CMS Cougar Newsletter
April 20, 2026
A Letter from the Principal - Week of April 20, 2026
One Team. One Track. One Goal: Excellence for Every Student!
A Letter from the Principal
As we continue through this exciting spring season, it has been another busy - but incredibly good - week here at CMS! Our classrooms remain filled with learning, growth, and determination, and our students continue to make us proud in so many ways. There is truly a special energy in the building right now as we head into the final stretch of the school year.
We are especially excited to celebrate our athletic success this week! A huge shoutout goes to our Boys Soccer team for earning their first win in program history! On Monday, April 13th, they faced Lylburn Downing Middle School and came away with a big victory. This is a tremendous milestone for our program, and we could not be more proud of their hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. Great job, Cougars!
Our Cougar April Attendance Madness Challenge is also in full swing, and the competition is heating up! We already have several first period classes that have earned rewards for achieving 100% attendance for the entire day - no checkouts, no tardies, and on time to every class. Congratulations to:
- Arredondo's All Stars
- Bauguess' Battalion
- Hinkle's Weather Warriors
- The Boonies
- Simmonsaurus Rex's
- Miller's Mini Minions
- Dameron's Dynamite Students
- Sgt. Shepard's A Team
- Knighton's No-Snooze Ninjas
- Mrs. Dobbs’ class
- Mrs. Linsin’s class
This is an incredible accomplishment! Remember - no first period class is out of the race. The championship is still up for grabs, and every single day matters. Let’s keep pushing - be here and be on time!
As we look ahead to this coming week, our 8th grade students will take the Integrated Reading and Writing (IRW) assessment on Wednesday, April 22nd. This assessment is an important component of the Standards of Learning (SOL) Reading test, and we will begin promptly at the start of the school day. We appreciate your support in helping your child be fully prepared - please remind them to charge their Chromebook, get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, arrive on time, and most importantly, to simply do their very best. We believe in them!
SOL testing season is quickly approaching, and our students have been working hard all year to prepare. These assessments are an opportunity for them to show what they know and demonstrate their growth. Our focus continues to be on building confidence, reducing stress, and supporting every student along the way.
Upcoming SOL Testing Dates:
- April 22: IRW (8th grade)
- May 6: Civics (8th grade)
- May 12: Reading (6th–8th grade)
- May 14: Science (8th grade)
- May 19: Math (6th–8th grade)
We are also excited to welcome our future Cougars! Our Rising 6th Grade Parent/Student Night will be held on Thursday, April 23rd at 6:00pm. This is going to be a very special evening, and we look forward to meeting our incoming students and families, sharing what makes CMS such a great place, and helping them begin their middle school journey with confidence and excitement.
As always, after-school tutoring continues every Tuesday and Thursday. This is a great opportunity for students to receive extra support, ask questions, and strengthen their understanding as we move closer to the end of the year.
Time is flying by, and every day truly counts. We are committed to making the most of each moment - supporting, encouraging, and celebrating our students every step of the way. Thank you for your continued partnership in helping our students stay motivated, present, and confident.
Let’s finish strong, Cougars! 💙
Sincerely,
Lori Mattson
Principal
Covington Middle School
SPRING SPORTS PHOTO CREDITS: Lesley Reynolds Nickell, with Alleghany Highlands Sports Photos - THANK YOU!!!
CMS Track
CMS Baseball
CMS Softball
In Mrs. Simmons’ 8th grade classes, learning came to life this week in a way that was both unforgettable and full of laughter. Students were given a simple task: write an essay explaining how to make a cheese sandwich. Sounds easy…until you realize just how important every single word becomes.
The goal? Precision. Clarity. Detail.
To bring their writing to life, Mrs. Simmons took four student essays and followed their directions exactly as written - no assumptions, no added steps, no “filling in the gaps.” What followed was a hilarious (and eye-opening) experience as a cheese sandwich was created based only on the words on the page. The results? Let’s just say…not all sandwiches turned out as expected!
But that’s where the magic happened.
This engaging activity gave students a powerful, real-world understanding of a critical skill emphasized in the Virginia 8th Grade Reading Standards of Learning (SOLs) - the ability to write with clarity, organization, and purpose so that the reader can fully understand the message. Students quickly saw how missing details, unclear sequencing, or vague language can completely change meaning.
This lesson directly connects to the expectations of the Integrated Reading and Writing (IRW) component of the Reading SOL, where students must:
- Communicate ideas clearly and effectively
- Organize their thoughts in a logical sequence
- Use precise language to guide the reader
- Revise and refine their writing for clarity and impact
Through this hands-on experience, students didn’t just learn these skills - they lived them. They laughed, they reflected, and most importantly, they grew as writers.
