Maddox's Message

Hello Covington Families,

As we approach the end of the semester, I know our students are eagerly anticipating a well-deserved two-week Winter Break. Before we head into the holiday season, we have an exciting week of events after school.

Come out and support our Girls Basketball Team as they enter the playoffs Monday night. Our Boys Soccer Team also kicks off their tournament Monday night at House Park. If both teams win their games, they’ll advance to play in the Championship Games on Tuesday (Boys) and Thursday (Girls). Let’s show up and cheer them on!

As we enter this Winter Season, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for the support, dedication, and partnership you’ve shown to our school, staff, and me throughout this first semester. While we’ve faced challenges, your unwavering commitment has allowed us to continue focusing on what truly matters—our students’ growth and success.

I hope you and your families enjoy a safe, peaceful, and joyful holiday season. Thank you for being part of our Covington community, and I look forward to seeing you all in the new year!

Happy Holidays!

Finally, parental involvement continues to play a key role in our school’s success. Whether it’s volunteering for events, helping in the front office, or simply being a visible presence on campus, your support matters! If you’re interested in volunteering, click the links below to sign up.

Front Office Support

Afternoon Pick Up Monitor

Drop Off Monitor

Lunch Room Monitor

Friday Lunch Room Monitor

Thank you for being such an important part of our Covington community!

Let’s finish the semester strong!

Your proud principal,

Cedric Maddox

Important Upcoming Dates!

Dec. 16th - Girls Basketball Vs Burnet @ Covington
Dec. 16th - Boys Soccer Semi finals game @ Nelson Field @ 6pm
Dec. 17th - Choir Winter Concert @ 6:30 pm in the theatre
Dec. 16th & 17th - Addams Family Musical Tryouts - 4-5:30 pm in the theatre
Dec. 16th & 17th - 7th Grade Boys Basketball Tryouts From 4-5:30 pm
Dec. 18th & 19th - 8th Grade Boys Basketball Tryouts From 4-5:30 pm
Dec. 18th - Family Choice Sheet Night for incoming 6th Graders from 5:30 - 7:30 pm
WINTER BREAK - Dec. 21st - Jan. 6th - NO SCHOOL!!
Jan. 7th - First day back to school for students!
Jan. 8th, 9th & 10th - Girls Soccer Tryouts! Must have a physical and pass 2nd 9 weeks.

Please Fill Out this Google Form if you would like to participate in our Passport to Culture. We are in need of countries to be represented and students or family members to perform a song or dance that represents your culture.

This is a community event, all are welcome. Click Here to Sign up for Passport to Culture 2025

Important Emails:

Principal: Cedric Maddox

cedric.maddox@austinisd.org

Assistant Principal: Rachel Gregory & Jason Summerville

rachel.gregory@austinisd.org

jason.summerville@austinisd.org

Counselors: Debra Austrum & Rabecca Mc Donald

debra.austrum@austinisd.org

rabecca.mcdonald@austinisd.org

Parent Support Specialist: Esther Garcia

esther.garcia@austinisd.org

Click HERE to learn about our F.O.W.A.R.D. - Restorative Practices here at Covington

Haga clic AQUÍ para aprender sobre nuestro F.O.W.A.R.D. - Prácticas Restaurativas Aquí en Covington

Students! Nominate a student of the month and staff member of the month!

Click Here to Vote for Student of the Month!

Click Here to Vote for Staff of the Month!

We will post the results here on the newsletter!

Thank you for participating.

R.E.A.L

Routines: Daily attendance routines can reduce stress, increase your child’s self-confidence and lay a foundation for good attendance in later grades.
Engagement: Participation in school helps your child connect with other children and adults and get excited about learning.
Access to Resources: Schools can give you access to meals, physical and mental health care and other supports, and fun enrichment activities (sports, clubs, music, afterschool and summer programs, etc.).
Learning: Children learn best from hand-on activities and through meaningful interactions with their teacher and other students.

Students and Staff of the month for November!

6th Grade: Henry Baggett: Henry follows instruction well and has a cheerful attitude in class.

7th Grade: Jude Gil: He’s so Jude, is too cool for school. He’s very smart, respectful, and the best, and he needs to win it again. Also, he’s good in band. THE BEST.

8th Grade: Joshua Xie: Despite having a language barrier, working so hard to understand his work and clearly excelling in his classes, especially Algebra.

Staff of the Month:

Mrs. Galli: She has built great relationships with her students. She engages them with rigorous and shares her enthusiasm of history with her students. She's doing 4 preps and is rocking it. Couldn't ask for a better team member!

Hello Covington Colts! We have outlined campus consequences for student devices / Chromebooks. Here is a one-page document that describes the process of device replacement for parents.

Please email jenigh.burrus@austinisd.org if you have any questions.

Covington Políticas de dispositivos

Covington Middle School Device Policies

Congratulations to the boys soccer team for beating Martin 2-0 securing their place in the finals!

-Coach Hankins

Coming Next Week! CMS Winter Danceland!

Join us on December 18th & 19th in the Covington Dance Studio for our Annual Winter Open House!

Come witness the artistry and growth your dancers have achieved this semester. Each class will showcase a selection of choreography and techniques they've been perfecting in our studio.

🌟 RSVP Required: Due to limited space, we kindly ask that you RSVP in advance.

🌟https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F45ABAF2AAAF85-53317177-covington#/

🌟 Check-In: Please arrive 15 minutes early and bring your driver’s license for check-in.

