Hello Smallville! 

We’ve had a fantastic first week back at school! It’s been wonderful to see our students return with so much energy and curiosity. The halls are once again buzzing with our students’ excitement about seeing their friends and learning about their teachers and new classes. 

Thank you for your support in helping make the first week run smoothly! From morning drop-offs to afternoon pick-ups and new bus routes, your patience and cooperation have made a big difference. This week, teachers focused on building classroom routines, reviewing expectations, and helping students feel comfortable and confident in their learning environments. We’re already seeing students settle into positive habits that will support them all year long.

I also want to announce that Small Middle School has received an “A” accountability rating for the 2024-2025 school year! I am beyond proud of the staff’s commitment to setting high academic expectations for our Cougars. We will continue to make strong academic decisions and maintain productive learning environments that will benefit all of our students. Again, thank you to our amazing staff for all of their hard work and dedication to earn this rating! For more detailed information about our campus rating, you can view this link: Small Middle School State Accountability Letter

I encourage you to reach out to teachers or staff if you have questions, concerns, or just want to check in. We’re here to support your child every step of the way! I look forward to seeing everyone next Wednesday at our Back-to-School Night. Make sure to check out the detailed information below. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We’re looking forward to an amazing school year together! 

Have an amazing weekend!

Stay Present,
Bedford

🚍 Back to School Night Shuttle Information 🚍

We’re excited to welcome you to Back to School Night! With 1,254 students, that could mean over 2,500 parents all arriving at once… yikes! To make parking easier, we’ve set up a shuttle system for you.

✨ Here’s the plan:

• Park at Austin Oaks Church (4220 Monterey Oaks Blvd, Austin, TX 78749).

• Look for the Bus Stop Sign to know where to line up.

• Two shuttle buses will run continuously between Austin Oaks and Small throughout the evening—so you’ll have plenty of options to get here stress-free.

🕠 Evening Schedule:

• PTA Meeting & Principal’s Welcome: 5:30 PM (don’t be late!)

• After that, you’ll walk your student’s schedule—class by class—to meet their teachers and see their learning spaces.

👟 Helpful Tips:

• Bring your student’s schedule (printed or pulled up on your phone).

• Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll be walking!

• The elevator will be available for those who need it.

• Please leave the kids at home if possible—it gets very crowded.

📩 Questions? Reach out to Jennifer Rich at jennifer.newell@austinisd.org.

We can’t wait to see you there—make it easy on yourself and ride the shuttle!

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.

🎉 Big News for Cougar Fans! 🎉

New this year, ALL AISD sports tickets are going digital! 🏀🏈⚽
That means if you’re planning to cheer on our Cougars, you’ll need to snag your tickets online only—no cash at the gate.

It’s super easy:
📲 Download the Hometown Fan App
🔍 Search for Small Middle School
📌 Or just scan the handy QR Code below

Get your tickets ahead of time, skip the line, and get ready to bring the Cougar Spirit loud and proud! 🐾💜

🎃 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!

Drop-off & Pick-up Reminders

Please follow all posted signs and directions from staff during drop-off and pick-up.

Plan for extra time – During the first week, allow an extra 10–15 minutes in the morning as everyone learns our routines.

Crosswalk safety – We have a crossing guard at Staggerbrush. Follow all of his instructions so our Cougars can cross safely.

Quick drop-offs – Have your student ready with all belongings before you reach the unloading area. This keeps traffic moving smoothly.

Keep it calm – We want every Cougar to start the day peacefully. Please:

• Drive the speed limit in school zones.

• Follow the crossing guard’s directions.

• Avoid honking—this can startle students and cause anxiety.

Failure to follow staff instructions or posted signs may result in our School Resource Officer or Austin PD contacting you or issuing citations.

Please review the photos below for specific drop-off and pick-up expectations.
Thank you for helping us keep our school safe and calm!

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!

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.

Online Spiritwear Store

Our back-to-school sale is live- tees, long sleeves, hoodies, hats, joggers and more! Grab your CSMS Cougar gear now and enjoy 25% off your order through 9/9. 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.