• Mar. 26th - Tools for Success: Austin ISD Repurposing Update @ 9am & @ 2pm in Spanish
• Mar. 27th - Tennis matches against Garcia and Bertha Sadler Means - 6pm @ Covington
• Mar. 28th - 7th & 8th grade Track and Field vs Bedicheck and Martin @ Bedicheck at 6pm
• Mar. 29th - Student / Staff Holiday - NO SCHOOL!!!
• April 13th - COLTS FEST!

Hello Covington Community!

As we embark on an exciting journey towards academic excellence, we wanted to update you on some important upcoming events and initiatives at our school.

Firstly, we want to remind you that the STAAR Read assessment is just around the corner, with only 10 days left! Our dedicated teachers have already initiated a comprehensive review to ensure that every student is fully prepared for success. With their commitment and your support, we're confident our students will excel. Below is the schedule for all STAAR Exams and some information of how you can support your child throughout this process.

Additionally, mark your calendars for April 8th, when a rare solar eclipse will grace our skies. We're thrilled to create an unforgettable learning experience for our students during this once-in-a-lifetime event. Rest assured, we're prepared to make this day both educational and safe for all.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the parents who attended our recent CAC meeting. Your presence and engagement were invaluable as we discussed the implementation of the F.O.W.A.R.D. Program and Restorative Practices. Your questions and feedback are crucial in shaping our school community for the better.

Thank you for your continued support in making Covington Middle School a place where every student can thrive. Together, we're ensuring a bright future for our children.

Your proud principal,

Cedric Maddox

Days Prior to the Test

1. Encourage Relaxation: Help your child relax and avoid unnecessary stress. Encourage them to engage in calming activities such as reading a book or practicing deep breathing exercises.
2. Ensure Adequate Sleep: Ensure your child gets a full night's sleep before the test. Lack of sleep can impair cognitive function and memory recall, so aim for at least 8-10 hours of sleep.
3. Healthy Nutrition: Provide a nutritious dinner the night before the test. Avoid heavy, greasy foods that may cause discomfort or disrupt sleep.
4. Review, Don't Cram: Encourage your child to review key concepts or study materials briefly, but avoid cramming or intense last-minute studying. Cramming can lead to stress and exhaustion, which may negatively impact performance.
5. Positive Reinforcement: Offer words of encouragement and express confidence in your child's abilities. Positive reinforcement can boost their confidence and alleviate test anxiety.
6. Establish a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Establish a relaxing bedtime routine to help your child unwind and prepare for sleep. This could include activities such as reading a book together, listening to calming music, or practicing mindfulness exercises.
7. Limit Screen Time: Minimize screen time before bedtime, as exposure to screens (such as smartphones, tablets, or computers) can interfere with sleep quality. Encourage your child to engage in screen-free activities instead.
8. Remind Them of the Importance of Rest: Reinforce the importance of rest and relaxation to your child. Explain that getting enough sleep and managing stress are crucial for optimal performance on the test.

Day of the Test

1. Healthy Breakfast: Ensure your child eats a nutritious breakfast on the morning of the test. Opt for foods that provide sustained energy, such as whole grains, protein, and fruits. Avoid sugary cereals or foods that may cause energy crashes.
2. Hydration: Encourage your child to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the day. Dehydration can lead to fatigue and decreased cognitive function, so it's important to start the day well-hydrated.
3. Allow Plenty of Time: Wake up early to avoid rushing on the morning of the test. Allow plenty of time for your child to get ready, eat breakfast, and travel to the testing location without feeling hurried or stressed.
4. Dress Comfortably: Ensure your child wears comfortable clothing on the day of the test. Dressing in layers allows them to adjust to temperature changes in the testing environment.
5. Review Test Instructions: Remind your child to carefully read and follow all test instructions.
6. Positive Affirmations: Encourage your child with positive affirmations and words of support on the way to the testing location. Reassure them that they are prepared and capable of doing their best.
7. Arrive Early: Arriving early helps reduce anxiety and ensures a smooth transition into the testing environment.
8. Stay Calm and Relaxed: Encourage your child to stay calm and relaxed before the test begins. Remind them to take deep breaths and focus on positive thoughts to help alleviate any nervousness or anxiety.
9. Avoid Last-Minute Studying: Discourage last-minute studying or discussing test material right before the exam. Instead, encourage your child to engage in calming activities or positive distractions to keep their mind relaxed and focused.
10. Say Goodbye with Confidence: Bid your child farewell with confidence and reassurance. Let them know that you believe in their abilities and that you'll be waiting to hear about their experience when they finish the test.

