CMS Cougar Newsletter

One Team. One Track. One Goal: Excellence for Every Student!

A Letter from the Principal

This Wednesday, our 8th grade students will begin with the Civics SOL, kicking off an important time for our entire school community. We could not be more proud of our students. They have worked incredibly hard all year long, and we are excited for them to show what they know.

Let me reassure you - this is not a time for stress or pressure. This is a time for confidence. Our students are ready.

Throughout this year, we have seen tremendous growth - academically, socially, and personally. From their effort in the classroom to the determination shown during our recent assessments, including the 8th grade IRW SOL, our students continue to rise to the occasion. Their hard work and commitment do not go unnoticed, and we are incredibly proud of each and every one of them.

As we begin testing, please keep the following important dates in mind:

• May 6: 8th Grade Civics SOL
• May 12: Reading SOL (Grades 6–8)
• May 14: 8th Grade Science SOL
• May 19: Math SOL (Grades 6–8)

These assessments are an opportunity for students to demonstrate the learning and growth they have achieved throughout the year. We are confident in their readiness and know they will give their best effort.

You can help your child be prepared on testing days by ensuring they:

• Bring their Chromebook fully charged each day
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Eat a healthy breakfast
• Take their time and do their very best

A fully charged Chromebook is essential during testing, and your support in helping students come prepared each day is greatly appreciated.

We also recognize that this time of year can be challenging. With warmer weather and summer just around the corner, it can be tempting for students to begin to “check out.” We ask for your partnership in encouraging your child to stay focused and finish the journey strong.

The race is not over - the finish line is in sight.

Attendance is more important now than ever before. Each day in class matters, especially during testing and these final weeks of instruction. Unless your child is truly sick, please ensure they are present, on time, and ready to learn.

We are proud to share that we continue to see positive momentum in attendance. We will continue to build on this success, and your support plays a critical role in making this possible.

In addition to staying present, we ask that you continue to reinforce a few key expectations with your child:

• Stay focused and give their best effort
• Listen carefully and follow teacher directions
• Treat others with kindness and respect

These simple actions make a powerful difference in creating a positive and productive learning environment for all students.

Even during this busy season, there is so much to celebrate at CMS. This past weekend, our students truly shined on stage during performances of Aladdin Jr. Our cast and crew delivered an outstanding show, showcasing incredible talent, dedication, and hard work. We are so proud of each and every student who contributed to these performances on both Friday and Saturday - what an unforgettable experience for our school community!

A special thank you to Mr. Snedegar and Ms. Martin for their time, passion, and commitment to making this production such a success. Their leadership helped bring out the very best in our students.

We are truly fortunate to have such a talented group of students here at CMS - GREAT JOB, COUGARS!

In addition, our spring sports teams continue to light up the scoreboard. We are incredibly proud of the effort, teamwork, and determination our student-athletes have shown throughout this past week. They represent CMS with pride both on and off the field!

As we look ahead, it is hard to believe we are just weeks away from the final day of school. These last weeks are incredibly important. We encourage all students to stay focused, complete their assignments, ask questions when needed, and continue putting forth their very best effort each day.

Finishing strong matters - and it sets the tone for future success.

We also have exciting activities and celebrations planned as we close out the year, and we want every student to be part of those moments. Being present, engaged, and committed will ensure they don’t miss out.

Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and partnership. Together, we are making a difference for our students each and every day.

Let’s continue to work together to ensure every student crosses the finish line successfully.

They can do this and we believe in them!

What an absolutely spectacular set of performances by our CMS cast and crew in Aladdin Jr.! Our students lit up the stage with incredible talent, energy, and heart - truly showcasing the very best of CMS. Every moment reflected the hard work, dedication, and countless hours poured into this production.

A tremendous shoutout to Ben Snedegar, director, Tara Martin, and the entire cast and crew for their unwavering commitment and passion. Because of their efforts, this production was nothing short of outstanding.

We could not be more proud - BRAVO, COUGARS!

Here is 3 minute clip from a scene of the CMS Musical, Aladdin, Jr. - check it out:

We are proud to celebrate an outstanding achievement in the arts at CMS! Congratulations to Daisy Hodges for earning Best in Show for her exceptional drawing, Why So Odd?, at the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center Annual Student Art Show. Daisy’s work stood out for its creativity, originality, and artistic excellence, truly capturing the attention of judges and viewers alike.

CMS was well represented with many student winners, showcasing the incredible talent within our school. A special congratulations to Mallory Hale, whose artwork was selected to be sold at the show- an impressive accomplishment and a true testament to her artistic skill and dedication.

The exhibit is currently on display at the Arts and Crafts Center through the end of May. We encourage our families to stop by and experience the amazing work of our talented students.

Here is the list of our talented award winners:

BEST IN SHOW

Daisy Hodges WHY SO ODD? Drawing

PAINTING (watercolor, acrylic, tempera)

First place Tara West SELFIE

Second Place Hayleigh Dotson GIRAFFE

Hon. Mention Jemma Wright TREE UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Hon. Mention Alexa Coronado MOUNTAINS

PRINTMAKING (linoleum cut, collograph, intaglio)

First Place Kaylee Snook FLORAL PRINTS

Second Place Abigail Ward ZENTANGLE WHALE

Hon. Mention Abigail Ward TROPICAL

Hon Mention Loretta Lancaster HERE I COME!

