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Covington Howler September 15, 2015
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In This Issue:
Quick Dates for your Calendar:
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Principal’s Message
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Principal’s Message |
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State Test Results. Last week the state testing results were released to the public. The results are from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) testing that all 3rd through 6th graders took last Spring. Students took online assessments in the subject areas of math and English/Language Arts that were aligned to the new Common Core Standards. The District results indicate that our students did well; LASD is one of the top scoring districts in Santa Clara County. We are pleased with Covington’s results also and are proud of the work of our staff and students.
This is the first year of results from this new statewide assessment, which help establish a district and school baseline. The previous assessment, STAR, had different measures and can not be compared to this new data. As a staff, we will use this information to help identify what our students know and are able to do. The Smarter Balance is just one point of data that we will review and use to gauge where our students need to go as we work to personalize learning. The state will be mailing Individual student assessment information later this month. Best Regards, Erin Green & Kami Thordarson |
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Walk-A-Thon |
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Save the date for the Walkathon on Saturday, October 10! This year’s Walkathon takes place at Covington from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm. With 90 percent of Covington students participating, this is the largest (and most fun!) community event for the school. Come out to the green field, walk laps with your children, and meet their classmates. You can picnic on the lawn (there will be food trucks!), listen to music, and take part in fun entertainment. This event is a fundraiser allowing students to directly improve their technology, music, art, and library programs. Each and every student at Covington benefits from this event. Details and student sponsor cards will be sent home this week in the Thursday Folders. 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 in the office.
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, please contact Jessica Speiser (jessica@speiser.net) ASAP. |
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Back-To-School Order Form |
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NOTES FROM THE PTA PRESIDENT: Welcome back to school!!! I hope your children are settling in well in their new classrooms and have reconnected with old friends and made new ones. I know I am happy to have my children back in school and was ready to put them in the hands of the wonderful teaching staff! Now that you are settled in, please don't forget about your Back to School Purchases. Go to our Covington Website for instructions: http://www.covingtonschool.org/covingtones/4770-Back-to-School-Purchases.html If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me. Jessica Speiser jessica@speiser.net |
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Visiting Author Program |
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Covington's Visiting Author Program Presents Ian Lender - September 30. On 9/30, our 2nd through 5th graders will meet Ian Lender! Mr. Lender has just released his second book in his series of graphic novel interpretations of Shakespeare called "The Stratford Zoo Midnight Review Presents Romeo and Juliet". Mr. Lender's first book in the series adapted Macbeth. Both of these charming books do a wonderful job of staying true to the original story but adapting them in a way that teaches great lessons to it's young readers. Here's the blurb for his new book: The Stratford Zoo looks like a normal zoo . . . until the gates shut at night. That's when the animals come out of their cages to stage elaborate performances of Shakespeare's greatest works. They might not be the most accomplished thespians, but they've got what counts: heart. Also fangs, feathers, scales, and tails. If you're interested in purchasing a signed copy of either or both books for your child, please complete the form sent home in your child's Thu or Fri folder (or pick up a new form in the office in the cubby labeled author visit) and return the form and your check made out to Kepler's Books, to the office by Monday, September 23. Questions? Contact Lara Sullivan at lara.sullivan06@gmail.com |
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LAEF: For EVERY child in EVERY grade in ALL LASD Schools! |
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LAEF Donations are for THIS YEAR!
Did you know that your tax-deductible donation helps LAEF pay for the enrichment programs and teachers ALREADY in your child’s classroom? LAEF’s $3.5M goal was committed last Spring so the district could hire teachers for THIS school year. LASD now has a certified PE teacher at each elementary school while also maintaining student-to-teacher ratios in K-3rd grades; music instructors in grades 4-6th; resourceful librarians; innovative STEM teachers; trained art docents; and others. 100% of our students benefit from LAEF-funded staff, so we encourage participation from every family. Learn More & Make Your Tax-Deductible Donation Today at www.laefonline.org |
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PTA NEWS |
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Dine out for Covington: Y'all ready for our first dinner fundraiser of the school year? Come join other Covington families for dinner or get take out at Armadillo Willy's on Tuesday, September 22 from 5-9 PM. Please bring the flyer or mention Covington during your purchase. Up to 20% of all proceeds will be donated to our school. Armadillo Willy's is located at 1031 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos. (650) 941-2922. Please contact manjitabhaumik@yahoo.com with questions. LOST & FOUND. Lost & found items will be stored in a bin, outside the Multi. Please check regularly for missing clothing, water bottles and lunch boxes. Have your children get in the habit of checking the bin, too! NOTE: Items are donated at every school holiday closing. Ordering for Hot Lunch at Covington: Click here for information and instructions on ordering Pasta Market Hot Lunch for your student: http://www.covingtonschool.org/covingtones/7030-Untitled.html AMAZON SHOPPERS – Make Your Back-to-School Shopping Count for Covington! Earn referral fees for Covington on purchases of books, electronics, toys, and more. It’s EASY and DOESN’T COST YOU ANYTHING! Go to www.covingtonschool.org, click the Amazon logo on the lower right side to go to the Amazon website, then select and purchase your items as you normally would. Covington will automatically receive a referral fee of at least 6.5%! No sign-up required. Questions? Contact Jennie Ebbitt at jtebbitt@gmail.com. |
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LASD Ed Talk |
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Haiku Learning and Standards Based Grading Join us to hear from Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Sandra McGonagle as she highlights LASD’s new Learning Management System, Haiku Learning. In addition to the features of Haiku, Sandra will discuss the district shift to standards-based grading and reporting. Two dates are available: Thursday, September 17th 4-5:30pm Covington School Multi To RSVP click here |
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LASD & Community Announcements |
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Los Altos School District is looking for volunteer interpreters to assist us during parent/teacher conferences, student meetings and district events. We are seeking assistance with all languages and it is very helpful if you are able to translate at a different school. Please contact Ann Haigh at 650-947-1180 or at ahaigh@lasdschools.org or complete this form if you are interested. School & Community News now found via Peachjar: https://www.peachjar.com/index.php?a=28&b=138®ion=54001 |
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How to Submit an Article to the Covington Howler |
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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. |