• April 8th - Eclipse Event!! See below for more information!
• April 9th - STAAR READING TEST
• April 9th - Tools for Success - What is the current status of the SB4 law @ 9am see more info below!
• April 9th - Colts Theatre Spirit Night at Little Doddy's! 4-10 pm Come on out!
• April 10th - STUDENT HOLIDAY! NO SCHOOL!!! STAFF PD DAY.
• April 10th - Maestro en Casa Graduation Ceremony - AISD PAC @ 6pm
• April 11th - Covington Tennis Matches vs. Mendez MS @ 6pm

• April 13th - COLTS FEST! PLEASE SIGN UP TO HELP VOLUNTEER! SEE BELOW!
• April 25th & 26th - Empower Dance Showcase at 7pm in the theatre

Hello Covington Community!

We have finally arrived at these significant events, and we have a tremendous week ahead of us! On Monday, get ready to witness the awe-inspiring solar eclipse, a celestial spectacle not to be missed. Following this, on Tuesday, our students will showcase their knowledge and skills during STAAR testing. Stay tuned for a special newsletter with essential information for both events.

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.

We've reached the apex of the academic year where students demonstrate their learning. I'm thrilled and have full confidence in their readiness. STAAR testing commences on Tuesday, April 9th. Here are some useful tips on how you can assist your child during this period.

On Monday, April 8th, it's imperative that all students remember to bring their Chromebook and chargers to school. Please ensure they have these essentials in hand before leaving the house.

Since students have the entire day to complete this assessment, we will be offering them a selection of snacks along with water. Breaks have been scheduled for them to enjoy these snacks in order to minimize any distractions or disruptions to others in the testing room. If you wish to pack additional snacks for your child, please feel free to do so. Additionally, students will have their lunch inside their testing classrooms. Those who purchase lunch in the cafeteria will have the option of selecting sack lunches.

Lastly, should the majority of students finish their exams early, we will transition to a modified schedule for the rest of the day. If you have any questions beforehand or encounter an emergency on the day of testing, please don't hesitate to contact us. We sincerely appreciate your support, and we eagerly anticipate Tuesday.

On Monday, April 8th, AISD will hold classes as usual on Eclipse Day. This presents a rare opportunity for students to witness totality, and we are fully embracing this educational experience. Students are currently delving into Eclipse-related topics in their science classes and receiving safety instructions. On the day of the event, they will be provided with glasses for safe viewing.

To ensure that all staff members can participate in this significant event, our office will be closed for student pickup from 1:20-2:00 pm, as everyone will be engaged in experiencing the eclipse. Additionally, Monday will follow a C Day schedule to accommodate this event. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at cedric.maddox@austinisd.org.

Attention Track and Field and Tennis families! Due to STAAR testing there will be no track or tennis practice Monday 4/8, Wednesday 4/10, Monday 4/15, Tuesday 4/16, and Monday 4/22.

We are super excited about our upcoming Colts Fest! But we cannot do it without you! Please click the buttons below to help in any capacity that you can. Spread the word to high school students as well! Thank you and hope to see you there!

Prepare to be inspired at "Empower!" an electrifying showcase of talent and creativity presented by Covington MS Dance Department. Join us for an evening of captivating performances that celebrate empowerment through dance.

📍 Location: Covington MS Theatre

📅 Date: April 25th and 26th

🕖 Time: 7 pm

🎟️ Ticket Prices:

• Online: $5 for students, $10 for adults
• At the Door: $7 for students, $12 for adults

https://cmsdance.ludus.com/index.php

Covington Middle School Dance Department

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• The time has come! Our Maestro En Casa students are graduating! They have worked so hard for 7 months and have completed the course. I am so proud of them and would love it if you could come by and celebrate them. See below for the details! - Proud Teacher, Esther T. Williams

Our Scholastic Book Fair starts on May 6th, now's the time to create your eWallet! Watch this short video to learn how it works, then visit our Fair homepage to set up your account!

Course Verification Now Open!

Please check your email for the Course Verification process from AISD. If you need to change your student’s schedule for next year, use this Course Change Request Google Form.

High School Credit Opt-Out Now Open!

If your student is currently enrolled in a HS credit course but you believe they will NOT pass the class for the year, please contact Jessica Busceme or Kyle Haenisch for the Opt-Out process. The last day to drop a HS credit class is April 26th!

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 TOMORROW SATURDAY 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!

This week we partnered with Skinny's barber shop to have some students shadow and get mentored by Sergio and other barbers. This is an exciting pilot program that we hope to expand next year. The four students, Jonathan Facio, Alex Lopez Juarez, Gustavo Bautista Mondragon & Moises Nieto-Martinez, are passionate about cutting hair and are looking forward to learning lots from this partnership. A big THANK YOU to Ms. Lotersmith, Mr. Adame and Ms. Williams for getting this started! Big shout out to Sergio Gonzalez, the manager at Skinny's who was willing to take this on and to the owner, John C. for allowing us to start this at his shop! We will keep you updated on the progress of the program!

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/