DRAWING (pencil, pen & ink, marker, colored pencil, scratchboard, oil pastel, pastel)

First Place Maci Mullins Doran INTO THE DEEP

Second Place Gwen Halterman DEWEY’S CREAMERY

Hon. Mention Morgan Roberts AUTUMN BREEZE

Hon. Mention Samuel Vargas NEW YORK CITY

Hon. Mention Alexa Coronado FANTA!

SCULPTURE (3-D, non-functional)

First Place Morgan Roberts ICE CREAM SCULPTURE

COLLAGE/ MIXED MEDIA

First place Jemma Wright WOLF IN THE SNOW

Second place Mallory Hale PATTERNED PUMPKINS

Hon. Mention Ellie Brooks ALIEN

FIBER (yarn, ceramics , handmade paper, paper weaving, basketry, etc)

First place Emma Morgan WEAVING BLUES

We are so proud of all of our Cougar artists - what an incredible showing! 🎨🐾

Mrs. Fields' 7th-grade Language Arts classes are gearing up for the SOLs through engaging and interactive review! Students are earning points through “SOL Snapshots,” building their skills while competing in exciting, high-energy games like Trashketball and Football Cornhole.

🔢 Math Department Update

This week’s Math Students of the Week have shown outstanding effort, focus, and determination in the classroom! They consistently come prepared to learn, participate actively in discussions, and demonstrate strong problem-solving skills. Their positive attitude and willingness to help others make them a great role model for their peers.

6th Grade – Payson Smith

7th Grade – Daisy Catron

8th Grade – Memphis Craft

Algebra – Carter Wyatt

We are officially eighteen days away from the state math test, and our students have been working hard to build confidence and sharpen their skills! In class, we are reviewing key concepts, practicing problem-solving strategies, and focusing on showing clear mathematical thinking.

Families can support success at home by encouraging students to:

• Practice math skills for a few minutes each night

• Get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast

• Stay positive and take their time when solving problems

Remind your child that effort matters—progress comes from persistence! We are proud of the growth we’ve seen and are excited for students to show what they know.

Thank you for your continued support!

🔬 Science Department Update

6th Grade: Our sixth graders had an exciting week of introducing our "Space" unit. They learned the difference between terrestrial and gas giant planets. They also gained knowledge about how mass, and the distance from the Sun affect gravitational pull of planets.

At Covington Middle School, we are excited to announce that our After-School Tutoring Program is up and running and ready to welcome your student! This program is designed to provide additional time and targeted instruction to help students strengthen key academic skills, close learning gaps, and build confidence in their abilities.

During these sessions, teachers work with students in small groups to focus on specific areas where extra support is needed, while also reinforcing important concepts currently being taught in class. Students will receive individualized guidance, practice, and help with current assignments - all within a structured and encouraging learning environment.

Tutoring sessions take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45–6:00 PM and will continue through May 5, with a special session on that day.

We encourage families to partner with us in taking advantage of this opportunity to help students grow as learners, strengthen their skills, and feel confident in their academic progress. Permission forms are available in the Main Office.

There is one more opportunity for students to receive their required sports physical:

• May 6 at Clifton Academy (Grades 5–11, 4:00–7:00 PM)

Important Reminder:
Parents/guardians must complete and sign all required VHSL physical form pages before their student can be seen.

📄 Forms are available in the CMS main office, online under the Athletics/Activities section, or click on the following link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DqphGNrb6Ju6KULRINt7_3hLhjQ51FsS/view?usp=drivesdk

Boy's Soccer

Monday's home game vs Radford 3-2 loss. Goalie Sam Nickell had 18 saves. Samuel Vargas and Dalton Vance both scored goals for the Cougars.

Super close game Thursday vs Christiansburg. 2-1 loss. Goalie Sam Nickell had 14 saves. Oliver Brown and Sam Vargas had shots on goal and Dalton Vance scored our goal. Defense and midfield both played tough. This was our last game of the season.

Girl's Soccer

Win 5-0 vs. Radford. Emeri Brown had 4 goals. Ashtyn Crawford had 1. Marley had 4 saves.

Softball

Win 10-0 @ Highland County

Loss 10-8 vs. Shawsville

Baseball

No games this week

Track

Boys 4th place team

Joh-vauntae Robinson - 3rd: 200m, high jump, 5th: 100m; Graham Kenny - 4th: 1600m; 2nd: 3200m; Boys Relays - 4th: 4x100m, 3rd: 4x400m, 4x55m hurdles; Steven Leigh - 3rd, shot put

Izaike O'Conner finished the season ranked top 5 in the state of Virginia for discuss

Girls 6th place team

Journee Tate - 1st: 100m; Girls Relays - 2nd: 4x100m, 4th: 4x400m, 4x800m, 5th: 4x55m hurdles; Kinley Uzzell - 2nd: high jump; Aubrey Byer - 4th: high jump

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