PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear Covington Families & Community Members,

Are we getting enough sleep?

Yesterday was the start of the extended day program for our kindergartners.  The previous weeks have had our little ones on a minimum day schedule to build their stamina and work them up to their extended day.  I’m sure we had some tired kinders by the end of the day.   Getting them to bed on time is crucial in their success for the next day.

But that isn’t just true for kindergartners.  The research is very clear that getting enough quality sleep is important for all children (as well as adults).  The National Sleep Foundation has some information regarding the need for sleep for children, broken down by age group.   “Children aged six to 13 need 9-11 hours of sleep. At the same time, there is an increasing demand on their time from school (e.g., homework), sports and other extracurricular and social activities. In addition, school-aged children become more interested in TV, computers, the media and Internet as well as caffeine products – all of which can lead to difficulty falling asleep, nightmares and disruptions to their sleep. In particular, watching TV close to bedtime has been associated with bedtime resistance, difficulty falling asleep, anxiety around sleep and sleeping fewer hours.”

Now that we are into our routines at school, it is important to set routines at home that support that your child is getting enough sleep.  With a good night sleep, students come to school better equipped to take on the demands of the day.  Students who come to school tired have difficulty sustaining attention and regulating their emotions.  

Of course, all of the benefits of sleep are true for adults as well.  

Regards,

Wade Spenader

Covington Principal

Have You Heard the New Bell at 2:50pm?

We have added a 2:50pm bell to alert everyone when it’s time to leave campus.  If a parent or caregiver is here supervising a student prior to that bell, they must be directly and actively supervising.  Direct and active supervision is defined as Parents/Caregivers being close enough to watch and listen to their children at all times.  Students biking or walking home independently must proceed directly home, they are not to stay after school and play unsupervised.

Please also remember that students are supposed to be picked up promptly AT dismissal time and should not be left alone to wait after school. That means that the parent/guardian should arrive at least a few minutes prior to dismissal.

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, wspenader@lasdschools.org

Field Trip Donations

Back to School Combined Payment for Donations: Classroom field trips are funded by parent donations.  PTA collects those donations online through the Back to School Purchases (except for 4th-Sacramento & 6th- Walden West); however, no child will be denied participation on field trips for failure to contribute. All donations will go to support the total costs of the field trip. If you cannot donate the requested amount, we would greatly appreciate any donation. Donations are necessary to make these trips possible. If sufficient funds are not donated, the field trips will be cancelled for all classes. We also appreciate if you are able to donate for a child unable to contribute. You can find the form online and pay by echeck: http://covingtonschool.org/covingtones/4770-Back-to-School-Purchases.html

Paper forms are also available in the school office.  Thank you from the Covington PTA.

PTA NEWS

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 towww.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.

Reminder: Chorus will be offered before school.

Grade 1-2: Wed AM

Grades 3-6: Fri AM

Register here: http://www.startingarts.com/enrollment/

PTA After School Play: This year's school play production will be Peter Pan Jr. All 4th-6th graders can register. Registration will begin in November. Rehearsals begin January 3rd on Tuesdays and Fridays from 2:40-4:30 in the multi. More details to come in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.... Contact Arezou with any questions arezoua@yahoo.com

Walkathon is Coming to Covington!

Walkathon Fundraising! You should have received your child’s Walkathon Packet last week. If you didn’t get one, there are extras in the Walkathon Box in the school office. Sponsor sheets are due on Friday, October 7th, and the Walkathon is on Saturday, October 15th. We will see you there!

Last chance to be a t-shirt sponsor!  These family sponsorships are just $35, and help cover the cost of the t-shirts for all students and teachers.  If you would like to be a part of this, please email Ingrid Choong (ichoong2@gmail.com).

LAEF

It’s the LAEF Phonathon! Join the fun and help LAEF raise $500,000

Our annual phonathon is coming up on Tuesday-Wednesday, October 4-5. It’s a fantastic opportunity to thank parents for all they do for our kids, to build community spirit and to educate our new families about the enrichment programs we fund. Last year, our group of volunteers and LASD staff helped to raise $478,850 by personally calling 700 families. Sign up today at LAEFonline.org

Did you miss our LAEF FOCUS at Back to School?

The LAEF FOCUS brochure gives you an overview of the LAEF-funded enrichment programs your child benefits from in their classroom. If you missed grabbing a copy during back to school, please go to “What’s New” on our homepage at LAEFonline.org to check it out.

Our 2016/17 goal is $3.7M & 100% participation from all LASD Families. Make your tax-deductible donation or pledge today at LAEFonline.org.

LASD & Community Announcements

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.