From Erin Green, Principal

Dear Covington Parents and Community Members,

The Coyote Pack, Covington Run Club

Last Friday at lunchtime, The Coyote Pack, Covington's new run club, kicked things off with over 200 participating runners. An overwhelming success!  Our runners all had smiles on their faces while working toward the goal of their first 5-mile ribbon award. Big kudos to Mrs. Pomposo for joining The Pack, we look forward to seeing you and a lot of other teachers out there this week! 

In total, our runners completed 221 miles. That's the equivalent of running from Los Altos to Truckee (near Lake Tahoe, CA)!  As a run club we are going to shoot for a goal of running the distance between Covington and Washington DC during the school year. Let's see us make it!  Our local downtown businesses are also proud of our Coyote Runners and have offered prize incentives to be raffled off at Friday Flag Salutes in the coming weeks. This Friday, we will choose a random runner's name to win a raffle prize. 

Join The Pack, this Friday at lunch.   If you're interested in volunteering, please go to this link to sign up

Coyote Pack Run Club Volunteers.  Many thanks to Jen McGuigan and JenSpringer for spearheading this club!  Thank you also to the many other parent volunteers who helped make this a success!  Our students can look forward to fun with the Coyote Pack each Friday this year!

Be Safe!  Biking Reminder

Just a friendly reminder, please talk with your children about bicycle safety and following the rules of the road to and from school.  We have had several reports lately of neighbors concerned for our students in regards to riding on the wrong side of the street on the way to school.  I will remind students at our next assembly, but in the meantime, your assistance is greatly appreciated!  We want our students to be safe and responsible!

PTA Meeting/ Principal Coffee –Next Friday, October 19th

Our October PTA Meeting and Coffee will be held one week from tomorrow!  Please join us in our staff room after the flag assembly on the blacktop.  The topics of discussion at the coffee will be technology and its relevant instructional practices.

Have a wonderful rest of the week and get ready for our community Walk-A-Thon this Saturday!  It will be a great time for all!

Sincerely,

Erin S. Green

Principal

From the PTA

Friday is Crazy Feet Day.  Get into the Walkathon spirit and decorate your kids’ shoes with a space theme.  Aliens, planets, stars, glitter. . . make those feet go crazy! 

WALKATHON ON SATURDAY!  The Walkathon is happening on Saturday, October 13.  With so many students and families participating, we are sure to have a fun-filled, exciting day.  If you haven’t turned in a sponsor card, don’t worry!  You can still participate.  Just bring your card to registration on Saturday or fill out one there.  We will have extras, and you can participate even if you didn’t get any sponsors.

Here are a few things to remember:

· Registration opens at 9:30 AM.  First lap is at 10 AM.  Walking stops at 3 PM.

· Bring a water bottle and wear comfortable shoes.

· Bring cash and a checkbook for food booth, moon balls, the Pocket Ladies, and Priceless Parties.

· Sign up for Covington Priceless Parties at the Walkathon.  The table of parties is below. Sign-ups start at 10 AM and will close when all parties are full.

· Wear the Walkathon t-shirt. Every student gets one!

Volunteer at the Walkathon!  Be part of the year’s biggest community-building event.  New slots have been added for a few FUN jobs like moon balls and lap punching. 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.  Each grade level willhave one or two events, but space is limited!  Sign-ups open at 10 AM and will close when each party is full.  Plan to arrive early with your checkbook/cash to take advantage of these fun events.

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 forsome 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

Boys’ Night Out – Saturday, November 3 @5:30 – 7:30pm (check-in 5 pm) at the Homestead Lanes in Cupertino.

Attention Covington Boys!  Meet other Covington families for fun, bowling, pizza dinner and lots of laughs!  All levels of bowlers are welcome – K to 6!  An adult must accompany students.  View the Boys' Night Out website on the Covingtonwebsite under "Events and Traditions".  Pay online or download the order form to pay by check.  Please sign up by Tuesday, October 23rd.  Questions: email ron_ninomiya@yahoo.com

After School Activities

Daisy Girl Scouts

New Girl Scout Daisy Troops forming at Covington!  K and 1st grade Daisy troops, with meetings on the 4th Tuesday of every month (1st grade @ 2:30, K @ 3:30pm).  Interestedgirls and their parents are invited to attend an informational meeting on Oct. 16 @ 3:15pm in Room 32.  To attend, RSVP to Nicole Chappell: giricz@yahoo.com, include child's name and grade level.  We are looking forward to a funyear with the girls!

From LAEF

Los Altos Educational Foundation: Are you IN?

On our quest to raise $3M for our schools this year, we recently hit the $500,000 mark, but we have a long way to go!

Our Challenge Grant is back! Did you know that any increase in your donation over last year or any donations from new families will be matched $1-for-$1 by a group of anonymous donors? The opportunity to take advantage of these generous matching funds expires November 1st.  Time is running out, so don’t delay. Also, please remember to apply for a company match, if available. Click here to see if your company matches. http://laefonline.net/our-supporters/corporate-matching. Last year LAEF collected over $600,000 in matching donations!

Our children are already enjoying the benefits of the LAEF funded programs today. Our suggested donation is $1,000/child but please give generously at a level comfortable to your family.  Go online today at www.laefonline.org and set up your paymentplan or make your annual tax-deductible donation.

From Los Altos School District

District Library Newsletter

See the attachment to this newsletter for exciting news about our district library programs.

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY NEWS:

Follow this link for the School & Community News http://www.lasdk8.org/PDF_Files/Current_School_News.pdf

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For Howler submissions, please email sevard@covingtonschool.org by Monday for that week’s Howler.