CMS Cougar Newsletter

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

A Letter from the Principal

As we move deeper into the spring season, the days truly are flying by! This is one of the most exciting times of the year at Covington Middle School - but also one of the busiest. From testing to transition events and everything in between, our students and staff continue to show up, work hard, and make us proud each and every day.

We are incredibly proud of our 8th grade students, who completed their IRW SOL this week. They approached the test with focus and determination, and we are so proud of the effort they put forth. Their commitment to doing their best does not go unnoticed!

Thursday evening was another highlight for CMS as we hosted our first annual Rising 6th Grade Student & Parent Night. It was a tremendous success, and we were thrilled to welcome so many families as we officially begin to embrace the Class of 2033! The evening kicked off with a sneak peek of our upcoming musical, Aladdin, Jr., and our students did an outstanding job showcasing their talents. Families then had the opportunity to meet our 6th grade team, learn about courses and electives, and visit the 6th grade hall. It was an exciting and meaningful night for all involved!

Attendance continues to be a major focus - and we are seeing the results!
This past week’s attendance:

• 4.21 Monday: 93%
• 4.22, Tuesday: 91.8%
• 4.23, Wednesday: 93.6%
• 4.24, Thursday: 91.5%
• 4.25, Friday: 91.3%

This marks our strongest attendance week in April, and it is making a real difference in the classroom. Our April Madness Attendance Challenge is heating up, and we have just four days left until we crown our champion - which class will take the title? We know this time of year can be challenging - spring fever is real, and some mornings it’s tempting to stay in bed - but being present matters. Every day counts. We ask for your continued support in ensuring your child comes to school each day on time. If there are concerns, please reach out - we are here to partner with you.

Our current 6th and 7th grade students have received their course selection sheets for next year. Please take a few moments to review these with your child, sign them, and return them promptly. This is an important step as we begin planning for the upcoming school year. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!

It’s hard to believe, but we are now just one month away from the final day of school. These last four weeks are incredibly important. We encourage all students to stay focused, complete assignments, ask questions, and continue giving their best effort. Finishing strong matters—and it sets the tone for future success.

Looking ahead, our next SOL test is May 5th for 8th Grade Civics (6-8 Reading 5.12; 8 - Science 5.14, 6-8 Math 5.19). We are confident our students are prepared! You can help your child be ready on test day by ensuring they:

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

Finally, a big shout-out to our Spring Sports teams, who continue to represent CMS with pride and determination. We are so proud of their hard work and the way they compete for one another!

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We are grateful for the strong partnership we share with our CMS families. Let’s keep the momentum going as we finish this school year strong - together!

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!!!

Our 8th grade students had an exciting week wrapping up their study of circuits as part of the Virginia Science SOLs on electricity! Throughout this unit, students engaged in hands-on Circuit Labs, building and analyzing circuits while deepening their understanding of current, voltage, resistance, and conductivity. They applied these concepts through problem-solving and real-world connections, strengthening both their critical thinking and collaboration skills. To culminate their learning, students took part in a fun, hands-on project on Friday where they built their own circuits, bringing everything they’ve learned to life. It has been incredible to see their curiosity, creativity, and perseverance on display.

6th Grade Math classes focused on developing elimination strategies to help students become more effective problem solvers. Students learned how to carefully analyze questions, identify key clues, and eliminate incorrect answer choices before even working through the full solution. This approach not only builds confidence but also strengthens critical thinking and test-taking skills, allowing students to approach problems more strategically and efficiently.

🔢 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

• This week in 7th and 8th grade Choir we held sectional rehearsals on our Spring concert music where we focused on individual voice part notes and rhythms.
• 6th grade students continued focusing on their repertoire through ensemble rehearsals. We focused primarily on breath support and singing with confidence.

Band Updates

• This week each class learned how to find the name of each key signature and put it into practice.
• We also learned about WGI (Winter Guard International) and how it is different from DCI. (Drum Core International)

Special Note - Come out next Friday (5/1 @ 7pm) or Saturday (5/2 @ 3pm or 7pm) to see the Covington Middle School Theater’s Production of Aladdin Jr. Tickets are $10 at the door. We are looking forward to an exciting and fun performance - we hope to see you there!!

