Reminder: No School for Students this Friday Sept. 19th

Covington School Howler - Sept. 16, 2014

From the Principal

Dear Covington Families & Community Members,

Students Inspired - International Dot Day Yesterday

You may be wondering, “What is Dot Day?”  Did your child come home yesterday and tell you he “made his mark” by participating in Dot Day with his classmates? If that statement left you wondering, many of our staff members encouraged our students to participate in International Dot Day.

What is Dot Day?

Every year on September 15, innovative educators, including many Covington teachers,  celebrate International Dot Day by making time to encourage their students’ creativity and genius potential. Inspired by Peter H. Reynolds treasured story, The Dot, students are encouraged to “make their mark” by starting simply with a dot and then seeing where that dot takes you.

Many Covington students participated in buddy activities, explored creativity, took risks and pondered the question, “What does it mean to make your mark?”  Stop by the Multi to take a look at the mural they created yesterday.  Our students are developing skills to participate in our fast-changing, creative society.

School Site Council

Do you want to learn more about Covington School and collaborate with teachers and other parents to improve the Covington experience for students? We are looking for a few (2-3) parents to serve on our School Site Council. Your role will be to: Act as a Resource, Serve as an Advisory Group and Explore/ Initiate Special Projects (not related to PTA). If this opportunity interests you, please email egreen@lasdschools.org. The School Site Council will meet this year on the following dates:

Nov. 4, Feb. 3, March 3, April 14, May 5 (Other meetings will be scheduled on an as-needed basis, possibly October 7th.)

Culture of Learning

Last year when we applied for the California Distinguished School Award, Covington’s  “Culture of Learning” was highlighted as a signature practice.  LASD and our Covington staff are passionate about modeling and being learners. This coming Friday, September 19th will be a day OFF school for students, but a day ON for learning for LASD staff.  In fact, September 18-20 will be the first ever LASD EdSummit - Breaking the Silos in Education.  It promises to be exciting!

The three-day program will kick off with a keynote event on Thursday, September 18th at 6:30 pm at the Mountain View Center for the performing arts.  This event will feature authors Lisa Kay Solomon and Warren Berger in a thought-provoking conversation about innovation in education. Friday’s event is a full-day of professional development for all LASD teachers, but is also available to educators and community members from through the Bay Area who have purchased tickets.  Saturday will provide an opportunity for educators and community members to participate in grassroots professional development through EdCamp.  The EdCamp model of professional development is based on the theory that educators learn best from each other.  

The Thursday and Saturday events are open to the public and Friday is a ticketed event (limited spots remaining).  I hope to see you there!

Best Regards,
Erin S. Green

Important Dates:

September 19 - No School - Staff Development Day
Oct 11 - Covington Walk-A-Thon

Back to School Combined Payment Form: Families can still order BTS purchases (PTA membership, Class fund, Class Field Trips, Birthday Book Club, directories, Covington Wear). One FREE copy of the School Directory is included for each adult PTA membership.  BTS items can be ordered through link on Covington website (http://www.covingtonschool.org —>  Covington Purchases —> Back to School Purchases) OR using the paper order form (attached and also available on website).  Payments can be made through electronic checks, paper check or cash (to be put in PTA box in office).  Questions:  Please email Trish Carballar (ntrishwish@yahoo.com).

Please note: Observed religious holidays are considered excused absences as long as the absence has been requested in advance in writing by the parent or guardian and approved by the principal or designee (E.C. 48205, B.P. 5113).

Walkathon News:

Walkathon sponsor cards went home last week.  Calling all students to ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ & come out to raise funds for Covington’s essential programs! Encourage your student to ask family members and neighbors to pledge their support.

The Walkathon Event takes place on October 11 from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm.

Last chance to become a corporate sponsor.   The logos of corporate sponsors are prominently featured on the back of the Walkathon t-shirt worn by every Covington student.  If your company would like to sponsor the event, contact Katherine Lyon (lyon.katherinek@gmail.com) or Carolyn LeBaron (calolsen@yahoo.com) ASAP.

Last chance to become a family t-shirt sponsor.  Put your family name on the Walkathon t-shirt. Just email Ingrid Choong (ichoong2@gmail.com) with your family name as you would like it to appear on the t-shirt and put a check for $35 in the Walkathon cubby.

Request Alternate t-shirt size now.  Every child gets a FREE Walkathon t-shirt that will be distributed a few days before the event.  Sizes are automatically determined by the child’s grade. Grades K-1 will receive a Youth Small; Grades 2-3 will receive a Youth Medium; Grades 4-5 will receive a Youth Large (YL); Grade 6 will receive an Adult Small. If you need an alternate t-shirt size please visit: http://www.covingtonschool.org/covingtones/4914-Request-Alternate-T-Shirt-Size.html.

Have questions or want to help out? Contact contact 2014 Walkathon co-chairs Katherine Lyon (lyon.katherinek@gmail.com)or Carolyn LeBaron (calolsen@yahoo.com).

PTA News

After-School Play and Stay Sports and Games with Mr. Heeb: will be starting Tuesday September 16th. Please go to the following website for more information: www.stayandplaylasd.com. Please note that kids in lower grades must have parental supervision until 2:45pm. You can sign up for as little as a one day session or for the full year.

The following after-school classes are still accepting enrollment: Yoga (Tues), Mad Science - Chemistry (Tues), CSMA Art (Wed), Skyhawks Multi-sport (Wed), Public Speaking/Debate (Thurs), and Spanish (Fri).  http://covingtonschool.org/covingtones/4757-After-School-Programs.html

Skyhawks will be offering after-school programs for Covington Elementary starting September 24th. Space is limited! Don't let your child miss out on the amazing experience Skyhawks' Family Choice Award Winning programs offer. Sign up for programs today.

http://www.skyhawks.com/

Soccer! Please join us for a soccer game with San Jose Earthquakes. Each ticket you buy gives $5 back to our PTA. The game is on  Saturday, October 18, at 7:30PM, at the Buck Shaw stadium @  Santa Clara University: 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara 95050.

To buy tickets please follow the link: https://covingtonquakes2014.eventbrite.com

Hope to see you there!

Covington Voices: Want to keep abreast of what is going on at Covington and the greater LASD community?  Want to join a venue that allows you to ask other Covington parents for recommendations from everything from babysitters and tutors to electricians and vacation spots?  Please ask to join the Covington Voices Facebook group here: www.facebook.com/groups/CovingtonVoices/

PTA & LAEF Work in Synergy: Both organizations work collaboratively to fund enrichment programs for our children:

• The Covington PTA raises funds for “stuff” - important items needed to support enrichment activities. PTAs fund art supplies, science lab equipment & playground upgrades, technology for the classrooms and so much more!
• LAEF raises money for “staff” to pay teachers who provide enrichment programs and who teach additional classes to keep class sizes small.

Both PTA & LAEF are mission critical to our children’s education. Donate generously to both!  Every single child benefits and your donation will be used this school year.

Covington Stem Teacher Links:

tinyurl.com/covingtonstem

class newsletters | covington stem

School & Community News:http://www.lasdk8.org/PDF_Files/Current_School_News.pdf

Post an Announcement in the Howler? If you have an announcement to include in Howler, please send it to sevard@lasdschools.org.  Announcements must be received by 12:00pm on Friday in order to be considered for the Howler scheduled for the following Tuesday.