CMS Cougar Newsletter

A Letter from the Principal

Dear Cougar Families,

It’s hard to believe we’ve already turned the page to the second quarter! The first nine weeks were filled with learning, growth, and moments that truly showcased the heart of our Cougar community. From classrooms to the hallways to after-school activities, our students have shown what it means to be committed, curious, and proud to be a COUGAR.

As we enter the second quarter, we’re also moving full speed ahead with our Race to Excellence plan — a schoolwide commitment to ensuring every student reaches their full potential. This plan focuses on consistent attendance, academic growth, and positive behavior, all grounded in our COUGAR values. Each day, we’re encouraging our students to show up, work hard, and make the most of every opportunity to learn.

The second quarter is one of the most important times of the school year. It’s when routines are established, learning deepens, and students begin to connect the dots between effort and achievement. The habits our students build right now, especially showing up, staying engaged, and giving their best, will have a major impact on their success, both this year and in the future.

That’s why attendance matters more than ever. Each lesson builds on the one before it. When students are absent, even for a short time, they miss valuable instruction that can make it harder to keep up and harder to feel confident. Every day in class is a new opportunity to learn, grow, and move one step closer to excellence.

We need your partnership to help us cross that finish line strong. Please make sure your child is at school every day and on time. Set morning routines, plan appointments after school hours when possible, and encourage your child to take pride in being present. When students show up, they’re not just learning content — they’re building the discipline, responsibility, and confidence that define true success.

Our teachers are working hard to deliver engaging, high-impact lessons that challenge and inspire. But the real magic happens when our students are in their seats, ready to learn. Together, through our Race to Excellence, we can make this quarter a time of powerful growth and Cougar pride.

Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and partnership. Let’s make this second quarter one to remember — full of effort, attendance, and excellence in every way!

With Cougar Pride,

Lori Mattson

Interim Principal

Covington Middle School

Cougar Pride in Our School🐾

This past week at Covington Middle School was filled with purpose and positivity as we focused on two important themes - Anti-Bullying and Red Ribbon Week. Our students and staff came together to learn, reflect, and take action to make CMS a place where everyone feels safe, valued, and proud to be a Cougar.

Throughout the week, we had meaningful conversations about what it means to stand up against bullying and how we can all contribute to a culture of kindness and respect. From classroom discussions to spirit days, our Cougars showed that kindness is strength and that everyone belongs here.

We also celebrated Red Ribbon Week, joining schools across the nation in taking a stand for healthy, drug-free living. Each themed day reminded us that making positive choices - for ourselves and others - helps us build the future we want and deserve. From “Rally in Red” to “Team Up Against Drugs,” our students’ creativity, energy, and enthusiasm were on full display all week long!

Our theme this year, “Cougars Choose to Be Drug Free,” couldn’t have been more fitting. CMS students continue to prove that when we support one another, celebrate what makes us unique, and choose kindness and courage every day, we create a school community that shines.

Thank you to our staff, students, and families for making this week so special. Together, we are truly One School and One Team!

💻 Chromebook Reminder 💻

As we begin the 2nd quarter, it’s important for every Cougar to come to school each day with their Chromebook fully charged and ready to learn. Having a charged device helps students stay engaged in lessons, complete classwork, and take advantage of all the great learning opportunities this quarter has to offer.

Families, thank you for continuing to remind students to charge their Chromebooks each night. Your support helps keep our classrooms running smoothly and our Cougars set up for success!

We are beyond proud of Mrs. Kara Boone, 6th Grade Language Arts Teacher, who has officially completed her Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration and passed the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA)!

This incredible achievement represents years of dedication, late nights, and perseverance. The SLLA is a rigorous computer-based exam required for an initial endorsement in Administration and Supervision - and earning that endorsement also requires a master’s degree, a supervised internship, at least three years of teaching experience, and completion of an approved leadership program.

Mrs. Boone has met every one of those milestones with determination and heart. Please join us in celebrating this amazing accomplishment - we are so proud of you! 💙

#COUGARPRIDE #HardWorkPaysOff

Our 8th Grade Leadership Class recently enjoyed an exciting and educational trip to Busch Gardens and the Virginia State Capitol! At Busch Gardens, students had a blast - some even experienced their very first roller coaster ride! Laughter, teamwork, and plenty SCREAMS filled the day.

