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October 11, 2016
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Covington Howler|
Important Dates:
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Nov 11 - Veteran’s Day: No School Nov 21-22 - Parent-Teacher Conferences: No School for Students Nov 23-25 - Thanksgiving Holiday: No School Nov 28 - Dec 2 - Book Fair Dec 8 - Winter Concert 1pm, Grades 4-6 Dec 19 - Jan 2December Recess Jan 3 - School Resumes |
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Principal’s Message |
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Dear Covington Community, iReady testing This week teachers will be sending home the parent report for your child’s results on the iReady testing in both English/Language Arts and Math. The iReady test is taken online by each student and serves as a benchmark assessment. When viewing these reports, please keep in mind the following:
• Students were assessed on this year’s standards- many of those standards are yet to be taught. We expect these scores from September to be lower than the scores generated when students take the assessment again- both at mid-year and at the end of the year. The iReady scores serve as a benchmark so we that we can track progress throughout the year.
• These scores are used by teachers to guide their instruction. The data generated shows teachers areas where students already possess a keen grasp on a standard and where students need more practice. The iReady scores are not used in reporting progress in PowerTeacher.
• iReady serves as one assessment or measure of where a student is for each standard. It cannot replace the day-to-day observation and facilitation of learning that our teachers have with our students.
To learn more about the iReady assessments, and other assessments that we use in LASD, please refer to Superintendent Jeff Baier’s letter sent to parents a couple of weeks ago. If you have any questions about the iReady assessment for your child, please do not hesitate to contact me. Mission Statement: Staff and other stakeholders have been working on a Covington mission statement. Essentially, a mission statement answers the question: why do we exist? I”m sharing with you the latest version and would be interested in your feedback. Covington Elementary commits to a high level of learning for every student and adult. Together we foster a safe culture where we learn actively and collaboratively, think creatively and critically, develop perseverance, live respectfully and responsibly, and contribute positively to our diverse community and beyond. This mission statement will be our anchoring point as we continue to work to make Covington an even better school. Walk-a-thon The annual Covington Walk-a-thon is this Saturday. This event is one of those “must do’s” to really experience the great community feel it generates for our school. It’s one of the few times we can get together, parents, students, and staff, as a whole. I’m really looking forward to it and hope to see you there- rain or shine! Regards, Wade Spenader Principal |
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Walkathon This Saturday |
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Friday is Crazy Color Day. It’s time to dress up in your wildest color combination! Show us just how mismatched and bright you can make your outfit. Sponsor Cards Are Due. If you haven’t turned in a sponsor card, please drop it off at the school office. If you have lost the card, there are extras at the office. Remember, every child needs a signed sponsor card in order to participate at the Walkathon. WALKATHON ON SATURDAY! The Walkathon is happening on Saturday, October 15th. With so many students and families participating, we are sure to have a fun-filled, exciting day. Here are a few things to remember:
Volunteer at the Walkathon! We still need more people to volunteer. Remember, we can’t do this without you! Please sign up at: http://goo.gl/xzuQGw |
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Screenagers : Don’t Miss It! |
The thought-provoking new documentary SCREENAGERSprobes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including the director's own, and depicts messy struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through surprising insights from authors and brain scientists solutions emerge on how we can empower kids to best navigate the digital world. Film is not suitable for young children. This free event is made possible by the PTA and co-hosted by the Loyola, Covington and Gardner Bullis Project Cornerstone Programs. Tuesday Oct. 25, 2016 7:00pm-8:30pm Loyola Elementary Multi
To Register to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ |
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Field Trip Donations Still Needed |
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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/ Paper forms are also available in the school office. Thank you from the Covington PTA. |
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Vision Screening |
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The District Nurses will be doing vision screening, both near and far, at Covington School for all Kindergarten, 2nd, 5th grades and all SDC classes on Wed. Oct. 12, 2016. If your child has glasses or contacts, please make sure they wear them to school on the day of the screening. The nurse will mail a referral form to the parents of students who do not pass the vision screening. |
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LAEF |
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$37,380 to go to meet LAEF’s $100,000 Challenge Match by 10/31 The time is counting down to get your donation matched by the LAEF Board of Directors and the Honor Roll of Realtors Leadership Circle, up to a total of $100,000! Special thanks to the 78 families who made their first donation OR increased their donation during our phonathon. It’s not too late to double your gift and help fund district-wide enrichment teachers and program staff in addition to smaller classes in K-3 and 7-8. To learn more, pledge or donate at LAEFonline.org. Have you checked out the LAEF Annual Report 2015/16?
Learn more about the amazing difference our community of supporters made in the well-rounded education of our students’ last year. Check it out at LAEFonline.org. Thank you! Annual Report 2015/16 Link: http://laefonline.net/files/ |
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LASD & Community Announcements |
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Los Altos High School STEM Week Keynote: High Tech Alternatives for Local Transportation Challenges. October 19th, 7PM LAHS Eagle Theater Speaker: Robert Baertsc Robert Baertsch, VP of Software Engineering at skyTran, is responsible for skyTran’s linear synchronous motor control. skyTran, a NASA Space Act company, headquartered at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, proposes a high-speed, low-cost, elevated Personal Rapid Transportation (PRT) system. The skyTran network of computer-controlled, 2-person “jet-like” vehicles employs Magnetic Levitation technology and moves passengers individually at-command and with low energy. A pilot program is currently under development in Tel Aviv. http://www.skytran.com/
School & Community News now found via Peachjar:https://www.peachjar.com/ |
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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. |