Get a head start on enrolling your student for next year! Check out the new Austin ISD's open enrollment / registration 2024-2025. Feel free to call the office if you have any questions.

Remember that you can call (512)414-7328 for help with online enrollment!

9th Grade Choice Sheet Visits

Our 8th graders have been working with counselors to complete their choice sheets this month. If your student needs to make corrections to their high school choice sheet, please reach out to the high school counselor.

7th & 8th Grade Choice Sheets!

Please encourage your current 6th and 7th graders to complete their choice sheet for next year! They can use this link: https://bit.ly/4aWi3j8 Or they can get a paper copy during lunch!

7th Grade College Visit Field Trips in April

AISD has begun a new initiative, The College Visit Program. All 7th graders will be invited to visit a college this April 24th and 25th. It will not interfere with 7th grade STAAR testing. Students will receive a permission slip and more information in their advisory class. If you would like to volunteer as a parent chaperone for either day, please contact Jessica Busceme for more details!

El Ranchito Nature Summer Camp

If your student is interested in exploring nature and making lifelong friends, check out El Ranchito! It is a low-cost local summer camp that brings adventure and nature together. Click on the link for more information about the camp and how to register: https://www.shieldranch.com/el-ranchito/

Explore Austin!

We are excited to bring Explore Austin to Covington this year! This is an exciting years-long program that invites current 6th graders to join a group and begin exploring. Talk to the counselor or PSS for more information, or click here: https://exploreaustin.org/our-explorers/

Shelving, Soil/Compost, and Granite Donations

Our recent Saturday workday was a success, thank you so much to the parents and staff members that came out to support! We have our shed organized, our garden bed ready for planting, and our wheelchair accessible pathway started! If you would like to make a large scale soil, compost, or decomposed granite donation, OR know of how we can get some, please reach out to Ms. Busceme! Our next workday is April 6th!

Garden Donation Wishlist

If you would like to support the garden but aren’t able to make the upcoming work days, please consider purchasing an item from our wishlist here. These items are essential to properly prepare our garden and make sure everyone at school is welcome. Thank you for your donations, we are so excited to watch our garden grow!

City of Austin Summer Camp Programs!

Austin has several free and low cost summer camp programs offered to middle school students. Registration is now open and spots fill up quickly! Click here for more information about registering your student: City of Austin Summer Camp Registration

Counselor.

Jessica Busceme

We open our Colt Store every Friday during lunch so that students can purchase items using Colt Cash they have earned from their teachers for great behavior and academic progress.

If you would like to purchase an item that has been requested, please click the button below!

The education of our children depends on a successful partnership between you and Covington Middle School. That is why your involvement is important. There is no one like you! The more that you learn and grow, the more your children will too.

PTA is focused on making every child's potential a reality by strengthening education and taking a comprehensive approach to community success. And we know there is no community without YOU – our members, our business leaders, our decision-makers.

Thank you for supporting PTA in your Community! Please select the school district* and name of the PTA you would like join. During checkout you can easily add multiple members to the same PTA.

Go to: https://www.joinpta.org/

Choose the district: Austin ISD

Choose the School: Covington Middle School

Follow us on Facebook: Covington Middle School PTA - Austin | Facebook

Covington PTA: https://covingtoncoltspta.weebly.com/

La PTA se centra en hacer realidad el potencial de cada niño reforzando la educación y adoptando un enfoque integral para el éxito de la comunidad. Y sabemos que no hay comunidad sin USTED - nuestros miembros, nuestros líderes empresariales, nuestros tomadores de decisiones.

Gracias por apoyar a la PTA en su Comunidad! Por favor, seleccione el distrito escolar* y el nombre de la PTA a la que desea unirse. Durante el proceso de compra puede añadir fácilmente varios miembros a la misma PTA.

Vaya a: https://www.joinpta.org/

Elija el distrito: Austin ISD

Elija la escuela: Covington Middle School

Síganos en Facebook: Covington Middle School PTA - Austin | Facebook

PTA de Covington: https://covingtoncoltspta.weebly.com/