During their visit to the State Capitol, students took part in a guided tour where they learned about the rich history of the Commonwealth. They had the unique opportunity to sit in both the former House and Senate chambers, as well as the current House chamber, bringing their Civics lessons to life.

This trip was a powerful reminder that learning happens everywhere—from the classroom to the community. Through experiences in Civics, Leadership, and Character Education, our students discovered that education can be both meaningful and fun!

One of the most important skills your child will ever develop is the ability to read—and read well. At Covington Middle School, we see every day how hard our students and teachers are working to strengthen this essential skill. But we also see the challenge ahead: too many of our students are not yet reading at the level they need to thrive in middle school, high school, and beyond.

This is not a challenge our school can solve alone. We need our entire Cougar community—families, teachers, and students—working together to make reading a priority both in and out of school.

At CMS, we are making important shifts in how we teach reading, grounded in the Science of Reading and the latest best practices. Yet research is clear: the greatest gains happen when schools and families partner to support reading growth. When you make reading a regular part of your home routine, you are doing something that changes the trajectory of your child’s future.

Here are a few powerful ways to help at home:
📚 Make reading a daily habit. Just 15–20 minutes each night builds stamina, fluency, and confidence.
💬 Talk about what your child is reading. Ask questions, share reactions, and make reading a conversation.
👀 Model the love of reading. Let your child see you reading—books, magazines, even recipes count!
🗣️ Build language through conversation. Dinner, car rides, or bedtime talks strengthen vocabulary and comprehension.
🤝 Stay connected. Reach out to your child’s Language Arts teacher if you need ideas or support.

Every time you read together, talk about a book, or encourage your child to keep going when it gets hard, you are helping them build a skill that opens doors for life.

Together, we can build a community where every Cougar becomes a confident, capable reader. Your partnership matters. Your involvement matters. And most of all—our students’ futures matter too much to do anything less than our very best.

📚 Cougars… Keep Reading and Reaching!

The Covington Middle School Library continues the last week of the 2025 Read-A-Thon - and our Cougars are reading! Students have jumped right in, showing enthusiasm, focus, and a true love for reading. It’s inspiring to see so many Cougars taking charge of their learning and proving that readers truly are leaders!

The Read-A-Thon runs through Friday, October 31, 2025, which have given our students the entire month to set goals, challenge themselves, and celebrate their reading growth.

Families can still join the fun by activating their child’s personal page to track reading progress and cheer them on throughout the month! If you haven’t yet, simply visit:
https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/UHvfyF/1?utm=email
and follow the quick steps to get started.

We love using Read-A-Thon because it:
✅ Builds reading skills in a fun, engaging way
✅ Motivates students to set goals and celebrate success
✅ Encourages family and community support with minimal time commitment

Looking forward to seeing how minutes have been logged! Let’s finish this week strong — Cougars read with pride, purpose, and passion! 💙📖

Mrs. Dujardin's Classroom:

Students painted pumpkins this past week as Halloween approaches.

✏️ Language Arts Update

6th Grade:

In Mrs. Linsin's language arts class, students will continue working on their novel unit, Lois Lowry's The Giver, which we began last Monday. Additionally, students will begin working on correcting run-on sentences and using adverbs effectively.

In Mrs. Linsin's English strategies class, students are beginning a new unit on figurative language this week.

7th Grade:

Mrs. Knighton’s class has been diving into the exciting world of argument and analysis, practicing how to identify claims and find supporting evidence. Next up, students will explore connotation and denotation, discovering the power of word choice in shaping meaning.

Mrs. Fields' class has been sharpening their reading skills by examining nonfiction text features, learning how authors organize information to guide understanding. Next week, we’ll take it a step further and dive into nonfiction text structures, helping students unlock even more strategies for mastering informational texts.

🔢 Math Update

Congratulations to our Math Students for their outstanding effort and dedication this week:

• 6th Grade: Ezra Smart

• 7th Grade: Carly Phillips

• 8th Grade: Daisy Hodge

• Algebra: Kyndall Jones

These students have gone above and beyond—actively participating in class, showing focus, and giving their very best. Their hard work truly shines, and we are so proud of their accomplishments!

