Cougar News

Hello Clint Small Middle School Community!

I am elated to be writing to you as the new principal of Clint Small Middle School. I look forward to connecting with everyone as we kick off the new 2023-2024 school year! I am truly grateful to step into this role and eagerly anticipate supporting our campus. I am excited to return to the vibrant Small community that has always had unwavering dedication to the success of our students. As a previous English teacher and athletic coach at Small, I gained the important knowledge of taking a whole-child approach to student learning.

This upcoming school year will be my 17th year in education, all at the middle school level. After receiving my bachelor degree in Education from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, I made my way from West Texas to Austin to begin my teaching career in Austin ISD. Throughout my time as an English teacher I also coached Volleyball, Basketball, and Track. After completing my Master’s Degree, I moved into an Assistant Principal position and most recently the Academy Director for Sadler Means’ Media, Visual, and Performing Arts Academy.

I wholeheartedly believe that my role as principal is to cultivate an environment where positivity thrives, joy is celebrated, and all members of the school community feel supported. I firmly believe that each student has unique strengths, talents, and potential. It is our responsibility as a team to create a learning environment that supports positive student growth. I am thrilled to continue to uphold the character, essence, and traditions of Clint Small Middle School.

In the coming weeks, I anticipate meeting each of you personally, listening to your perspectives, and understanding your aspirations for Small Middle School. Together, we will celebrate the achievements, address the challenges together, and create opportunities where every student can thrive in a productive environment. With your support, I am confident that we will continue to build on our strong foundation and elevate our school to new heights.

In my spare time I enjoy writing, film editing, and traveling. I have been married to my husband, Melvin, for 12 years. We have two children Vivian and Jude. Both my son and daughter are proud AISD students who attend a campus within our school community. Alongside our dog, Cali, and kitten, Titan, they keep us busy with soccer and acting classes.

I look forward to a wonderful school year!

Warmest Regards,

Natasha Bedford

Proud Principal

Clint Small Middle School

Is your student new to Small Middle School for the 2023-2024 school year? Please plan to join us on line August 3rd at 5:30 pm. This camp is designed to ease the minds of first time middle school parents. We will cover what you and your child can expect and how to prepare you both for Middle School.

New 7th & 8th grade parents also welcome.

REGISTER HERE

Another event we hold every year for our new to Small Students is the Scavenger hunt.

We give you a practice schedule and invite you and your parents to find your way around the school. There will be QR codes scattered around with more information. Can you find them all and prove to your family that you know your way around?

Come on down August 3rd anytime from 11am to 1 pm to take the Scavenger hunt challenge!

The Clint Small MS Jazz Ensemble (students from Spring 2022) under the direction of Mrs Mathews taught a clinic at the Texas Band Masters Association last week in San Antonio.

The title of the clinic:

KICKSTARTING YOUR JAZZ BAND

How to get your band swingin' and playin' the blues.

It was well attended and the kids did great!

7th & 8th Grade Football parents, please plan to attend the parent meeting for important information regarding our upcoming football season. We will be discussing try outs, practice times and expectations. A physical must be turned in and rank one completed before tryouts. No one is allowed to tryout without a complete physical and rank one.

When: Tuesday, August 8th at 6:00 pm in the Gym

Please enter the gym from the track side of the school.

Equipment distribution dates and times will be announced soon.

Questions about football please email joe.l.moore@austinisd.org

7th & 8th Grade Parents, please plan to attend the parent zoom meeting for important information regarding our upcoming volleyball season. We will be discussing try outs, practice times and expectations. A physical must be turned in and rank one completed before tryouts. No one is allowed to tryout without a complete physical and rank one.

Erica Holzman is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Volleyball Parent Meeting

Time: Aug 8, 2023 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2867939084?pwd=bGRSrOUvRsYmT8PPu2hYBo8mu2wKL0.1

Meeting ID: 286 793 9084

Passcode: fSJMC6

Link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2867939084?pwd=bGRSrOUvRsYmT8PPu2hYBo8mu2wKL0.1

*Physicals must be turned in by Tuesday August 15th to Coach Neal* You can not tryout if you do not have a physical turned in.

Try out date: Thursday August 17th 4:00pm-4:45pm Location: Small Track

Please bring a water bottle and appropriate athletic gear for tryouts (running shoes, athletic shorts, t-shirt)

7th and 8th Graders only! 6th graders cannot compete or attend tryouts

Email leitasi.cravens@austinisd.org for additional information

Want to see what the schedule looks like for next year?

Print a copy here

A/B Calendar

Bell Schedule

***Changes from last year

• C days have moved back to Fridays
• A days will be periods 1, 3, 5, Pride, 7
• B days will be periods 2, 4, 6, Pride, 8

We need to know who plans on coming to Small next year. If you have not already, please go to the parent portal and register your student. ALL students need to register EVERY YEAR!

Registering gives you the opportunity to update the contact information for your student and give permission for fieldtrips and the like. It also helps us know our numbers for next year for staffing.

Please take a moment and register. You can find instructions here

School supplies are a little different in Middle School. Every student will have a different schedule and every teacher will have different needs, so there is no way to pre buy a standard school supply list like in Elementary. Your student will get a different supply list from each teacher on the first day of school.

Having said that, many of you want to catch the school supply sales over the summer, so our core teachers have created a basic list you can start buying for now. Click here for details: Basic School Supply List

We have about 45% of our student who are transfers from out of our attendance zone. If you are looking for help getting your student to and from school next year, please sign up to be part of our carpool spreadsheet.

I will send this info out to those of you that have signed up by the end of this week.

SIGN UP FOR CARPOOL HERE

Small is going to THAILAND in Summer 2024 and ENROLLMENT IS NOW OPEN!

Contact Mrs. Early with any questions you may have at mariel.early@austinisd.org any time! We can Zoom or talk as needed as well.

CLICK HERE for trip information and enrollment: www.eftours.com/2670625sm

📍Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai, extension to Hua Hin (14 days)

From stopping by the most iconic Thai UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the provinces we visit, to immersing ourselves in cosmopolitan Bangkok, to bargaining on floating markets, riding rickshaws, cooking Thai food, engaging with monks, visiting an elephant sanctuary, going to the beach, and much more, this tour will not only provide your student with an opportunity for self-growth in assertiveness and independence but for gaining a deep understanding of Thai culture.

Incoming, current, graduating Cougars, alumni, and their family members are invited to join us, of course!

Follow our Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/global.cougars.fly/

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