Newsletter for the week of Nov 10th - 14th, 2025 |
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Upcoming Events
Tuesday, November 11th: Veterans Day Assembly @ 10:30am in GYM.
Tuesday, November 11th: CBOC Meeting (Community Bond Oversight Committee) @ 6:00pm in Cook Elementary School
Thursday, Nov. 13th: Girls Basketball A Team vs. Burnet @ 6:00pm in Burnet.
Thursday, Nov. 13th: Girls Basketball B Team vs. Burnet @ 7:00pm in Covington.
Thursday, Nov. 13th: Coffee With The Principal @ 10am
Saturday, Nov. 15th: Boys Soccer Team @ 9:00 am in Covington.
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Message from the Principal
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Good Afternoon Covington Families,
I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend and is looking forward to the next two weeks as we head into Fall Break. When we return, students will begin taking their Middle of Year (MOY) MAP assessments. The MAP assessment is an adaptive, individualized test that adjusts the difficulty of questions based on each student’s responses. This allows us to measure each child’s current level of achievement, predict future performance, and monitor growth since the Beginning of Year (BOY) MAP assessment.
Before the assessment, students will participate in data chats with their teachers. During these conversations, students will review their current scores, reflect on their progress, discuss strengths and areas for growth, and set clear, meaningful goals to achieve on their MOY MAP. These data chats help students take ownership of their learning and better understand the steps needed to meet their academic goals.
To support your child at home from now until Winter Break, here are a few helpful practices:
• Encourage your child to read daily and discuss what they are reading.
• Review notes or completed classwork together and talk through any confusing concepts.
• Help your child establish a consistent homework and study routine.
• Use real-life examples to practice math skills, such as comparing prices, estimating totals, or measuring while cooking.
• Support good habits—sleep, nutrition, and limiting screen time during the school week.
• Check the parent portal regularly and encourage your child to advocate for help when needed.
We are also excited to introduce a nationwide initiative at Covington called WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students). This program encourages fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other positive male role models to volunteer on campus during the school day. WATCH D.O.G.S. participants support the school by assisting in classrooms, greeting students, helping with safety routines, and being a positive presence throughout the campus. If you are interested in joining this program, please see the flyer below for more information.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we work together to help our students grow and succeed.
Your Proud Principal,
Cedric Maddox
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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 November 10th, 2025 |
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November is Gratitude Month
The most beautiful way to start and end the day is with a grateful heart.
I find that when I focus on the positive and appreciate what I have, I can change the common, ordinary and everyday routine into daily blessings. When life becomes challenging with long to-do lists and feeling like there is not enough time to be everywhere, or do everything, it can create stressful situations and a sense of feeling overwhelmed. However, by taking the time to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the moment, it becomes apparent that there is always something to be grateful for.
National Gratitude Month is celebrated each year in November, and with Thanksgiving also in November, it presents us with an opportunity to express joy, happiness, positivity and appreciation for the blessings that we have.
There are many mental, as well as physical benefits that come with expressing gratitude. Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease. Grateful people are also more likely to choose positive healthy behaviors – such as exercising on a regular basis, making nutritious food choices, getting enough sleep, and having meaningful connections and relationships.
Here are a few ways to start incorporating gratitude into your daily routine:
Share a smile or hug. This is one of the easiest things you can do to elevate your mood and the moods of those around you. A smile can be contagious in spreading good vibes.
Self-reflection. Think about all that you DO have and not worry about what you do NOT have. Make the best of your current situation and manifest abundance by appreciating all that you have.
Pay it forward. Pay for the coffee or the meal for the person behind you in line. Write an encouraging quote or handwritten note and leave it for someone to find. Support a cause that you are passionate about with a donation of your time or money.
Create a gratitude journal or vision board. Jot down or find pictures of things that you are thankful for. Read it often and display the vision board to help keep you focused on being optimistic. This will boost your mood in recalling the positive things that you encounter in your life.
Acknowledgement. Make it a habit to express appreciation in a sincere way without the expectation of anything in return. The power of sending a thank you note, or calling someone to express gratitude goes a long way. This simplest act of gratitude has the power to change someone’s entire day.
Volunteer. Share your time, talent and treasures. Give more than you receive. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities that can be found in your community. Schools, churches, and shelters are always looking for extra hands to help support their efforts.
Make time for meditation. It could be reflecting on a mantra, spending time in silence thinking about what you are grateful for, taking time to be out in nature or setting time aside for prayer.
Try incorporating some of these suggestions and remember to enjoy the present moment. Regularly practicing gratitude can bring long-term positive effects on your health and well-being and cultivate an optimistic outlook on your life.
This article is from: https://www.vitalitygroup.com/insights/national-gratitude-month/
A Dozen Resources for Teaching Gratitude
Resources for Practicing and Teaching Gratitude
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Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
This two-day holiday celebrated on November 1 and 2, remembers family members and friends who have died and recognizes that death is a natural part of the human experience. This day allows families to remember their loved ones. Take a look at the fun, downloadable activities below:
Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families | Portland
40 Kid-Friendly Day of the Dead Activities for Family Fun - illustrated Tea Cup
Bullying Prevention Guidance Lessons
Guidance lessons for November will focus on Bullying Prevention. Bullying can take many forms: physical, verbal, social-relational, and emotional, but it always involves an imbalance of power, whether that imbalance is physical, number of people involved, verbal, cognitive, or social.
Bullying Prevention announcements have taken place over the last few weeks on campus during morning announcements. One example is below:
"Good morning, Covington Middle School! As we move into Week 3 of Bullying Prevention Month, it’s time to talk about cyberbullying—bullying that happens online through social media, texts, or messages. Cyberbullying can hurt just as much as in-person bullying, and it’s important to be mindful of how we treat others online. This week’s challenge is to spread positivity online by sending a kind message to a friend, leaving a nice comment, or sharing something encouraging. If you wouldn’t say something to someone’s face, don’t say it online.
If you ever experience cyberbullying or see it happening, report it to a trusted adult, and don’t forget you can use the 'Safe Space' feature on the Austin ISD website for anonymous reporting. Let’s make our online spaces as kind and respectful as our school should be."
Austin ISD Safe Space
Bullying Prevention Month - AISD Letter to Families
Bullying Resources:
https://www.stopbullying.gov/
Online Actions Have an Offline Impact
Bullying Can Hurt for a Lifetime
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
Adoption Awareness Month
Gratitude Month
Military Family Appreciation Month
National Family Caregivers Month
National Homeless Youth Awareness Month
National Runaway Prevention Month
Native American Heritage Month
November 11 - Veterans’ Day
November 21 - Deadline to opt-out of semester High School Credit courses
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Meet 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!
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Our Parent Support Specialist - Mrs. Castillo |
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Hi Covington families! I’m here to help connect you with resources and programs to make life a little easier, I can assist with food, affordable housing, utility, clothing, and transportation needs, as well as affordable healthcare and low-cost therapy options.
I’ll also be hosting Coffee with the Principal, parent workshops, and offering a welcoming space where you can stop by for a chat or support. Together, we’ll keep Covington strong and connected!
Together, we’ll strengthen our Covington community!
Parent Need Survey- Click on the link below
Family Needs Survey | Encuesta para Identificar las Necesidades de las Familias (2025-2026)
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COMMUNITY EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES: |
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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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