Upcoming Events
Sept. 29 - Oct. 3rd Custodian Appreciation Week!
Sept. 30th Colts Theatre Spirit Night at P. Terrys Wm. Cannon 4pm -10pm
Oct 1 CAC meeting @ 4:15 followed by PTA Meeting
October 8th Football, Track and Volleyball Photos afterschool
Covington Middle School
Message from the Principal
Dear Covington Families,
Even though our Colts did not win the Homecoming game, the spirit of the week was alive and well. Students and parents enjoyed cheering on the team Wednesday and carrying that excitement into Friday afternoon. The Homecoming dance was a wonderful success, with students dancing the night away. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the parents who volunteered at the dance. It was great seeing you there, and your dedication and presence helped everything run smoothly.
I also want to thank the parents who supported the band, both at the game and during their visits to the elementary schools. These opportunities allow us to showcase the many outstanding programs we have at Covington, and we couldn’t do it without you. If you missed this chance to volunteer, don’t worry, there will be plenty more opportunities ahead.
This week, we will host our monthly Campus Advisory Council (CAC) meeting on Wednesday after school. The CAC plays an important role in shaping our school’s priorities by bringing together parents, teachers, and community members to share input and guide decisions. At this meeting, we will be reviewing and voting on the Campus Improvement Plan to ensure our focus and goals are aligned with the needs of our school. Your voice matters, and we encourage you to attend.
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
Teacher of the Month: Ms. Williams
Student of the Month: September
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 29, 2025
Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day is observed on September 30 in Canada and is a national day to honor and remember Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools, and to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. The day originated from the story of Phyllis Jack Webstad, a residential school survivor, whose new orange shirt was taken away on her first day at a school. Wearing orange is a symbolic act to acknowledge the suffering of these children and to commit to the ongoing journey of truth and reconciliation.
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. Remember, it is a student’s responsibility to ask teachers for retakes on tests/quizzes/assessments or redos on assignments. (Retake and redo policies depend on the individual teacher.)
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. Covington Middle School Teacher Tutoring 2025-26
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
Counselor gives student a copy of Covington Middle School Teacher Tutoring List
** 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
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)
September 30 - Every Child Matters - Orange Shirt Day
Meet Our School Nurse Bianca Wan
Health Screenings in Progress
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!
Pre Order Yearbook by 9/26/2025 for discount
Reserva el anuario antes del 26/9/2025 para obtener descuento
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.
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.
What Is Safe Space and Who Can You Talk To?
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.
Student Chromebooks Expectations
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
Covington Middle School
#Colts Strong!
3700 Convict Hill Road, Austin, TX 78749
512-414-3276