We will be live streaming this event. If you can't make it, go to the bottom right of the main page on our website for the link the morning of the event. For those of you planning to come to our 8th grade promotion ceremony, here is what you need to know...

Parking

• Parking will be tight - Carpool if you can.
• Our neighbors ask that you please DO NOT PARK in the apartment complex parking lot. Street Parking is fine.

Enter the building

• The doors to the gym will open at 9:30 Ceremony will begin at 10:00 am.
• Please enter the building up the Gym Steps in the parking lot by the track. We will open the gates at 9:25. If you need access to the elevator, you may enter though the main office.

Signing In

• We ask for every person entering the building to sign-in in the Gym hallway. We will have sign in sheets available. If you plan on taking your student home after the ceremony, please indicate that on the sign in sheet.

Limited Space

• Due to the fire code, we can not allow more than 2 adults per student in the gym; sorry that means there is no room for siblings or grandparents. There will be seating in the bleachers, but if you come late prepare for standing room only in the back. Once we hit capacity, we will not let anymore people in the gym.

😀 Huge shout out to our award winning PTA for sponsoring this event. 😀

As the school year ends, it's time to embrace the warm, sunny days of summer. Here are some tips to make the most of your break:

Embrace the Outdoors

• Enjoy nature with activities like beach trips, hikes, and picnics. Remember to stay hydrated and use sunscreen.

Explore New Hobbies

• Summer is perfect for picking up new interests like learning an instrument, cooking, or gardening.

Plan a Staycation

• Explore local attractions, museums, and parks to discover hidden gems in your own town.

Read for Pleasure

• Dive into books that interest you, whether they’re mysteries, romances, or fantasy adventures.

Get Creative

• Express yourself through drawing, painting, writing, or crafting. Join a local art class or start a project at home.

Stay Active

• Keep moving with sports, swimming, or biking to boost your mood and energy levels.

Volunteer

• Give back to your community by helping out at local charities, animal shelters, or community centers.

Plan Ahead

• Reflect on your goals and organize your study space to feel more prepared for the upcoming school year.

Spend Quality Time with Family and Friends

• Create memories with loved ones through family outings, barbecues, or movie nights at home.

Rest and Recharge

• Take time to relax and care for your mental and physical health after a busy school year.

Enjoy the easy, breezy days of summer and make the most of this wonderful season!

Warm regards,

Teachers and Staff from Smallville

When you are good and rested, you can read this section of the newsletter...

Important Dates

• First day of school - Tuesday, August 20th
• Back to School Night - Wednesday, August 28th

School Supplies

As you may have heard, middle and high school students don't shop for school supplies until after the first day of school. The reason is, every class has their own needs and every student had a different schedule.

This is a little frustrating for those parents that want to get a jump on the good deals that go on during summer and not wait until everything is sold out. We have created a basic sample list to get you started. If you see a good deal, go ahead and pick up some of the items below.

Click here for the 2024 - 2025 Updated School Supply List

School supplies are to be kept at home and put in backpack as needed throughout the school year.

Summer Events

This is mostly for those kids incoming 6th grade or new to Small Middle School

• Cougar Camp: August 5th & 6th 2 1/2 day sessions. Get info and register here
• Scavenger Hunt: August 8th, 2024 - 11:00 am to 1:00 pm - This is a come and go event. No need to pre-register. We will create a sample schedule similar to the one your student will receive the first day of school, along with a scavenger hunt challenge. The purpose is for the kids to bring their parents to campus and show them they know how to navigate the campus. We have learned that this event eases the parents worry and the kids have fun showing off.
• Parent Camp: August 8th, 2024 @ 5:30 PM - Zoom Event - Register Here - Join us online to learn about all things Small Middle School.

Registration

Be sure to let us know you are coming! Please register for the next school year if you have not done it already https://www.austinisd.org/enroll

First Day of School

Students Pride (Advisory) classes will be listed on the windows of the Cafeteria, in the hallway near the bus ramp and in the wings of the academic hallways. When your student gets here they will find their name and what room number their pride class is in. If it is before 8:10, they will report to the Gym (6th & 7th Grade) or the Cafeteria (8th grade). Once the bell rings for their first class, they will go to their Pride class where they will receive their official schedule.

Insider Hint: I know the kids are anxious to see what classes and what teachers they will have, you can look in the parent portal the weekend before, but not sooner.

Don't worry about bringing school supplies, gym clothes or instruments the first day of classes, the teachers will do an introduction and let the kids know what they need to bring the next time the class meets.

Insider hint: Plan on packing a lunch the first few weeks until the kids get into a routine for lunch. The lunch lines get very long the first few days as the kids are figuring it out.

Summer Reading

We do not have any official book(s) the kids have to read over the summer. But we do encourage them to read as much as they can. If they need some ideas see Ms. Sylvia's (our Librarian) Summer Reading list in this newsletter.

