Newsletter for the week of Feb 23rd - 27th, 2026 |
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Message from the Principal |
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Good Evening Covington Community,
As we enter the final week of February, it’s hard not to notice that even with a fairly mild winter, we are quickly approaching spring. With warmer days ahead, our campus energy continues to build as we move into an important stretch of the school year.
While Spring Break is approaching the week of March 16th, please know that we are still in full instructional gear as we prepare for the STAAR assessments in April. Teachers and students are working intentionally through review, skill-building, and practice to ensure all students feel confident and prepared.
We are also just two weeks away from one of our most anticipated community events, ColtsFest on March 7th! We are still in need of volunteers to help make this event a success, whether for an hour or the entire day. Families can sign up using the volunteer link shared in previous messages.
Additionally, if you own a small business, know someone who does, or are aware of an interested party who would like to participate as a vendor at ColtsFest, please contact our Parent Support Specialist, Alejandra Castillo, at alejandra.b.castillo@austinisd.org for more information.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we head into this exciting and busy time of year at Covington. |
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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 |
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Wednesday, February 25th-27th: Join us for our Matilda Musical Performance! @ 7 pm in Covington Theater. Thursday, February 28th: 7th Boys Bball vs. Dobie @ 6 pm in Covington Thursday, February 28th: 8th Boys Bball vs. Webb @ 7 pm in Covington Saturday, February 28th: Join us in our last Matilda Musical Performance! @ 2 pm in Covington Theater. |
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COLTSFEST IS ALMOST HERE! |
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SCHOOL EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES: |
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COLTS THEATRE PRESENTS MATILDA JR. |
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Covington Counselors’ Corner Week of February 23, 2026 |
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2026-27 Covington Middle School Fine Arts Academy Choice Sheets - Due March 2nd
Counselors will be in 6th and 7th grade Social Studies classrooms on February 23rd and 24th to review 2026-27 7th and 8th grade choice sheets with students. Students will be bringing choice sheets home and returning them with a parent signature by Monday, March 2nd. There will be a separate choice sheet for Dual Language students. Choice sheets will be available in both English and Spanish.
Electives for 7th and 8th grade students for the 2026-27 school year are listed as follows. Bolded courses are new to Covington MSFAA next year. CTE Digital Communications in the 21st Century Digital Media - 8th grade only Principles of Architecture Principles of Applied Design Principles of Art and Audio/Visual Touch Data Entry (Keyboarding) Web Comm Fine Arts Band Choir Classical Guitar Digital Arts Dance Jazz Band Mariachi (will need to take another music class as well) Orchestra Steel Drums Theatre Visual Arts Additional Courses: AVID Dual Language Health (semester) Spanish 1 Spanish 2 Yearbook |
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Camp Agape Grief Recovery offers a therapeutic summer camp for children ages 7–12 who are navigating grief. The program is designed to be accessible to families and provides a safe, supportive environment where children can process their loss through guided activities, peer connection, and compassionate mentorship. All camp details, eligibility information, and application materials can be found at the link below: Camp Agape Grief Recovery — Applications Now Open Campers: June 1 - 4, 2026 Volunteers: May 31 - June 4. 2026 Volunteer dates differ from camper dates to allow for training and preparation.
GRIEF SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS |
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"Better Together" Showcase 2026
Calling all Gifted & Talented and Talent Explore Students! Share your outstanding work in the upcoming 2026 “Better Together” GT Showcase! This is an AISD virtual showcase. Entries are due by April 10, 2026. See Mrs. Austrum, GT Advocate, for more information at debra.austrum@austinisd.org. Campus GT Showcase - "Together" (Cancelled due to minimal interest)
Covington Middle School Fine Arts Academy will be presenting a GT Showcase on Thursday, March 5th featuring Gifted & Talented and Talent Explore students. Students can explore the theme “Together” in many different ways. They may present as an individual, with a partner, or in a group. Some project ideas are: Art, Animated Story, Audio Story, Book, Comic, Dance, Essay, Illustrated Story, Interview, Multimedia project, Musical Story, Personal Narrative, Podcast, Poem, Presentation, Research Paper, Science, Short Story, Service Project, Song and Dance, Three-Dimensional Project, Video, or wherever your imagination takes you!
Please submit GT project title, description, and detailed information on the link below by Monday, March 2nd. See Mrs. Austrum to pick up the Student Project Guide (also linked below). GT Showcase Submission Information GT Showcase - Student Project Guide Austin ISD’s Parent U - College Readiness Strategies for Parents
Parent University (Parent U) is a districtwide virtual series hosted by Austin ISD’s Secondary Outcomes Department.
Reminder: The series is ongoing through April 2026, designed to equip parents with knowledge and resources to support their child’s postsecondary journey.
Remaining Spring sessions cover: college entrance exams, first-year college prep, exploration events, and mental health support.
Remaining 2025–2026 Parent U Sessions:
March 4, 2026 – College Bound: Don’t Miss These Exploration Events: Highlights upcoming college fairs and exploration events that connect students with admissions reps, scholarships, and programs. April 1, 2026 – Thriving Through Transitions: Mental Health & School Changes: Strategies for supporting students emotionally and academically through major school transitions. Registration link: https://bit.ly/AustinISDParentU For any questions or for more information please reach out to Claudia Arellano Ferretiz via email or Google Chats, claudia.arellanoferretiz@austinisd.org.
Referral Process for Students to See a Counselor:
Students will have paper and electronic copies of the referral form to see their counselor. These forms can be found in an electronic version on the Covington Counselors’ BLEND course, as well as in paper copies in teachers’ classrooms. This form should be submitted during lunch, before school, or after school. A counselor will see them within one school day during COLT time (Advisory).