🔬 Science Department Update

6th Grade: Our sixth graders finished up their weather unit, and learned valuable lessons they will carry with them in the future. They are able to read weather maps efficiently, and use appropriate weather tools.

7th Grade: Our seventh graders started and finished their levels of Ecology unit. They did very well on their quiz they took this Friday. We are still continuing our long term mammal madness project, and are heading into round 5.

8th Grade: Eighth grade had an exciting week finishing up learning about circuits. They had a cool hands-on project where they got to build their own circuit on Friday! Here are some pictures highlighting that project!

We had a truly wonderful evening welcoming our rising 6th graders and their families to Covington Middle School! It was a special opportunity to connect with our future Cougars and begin building the relationships that will support them in the years ahead.

The night began with a sneak peek of our upcoming musical, Aladdin Jr., and our students delivered an outstanding performance. Their talent, energy, and confidence set the tone for a memorable evening. A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Snedegar, Ms. Martin, and our incredible student performers for sharing their hard work and passion with the Class of 2033.

Families then had the opportunity to meet our dedicated 6th grade team, learn more about academic programs and electives, and explore the 6th grade hall. We are incredibly grateful to our outstanding staff—Mr. Wood, Mr. Hamilton, Ms. Williams, Mr. Shiflett, Mr. Linsin, Mrs. Boone, Mrs. Linsin, Mrs. Noel, Mr. Arritt, Mrs. Holesapple, Mrs. Turner, Ms. Weikle, and Ms. Slusser—for the warm welcome and for showcasing the incredible opportunities available at CMS.

We loved meeting our future Cougars and their families and are so excited for the journey ahead. The Class of 2033 is already off to a fantastic start, and we cannot wait to see all they will accomplish.

#CougarPride🐾

Get ready to be dazzled as Covington Middle School proudly presents Disney’s Aladdin Jr.! Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with magic, music, and incredible student talent.

📅 Showtimes:
• May 1st at 7:00 PM
• May 2nd at 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
📍 Curfman Hall
🎟️ Tickets: $10

From stunning performances to vibrant costumes and a story you know and love, this is a night you won’t want to miss. Mark your calendars now and come support our amazing CMS cast and crew as they bring Agrabah to life on stage!

Save the date and plan to join us for a magical CMS evening! 🐾 #CougarPride

Check out the sneak peak at the link below:

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

CMS Cheer Open Gyms will be held on April 21st and April 27th from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. You must have an up to date physical form in order to participate

Boy's Soccer:

Monday's game vs Lylburn Downing: 5-1 loss. Goalies Sam Nickell, James Hodges, and Brayden Pendleton each had 3 saves. Dalton Vance had 2 shots on goal. Bentley McCroy scored our goal assisted by Oliver Brown.

Wednesday's game vs Lucy Addison 7-0 loss. Goalie Sam Nickell 5 saves, Goalie James Hodges 2 saves, Goalie Brayden Pendleton 4 saves. Oliver Brown 3 shots on goal. Dalton Vance 1 shot on goal.

Girl's Soccer:

Monday we won 7-2 against Llyburn Downing, Emeri Brown had 5 goals, Ashtyn Crawford had 1, Haley Jonas had 1, Marley had 4 saves.

Wednesday we won 10-0 Ashtyn Crawford with 5 total goals. Emeri Brown with 3 goals. Camila Lopez had 1 goal, Marley Aragones typically only playing goalie came out and scored her first ever goal.

Softball:

19-6 win vs. Bath County

Baseball:

Win 12-1 vs Bath County

Noah Taylor- 1-1 with a double, a walk and 2 HBP's and 3 SB's

Ben Milton- 0-0 with 4 walks and 6 SB's with a win on the mound going 5 innings allowing 1 hit and 1 earned run

Konner Hoke- 1-3 at the plate with an RBI and threw a runner out behind the plate

Double Header vs. Staunton River on Saturday

Game 1

13-5 Loss

Ben Milton 1-2 with a double and 2 RBI's, and a walk

Noah Taylor 1-3 with a double

Jagger Rowland 1-2 with a walk

Game 2

15-5 Win

Noah Taylor 2-3 with 1 RBI and a walk

Ben Milton 2-2 with a double and a walk, with 3 SB

Brooks Gilbert 2-2 with 2 doubles and a walk, with 4 RBI's and a SB

Covington Middle School

Principal: Ms. Lori Mattson

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