Covington Howler

August 23, 2016

Important Dates:

• Aug. 30 - Picture Day #1 K-3

• Aug 31 - Picture Day #2 4-6

• Sept. 1 - Back to School Night, 6:00pm-8:00pm (see below for schedule)

• Sept. 2 - Minimum Day

• Sept. 8 - PTA Meeting 8:30am

• Sept. 12 - First Day of Extended Kinder.

• Sept 23 - Staff Development Day - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear Covington Families & Community Members,

Having grown up in this area (Mountain View), I’ve watched many changes over time.  The physical changes have been astounding- I don’t even recognize El Camino Real any more!  I’ve also noticed a change in the pace of life and the intensity of work; this I think is caused by multiple factors and is amplified in Silicon Valley.   

I have a deep interest in striking a healthy work/life balance.  I preach it to our teachers who work so incredibly hard.  I emphasize this balance with our students and families.  Don’t be surprised to read more from me about how to live a life that has that healthy blend of both work and personal life as the year goes on.  

In my lifelong learning about creating that delicate balance, I came across an article about happiness.  A recent study conducted on personal happiness found that a common trait for those who described themselves as happy was gratitude.  Taking the time, often, to reflect on those things that we are truly grateful for aids in our personal satisfaction in our lives.  I encourage you, as a family, to do the same.  Maybe at the dinner table, take some time to have each member share something for which they are thankful  So, in the theme of “walking the walk”, here’s what I’m grateful for:

I’m grateful for being at a school that values community involvement.  I’m thankful for our supportive PTA and our amazing Los Altos Educational Foundation that provide so much for our students.

I’m thankful for the chance to work with such a talented staff.  The teachers at Covington aren’t just hard working; they are intelligent, reflective, innovative, and want the best for their students.

I’m grateful for all of our parent volunteers, who give so much of their time to keep the Covington ship sailing!  

Lastly, I’m so thankful to be working with the Covington students.  It’s only been a week and yet they have been so welcoming, fun, and joyous.  

If I haven’t had a chance to meet you yet, please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself.  Back-to-School night on Sept. 1st will be a good chance to do that.

Wade Spenader

Covington Principal

Yard Duty Aides Needed

Are you looking for a way to get involved on campus, interact with students in a fun way, and become part of a team?  Have you considered becoming a yard duty aide?  Covington has availability on our yard duty team.  And, these are PAID positions.  If you are available during the week, from noon to 12:40pm, and being a yard duty aide sounds like something you’d be interested in, please contact Principal Wade Spenader.

Dismissal Time Reminders

Just a friendly reminder about dismissal times and pick up protocols.  We have three dismissal times at Covington to maximize instructional minutes for our students.  

• Remember, if you have a primary student who is dismissed at 2:15 (Kinder) and/or 2:20pm(1st-2nd), a parent or caregiver must be present at that time.  

• Younger students cannot be left to wait alone for an older sibling who will be dismissed at 2:40pm.

• Students are not allowed to play on the playground unsupervised while waiting for a parent at pick up time.

• This is for your children’s safety.  So please remember to pick up your younger child at 2:20pm and wait with them until your older child is dismissed.

• This is a great opportunity to meet other parents waiting at the front of the school and make lasting connections.

Back to School Night Information

Back to School Night at Covington is Thursday Sept. 1st.

Schedule:

6:00pm-6:45pm Gr. 4-6 Presentations, TK/K SDC Class, Primary SDC Class (K-3)

6:50pm: All School in Multi

7:15pm-8:00pm: Gr K-3 Presentations, Upper SDC Class (4-6)

Photo Day Information & Yearbook

Covington Photo Days Are Tuesday 8/30 & Wednesday 8/31

8/30 - Picture Day for K-3 including Primary Special Day Classes

8/31 - Picture Day for 4-6 including Upper Grade SDC Class

There are NO forms to fill out ahead of time. You will receive a login sheet and email 7-10 days after pictures with your login information to view and order your photos online.

Yearbook Needs Your Photos: we would love to collect as many photos as possible of your "First Day of School" pictures to be featured in the yearbook. Please forward them to: cwedner@mac.com  Thank you!

Attendance Information: What to do if your child is absent or late

Attendance

Absences and late arrivals are to be reported to the school by a parent or guardian by calling the Covington Attendance Line at (650) 947-1101 by 9:00am, or sending a electronic form via our website http://covingtonschool.org/covingtones/8208-Untitled.html

Children who arrive after the school day begins must sign in at the office to receive a late arrival (blue slip) pass. For an appointment during school hours, please go to the office to sign out your child. Your child will be sent to the office to meet you.

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).

PTA NEWS

Back to School Purchases & Donations: http://covingtonpta.3dcartstores.com/Back-to-School-Essentials_c_11.html

BACK TO SCHOOL AMAZON SHOPPERS – Make Your Back to School Shopping Count for Covington! Earn referral fees for Covington on purchases of books, electronics, school supplies, and more.  It’s EASY and DOESN’T COST YOU ANYTHING! Please use this link (bookmark it!) or go to www.covingtonschool.org, click the Amazon logo on the lower right side, then select and purchase your items as you normally would.