What a creative and meaningful way to prepare for the IRW assessment on Wednesday! Experiences like this build confidence and deepen understanding in ways that last far beyond a single test.
We are so proud of our students and the effort they are putting into their learning each day.
You’ve put in the work - now it’s time to shine. YOU’VE GOT THIS, COUGARS! 🐾
Here's a brief clip from the "How To Make A Cheese Sandwich"...check it out:
On Thursday and Friday, we were incredibly proud to have two of our outstanding students, Abigail Powell and Penelope Thompson, represent CMS at the All-Virginia Honors Choir in Richmond. This prestigious opportunity brought together some of the most talented young vocalists from across the Commonwealth, and Abigail and Penelope rose to the occasion with excellence and grace.
Over the course of two days, they immersed themselves in rigorous rehearsals, collaborating with fellow high-achieving students and distinguished conductors to prepare an exceptional performance. Their hard work culminated in a beautiful public concert on Friday evening—one that showcased not only their musical talent, but also their dedication, discipline, and passion.
Being selected for this honor is a remarkable achievement, and we could not be more proud of the way Abigail and Penelope represented our school and community. They truly embody the spirit of CMS. Congratulations to you both on this incredible accomplishment! 🎶
🔢 Math Department Update
🌸✨ Spring into Success: Math Students of the Week! ✨🌸
As the season changes and flowers begin to bloom, our Middle School Math Students of the Week are growing and thriving right along with them! These students have shown outstanding effort, positive attitudes, and a commitment to learning that truly stands out.
6th Grade – Abigail Lewis
7th Grade – Hunter Baker
8th Grade – Tanner McKinney
Algebra – Sam Nickell
As we head into the final stretch of the school year, it’s officially crunch time in middle school math! Students are working hard to wrap up key concepts and skills as we prepare for upcoming state assessments. From mastering problem-solving strategies to reviewing essential topics like geometry, equations, and data analysis, our classrooms are focused and full of determination.
We encourage students to stay engaged, ask questions, and practice regularly - every bit of effort now will pay off! Families can support by encouraging good study habits, ensuring students get plenty of rest, and reminding them to stay confident in their abilities.
Let’s finish strong and show what we know! 💪📘
ALWAYS REMEMBER 45 MINUTES OF ZEARN WEEKLY!!
🎶 The Weekly Beat 🎶
Choir Updates
- On Thursday and Friday, two of our students, Abigail Powell and Penelope Thompson, attended the All-Virginia Honors Choir in Richmond. They spent the two days working on music with other students from across Virginia and performed a public concert on Friday evening. Congratulations to them both!!
- In class, at the beginning of the week, we continued introduction and work on repertoire for the Spring concert on May 21st. Students primarily focused on notes and rhythms of continuing passages.
- Students were also assigned a Period of Music History Google Slides Project on Canvas to work on Thursday and Friday.
Band Updates
- This week 6th graders continued their work on dotted notes and tied rhythms.
- Each class worked on preparation for our Spring concert on May 19th @ 6pm.
🔬 Science Department Update
6th Grade: Our sixth graders continued their Weather Unit, which focused on different cloud types this week. They practiced naming the cloud formations based on altitude and shape. They also predicted what type of weather certain cloud types would bring.
7th Grade: Our seventh graders continued their second round of "March Mammal Madness" focusing on various physical adaptations that would help their mammal survive. They also did more work on creating and reading line graphs, bar graphs, and pie charts.
8th Grade: Our eighth graders reviewed, and studied for their unit 7 Energy test that they have been working on for the past few weeks. They have also diligently been reviewing for their upcoming SOL.
Covington Middle School is excited to welcome our future Cougars! We will be hosting our Rising 6th Grade Student & Parent Night on Thursday, April 23rd from 6:00 - 7:00 PM in the CMS Auditorium.
Families will have the opportunity to meet our amazing faculty and staff, explore electives and programs, and enjoy a special preview from our spring musical. This event will take the place of our traditional 5th grade tours, while our counselors will still visit elementary schools to assist with course selection.
💙 We need your help! Please help us spread the word by sharing this information with any rising 6th grade families you may know. Your support helps us ensure every future Cougar feels welcomed and ready for middle school!
We can’t wait to welcome the Class of 2033! 🐾 #CougarPride
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.
Contact Info
Covington Middle School
Principal: Ms. Lori MattsonAsst. 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