Cougar News

“For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain.”

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Fun Fridays can quickly turn into frustrating Fridays if we do not accept the rain for what it is; a necessary recharge for our lakes, rivers, and aquifers, which provides drinks for our plants and animals. So we have to drive slower these days, and the regular back-to-back traffic is longer than ever, but the payoff is all the above. Indeed wet socks, mussed hair, and being a few minutes late are worth it.

This month we are delving into acceptance with our CQOD (Cougar Quote of the Day) in hopes that our students gleam that to grow and change, we must learn to accept the good and the not-so-good without judging ourselves. We want them to learn that no matter what happens today, the sun will rise again tomorrow. Acceptance is not giving up; it is acknowledging the unvarnished facts about ourselves and the situation. That which we can change, we work hard to do so. That which is set in stone, we accept and move forward.

PSAT Test for 8th-grade students: Don’t forget that on Monday, November 7th, all 8th-grade students will take the PSAT test in their PRIDE Class first thing in the morning. While we here in Smallville would rather be in classes learning and exploring the curriculum, we are all practicing acceptance and will do our best with this test. There’s never anything wrong with assessing where one is with reading and math, so we welcome this test as an opportunity to see where we can improve.

HB4545 Tutorials: More acceptance. HB4545 states that any student who does not receive a passing score in STAAR Math or STAAR Reading must complete 30 hours of tutorials per subject missed. We will be hosting students before and after school on Monday, November 13th. If you haven’t chosen your preferred day and time, one will be selected for your student, and more acceptance will be practiced. Here is the form: HB4545 Form

No School on Election Day, November 8th: Whereas we learn to accept the things we cannot change, we do the opposite on this day. We vote on the things we’d like to see changed, or we’d prefer to stay the same. No matter where you lie on the political spectrum, it is imperative that you use your voice and your choice on this day. Please share what you are doing with your student and remind them that voting is one of our civic duties. Emphasize that change begins with our vote and that silence and acceptance do not exist in the polls. One’s voice is loudest when voting.

Next week will follow an A off BAB schedule which means Monday will be an A day. We’ll tell them throughout the day today, but there’s still a chance they will be middle school kids over the weekend and forger, so please remind them on Monday morning.

Have a great weekend, and happy voting!

Matthew Nelson

Principal

matthew.m.nelson@austinisd.org

(512) 841-6705

We will be holding a celebration of life for Dr. Davis today, November 4th at 5:00 pm in our Cafeteria. Please help us spread the word to his former students and colleges and let them know they are invited.

Halloween may be over, but that means it is time for our treats! Don't throw away your pumpkins; bring them to us. Pleeeeeease

During the parent walk last week, we had some parents express concern about the lack of a crossing guard at Staggerbrush and Monterey Oaks Blvd.

Crossing guards are employees of the City and we have not heard from them if we will be getting one or not. One of our parents let us know that we can request crossing guards by contacting the city of Austin at https://www.austintexas.gov/Crossing-Guards

She also mentioned that If we want a crossing light, parents can request it here https://www.austintexas.gov/page/signal-requests?fbclid=IwAR0guZlf0-ZNCyrY0ToITsK8DK8W84lbvR7RlwjpQ14Ge1MITZc778SBvSc

The more requests we they get, the more likely we will get on their radar (think squeaky wheel). Please help us keep our students safe crossing Monterey Oaks Blvd.

It's that time of year. We have run though all the tissues that you so generously donated back in August. Before the students use their sleeves would you be so kind and PLEASE send us a few boxes that we can share with the classrooms. Feel free to drop them off in the office, or order them on Amazon and have them shipped to...

Small Middle School

4801 Monterey Oaks Blvd.

Austin, TX 78749

Official Rules available here:

2003–2004 NATIONAL PTA REFLECTIONS PROGRAM (txpta.org)

Entry form available here:

22-23 Student Entry Form_TXPTA.pdf

Every chromebook comes with 1 charger. If your student loses that charge, you must purchase a new one. We do not have extra chargers in the office to loan or give out.

Click here to purchase or see what charger you need for the school chromebooks.

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