Communication

• Small Weekly Newsletter: The best way to stay up-to-date with Small Middle School is to join our Newsletter. We send it every Friday with everything you need to know for the following week. Register Here
• Parent Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SmallMiddleSchoolParents
• Green Blog Page: In Small Gardens Instagram
• Parent Portal: If you need to communicate with your child teacher, you can find their class schedule and each teachers email address in the Parent portal. Portal.austinisd.org
• Small Calendar: Looking for up coming events? Check out our Calendar
• Small's Website Hotlinks: This is a great spot to get to links you use a lot. Things like Bell Schedule, AB Calendar, Early student Pickup, Absence submissions, plus much more

This is a friendly reminder to Parents/Guardians of upcoming seventh grade students to turn in proof of the following vaccinations before the beginning of the 24/25 school year. State law requires one dose of the meningococcal conjugate (MCV4) vaccine and one dose (booster) of the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine for all students. More information can be found at School and Childcare | Texas DSHS. Please reach out to the school nurse at erin.clifford@austinisd.org, if you have specific questions regarding your child's immunization records.

End of Year Medication Pick Up

If your child has any medication at the nurse’s office, please contact the school nurse to arrange pick up before or at the end of the school year.

Erin.Clifford@AustinISD.org
512-414-1543

When: August 5 through August 9, 9 am to 12 pm
Where: Austin High School, Orchestra Room (east side entrance)
Cost: $40, to cover snacks, supplies, and instructors
Registration: https://austinhighorchestra.com/camps-trips/ahs-orchestra-summer-camp/

Our annual summer camp is a wonderful opportunity for students—especially new students—to bond, learn new music for fall concerts and competitions, work with private instructors by section, get measured for performance uniforms, play games, have fun, and more!

If your student will be attending Austin High in the fall and has put Orchestra on their choice sheet, please make every effort to have them attend so they won’t be behind when the school year starts.

We look forward to meeting you and your student in August!

https://austinhighorchestra.com/camps-trips/ahs-orchestra-summer-camp/

For girls in rising 3rd-12th grades. This athletic camp for girls is a great way for beginners to get introduced to the fast-paced game of lacrosse and for experienced players to improve their skills and be introduced to the Bowie High School Lacrosse program.

Link to register: https://www.bowielax.com/2024-summer-camp/

Dear Small families,

In case you like to always be in the know of amazing student travel news, this is just a note to say ENROLLMENT IS NOW OPEN for Small Middle School's Spring Break 2025 international tour to 🇮🇹 🇫🇷 Paris-Venice-Florence-French Riviera... Wait, and Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena, Nice, Eze, Monaco, TGV high-speed trains, gondola rides, expertly-guided tours at all destinations, and more as well?! WOW!!!

👉ENROLLMENT LINK --> http://www.eftours.com/2766179TR

• Reserve with just $95 today that goes to pay for the trip

• All kinds of payment plans! Bi-weekly, monthly, lump-sum, and more!

• Earn your $1,000 EF scholarship!

• Personal fundraising page for every traveler with zero EF commission

Feel free to email Mariel Early at mariel.early@austinisd.org to ask for the information meeting slides, or ask any questions about joining us in 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 Paris, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Siena, Nice, Monaco, and Eze next Spring Break!

From walking the Tuileries gardens to cruising the River Seine, or sitting at cafes on the Champs Elysees in Paris, to going on a gondola ride in Venice, to stepping into the Duomo in Florence, to marveling at the Pisa Tower, or the symmetry of Piazza del Campo in Siena, or walking around glitzy Monaco and Old Town Nice on the French Riviera, this will be a uniquely cultural, historical, artistic, glamorous, and delicious trip with none other than hand-picked superb destinations!

Future Maroons! Are you interested in water polo? Austin High has a girls and boys team and is always looking for new players. No experience necessary, just strong swim skills. Please join us for a Meet and Greet event on May 19 (Sunday) from 5 pm - 8 pm to learn more about the exciting sport of water polo and the AHS teams. E-mail Coach Drew Calver drew.calver@austinisd.org or parent Michele Murphy michelemooremurphy@gmail.com for more details/location.

Please be advised that all camps\opportunities listed in this section are not associated with Small Middle School. They have requested to be included in our newsletter for informational purposes only. Small Middle School does not endorse or have any affiliation with these camps. Please consider this information as a courtesy and use your discretion when exploring these camp opportunities.

Thank you for your understanding.

When: June 17th – June 21, 2024
Where: Austin High School Gymnasium
Who: Boys entering 3rd – 6th grades 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
Boys entering 7th – 9th grades 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Cost: $125 per camper

Campers are taught all aspects of the game. A typical day at camp includes station work with an emphasis on fundamentals: shooting, passing, footwork, defense, rebounding, ball-handling, teamwork, contests, drills, and team games. All equipment will be provided. Campers must bring their own water bottle.
Instructor: Head Boys Coach
To Register please complete form here (siblings please complete a separate form for each player attending)

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