From Erin Green, Principal

Dear Covington Parents and Community Members,

What a great LAEF Community celebration Covington hosted last weekend; it was wonderful to see so many of you at the event.  A special thanks goes to Davida Ewan for helping to supervise the high school students directing parking that evening.  We appreciate her!

Covington Culture of Learning-LASD ILEARN

On Tuesday afternoon, we had our first SchoolSite Council Meeting.  Thank you to our new members:  Valeria Carty, Liza Coe, Davida Ewan, Michelle Gibo, Kate Kingman, Kim Nero and Dale Tritscher.  We revisited our three goals from last spring around technology integration and had an invigorating conversation around some of the exciting things going on in our classrooms such as the use of EdModo with students, Design Thinking, and project based learning.

Many of us become teachers because we love tolearn ourselves.  That is one of the reasons I went into education after college.  One of the most inspiring things for me this year has been watching and listening to our staff who are actively seeking out their own professional development through our LASD ILEARN Classes.  This school year, our very generous LAEF has funded innovative and instructional coaches who are offering classes on a regular basis afterschool for our staff. These classes cover many topics including Design Thinking, Google Tools, Project Based Learning, Digital Storytelling, Visual Thinking and Creating Innovators. I have had the privilege of working with and observing our staff share with each other and take on new challenges with enthusiasm and creativity.  I am so proud of the work our staff is doing by learning new practices and implementing these with our students; learning from our bright and talented staff will no doubt inspire our children.

PTA Meeting Change:  See you on October 19th at 8:30am

Our PTA meeting will take place in two weeks. Mark your calendar. The discussion topic will be technology, specifically how the PTA has contributed to our classrooms and school and how we are engaging your children in the classrooms.

I hope to see you at our Outdoor Flag Assembly tomorrow.

Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Erin S. Green

Principal

Upcoming Events –

School News

Calling all Coyote Runners!

This Friday at lunch is Covington's very first Run Club. The Coyote Pack will meet out on the field, near the two trees, next to CCLC.  The Coyote Pack is a self-paced, "run for fun" activity, open to every level of runner. Coyote Pack Runners will be provided mileage cards that will be hole-punched for each lap completed to track distance and earn ribbons for graduated milestones accomplished.   There is no need to sign up ahead of time, just be sure to remind your runner to wear tennis shoes, bring a water bottle, come have fun and join "the pack" this Friday!  For more information and to volunteer (no running required!) please contact Jen Roy McGuigan at jenmcguigan@me.com. 

Student Council News!

Students running for Student Council Officers did a wonderful job last week on their posters and speeches! 

Congratulations to our new student council officers:

President- Jamsheed Mistri

Vice President- Jackson Barada

Treasurer- Grant Dincel

Secretary- Olivia Gonzales

Coyote Coordinator- Kiki Stanton

We will have our first student council meeting next Tuesday, Oct. 9th in Room 24 with officers and class representatives. Our first Halloween Stay and Play Bake Sale will be on October 26 from 2:40-3:15 pm. Please make sure all students have a parent at the Stay and Play. We will also be celebrating Halloween by wearing Orange and/or Black on Friday, October 26. Thank you!

From the PTA

Next PTA Meeting is October 19^th, 8:30am

Please join us in the staff room right after flag salute for our PTA meeting and parent coffee.  The topic for discussion will be technology.

OPEN PTA VOLUNTEER POSITIONS:

Looking to get more involved at Covington?  The PTA has a couple of exciting positions available!

After School Program Coordinator- Responsibilities include (1) working with our current outside vendors to schedule programs, and (2) assessing what additional after school/enrichment programs parents and students would like to see at Covington, and then working with outside vendors to secure such programs.  

Kiln Operator- Did you know Covington has a kiln?  We're looking for some volunteers to operate the kiln for our students' clay projects.

Technology Committee- This committee supports the implementation and use of computer-related technology as a teaching tool at Covington.  We're looking for individuals to assess our school's technology needs and then work with the PTA and other parent volunteers to meet those needs.

Questions?  Contact Mara Starkey at marastarkey@gmail.com

Sponsor cards due TOMORROW!  Bring in your Walkathon sponsor cards on Friday, October 5^th.  Volunteers will be collecting cards and giving out Coyote tattoos at the school entrances before the bell rings.  If you forget your card on Friday, pleaseplace it in the Walkathon box in the office as soon as possible.

Volunteer at the Walkathon!  You can be part of the year’s biggest community-building event.  We need adult volunteers for the following jobs and stations: field set-up, clean up, registration/check-in, incentives tables, Rocket Stop Café, water and firstaid, field monitors, and moon balls. One hour shifts are available.  Please sign up on the Google spreadsheet located at http://tinyurl.com/covwat2012.

Sign up for Covington Priceless Parties at the Walkathon.  Each year, our wonderful Covington teachers hold parties for students in each grade level.  These parties are both fundraisers AND community-building events.  Kids get a chance to spend time with their teachers in a social setting, and the PTA benefits from your donations.  Each grade level will have one or two events, but space is limited!  Sign-ups open at 10 AM and will close when each party is full.  But plan to arrive early with your checkbook/cash if you want to take advantage of these fun events.