Clint Small Middle School
Weekly Newsletter
Week of September 30, 2024
Cougar News
REMINDER: Next week is short week,
There is NO SCHOOL on
Thursday 10/3 & Friday 10/4
A Letter from Ms. Bedford
Hello Smallville,
What I love most about our campus is the daily warm and inviting atmosphere created by both our students and staff. The way students take pride in the building and truly embrace the Cougar culture is incredible. Sometimes, I find myself wondering how different my middle school years would have been if I had experienced this type of environment during such a pivotal time in my life.
One thing I appreciate about our community is how we approach decisions by asking, "If I had to walk in that person’s shoes, how would I respond?" It’s a reminder that we’re all part of something bigger, and here at Small, we do our best to ensure everyone is taken care of in the ways they need.
Our students, in particular, are champions of creating this positive culture. They’re so tapped into making sure everyone feels included and supported. I see students go out of their way to invite others into conversations, offer help when a classmate seems lost, or simply check in on a friend who's having a tough day. They understand the power of kindness and make it their mission to ensure no one feels left out. It’s this sense of belonging and connection that makes our campus special.
I see so many moments where our students recognize that everyone is dealing with their own challenges, whether silently or out loud, and they find ways to support each other. But I also want to remind you that this goes for our teachers and staff, too. They show up for our Cougars every day, often in ways you might not even see. Whether it’s creating a welcoming classroom, staying late to prepare lessons, or just being a steady presence, our teachers are navigating their own battles while still giving their best to the students on a daily basis. It's a team effort, and we’re all in this together, doing our part to create a positive and caring school environment.
Have an amazing weekend!
Stay Present Cougars,
Bedford
Our Pumpkins are here!
Small MS Pumpkin Patch & Fun
Small MS Pumpkin Patch & Fun
Sunday October 6th, 2024
11 am to 4:00 pm.
🎃 Join Us for a Spook-tacular Fall Fun Fest! 🎃
Our Fall Pumpkin Patch and Fun is coming along. HUGE Thank you to everyone that has signed up to volunteer and has donated items to our event. You all are so generous! We have everything we need for games and decorations, but we can still use some more prizes, tickets and drink and snack donations. If you are still looking to help, Check out our needs below.
Remember we only have 3 days to get it all done next week then our big event is NEXT SUNDAY 10/6. Plan to come on down and buy your pumpkins for the Fall Season!
How can you get involved? 🤔
Spread the Word 📢: This event is for EVERYONE! Help us reach out by sharing the news with all elementary schools, neighborhood newsletters, Nextdoor, Ring groups, and any place you think families might be interested. If you spot our event on Facebook, hit that "Going" or "Interested" button to help boost our visibility!
Shop Our Wishlist 🛒: We’re starting from scratch and need all the goodies—decorations, games, prizes, and supplies. Check out our wishlist and send something our way. You can even have it shipped directly to us at Small!
Donate Snacks & Drinks 🍿: We’ll be selling snacks and drinks to keep everyone fueled for fun. Help us keep costs down and profits up by donating prepackaged snacks and drinks.
Volunteer 🙌: We need enthusiastic helpers to run games, manage booths, and sell pumpkins. Sign up on Voly and lend a hand!
Get Your Pumpkin & Play 🎃: Pre-purchase tickets online, then swing by to pick out your favorite gourd, play some festive games, and enjoy tasty fall treats!
Just like our Splashfest in the spring, all proceeds from this event will support the activity funds of participating departments and clubs. This means extra funds for teachers to buy supplies and create engaging lessons that make Small Middle School uniquely awesome!
Let’s make this Fall Fun Fest a memorable event for all ages. See you there!
This amazing event is sponsored by Jersey Mikes!
Go get a sub this week and tell Manny thanks for partnering with Small MS!
Egg Club
Are you interested in fresh, free-range eggs while also supporting the Green Academy? Do you want to help teach 8th graders valuable business skills? Look no further—The Clint Small Egg Club (CSEC) is here for you!
What’s the Deal?
For just $60 a year, you’ll join CSEC and get fresh, healthy, free-range eggs from our very own hens. As part of the club, you'll receive a dozen eggs whenever your name comes up in the rotation.
Why Join?
It’s a win-win! By participating, you’re not only enjoying high-quality eggs, but you’re also directly supporting YOUR kid's education and helping the entire Clint Small community. Your contribution helps fund not only educational programs but also supports teachers, staff, students, and even our feathered friends.
And Here’s the Best Part:
Your $60 goes further than you might think. Instead of spending your money at a giant grocery store, you’re investing in the future of our students and the school. Our dedicated 8th graders and their hardworking hens are making a difference, and you can be a part of it!
Spots are Limited!
To ensure everyone gets a regular supply of eggs, we have limited spots available. Don’t miss out—sign up for CSEC and make a difference while enjoying fresh eggs!
We hope you’ll join us in making this year egg-cellent for everyone at Clint Small!
Ready to Join?
Sign up now and be part of something special!
Egg-cited to see you there!
🎉 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: Only $35 until winter break!
