Covington Middle School
Upcoming Events
Sept. 22 - 26th TA Appreciation Week!
No School 9/22 and 9/23
Wednesday A Day, Thursday B Day, Friday C Day
Wednesday, 9/24 - Maroon and Gold Day: Show off your maroon and gold or your favorite CMS gear and then join us at the Homecoming Game vs. Bedichek at Burger Stadium at 6.
Friday, 9/26 - Homecoming Dance
October 8th Football and Volleyball Photos afterschool
Dear Covington Families,
We are officially in the swing of the school year, and it’s been great to see students settling into routines, engaging in learning, and participating in campus life. Last week, students completed their beginning-of-year MAP assessments in ELA and Math, which will give them a valuable baseline to measure their growth over time. These results help us tailor instruction to meet student needs, and we encourage parents to stay connected to their child’s progress by reviewing MAP reports and discussing academic goals at home. We’ll continue to share updates and ways you can support learning throughout the year.
Just a quick reminder, there will be no school on Monday or Tuesday due to the district student holidays. Although last week was our official Homecoming Week, we’re excited to celebrate with our Homecoming game on Wednesday and the dance on Friday. Parents, if you're interested in helping out, we’d love for you to sign up to chaperone the dance. The link is included in this week’s newsletter.
Thank you for your continued support in making Covington a vibrant community!
Your Proud Principal,
Cedric Maddox
Important Emails
Principal: Cedric Maddox
Assistant Principal: Rachel Gregory & Jason Summerville
jason.summerville@austinisd.org
Counselors: Debra Austrum &
Rabecca Mc Donald
6th Grade: Jonile Pacheco
He is very helpful and respectable to students and teachers
7th Grade: Aria Downing
Amazingly responsible and helpful student
8th Grade: Eleuterio Puente Riojas
Completes all his work, helps other, is kind, respectful and a leader in class
Covington Counselors’ Corner Week of September 22, 2025
Guidance Lessons
This week counselors finished Meet the Counselor lessons and introduced Healthy Relationships and Conflict Resolution lessons to 6th grade students.
Healthy Relationships and Conflict Resolution lessons help students navigate their friendship and relational skills, including:
How to Be a Good Friend/How to Choose a Good Friend
How to Love Yourself/Affirmations
What Does It Mean to be an Emotionally Healthy Person?
How to Resolve Conflict in a Friendship
Student Mediation Resources at Covington
Academic Advising
It is easy for student grades to fall below 70 this time of year as they get excited about being in school and spending time with their friends, and sometimes forget to turn in all their assignments or be thorough with their work.
Counselors (and case managers) will be checking in with students (with any grade below 70) around Week 6 to help support students who have missing assignments, need to retake or redo an assignment(s), or need added support in the form of tutoring. (Teacher tutoring document coming soon!)
Counselors will be reaching out to students with 2 or more failing grades, or who have a failing grade in a high school credit class**. The process is as follows:
Counselor meets with student
Counselor calls or emails parent/guardian
** Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will meet with their case manager for Academic Advising.
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
Gifted and Talented (GT) Referral Window
Families, teachers, or Covington staff may nominate students for the GT screening process. The referral window for the 2025-26 school year is August 19 - October 7, 2025. Contact Debra Austrum, GT Advocate, at (512) 414-3276 x59860 or debra.austrum@austinisd.org, if you have questions about the process.
At this time, the only way for a 6-12 student to be identified is to be referred.
Austin ISD Gifted and Talented (GT) Referral Form 2025-26
Virtual Gifted & Talented Info Session - September 23 and 24
September 23, 6-7 pm : GT Info Session
September 24, 12-1 pm: GT Info Session
Coming in October! - Lunch Bunches and Small Groups
Important Dates
August 20 - October 7 - Gifted and Talented (GT) Referral window (see Mrs. Austrum, GT Advocate)
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Deaf Awareness Month
September 7-13 - National Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) Week
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)
September 16-20 - Celebrate Freedom Week
September 21 - International Day of Peace
September 22: District Staff Development
September 23: Campus Staff Development
September 24 - National Women’s Health and Fitness Day
September 30 - Every Child Matters - Orange Shirt Day
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.
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 EXCUSES WILL REMAIN UNX..
Overslept, Missed bus, Vacation, Babysitting Parent sick, , Sibling Appt, Transportation, Nothing to wear, Student didn't want to come to school.
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.
Hello Covington Colts! We have outlined campus consequences for student Chromebooks. Here is a one-page document that describes the process of device replacement for parents.
Please email rachel.glassford@austinisd.org if you have any questions.
New Ticketing System for all AISD Games
Upcoming Health Screenings
Starting in September, we’ll begin screenings for:
7th Grade: Vision, hearing, and Acanthosis Nigricans
7th Grade Girls & 8th Grade Boys: Spinal screenings
More info: Health Screenings | Austin ISD
Bianca Wan, RN, BSN 512-414-5382 ext: 45382 bianca.wan@austinisd.org
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
Stay Up-to-Date with Immunizations
6th Gade Families: The Tdap and MCV4 vaccines are required before entering 7th grade.
Be sure to request an updated immunization record from your healthcare provider—make sure it includes their signature or stamp.
Consider giving consent to share your child’s vaccine history with the Texas Immunization Registry (ImmTrac).
More info: Immunizations | Austin ISD
Health & Hygiene Tips
Encourage your child to keep a spare change of clothes and basic hygiene items in their locker in case of accidents.
We have a limited supply of extra clothing in the health room, especially pants and underwear. Donations are always welcome and appreciated!
Feminine products are readily available for students in the event they need them.
The best way to stop the spread of illness? Frequent handwashing.
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!
Covington Middle School
#Colts Strong!
3700 Convict Hill Road, Austin, TX 78749
512-414-3276
