Hello Smallville,

Another great week in the books! The weather was beautiful, so I took advantage of it and spent a great deal of time outside checking out the progress of our outdoor spaces. Our Green Tech team and academy students are working hard on renovating our green house, gardening areas, trail pathways, and animal enclosures. We have big plans and I am appreciative of all of the staff members, parents, and students who donate time and money to keep our program flourishing.

As we continue to receive choice sheets, please feel free to continue to contact the school if you have any questions or need clarification. Due to an increase in enrollment, you might see modifications to course offerings that are different than years past. These changes are necessary to ensure that we maintain the appropriate class sizes and staffing needs for the campus. Also, alongside turning in choice sheets, please make sure that you register your current students in the new AISD Enroll Now platform. Your early registration helps us plan for the upcoming school year.

I want to send a special shout out to our 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year, Espy Biehle and Teacher of Promise, Tre Roos Williams. These two dynamic educators are the epitome of excellence. Their positive attitudes, dedication, and love towards our staff and students make Small such a special place. I’m looking forward to celebrating and honoring these two amazing teachers at the upcoming Salute Awards.

Have an amazing weekend!

Stay Present Cougars,

Bedford

We love our Counselors all year long, but this is the week we need to show them some real appreciation!

Mr. Garica, Mr. Gonzalez and Ms. Asadi we appreciate you!!!

Congratulations to our 23-24 Teacher of the year Ms. Espy Biehle!

We are lucky to have her here at Small

Teacher of Promise is awarded to first year teachers who are doing an amazing job in their new position. This year's Small Teacher of Promise is Tre Roos Williams

7A Small 60 v Lively 11

7A Small 36 v Paredes 36

7A Small 58 v Bailey 56

7B Small 40 v Lively 2

7B Small 30 v Paredes 28

7B Small 26 v Bailey 41

8A Small 50 v Lively 27

8A Small 57 v Paredes 42

8A Small 35 v Bailey 47

8B Small 44 v Livley 4

8B Small 31 v Paredes 14

8B Small 31 v Bailey 17

Up next vs Covington 7B and 8B, Wednesday, 2/07.

Gorzycki, Thursday, 2/22. 7A/B at Gorzycki. 8A/B at Small.

Join the Smallville Community at Epic Fun this President's Day! Enjoy laser tag, climbing, your favorite appetizers, and all the arcade games with your friends. Mention Small Middle School at the front counter, and 20% of arcade card and attractions purchases will be donated to our school!

January 26, 2024

Dear Small Middle School Parents/Guardians:

The Texas Education Agency has launched the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness Interim Assessment as a tool to help educators tailor instructional practice to address students’ needs. This is made possible because the student’s relative strength or weakness in each reporting category will be available for teachers to analyze.

This interim test aims to help improve student scores on the actual STAAR exams in April. The assessments include some former STAAR items as well as questions with the new types of interactions (inline choice, drag and drop, graphing, etc) and gives the students the ability to practice with the online STAAR interface before the April administration. For more information about the new types of questions, CLICK HERE.

The district has chosen to participate in administering the exams districtwide. Interim assessments will be administered on campuses in the month of February for all tested subjects (6-8 Math and Reading; 8th Science and Social Studies).

Week of February 5-9

• 8th grade Science - Tuesday, February 6
• 8th grade Social Studies - Wednesday, February 7
• MAKEUP TESTING - Thursday, February 8

Week of February 12-16

• ALL grades Math - Tuesday, February 13
• ALL grades Reading - Wednesday, February 14
• MAKEUP TESTING - Thursday, February 15

ALL SCHOLARS MUST BRING THEIR CHARGED DEVICES AS TESTING WILL TAKE PLACE ONLINE.

STAAR TESTING CANNOT TAKE PLACE ON PERSONAL DEVICES - STUDENTS MUST USE AISD CHROMEBOOKS FOR ALL ASSESSMENTS! If students do not have a working device, they need to let their PRIDE teacher know by Friday, February 2, 2024.

All STAAR testing will take place in PRIDE classrooms - this means your child will be taking these assessments in a room they are comfortable in, with peers they know well, and with a teacher with whom they have in class every day. Students with accommodations will receive their accommodations within the PRIDE testing environment.

Parents are asked to encourage their child to treat this interim assessment as if it were the real STAAR test. By using the test taking strategies they normally would on test day, students can best prepare themselves for success on STAAR and can help to foster a positive testing environment for their PRIDE class.

