In This Issue:

• When to Keep Your Child Home from School.

• Kindergarten Enrollment in Progress

• Los Altos School Zone Speed Limit Changes

• PTA News & Community Announcements

Quick Dates for your Calendar:

• Feb. 2- Feb 4: STEM EXPO

• Feb 15 - Feb 19: Presidents Day & Mid Winter Break: No School

• March 19: Covington Auction: Save the Date!

• April 30th: LASD Jr. Olympics. Save the Date!

Los Altos School District Health Services Department: When to Keep Your Child Home From School

Sometimes it is difficult, especially early in the morning, to know whether or not to send your child to school. The following guidelines are indications that you should keep him/her home. In this way, you are helping to control the spread of colds, flu, and other contagious illnesses.

Keep your child at home when he/she has any of the following symptoms:

• Fever

• Chills

• Vomiting or Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Sore Throat or Trouble Swallowing

• Coughing

• Sneezing or Runny Nose

• Rash or Unusual Spots

• Headache

• Generalized muscle aches and pains

• Wheezing or trouble breathing

• Red, crusted or burning eyes

You need to keep your child home until he/she has been symptom free without medication for 24 hours.

Also, NOTIFY THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY if your child is exposed to or contracts chicken pox, mumps or measles or whooping cough (pertussis). These conditions can be life threatening to students who are undergoing therapies that suppress their immune systems.

Report all absences to our Absence Line 650-947-1101 or email covingtonattendance@lasdschools.org

Open Enrollment For Kinder/TK In Progress Now

2016 Kinder Registration: Open Enrollment until 2/5/16.  To qualify for kindergarten, your child must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2016. Children who will turn 5 between Sept 2 and Dec. 2, 2016 qualify for Transitional Kindergarten.  Please visit the Covington Office to pick up a registration packet.

Speed Limit Change in School Zones

Beginning in 2016, the City of Los Altos will be implementing 15 mph speed zones within 500 feet of all local schools.  This safety endeavor is part of the City Council approved Pedestrian Master Plan, which aims to improve pedestrian safety and mobility throughout the City. The California Vehicle Code allows local agencies to expand reduced speed limits for conditional speed zones on residential and local streets which have no more than two vehicle travel lanes in order to ensure safe travel to and from school.

The new speed zone signs will be effective as soon as they are installed and are generally enforceable during school hours.  As a courtesy, the Los Altos Police Department will initially monitor and provide notification to motorists who do not adhere to the newly posted speed limit.  Enforcement will begin approximately one month after installation.

PTA NEWS

Covington's "Roaring 20's" Auction:  Early Bird Tickets are now on sale!  Learn how to buy tickets, make donations and learn about all things auction! http://www.covingtonschool.org/covingtones/8313-Auction-2016.html

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Oola Dance Fitness & Margarita Party

Date/Time: Friday, 1/29/16, 7-9 pm

Location: American Legion, 347 1st Street, Los Altos

Price: $40

Ditch the workout and join the party! This Ladies Night Out dance-fitness party will be led by Oola Dance Fitness, the Zumba class that has been blasting Los Altos with amazing exhilarating workouts. Check out what the buzz is about. Move to the beat and then socialize with some fabulous treats and Margaritas.

Viva O Sol, a Brazilian Fitness and Fashion boutique in Los Gatos, will be featuring its line of work-out wear to try on and purchase!

Just RSVP to Ula Ghosheh ughosheh@gmail.com

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Save the Date: LASD Junior Olympics, Grades 4-6

Saturday, April 30th

8 am - 4 pm

Mountain View High School

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Covington Choir enrollment is open for grades 1-6:

http://www.startingarts.com/programs/schools-by-district/covington-elementary-school/

Both sessions are in Room 32 and cost $65 per student

Choir (grades 1-2): Wednesdays,  7:30am-8:25am  : February 3- April 20 (no class on 2/17 and 4/13)- 10 classes

Choir (grades 3-6): Fridays, Time: 7:30am-8:25am ; Dates: February 5 - April 23 (no class on 2/18 and 4/14)- 10 classes

LAEF

Counting down to our school’s STEM Expo!

It’s amazing to think that our district’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program and its popular labs were piloted only a few years ago through parent donations to LAEF. This year, we anticipate even more students participating in our STEM Expo and being inspired by project-based learning. Your donations to LAEF have helped to fund our outstanding team of STEM teachers and district STEM coach this school year. To learn more or to make your annual gift, please go to LAEFonline.org.

LASD & Community Announcements

District English Advisory Committee (DELAC) meeting: On January 28th at 8:45 am in the Santa Rita Multipurpose Room, 700 Los Altos Ave, Los Altos, there will be a district-wide meeting about the English Learner program in LASD.  This is a public meeting and all who are interested are invited to attend. Please contact Ann Haigh at (650) 947-1180 if you have questions.

School & Community News now found via Peachjar: https://www.peachjar.com/index.php?a=28&b=138&region=54001

How to Submit an Article to the Covington Howler

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.