Newsletter for the week of Jan 5th - 9th, 2026 |
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Upcoming Events
Monday, Jan. 5th: Campus Staff Development / No School For Students
Tuesday, Jan. 6th-16th: Musical Rehearsals @ 4-6pm in Covington Theater
Wednesday, Jan. 7th-9th: Girl Soccer Try-Outs @ 4-5:30pm
Wednesday, Jan. 7th: CAC Meeting @4:15-5:15 & to follow our PTA Meeting @ 5:15pm
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Message from the Principal
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Happy New Year, Covington Families!
I hope everyone across the Covington community had a wonderful holiday season and a restful Winter Break. Whether you traveled or stayed local, I hope the break provided time to recharge, reconnect with family and friends, and reflect as we prepare to begin the second semester.
As a reminder, there will be no school tomorrow, January 5th. Students will return to campus on Tuesday, January 6th, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back as we begin the third quarter.
As we begin the second semester, we are moving forward with several important efforts to support student success. Throughout this quarter, students will participate in several assessments that help guide instruction and measure progress. Some 8th-grade students will be randomly selected to participate in the NAEP assessment. NAEP, often referred to as “The Nation’s Report Card,” is a nationwide assessment that provides information about how students across the country are performing. Participation does not impact individual student grades or promotion but helps inform educational practices at the state and national level.
Our Emergent Bilingual (EB) students will complete the TELPAS assessment, which measures students’ progress in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. TELPAS is an important tool used to track language development and ensure students are receiving the appropriate instructional supports as they continue to grow academically.
Finally, all students will take the STAAR Interim assessments in Math and ELA, with 8th-grade students also completing Interims in Science and Social Studies. STAAR Interim assessments provide teachers and students with valuable feedback on current performance and readiness for the STAAR exam in the spring. The results help guide instruction, identify strengths, and determine areas where additional support may be needed. If you have questions about any of these assessments, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teachers or campus administration.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we begin this new semester together. Your encouragement at home and collaboration with our teachers play a vital role in your child’s success. We are excited for the growth and learning ahead and look forward to working closely with you throughout the semester. Please continue to reach out with questions or concerns, and know that we remain committed to supporting every student at Covington as they learn, grow, and thrive.
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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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Covington Counselors’ Corner Week of January 5, 2026 |
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Breakthrough Central Texas
Attention First Generation College Students! Breakthrough Central Texas will be on campus in January 2026 to discuss their program to support students who may be first generation college students with tutoring, summer school, and field trips. Breakthrough will be speaking with 6th grade students during Advisory next month, but the program is open to all potential first generation college students in all grades.
Algebra I Opt-Out Deadline for 2025-26 - January 30, 2026
8th grade students currently enrolled in Algebra I have the option to opt-out of this class by January 30, 2026. Whether students have a failing grade or a “less than ideal” grade in this course, they may turn a signed opt-out form in to Ms. McDonald, 8th grade counselor, by the deadline for this grade not to be part of their high school GPA. Once the form is turned in, students will have a schedule change to Math 8 and will not be able to go back into the Algebra I class or claim the high school credit for this course. If an opt-out form is not turned in, the year-end Algebra I grade stands and becomes part of the student’s high school GPA (Grade Point Average).
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Algebra I Opt-Out Deadline for 2025-26 - January 30, 2026
8th grade students currently enrolled in Algebra I have the option to opt-out of this class by January 30, 2026. Whether students have a failing grade or a “less than ideal” grade in this course, they may turn a signed opt-out form in to Ms. McDonald, 8th grade counselor, by the deadline for this grade not to be part of their high school GPA. Once the form is turned in, students will have a schedule change to Math 8 and will not be able to go back into the Algebra I class or claim the high school credit for this course. If an opt-out form is not turned in, the year-end Algebra I grade stands and becomes part of the student’s high school GPA (Grade Point Average).
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Covington MSFAA Counseling Team - CREST Counseling Award Winners!
Covington Middle School Fine Arts Academy is one of two middle schools in AISD to win this prestigious award for the 2024-25 school year. This is the first time for Covington MSFAA to win the CREST award.
The Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas (CREST) Award, sponsored by the Texas School Counselor Association (TSCA), recognizes outstanding school counseling programs and serves as a tool for continuous growth and advocacy.
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Counselor Guidance Lessons - December/January
Counselors will be teaching CCMR (College, Career, and Military Readiness) lessons in December and January to all grade levels. For 6th and 7th grade students, these lessons help students: 1. Identify long and short-term, academic, career, and social-emotional goals; 2. Demonstrate the ability to work independently (6th) and demonstrate perseverance to achieve long- and short-term goals (6th and 7th); and 3. Use effective cooperation and collaboration skills (6th) and use effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills (6th and 7th).
For 8th grade students, CCMR lessons help students identify long and short-term, academic, career, and social-emotional goals. Ms. McDonald will hold High School Transition conferences with every 8th grade student. The purpose of these 8th grade conferences are to empower 8th grade students and their families with the information, resources, and individualized planning needed to make informed decisions about high school programs, align coursework with post-secondary goals, and fulfill requirements for the Texas Distinguished Level of Achievement graduation plan.
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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
January 15 - Crockett High School Visit to Covington to complete choice sheets (all students)
January 30 - Cutoff for Opt-Out of Algebra I forms to be turned in (final deadline)
February 6 - Bowie High School “Dawg” Show
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Our School Nurse Bianca Wan |
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Health Screenings in Progress
If your child needs further evaluation due to failed screening, they will be given a referral letter and a copy will be emailed to parents. Please let me know of any provider results. Screenings include vision, hearing, and acanthosis nigricans for 7th graders. In addition, 7th grade girls and 8th grade boys have spinal screening.
More info: Health Screenings | Austin ISD
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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.
January:
Restorative Practices are about building strong relationships, addressing harm, and helping people in learning how to make things right. Instead of asking, “Who’s in trouble?” or "Who messed up?" we ask, “Who was impacted, and how can we repair it?” Restorative Tip: When something goes wrong, start with curiosity: “Can you tell me what happened from your perspective?” Connection opens the door to learning.
Las prácticas restaurativas se centran en construir relaciones sólidas, abordar el daño y ayudar a las personas a aprender cómo reparar las situaciones. En lugar de preguntar “¿Quién está en problemas?” o “¿Quién cometió el error?” preguntamos “¿A quién afectó y cómo podemos repararlo?”
Consejo Restaurativo: Cuando algo sale mal, comience con curiosidad: “¿Puede contarme qué pasó desde su perspectiva?” La conexión abre la puerta al aprendizaje.
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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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COMMUNITY EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES: |
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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. |
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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." |
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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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