Upcoming Events
Oct. 13th - No School
Oct. 14th- Band Fall Concert @ 6:00
Oct. 15th - Football vs. Burnet @ Nelson Field
Oct. 16th - CAC Meeting @ 4:00
Oct. 16th - TAP Community Meeting @ 5:00
Covington Middle School
Message from the Principal
Dear Covington Families,
I hope everyone is enjoying this much-needed holiday weekend and taking some time to rest and recharge! As a reminder, there is no school tomorrow.
We are quickly approaching the end of the first quarter on Friday, October 17th. Please encourage your child to check their assignments and communicate with their teachers as grades will be finalized in the coming days. Staying proactive helps ensure a strong finish to the quarter!
Parent conferences are scheduled for Monday, October 20th, from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m. We encourage you to come speak with teachers if your child has shown difficulties academically throughout the 1st quarter. This opportunity provides a partnership and that is key to the success of all students.
Last week, families received an important email regarding school consolidations and boundary changes for Covington Middle School. As part of this process, we are reviewing our Turnaround Plan (TAP) and gathering community feedback.
We’ve already met with Covington staff and held a Principal Coffee to review the plan and listen to input. We’ll continue those conversations this week:
Campus Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting: Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in the Library
Community Meeting: Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria
You can also review the draft Turnaround Plan and complete the feedback form by Friday, October 17th.
This process isn’t just about absorbing new students, it’s about growing and enriching the educational experience for every learner at Covington. We have an incredible community built on kindness, acceptance, and support, and this is our opportunity to show just how strong that community truly is as we welcome new families with open arms.
Looking ahead, we have some exciting events coming up at the end of the month, including our House Field Day and the Life Skills Valentine’s Dance. These are wonderful opportunities for parents to connect, celebrate, and get involved. We would love your help, whether you can volunteer for a few minutes or a few hours, your presence makes a big difference!
Thank you for your continued partnership and for all you do to make Covington a vibrant, caring, and successful school 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
Volunteers needed Oct. 31st 1:00 - 4:00 pm
We're seeking enthusiastic volunteers for outdoor, skill, and academic games to enrich our students' experience. Parents will earn points for their student's house competition. Sign up to support at
Turn Around Plan Bedichek to Covington
Bedichek MS to Covington MS Turnaround Plan
Bedichek MS to Covington MS Turnaround Plan Survey
Teacher of the Month:
Student of the Month: October
6th Grade:
7th Grade:
8th Grade:
Covington Counselors’ Corner Week of October 13, 2025
How To Manage Your Worries - Circle of Control
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. CMS Tutorials 2025
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 Tutorials 2025
** Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will meet with their case manager for Academic Advising.
Austin ISD Parent U Advanced Academics Opportunities Night @ Anderson High School
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
October 5-11 - Mental Illness Awareness Week
October 9 - Bullying Prevention Awareness Day
October 10 - World Mental Health Day
October 13 - Indigenous People’s Day
October 17 - End of 1st Grading Period
October 20 - Secondary Conferences
October 22 - Unity Day
October 27-31 - Red Ribbon Week
Meet Our School Nurse Bianca Wan
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
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
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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!
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