Counselors will not be available during scheduled class times unless it is an emergency. Students are not allowed to come to the counseling office without a pass or without a counselor picking them up. If it is an emergency, teachers will message a counselor so that a counselor can pick up the student without a referral being required.
Parents - You are able to refer your child to see the counselor if you feel they could benefit from speaking with one. Here is the link to do so (for emergencies, please call 9-1-1):
Covington Middle School Parent Referral Form for Counselor
Important Dates Black History Month Career and Technical Education Month February 23 - March 1 - National Eating Disorders Awareness Week February 23 - 2026-27 7th and 8th Grade Choice Sheets (during Social Studies’ classes)
February 24 - 2026-27 7th and 8th Grade Choice Sheets (during Social Studies’ classes) March 5 - Bowie High School Counselors Visit Covington MSFAA |
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Our School Nurse Bianca Wan |
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| Fight the Flu
Influenza vaccine is an effective way to prevent the flu and reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalizations. Additional ways to prevent the spread of flu include washing hands often, covering coughs/sneezes, staying home when ill, cleaning high touch surfaces (doorknobs and handles), and taking antiviral medication if prescribed by your doctor. Flu symptoms can include fevers, chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches, and fatigue. |
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Health Services During School Hours For all parents, be sure to complete the Parent Consent for Physical Health Related Services. This form was emailed by Principal Maddox.
All medications (prescription and over-the-counter) require both provider and parent authorization to be given at school. We do not provide OTC meds (like Tylenol or cough drops).Students may only carry inhalers or EpiPens with the proper documentation from a healthcare provider. No other medications may be carried by students. If your child has asthma, severe allergies, diabetes, or seizures, please ensure their emergency medication is on campus to avoid treatment delays.
More info: Medical Forms | Austin ISD Thank you for partnering with me to help keep our students healthy and safe. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Bianca Wan, RN, BSN 512-414-5382 ext: 45382 bianca.wan@austinisd.org |
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| Welcome to the Restorative Corner! |
Hello! My name is Amber Watts, and I am Covington’s Restorative Practices Associate. February Restorative Corner
Restorative Practices remind us that people do their best when they feel seen, heard, and valued. Even small moments of connection can make a big difference.
Restorative Tip: Try a daily check-in question like, “What’s one word to describe your day?” Consistent check-ins build trust and belonging.
Las prácticas restaurativas nos recuerdan que las personas dan lo mejor de sí cuando se sienten vistas, escuchadas y valoradas. Incluso pequeños momentos de conexión pueden marcar una gran diferencia.
Consejo Restaurativo: Intente una pregunta diaria de reflexión como “¿Qué palabra describe tu día?” Los chequeos constantes fortalecen la confianza y el sentido de pertenencia.
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Join our Convington PTA Your input and particpation in the parent/ teacher Association (PTA) and other school committees such as campus Advisory Council (CAC)
JoinPTA – JoinPTA |
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We’d are looking for you community members, parents, students, and school staff to join the Covington MS Committee who will guide, select, and implement this project to improve physical activity and wellness in and around the school and neighborhoods in the attendance zone.
Committee members will receive $50/hour for participating in meetings. Your voice can make a difference for kids, families & the community. Learn more & find out how to get involved https://sites.google.com/uth.edu/activemiddleschools/covington
Estamos buscando a miembros de la comunidad, padres, estudiantes y personal escolar para unirse al Comité de Covington MS, el cual guiará, seleccionará e implementará este proyecto para mejorar la actividad física y el bienestar en la escuela y en los vecindarios de la zona de asistencia.
Los miembros del comité recibirán $50 por hora por participar en las reuniones. Su voz puede marcar la diferencia para los niños, las familias y la comunidad. Infórmese más y descubra cómo participar https://sites.google.com/uth.edu/activemiddleschools-esp/covington |
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New Ticketing System for all AISD Games |
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PARENT NOTES: May be used to excuse a total of 8 absences for the school year. If exceeding 8, parents/guardians are encouraged to communicate with your campus principal to discuss the reason(s) for absences and whether future notes will be accepted. |
| THE FOLLOWING EXCUESES WILL REMAIN UNX.... |
Overslept, Missed bus, Vacation, Babysitting Parent sick, , Sibling Appt, Transportation, Nothing to wear, Student didn't want to come to school. |
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NOTAS DE LOS PADRES: Se pueden usar para justificar un total de 8 ausencias durante el año escolar. Si se exceden las 8 ausencias, se recomienda que los padres/tutores se comuniquen con el director(a) de la escuela para discutir la(s) razón(es) de las ausencias y si se aceptarán notas en el futuro." |
| LAS SIGUIENTES JUSTIFICACIONES SE CONSIDERARÁN NO JUSTIFICADAS.... |
Se quedó dormido(a), Perdió el autobús, Vacaciones, Padre/madre enfermo(a), Cuidando niños, Cita de un hermano(a), Problemas de transporte, No tiene qué ponerse, El estudiante no quiso venir a la escuela. |
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What Is Safe Space and Who Can You Talk To? |
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This year, Austin ISD is launching a new way for students to report safety concerns called Safe Space. Safe Space gives you a way to share important information if you feel unsafe, if someone else needs help, or if something just doesn’t seem right.
You can always go to a trusted adult, that means someone like a teacher, coach, counselor, principal, or assistant principal, someone you feel comfortable going to when you need help or see something wrong.
If you’d rather share information online and/or anonymously, you can go to austinisd.org/safespace and submit a report.
Look around campus for the yellow Safe Space posters; they have the website link and can guide you where to go. Your voice matters and can help keep everyone safe. |
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Student Chromebooks Expectations
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