Testing Tips:

1. Plan an early bedtime the night before the test to ensure that your child has a restful night's sleep.

2. Arrive to school before the first bell rings at 8:15 AM.

3. A healthy breakfast is crucial for optimal performance. Make sure your child eats breakfast before dropping them off.

4. Motivate with positive words! Speak to your child about doing his/her best on the test.

5. Remind your child to take his/her time during the test. Rushing leads to careless mistakes!

6. For those students with accommodations, encourage your child to practice using these features on the assessment so that they become comfortable with the integrated systems.

Best Regards,

Rebecca Smootz

Campus Testing Coordinator - Small MS

National Junior Honor Society applications opened on Thursday, February 1st. Current 6th and 7th graders are eligible to apply. The link to the application can be found on the counseling Blend page.

National Junior Honor Society is a community service organization that is based on 5 pillars: Character, Leadership, Citizenship, Scholarship, and Service. To apply, students must fill out the online application, which includes: their semester one grades of this year, leadership and service opportunities they have been a part of, two teacher recommendations, and a personal statement explaining what NJHS means and why they would like to join.

The deadline to request recommendations from teachers is Friday, Feb 23rd. A submitted application does not guarantee selection into NJHS. Please reach out to Ms. Hargrove with any further questions: lindsey.hargrove@austinisd.org

Congratulations to the 50 members of the Clint Small Choir that competed at this weekend's Region 18 Choir Competition!!! 37 of those singers now have the honor of being called an All-Region Choir Member! Small MS had the second highest number qualify from a single school (38 was the highest). We had two singers make 1st Chair and three more make 2nd Chair of their section!

Next week we will be celebrating Valentines week. get ready to break out your Pink!

We have some extra Green Academy shirts to sell $15 each. Youth Large is the dark green and multiple adult sizes in the light green. If you our your student is interested, have your student bring $15 cash or check to Mr. Jeansonne or Mr. Rosenberg in room 212 or 200.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, our mission is dedicated to provide players with on and off the court development, exposure, and life building characteristics through the game of basketball.

• Tryouts Registration Link: https://www.hoopgeneration.org/spring-2024-tryouts
  
• Reduced Fees Application for Underprivileged Students: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5cb6d8b89d414962d009ecd7/t/656ea6c38f22c247cd7a6be2/1701750467868/HG+reduced+fee+program+application+-+2.pdf

It's a new semester we have lots of clubs for kids to join after school. If your student is looking for something fun to do after school. Have them check out our list, or create a new club!

The deadline is fast approaching to apply for our Green Tech Academy. Be sure to get your application into Enroll Austin before February 6th. Please contact Ms. Newell with any questions.

SMALL IS GOING TO the GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, THAILAND, and AUSTRALIA and YOU are invited!

Open to all current, incoming, and graduating 6-7-8th graders and their families!

CLICK ON LINK to sign up for GALAPAGOS (Jun/2024): https://www.eftours.com/tour-website/2620470WW

CLICK ON LINK to sign up for THAILAND (Jul/2024): https://www.eftours.com/tour-website/2670625SM

CLICK ON LINK to sign up for AUSTRALIA (Jun/2025): https://www.eftours.com/tour-website/2684159RA

*Reserve with just $95 and then decide how to pay. Every two weeks (most common), monthly, or in lump sums at your convenience!

*QUESTIONS? Email Mrs. Early mariel.early@austinisd.org

*MORE INFORMATION? Visit our "GLOBAL COUGARS FLY" website! https://sites.google.com/view/global-cougars-fly

If you are planning to attend Austin High School as a 9th grader next year, it is time to complete the Academy Preference Survey so your academy can be selected through the lottery process. Please complete this google form by February 6, 2024.

You can read more about the academy model at Austin High by visiting their website and exploring Academy Overview Information.

All future Maroons who live in the AHS attendance zone must complete the google form to rank your academy choices: Academy Preference Survey.

We work very hard to honor student choice and place students in their 1st or 2nd choice academy, but you DO have to submit your Academy Preference Survey by the Feb. 6 deadline.

If you live outside the Austin High attendance area, please have your parents/guardians complete the Enroll Austin tile in the parent portal, rank Austin High as your top choice, and then complete the Academy Preference Survey/Curriculum Transfer Application. Students who do not complete this application will not be considered eligible for a curriculum transfer to Austin High 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