We can’t wait to share the magic of dance with you this holiday season! 🎄💃

Boys Basketball Tryouts! 2024-25

Covington Counselors Corner Week of Dec.15th, 2024

December Classroom Guidance Lessons - Transition from Middle School to Highschool

Enroll Austin - Opens November 6th

Family Support Manual - English

Manual de Apoyo a las Familias Para el Proceso de Matriculación

Fine Arts Application Timeline for the 2025-26 School Year:

October 7, 2024– CMSFAA Handbook and Prospective Student information available online through Covington’s website.

November 6, 2024 – Priority Registration in Enroll Austin opens

Must complete Covington FAA Audition Information form: https://tinyurl.com/cmsfaa2025

December 7, 2024 – CMSFAA Application Workshop in Fine Arts Building Foyer 10am-Noon Q&A and guidance on application/audition process

January 28, 2025- Deadline for submitting applications for 2025-2026 school year Completed applications include: essay, teacher recommendations, report cards, and standardized test results.

Week of February 3, 2025 – CMSFAA will notify qualified applicants their advancement letter indicating advancement to Audition Phase. Students will be contacted with an assigned audition time.

February 8, 2025 – FAA Auditions/Interviews at Covington 9am-3pm.

March 1, 2025– CMSFAA Decisions Emailed

March 14, 2025 – Enroll Austin Round One results

March 25, 2025 – Deadline for Students to Accept Seat at CMSFAA

Advanced Opportunities AISD 24-25

Crockett Early College High School Choice Selection:

https://sites.google.com/austinisd.org/crockettcourses/home

AISD counselors administer lessons that support secondary outcomes in December, 2024. In these lessons, we will ensure that students understand high school requirements, 4 year plans, endorsements, and programs of study. These lessons will be provided for 7th and 8th grade students.

One-on-One Mini Meetings

Counselors are working diligently to meet with each individual student one-on-one during Mini Meetings. These meetings are designed to create a relationship with the student and his/her counselor, as well as to see if there are any needs/supports counselors can provide or help facilitate to help students be more successful in their school and home lives.

Important Dates

December 16 - Bowie High School “Dawg” Show - For 8th grade students

zoned to Bowie High School or those wishing to transfer.

December 18 - CMS Fine Arts Academy Family Choice Sheet Night

(for 2025-26 incoming 6th grade students)

January 9-10 - Crockett High School Visit to Covington - Choice Sheets

for incoming 9th grade students (currently 8th grade)

January 27 - Bowie High School Visit to Covington - Choice Sheets for

incoming 9th grade students who are zoned to Bowie High

School (currently 8th grade)

January 27 - Akins High School Visit to Covington - Choice Sheets

for incoming 9th grade students who are zoned to Akins

High School (currently 8th grade)

Mrs. Debra Austrum

7th Grade & 7th Grade A-L

debra.austrum@austinisd.org

Ms. Rabecca McDonald

7th Grade M-Z & 8th

rabecca.mcdonald@austinisd.org

Tools for Success is a great series of Zooms that are informative sessions for parents of AISD. They have sessions in English and Spanish. Please join them if you have time@ If you would like more information, or have a watch party of the sessions you are interested in, please contact Esther Garcia, your parent support specialist. I would be glad to host one in my room here on campus. (512)414-3276 ext: 54748 or esther.garcia@austinisd.org

Find resources you may need:

Your Parent Support Specialist can help find assistance when needed. Learn new things about school and how to help your child succeed. Look for parent workshops throughout the year!

Esther Garcia, Parent Support Specialist 512-414-3276 ext:54748

esther.garcia@austinisd.org

Submit your request here: https://forms.gle/H3WXDRyYz7rCckYw5

Become leaders in our school!

Your input and participation in the Parent/Teacher Association (PTA)

joinpta.org and other school committees such as Campus Advisory Council (CAC)

Become a Parent Volunteer!

Volunteers are welcomed and needed! We could use parent volunteers in our West office, Mon-Tues-Thurs-Friday's.

Everyone who volunteers will need to attend a volunteer orientation:

https://austinisd.voly.org/

Click the link below to find great resources for Special Education and 504!

Special Education & 504 Information for Parents

We are looking for VOLUNTEERS! One per week on Wednesday night's from 5:15 - 7:30 pm.

Help our English Language Learner parents. They are investing in their future and need help with childcare. We have a wonderful CIS intern and need one more volunteer per week. If you are able to just take one Wednesday, that would help immensely. Please click the link below to volunteer:

Click here to Volunteer with Maestro En Casa

Want to take part in FREE CLASSES? Open to Parents and Staff through Integral Care. See Flyer below for more information.

Parent Interest Form - English

Parent Interest Form - Spanish

Staff Interest Form

Hello Covington Families,

My name is Fatima Lozano and I am a Program Coordinator for Con Mi MADRE. Con Mi MADRE is a non-profit organization serving both AISD and DVISD campuses where we work to deliver a social-emotional learning and college readiness curriculum to students from 6th grade through their undergraduate college years. We implement a dual-generational program that includes the parents; meaning out-of-school events like college trips, conferences, and fairs. We currently have open enrollment for our cohorts at Covington Middle School for our 6th-8th grade students. We have attached our link for our application.

Please feel free to contact me at fatima@conmimadre.org or (512) 222-6645 for any questions!

Volunteer for the COLT Cart!

We’re looking for help with the COLT Cart, a weekly pick-me-up for our staff! The cart is filled with snacks, coffee, tea, and small treats to brighten their day and show our appreciation. Volunteers will help take the cart around to staff while checking in on their well-being. Thank you for supporting our Covington staff!

Click Here to Volunteer for Our Colt Cart