFFICE and ADMIN will talk with student and document/return device.

3. THIRD OFFENSE - Teacher/Staff takes earbuds/phone/smart watch/personal electronic device and TURNS IT INTO THE OFFICE and ADMIN will talk with student and document/return device. Phone/smart watch is checked in at the start of school and picked up at the end of school for (3 consecutive days)

4. FOURTH OFFENSE - Teacher/Staff takes earbuds/phone/smart watch/personal electronic device and TURNS IT INTO THE OFFICE and ADMIN will talk with PARENT to schedule PICKUP (Fees for cellphone violations will be decided by the board at a later date. PHONE IS NOW BANNED FROM CAMPUS.

• Students are not allowed to have personal electronics out of their bag during the day. The expectation is that they remain in their backpack. We ask that the phone is ALWAYS on SILENT or OFF when in the building.  Violation of this rule can result in consequences listed above. Student’s refusal to give the teacher or staff the phone when asked will result in disciplinary action. 

🎉 Have You Spotted the Shiny New Button? 🎉

Look up at the top of this newsletter—see that Parent Info Center button? That’s your brand-new all-in-one hub for just about everything a Small Middle School parent could possibly need.

Think of it as your parent superpower 💪—click it, and you’ll find:
✅ Submit an attendance note in seconds
✅ Request an early pick-up without phone tag
✅ Peek at the lunch menu 🍕🥗
✅ Check the full event calendar 🗓
✅ Get transportation info 🚍
✅ View bell schedules ⏰
✅ …and so much more!

The rule of thumb? If your question starts with “I wonder if Small Middle School has…” — click the Parent Info button first. Nine times out of ten, the answer is right there waiting for you.

Check it out!

AISD is asking all volunteers to get a background check and have hours logged for reporting purposes. Luckily, they have provided a new software program called "VOLY" that is easy and simple to use.

 If you plan on volunteering at Small in any aspect this year (workroom, cage, chaperone dances, splashfest, field trips, etc. ), please register to volunteer with Voly at https://austinisd.voly.org. Volunteer opportunities will be posted in our newsletters soon.

Connect with the PTA

Our PTA Facebook, Instagram and Linktree pages are a great way to stay up to date and make sure you never miss volunteer opportunities, event details, meeting info and more! Be sure to like us on your social platforms so you see everything we're sharing that's PTA related.

https://www.facebook.com/smallmspta

https://www.instagram.com/smallmspta

https://linktr.ee/smallmspta 

Join the PTA!

Become a member of our amazing CSMS PTA today!

The Cougar Cage is open for business and we need your help!  The Cougar Cage is the CSMS school store and helps to raise money for the PTA.  To learn more about the Cougar Cage and what a volunteer shift entails, click the Sign Up below.  If it’s your first time volunteering, be sure to sign up for a “Trainee” shift.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D45AFAF2FA4FAC07-50975400-cougar

School Store

If you missed your chance to stock up on Cougar gear at Back to School Night don't worry!  Our online back-to-school sale is running through September 9.  Get your tees, long sleeves, hoodies, hats, joggers and more and enjoy 25% off your order. Free shipping on orders over $75. https://1stplace.sale/92689

Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM (Online Meeting)
Location: Virtual – Link will be sent to RSVPs

SIGN UP WITH THIS LINK https://bit.ly/4lqudF7

Come learn about our upcoming student tours:

SOUTH KOREA  From Seoul to Busan, bustling cities to seaside villages, students will be immersed in amazing pop culture and tradition! -->Summer 2027 

PORTUGAL Through city, mountain, and beach -you'll travel north to south Portugal and experience this colorful, historic land in depth. -->Spring Break 2027 

6th, 7th, and 8th-grade future, current, and graduating students — and their families — are all welcome to join our student tours!

Sign up WITH THIS LINK https://bit.ly/4lqudF7 to receive the meeting link and updates.

More than 180 students and families have trusted Mrs. Early’s long-established "Global Cougars Fly" international student travel program at Small Middle School to show them the world —including trips to Japan (twice), the Galápagos Islands and mainland Ecuador, Thailand, Australia, France, Italy, and Greece — and now it’s your student’s turn!

Email Mrs. Early with questions:mariel.early@austinisd.org
Mrs. Early is Small's longtime ESL Teacher, a language teaching specialist, a multiculturalism advocate, and a world traveler herself.She is a firm believer that travel opens our eyes to the world, makes us confident, and enriches our lives, while making us mindful of other people's cultures, values, and the essence of what unites us all.