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! 📚✨
Current Fundraising Events
BAND MATTRESS SALE FUNDRAISER!
If you or someone you know is looking to replace a bed in your home, now is the time! Clint Small MS Band is excited to announce they will be hosting a one-day Mattress Fundraiser on
When: Sunday, September 29th
Time: 10am - 5pm
Where: Palmer Events. There will be 25+ different styles of beds on display for customers to try. The brand name mattresses are made to order, have full factory warranties, are available in all sizes, and are priced below retail. In addition to beds, there will also be premium pillows, luxury sheets and even adjustable power bases!! Delivery & financing are available. Visit the Facebook event and click “GOING”, INVITE YOUR FRIENDS! SHARE OUR POSTS: FACEBOOK EVENT LINK
Visual Arts Fundraiser
GT Referral and Screening Process
All campuses in Austin ISD offer Gifted and Talented screening in grades K-12 based on referrals submitted at http://bit.ly/2024AISDGTStart. If you are interested in seeing whether your child demonstrates a need for Gifted and Talented Services, please follow the link above. When a referral is submitted for a child, their parent or caregiver will be prompted to complete a Parent/Caregiver GT Observation Form.
Referrals are received by the Campus GT Advocate, who facilitates the implementation of GT assessment and services at the campus level. For questions about the GT identification process or services at your campus, please reach out to your Campus GT Advocate.
Referral Window for SY2024-25: August 20-October 7
Los padres y cuidadores pueden proporcionar el nombre de su niño al representante de Dotados y Talentosos (GT, por sus siglas en inglés) de su escuela para que sea considerado en el Programa de Dotados y Talentosos. El representante GT de la escuela podrá darle información más detallada.
Periodo de tiempo para el ano escolar SY2024-25 sera el 20 de agosto al 7 de octubre.
Virtual Gifted & Talented Information Session:
September 24, 2024 @6:00 pm or September 25, 2024 @ noon. (https://Bit.ly/AISDGTINFO). Contact advancedacademics@austinisd.org with questions or for more information.
Virtual Dotados y Talentuosos información sesión:
24 de septiembre, 2024 @6:00 pm o 25 de septiembre, 2024 @ 12 (https://Bit.ly/AISDGTINFO). Contacto advancedacademics@austinisd.org para mas información.
Vaccination Information
A free Vaccination clinic is coming to Small on October 16th from 4 to 7 pm. If you plan on coming, Please download and fill out these forms. Vaccination Forms
Award winning PTA news
Our Campus Cleanup Day is this Sunday! We’ll meet at 9am and work to trim overgrown bushes and trees, pick up trash, and clear out the walkway areas to make Smallville shine. Your help will make a huge difference, and we promise it’ll be a fun and rewarding day!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D45AFAF2FA4FAC07-51362429-small
Volunteers & Donations Needed
We currently have several opportunities for families to support our campus. Click below to learn more about each opportunity.
Connect with the PTA
Our PTA Facebook & Instagram 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
We also have a new Linktree account for quick access to all the most useful links you'll need. Check it out!
Cougar Cage
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
You can also support the Cougar Cage by purchasing items from our wish list. You’ll find some of the most popular Cougar Cage items listed here. Help us keep the Cougar Cage well stocked for our students!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3P00T28AAQ0WS?ref_=wl_share
Small Library News
Coming soon...a book vending machine!
That's right, a vending machine just for books!
The Small Middle School Library was selected for a $10,000 grant from the Austin Ed Fund to purchase a vending machine and books to fill it with!
This vending machine will have free books for students and will hopefully be here before the end of the fall semester. A huge thank you to the Austin Ed Fund for fostering literacy and a love for books here at Small and in AISD.
It will look something like this, but it will have a custom wrap just for our school:
Click the Small Library Newsletter to learn more about what is happening for the month of Sept. in our Small Library.
Dual Language Section
THANK YOU!!!
Huge thank you goes out to all the parents and staff who supported our La Noche Latina Dance. We could not have pulled off this amazing night with out you!
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
512-841-6700 Ext. 70774 / Conference: 2:30-4:00 pm
SMALL STEM TOURS is going to BOSTON!!
Have you ever wanted to walk the halls of Harvard and MIT?
How about whale watching?
Learning about the Salem Witch Trials?
Visit the JFK Library and learn about the Race to Space?
See the famous Blue Man Group in person?
Do we have a tour for you!
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Join SMALL STEM TOURS in Boston June (2025) for the science field trip of a lifetime!
Sign up now to reserve your spot.
Open to current and former Small students (and parents).
VIDEO MEETING for those interested in attending will be September 3rd at 6:30pm. Fill out the interest form below and the zoom link will be sent directly to you.
https://forms.gle/qtJ9ccimMFVwDHJv6
Deadline to reserve your spot is Sept 20.
Community Information
This section is for anything outside of Small that you might be interested in.
Clint Small Middle School
Home of the Cougars and the Green Tech Academy!
Email: jennifer.newell@austinisd.org
Website: https://small.austinschools.org/
Location: 4801 Monterey Oaks Boulevard, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-841-6700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057069836221