Newsletter for the week of March 30th - April 3rd, 2026
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Message from the Principal |
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Good Evening Covington Families,
We are one week closer to the STAAR assessment! This is the final week of school before we begin with the ELA Assessment on April 9th. Our teachers and students have been working hard to close any remaining gaps, and our data throughout the year shows that we are moving in the right direction. We are proud of the effort our students have shown and are excited to see them demonstrate their learning.
As a reminder, here are the upcoming STAAR testing dates:
- ELAR – April 9th (All Students)
- Science – April 15th (8th Grade Only)
- Social Studies – April 16th (8th Grade Only)
- Math & Algebra I – April 23rd (All Students)
Here are several ways you can support your child at home as we approach testing:
- Encourage a consistent sleep schedule so your child is well-rested
- Promote daily reading and review of notes or classwork
- Provide a quiet, distraction-free space for studying
- Talk positively about the test and encourage your child to do their best
- Ensure your child eats a healthy breakfast and arrives to school on time
To help us prepare for testing, we would like to ensure we have a sufficient number of devices available. If you have any school-issued Chromebooks at home that are not being used daily, we kindly ask that they be returned to campus as soon as possible so they can be checked and prepared for testing.
As a reminder, early student pick-up will end at 3:15 PM. Please plan to arrive before that time if you need to check out your child. While we will always make exceptions in the case of emergencies, limiting early pick-ups helps us maintain a safe, organized dismissal process and ensures students do not miss important instructional time at the end of the day.
Thank you for your continued support.
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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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Tuesday, March 31st: Student/Staff Holiday |
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SCHOOL EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES: |
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Covington Counselors’ Corner Week of March 30, 2026 |
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Course Vertification Forms - 2026-27
Course Verification Forms will be available to families sometime in April 2026. If you have questiona about your child’s courses for the 2026-27 school year, please contact Ms. Austrum for future 6th and 7th grade students, and Ms. McDonald for future 8th grade students.
New Covington Counselors Google Site
Covington MSFAA Counselors
We created this site so that all CMSFAA Counseling information is in one spot for you. Some spaces on the site are “under construction,” but feel free to give feedback on information you need located in this new space.
Choice Sheets
For choice sheet questions, please contact Mrs. Austrum for incoming 6th and 7th grade students, and Ms. McDonald for incoming 8th grade students. Students will enter their elective choices into Self-Serve the week of March 9-13th.
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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!
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 can be submitted from February 6 to April 10, 2026.
See Mrs. Austrum, GT Advocate, for more information at debra.austrum@austinisd.org.
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:
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
March - Women’s History Month
April 24 - Last Day to drop high school credit classes (except Algebra I) Form Here
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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. |
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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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