Covington Connection

Gratitude is defined as the conscious appreciation of what is meaningful in our lives, and here in Covington, there is so much to be grateful for.

From the moment children first walk through our doors, they are surrounded by adults who will help shape their journey. At the time, they may not fully realize it, but years later, they often look back with gratitude for the teacher who helped them overcome testing anxiety, or the counselor who listened as they shared everything from struggles with friends to their dreams and goals after graduation.

That spirit of gratitude extends to every role within our schools. Educators and staff have a profound and lasting impact, not only on academic success, but on emotional growth and life beyond the classroom. From the bus driver who starts a student’s day with a smile, to the custodian who ensures our spaces are safe and welcoming, all our staff contribute in meaningful ways.

While test scores may capture a small part of what happens in our schools, they cannot measure the encouragement, compassion, and belief that staff pour into students every day. As I walk through our buildings, visit classrooms, and connect with staff, I am filled with gratitude seeing the positive, supportive environments you create, places where students are encouraged to believe in themselves and their potential.

Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4–8), is the perfect time to pause and express that gratitude. To all Covington staff, thank you. Your ability to turn challenges into opportunities, to lift students up, and to help each child recognize their strengths does not go unnoticed. You are the foundation of the Covington community, and we are incredibly grateful for all that you do.

I encourage everyone to take a moment to share that gratitude. Whether it’s a handwritten note, a kind word, or a small gesture, those moments of appreciation matter more than we often realize.

“You may not always see it, but your presence in this world
has left ripples far beyond what you know…
Someone stands a little taller because you believed in them,
walks a little lighter because you were there,
and dreams bigger because you told them they could.
You matter more than you realize.”
—Writer’s Blossoms

As we enter the final stretch of the school year, with just a few weeks remaining, I am filled with gratitude for the work happening across our district each day. Let’s finish strong and continue celebrating the moments—big and small—that make our school community so special.

Together, we are better.

We’re excited to share an important update regarding our communication with Covington families.

Beginning August 1, 2026, Covington Exempted Village Schools will transition from Remind to ParentSquare as our primary communication platform. At that time, Remind and One Call Now will no longer be used and all district, school, and classroom communication, including weather cancellation alerts, will be sent using ParentSquare.

ParentSquare aquired Remind in 2023, and they are now working to move all school districts over to their more comprehensive platform. While we have had great success with Remind, ParentSquare will allow us to streamline communication and provide a more consistent, user-friendly experience for our families. With ParentSquare, you’ll continue to receive updates, announcements, and messages from teachers, administrators, and coaches, all in one place.

What does this mean for you:

• Remind will no longer be used after July 31, 2026. To ensure a smooth season, all fall sports teams will utilize ParentSquare beginning this summer.
• All messages and alerts will be sent through ParentSquare.
• Families should activate/register their accounts and download the ParentSquare app to continue receiving communications without interruption.
• Guidelines for transitioning from Remind to ParentSquare are attached.
  
  

What ParentSquare offers:

• Receive messages via email, text, or the free mobile app.
• View school announcements, photos, and calendar events.
• Send and receive direct messages with teachers and staff.
• ParentSquare includes advanced features, like sign-ups, StudentSquare for student messaging (grades 6-12), and calendars. You’ll find many familiar features from Remind, along with new tools that enhance communication and keep you more connected to your child’s school experience.
  
  

See this short Getting Started One-Pager to help you learn more.

We are currently in the pilot stage of our implementation, and parents will begin to see invitations to activate their account later this Spring or Summer. There is nothing you must do at this time, but please keep an eye out for that invitation email. We will continue to send out updates as we prepare for this transition going into the 2026-2027 school year.

Once you receive your invitation email, we encourage all families to complete their ParentSquare registration as soon as possible to ensure a smooth transition.

If you have questions, you can access the Help section within ParentSquare by clicking the question mark on the website or the menu icon in the app. This section has resources such as help articles, which include answers to frequently asked questions.

You can also visit our district website for videos, tutorials, and helpful ParentSquare resources (located under the Students & Parents tab).

Thank you for your continued support as we make this exciting transition.

