Upcoming Events

Sept. 8th & 9th - Picture Day (During Social Studies classes)

Tuesday Sept. 9th - Coffee with the Principal

Wednesday Sept. 10th

• CAC Meeting in Library @ 4:15 September Agenda Here

• PTA Meeting to follow

Dear Covington Families,

Welcome to Week 4!  We're finally settling into our routines, and the energy across campus is focused and purposeful. Most of the schedule changes and class balancing have now taken effect, so you should expect minimal student schedule adjustments moving forward.

We're continuing Beginning-of-Year (BOY) MAP assessments this week. These assessments help us gauge where students are academically in reading and math so we can better tailor instruction and track growth throughout the year. Although we experienced a brief system snag last week, ELA testing is wrapping up, and students will begin their Math MAP assessments shortly thereafter.

Please remember: if you haven't yet completed the district consent forms, we need them as soon as possible. These forms allow your child to participate in before- and after-school clubs, as well as receive mental health and physical health services as needed. It’s essential we have your consent on file specifically for Covington.

This week, we’re excited to host our first Coffee with the Principal and Campus Advisory Council (CAC) meeting. These are great opportunities to stay connected and involved.  I would love to see you there!

Finally, a big shout-out to all our students and staff for embracing our House System, a key piece of the Covington culture this year. It’s building community, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging among our students and we want our parents in on the fun too! So, I’m launching our first Parent House Challenge:

Join the PTA!
The house with the highest percentage of parents joining the PTA by Friday, September 25th (Homecoming Week) will earn big points:

• 1st Place: 100 points

• 2nd Place: 75 points

• 3rd Place: 50 points

• 4th–8th Place: 25 points each

Let’s keep the momentum going, and make it a fantastic week at Covington!

Your Proud Principal,

Cedric Maddox

Picture Day is coming September 8th & 9th during Social Studies Classes

Pre-Order Here by selecting: SCHOOL AH25

Online Code: 501725F06

El día de la fotografía será el 8 y 9 de septiembre durante las clases de Estudios Sociales.

Haga su pedido por adelantado Aquí seleccionando: SCHOOL AH25 Código en línea: 501725F06

Covington Counselors Corner Week of September 8, 2025

It has been a wonderful few weeks of school getting to know students! Counselors have been in classrooms for Meet the Counselor lessons, spoke with students about requested elective schedule changes, talked with students during lunchtimes, and helped students navigate their classes.

A huge “Thank You!” to the family of Dylan Castillo for their donation of Mini-Lens Care Kits. These have already been so helpful for counselors and the nurse as we assist students with their glasses.

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

Schedule Changes:

Your child’s schedule might have changed during the first few weeks of school as we are tweaking academic and intervention classes for students. The reason for a schedule change in the past two weeks might be:

• Best academic fit for core classes

• Dual Language placement

• Fine Arts instrument level placement

• Dyslexia Reading Intervention placement

• To balance out core class sizes

• Moving students so they can be in lunch with peers (i.e. mixed grade level classes)

For Student Schedule Change Request forms that were turned in prior to Wednesday, August 27th, and are approved, the new schedule will begin on Tuesday, September 2nd. Please contact Mrs. Austrum or Ms. McDonald if you have questions.

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

Important Dates

August 20 - October 7 - Gifted and Talented (GT) Referral window (see Mrs. Austrum, GT Advocate)

September 7 - Grandparents Day

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 21 - International Day of Peace

September 24 - National Women’s Health and Fitness Day

If you would like to make a referral, please visit: Austin ISD Gifted and Talented (GT) Referral Form 2025-26.

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.

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.

Covington Middle School Device Policies

Covington Políticas de dispositivos

New Ticketing System for all AISD Games

Bianca Wan, RN, BSN 512-414-5382 ext: 45382 bianca.wan@austinisd.org

Covington Middle School

#Colts Strong!

3700 Convict Hill Road, Austin, TX 78749

512-414-3276

https://covington.austinschools.org/