Covington Howler

April 25, 2017

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.

Message from the Principal

SBAC Testing begins this week

Dear Covington Community,

This week we begin the statewide assessments known as the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium- or simply SBAC.  Our window of time to give the tests is April 24th-May 12th, and all 3rd through 6th graders are required to take the assessments.  (Make-up testing will be conducted May 15th-19th).

Teachers will share with you their individual class schedule for testing.  

Please keep the following in mind. 

SBAC Testing - Grades 3 thru 6

• This state assessment is ONE measure for looking at the learning growth of our students and in reflecting on the overall progress of our school.Please support a healthy mindset around this assessment by simply encouraging students to "show what they know" by giving their best effort.There is no prep for this test!
• Our staff would be appreciative if you do not schedule any appointments during your child's grade level testing time.We are REQUIRED to ensure that every student takes this assessment.If your child is present on the day of scheduled testing, they will take the assessment with their class in an environment with which they are familiar.If your child is late (past 8:45am) or does not attend (obviously if they are sick - do not send them to school), they will take the test on another day in a different classroom and probably not with their classroom teacher.
• Finally, routine and structure are vital during these days.Please support your child in getting a great night sleep, a nutritious breakfast, arrival to school on time, and a healthy school snack.
• We look forward to creating the most positive environment possible for our students to perform to their greatest potential.

As always, please do not hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.

Regards,

Wade Spenader- Principal

Important Reminders about Dismissal Time Protocols

We have a 2:50pm bell to alert students 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.

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 includes the kinder playground.
• This is for your children’s safety.  So please remember to pick up your younger child at 2:15pm or 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.

LASD Jr. Olympics

The 57th LASD Junior Olympics is this Saturday!!!!! Volunteers Needed!!!

Junior Olympics is this Saturday, April 29th from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at Mountain View High School. The kids have been working very hard training during their PE time and are all very excited for the day to come.

We are in need of parent VOLUNTEERS to make Junior Olympics possible. Each of the LASD schools is responsible for running a few events, staffing various booths, cooking food & helping time.  All parents of participating students are asked to contribute some time to make this wonderful event a success. 

PLEASE sign up for a volunteer spot here:

https://docs.google.com/ spreadsheets/d/ 1TKj3UXNUxPanPrURQJid0hTjK_ OeO4CmAK2abKmUGD8/edit#gid=0

** You will note that TIMERS are needed for the 1320 race which starts at 8 am & BACK-UP TIMERS are trained in case of a system problem.  These two roles, we need assigned immediately because there is training required which is on Wednesday, April 26th at Blach at 6 pm.  

To be sure that you are available for your child’s events, we’d suggest checking the map & schedule which is available at lasdjo.com.  

We would appreciate if volunteers sign up by Wednesday, so we are sure we have covered our required duties

Please contact JO Chairs if you have any questions. jochaircovington@ gmail.com

THANKS!

Jen, Mara, Louanne, Valerie

Otter Pops to GO -  Sale on Friday

Sixth Grade Otter Pop Sale (4/28): The sixth graders will be selling otter pops after school on Friday, April 28th. All profits will go towards the sixth grade gift- come support the cause and begin the weekend with a smile and a sweet! Otter pops will be sold for 50 cents each. Thank you for your support! Note: This is not a stay and play.

LAEF

Let’s Celebrate Junior Olympics – It’s Countdown Time!

We’re looking forward to celebrating our 4-6th grade LASD athletes and community spirit with you this weekend! During this “Countdown to J.O.”, we would like to thank the 2,003 families who have donated to LAEF this school year with 563 families also requesting a corporate match. We are getting close to the finish line, and that means we are counting on a few more families to donate, request a match or fulfill their pledges by Friday, April 28th.  Contributions in the past week have ranged from $100 to $5,000, and every dollar you give will help us meet our $3.7M fundraising goal. Donate today at www.LAEFonline.org or bring a check to the school office this week. Thank you!

Reminder about Student Absences

Please remember to call the Covington Attendance Line 650-947-1101 or email covingtonattendance@lasdschools.org, when your child will be absent or late to school.  

For your information, the California Education Code is specific about what is an excused absence; i.e. illness, medical appointment, bereavement or religious holiday (with advance notice).  For more information about the California Education Code and the reasons for excused absences: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=48205.&lawCode=EDC

Multicultural Fair

Covington is very excited to announce that after an absence of a few years the Multicultural Fair will be happening on Friday May 5th 2017from 4-6pm.

You will go on a whirlwind tour of the world in only 2 hours without leaving the Covington blacktop.   We have 40+ families signed up who are keen to share their culture, food and traditions.   There will be performances from Filipino dancers, the Covington Choir and other Covington students as well as sports demos and a K-pop flash mob!

Regions of the World to be represented so far: Burma, Canada, Colombia, England, South Korea, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Moldova, Romania, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey.

Please join us for this fun family afternoon. 

Do you have a talented Covington student who like to showcase your culture?

Would you like to represent the geographic region of your heritage and share your traditions with the school?

If so we are still looking for help running country booths and looking for performers.  The deadline for signups is 20th April for countries and 24th April for performers.

Interested parents are invited to a meeting on Wednesday 19th April at 8.45am in the staff room -  please RSVP to Catherine (catherinealong@gmail.com) or Tammi (Tp@w-1.org.uk).

LASD & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Viking Showcase (previously known as Portfolio Day) will be held this year on Thursday,June 1, 2017 at Egan.  Many of you have faithfully volunteered year after year, and once again we are reaching out to you directly. Over 200 volunteers are needed this year to successfully execute the event.  Please volunteer using this link:  Viking Showcase Volunteer If you have any questions please contact Gayle Mujica at gaylemujica@mac.com or Susan Cook at Susanlyanecook@gmail.com

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.