We are excited to introduce a new Senior Spotlight feature for Covington High School! In the weeks leading up to graduation, we will be highlighting members of the Class of 2026 on the district’s social media pages to celebrate their accomplishments and future plans.

Seniors can fill out the form themselves, or parents/guardians are welcome to complete it on their behalf.

You will need to upload:

• One current senior photo

• One baby photo or photo from when they were younger

Submit your Senior Spotlight here:

https://forms.gle/oTpVewubGLK9B3pL7

If you have any questions or experience any issues with the form, please contact:

Jenny Alexander

alexanderj@covingtonk12.org

Let’s celebrate our amazing seniors and their educational journey!

Covington Exempted Village Schools is proud to recognize our outstanding Students of the Month for April. These students exemplify Bucc Pride through their hard work, positive attitudes, and commitment to excellence both in and out of the classroom.

April Students of the Month

• Elementary: Olivia Sprankle

• Middle School: Renee Johnson

• High School: Alison Sink
  
  

Each of these students has demonstrated exceptional character, leadership, and dedication to learning. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and grateful for the positive impact they make within our schools.

Covington High School’s Prom 2026 was a magical evening filled with celebration, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Held on April 25th at the beautiful Lostcreek Memory Barn, students enjoyed a night surrounded by friends, music, and the excitement that makes prom such a cherished tradition.

One of the highlights of the evening was the crowning of our Prom Royalty. Congratulations to our 2026 Prom King and Queen, Owen Leistner and Nell Rogers! This honor reflects the respect and admiration of their peers, and we are incredibly proud to recognize them on such a special night.

From the elegant venue to the energy on the dance floor, Prom 2026 truly showcased the spirit and camaraderie of our students. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate not only the end of the school year, but also the friendships and memories that make Covington High School so special.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this evening possible. It’s a night our students will remember for years to come!

Prom Court (L-R): Jayden Wackler & Danicka Finfrock; Brodie Manson & Cailyn Wagner; Day’Lynn Garrett & Caleigh Gilpin; Owen Leistner & Nell Rogers; Christian Clark & Lily Mumford; Caleb Smith & Jayda McClure.

Covington FFA members recently represented our school with excellence at the State FFA Convention, earning top honors and continuing a strong tradition of leadership and achievement.

The Covington FFA Chapter was recognized as a Gold Medal Chapter, one of the highest distinctions awarded at the state level. This honor reflects the chapter’s commitment to student growth, community involvement, and agricultural education.

In addition to this outstanding recognition, Covington FFA ranked among the Top Ten in Growing Leaders and Top Ten Overall in the state—an incredible accomplishment that highlights the dedication and hard work of our members and advisors.

Individually, Whitney Burns delivered an exceptional performance, earning 4th Place in the State in Agricultural Education. This achievement showcases her passion for the field and her commitment to excellence.

We are incredibly proud of our Covington FFA members for representing our school and community with pride. Congratulations to all involved on an outstanding showing at the State FFA Convention!

On April 9, Covington High School proudly celebrated the induction of its newest members into the National Honor Society during a special Induction Service. This prestigious honor recognizes students who exemplify the core values of scholarship, leadership, service, and character—qualities that represent the very best of Covington.

The ceremony highlighted the dedication and achievements of these outstanding students, each of whom has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence and making a positive impact within the school and community.

Please join us in congratulating our newest National Honor Society members:

Aiden Adams
Drake Angle
Gabriella Coblentz
Aiden Curtis
Violet Deeter
Caylor Eastman
Maria Godin
Mackenzie Grear
Zoe Holfinger
Aubrey Hoying
Justine Johnson
Jordan Miller
Addison Moore
Delaney Murphy
Behn Napier
Willow Pellman
Landon Reynolds
Marissa Santos
Matthew Schneider
Alison Sink

We are incredibly proud of each of these students for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. Their achievements continue to make Covington shine, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make in the future.

Congratulations to our newest NHS inductees!

As we head into the final month of the school year, Buccs Café would like to share an important reminder for families. Beginning May 1, lunch accounts must have available funds, as charging for meals will no longer be permitted.

We encourage families to check their child’s account balance and add funds as needed to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted lunch experience. Deposits can be made quickly and easily online by visiting: rmd.me/iHJogK8w9yO.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs. Flora at 937-473-8325.