Our entire math program continues to challenge students with complex lessons and strategies designed to strengthen their problem-solving and learning skills.

A reminder for 6th and 7th graders: Students are expected to complete 30 minutes per week on Zearn to support their ongoing growth and practice. Keep up the great work, Cougars!

🗺️ History Department Update

6th Grade:
Students will continue learning about Native American cultures this week. They’re exploring how geography, environment, and traditions shaped different groups across North America.

7th Grade:
Students are wrapping up their Choice Board Projects early this week before diving deeper into our next unit on the Industrialization and Big Business Era. We’ll explore four key specialized industries and their locations, as well as the influential Captains of Industry who helped shape America’s growth during this time. Students will also make connections between innovation, labor, and economic change as we continue this exciting unit.

8th Grade - Civics & Economics:
This week, students learned about the Legislative Branch of Virginia’s Government and the state lawmaking process, as well as the Executive Branch and the important roles of the Virginia Governor. Classes even proposed and debated their own bills—just like real legislators! We look forward to closing out our CE.3 Unit on Virginia State Government next week.

🔬 Science Update

6th Grade:

Our sixth graders continued their properties of water unit, which they will be testing on Tuesday of next week. Most of the week was used to discuss how water is essential to all life here on Earth. They also watched a capillary action demo of dyed water travelling through celery changing the leaves.

7th Grade:

Seventh grade continued their exploration of cell transport covering osmosis and diffusion. They completed a lab on skittles diffusing into water, changing the color through osmosis. We also placed eggs into vinegar, causing the shell to dissolve. Allowing vinegar to move into the egg causing it to swell in size.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: CELL PROJECTS FOR BOTH MS. HINKLE & MS. SHINGLER ARE DUE OCTOBER 31ST!!!!!

8th Grade:

Eighth grade is still hard at work studying their periodic table, and parts of an atomic structure. They are continuing their "Adopt an Element" project, and we are excited to see what they come up with!

🎶 The Weekly Beat 🎶

Choir Highlights/Updates

• This week, we continued work on our Holiday concert music as well as preparing their all-district choir prepared piece, “Beautiful Dreamer.”

• 6th Grade will take a test on note name identification on Wednesday 10/29.

Band Highlights/Updates

• The band explored the many uncommon instruments that exist outside of the common band room.

Reminders for Families

• Any parents interested in being a part of the Performing Arts Boosters should consider attending our next meeting this Monday 10/27 @ Alleghany High School at 6:30 PM in the Cafeteria.

• Any missing Krispy Kreme orders will be available for pickup on Wednesday 10/29 from 4-5pm in the cafeteria. Let Mr. Snedegar know if you have any questions or concerns.

Special Opportunities

• Tri-M

• Recital Practice 11/5 in Curfman from 4-6pm

• Next Regular Meeting 11/20 from 4-5pm in the Band Room.

• Spring Musical

• Spring Musical audition info for cast and crew is available with Mr. Snedegar in Curfman Hall. This is open to all students at CMS! This year’s show will be Aladdin Jr.

🎨Art Update:

Artists of the Week

We are excited to recognize the amazing creativity that continues to happen in our art classrooms! Congratulations to this week’s Artists of the Week:

• Jase Townsend, 6th grade, Chinese inspired pagodas
• Harmony Ramos, 7th grade, Animals in social media
• Kaylee Snook, 8th grade, Styrofoam print

Your hard work, creativity, and dedication light up our school. Keep shining, COUGARS!!

Mr. Arritt's 6th graders took their math skills to the next level this week! They created number lines featuring positive and negative numbers, absolute value, and even word problems to show real-world connections. Their creativity and understanding truly add up to math mastery in action!

Covington Middle School

Asst. Principal: Mr. Marty Wood

Asst. Principal/Athletic Director: Mr. Zach Hamilton

Main Office: 540-965-1410

Attendance Email: Attendance Notes
Website: https://cms.ahps.k12.va.us/
Location: 606 South Lexington Avenue, Covington, VA 24426
Phone: 540-965-1410
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CovingtonMSCougars
Instagram: cmscougars2023