Covington will automatically receive a referral fee from Amazon.  No sign-up required. Questions? Contact Jennie Ebbitt at jtebbitt@gmail.com.

SEPTEMBER 2 MINIMUM DAY PARTIES

Don’t miss the fun! There are still spots left for the PTA sponsored minimum day parties on September 2nd. Please sign-up using the links below.

Game Truck, Grades 3-6, Blacktop, 12:30-2:15pm - The Games 2 U game truck party provides kids with a chance to experience a state of the art mobile game theater. Kids play the latest video games on screens inside and outside the mobile truck. Envision surround sound, laser lights and a fog machine and you'll realize this is an experience your kids will never forget!  

http://covingtonpta.3dcartstores.com/GameTruck-Min-Day-AugSept_p_59.html

Booger Wars, Grades 2-6, Field, 12:30-2:15pm - Booger Wars is an exciting (and completely clean) game where players compete with bean bags thrown from giant noses to get each other out. Imagine dodgeball meets capture the flag but with giant noses instead of balls and flags. This is serious fun - don't miss it!

http://covingtonpta.3dcartstores.com/Booger-Ways-Min-Day-AugSept_p_60.html

Coach Ken Soccer, Grades K-3, Field, 12:30-2:00pm - Stay after the minimum day dismissal and play soccer with Coach Ken Mburu. Coach Ken brings his endearing personality and experience as a father and professional player in his native Kenya to help kids develop soccer skills in a fun and practical way. Bring your lunch, water, shin guards, and a ball.

http://covingtonpta.3dcartstores.com/Coach-Ken-Soccer-Min-Day-Party-AugSept_p_58.html

Students will meet at the 2nd grade lunch tables after school, at 12:15pm. They will eat their lunch, be checked in for their event and then escorted to the event location at 12:30.

Questions? Please contact Kristi Snapp, ksnapp2@gmail.com

OUTDOOR FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT - Thursday Sept 22 (next day is a school holiday) 6 - 9 pm. There are still spaces available for this family fun party on the evening of Thurs 9/22. There is no school the next day so come out and enjoy a movie night with your family and friends! We will meet on the Covington Lawn for a private viewing of the movie "Angry Birds" on a giant 16 foot movie screen. Pizza, popcorn and refreshments will be provided. If you would like to attend please click on the link below to purchase this great PTA fundraiser event!

http://covingtonpta.3dcartstores.com/Outdoor-Family-Movie-Night_p_48.html

PTA SPONSORED AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASSES

After-school programs start after Labor Day. Search for after--school programs here: http://covingtonschool.org/covingtones/4757-After-School-Programs.html

Register soon before classes fill up! Contact kathrynhan@gmail.com if any questions.

DISTRICT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

NURSE NEEDED:  The Los Altos School District needs Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) substitute(s). Must be available on short notice. Approximate times needed are minimum of three hours, 9:30am-12:30pm. Job will entail covering snack & lunch time to supervise students with type 1 diabetic's blood sugar levels and insulin administration; both injection and insulin pump.  Monday-Friday. To apply, call Marlene Revelo 650-947-1153.

LAEF

LAEF welcomes you to the 2016-17 School Year!

The Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) is a non-profit organization led by parent volunteers that raise funds to provide enrichment programs and smaller class sizes for LASD students. This year's teachers and staff for STEM, PE, libraries, art, music, computer science, and smaller class sizes in grades K-3, are all supported by your 2016-17 tax-deductible LAEF donation.  

New this year, LAEF is also funding an Instructional Support Teacher (IST), who is dedicated to supporting our amazing teachers by improving instruction, collaboration, and learning across disciplines, with an initial focus on 6th-8th grade math.

The suggested annual donation is $1,200 per student. Our goal is $3.7 million and 100% participation from all of our LASD families, so every gift in any amount is appreciated. Learn More & Make Your Tax-Deductible Donation Today at www.LAEFOnline.org

LASD & Community Announcements

Become a LIVING CLASSROOM docent... share your love of nature with kids!  LIving Classroom is looking for docents to help deliver hands-on garden-based lessons to the students of the Los Altos School District.  No experience necessary as we provide all the training needed!  Our Fall Docent Training will take place Monday mornings from 9 - Noon from Sept. 12th – Oct. 17th.  Want to learn more about our program?  Please consider attending one of our upcoming Informational Meetings from 10-11am on Monday 8/22 or Monday 8/29 at the LASD iLearn Studio located at 201 Covington Road, Los Altos.  Please click HERE to view our Fall training flyer.

Questions? Email us at livingclassroom@lasdschools.org or call (650) 947-1103.  For more information about Living Classroom, please visit our website at www.living-classroom.org.

 Cub Scout Pack 76 - Round Up Meeting

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

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