Thank you for your attention to this important update and for helping us keep our cafeteria running smoothly as we finish the school year strong!

The Covington Lady Buccs are putting together an unforgettable season, highlighted by dominant performances, record-breaking moments, and a lineup full of talent from top to bottom.

Throughout the spring, the Lady Buccs have continued to showcase their offensive power and depth, consistently putting runs on the board and overwhelming opponents. In a standout performance earlier this season, the team set a school record with seven home runs in a single game, including a remarkable stretch of four consecutive home runs, tying a state record and setting the tone for what has become a historic year at the plate.

That momentum carried into another incredible showing on April 29, when the Lady Buccs defeated Milton-Union 22-6. Junior Emalyn Johnson delivered a performance for the record books, blasting four home runs in the game to tie a state record. Her big night also allowed her to tie the Covington single-season record with 15 home runs and break the program’s career home run record, now standing at 30.

Johnson is just one example of the firepower this team brings. Players like Nell Rogers, Ava Hartwig, Jayda McClure, and others have consistently contributed key hits, helping push the Lady Buccs toward one of the most productive offensive seasons in program history. The team continues to close in on the school record for home runs in a season, a testament to their relentless approach at the plate.

Beyond the stats, this team’s success is fueled by strong leadership, especially from the senior class of Nell Rogers, Jayda McClure, Taylor Foutz, Whitney Burns, and Emma Ouellette have helped guide the team with experience, energy, and a commitment to excellence.

Game after game, the Lady Buccs are proving they are a force to be reckoned with. With a mix of veteran leadership and standout underclassmen performances, Covington softball is not just having a great season, they’re building a legacy.

It’s been an exciting stretch for Covington’s junior high track teams, highlighted by outstanding performances, record-breaking moments, and strong finishes against tough competition.

The JH Girls Track Team continues to impress, capturing a Runner-Up finish at the Miami East Invitational out of 10 teams before turning around and claiming the championship title at the Greenville Invitational over the weekend. Their consistency, depth, and determination have been key factors in this incredible run.

The JH Boys Team also delivered a solid performance, earning a sixth-place finish at the Miami East Invitational and contributing to an overall strong showing for Covington.

Adding to the excitement, the meet featured two new school records, showcasing the talent and hard work of these student-athletes:

• The 4x800 Relay Team of Ivy Long, Natalie Parke, Caitlin Vaughan, and Tessa Lyons set a new school record with a time of 11:21.76
• Mikayla Jacomet broke the school record in the Long Jump with an impressive leap of 15’6”

Mikayla wasn’t finished there, she also set a new school record in the 200-meter hurdles, crossing the line in 31.47, capping off a remarkable individual performance.

These accomplishments reflect the dedication, teamwork, and competitive spirit of Covington’s junior high athletes. With momentum on their side, the Buccs are proving they are a force to be reckoned with.

As we make our way into spring and the warmer months ahead, the weather can still be unpredictable. Cool mornings often give way to milder afternoons. During this transition, it’s important for students to dress in layers so they stay comfortable throughout the entire school day, from morning drop-off to recess and dismissal.

To help students stay comfortable while enjoying time outdoors, here’s a simple guide for dressing appropriately for the changing weather:

Kindergarten Registration Now Open for 2026–2027 School Year

Covington Exempted Village Schools is excited to announce that Kindergarten Registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open! Families with a future Bucc ready to begin their school journey are encouraged to complete the online registration process.

Children who will be 5 years old by August 26, 2026, are eligible to enroll in kindergarten for the upcoming school year. Starting school is an important milestone, and our staff looks forward to partnering with families to ensure a smooth and successful beginning for each student.

Parents and guardians can find information and complete the online registration forms by visiting the district website:
https://www.covington.k12.oh.us/.../kindergarten...

If you have questions or need assistance with the registration process, please contact the K–8 Office. Our staff is happy to help guide you through each step.

Families should also note that online registration for new students in Grades 1–12 for the 2026–2027 school year is now open.

We look forward to welcoming our newest Buccaneers and beginning an exciting educational journey together!

It’s never too early to plan ahead! The 2025–2026 Calendar Snapshot calendar includes all the major milestones for this school year.