An Unusual Week

I stepped outside my office early this morning to view the orange and reddish sunrise. By 6:45am I could already smell the smoke, knowing that today would be another indoor school day.   The tinge of frustration that I felt, wanting to get the kids outside to play today, was quickly replaced with the feeling of sadness for our families and friends who have suffered great losses up in Sonoma and Napa Counties.  While we have certainly been inconvenienced this week by the smoke, I feel very fortunate and grateful to know that our community is safe and ready to help out our friends up north.

I am grateful for an outstanding staff who were incredibly flexible this week.  Thank you to our fantastic PTA who provided treats for the staff as a token of their appreciation of their flexibility and dedication.  I also have enormous gratitude for our students, who have been beyond cooperative and understanding this week.  I appreciate our 6th graders who jumped in on Monday and have been room monitors all week in our classrooms during recess and lunch.  And I want to thank our Walk-a-thon committee chairs, Trish Carballar,, Angela Wilson, David Trescott and Jessica Speiser who were ready to put on a huge event tomorrow but have had it postponed.  Their spirit and positive attitudes have been incredible.  As I told the students yesterday, a postponement doesn’t mean the Walk-a-thon won’t happen; it’s just delayed.  

It certainly has been an unusual week, and there may be a few more days ahead where we will be inconvenienced.  But, I know the strength of this community, the exuberance of our students, and the generosity of our families will get us through.

Great Shake-Out Earthquake Drill on Wednesday. This coming Wednesday, October 18th, we will conduct our annual Great Shake-Out earthquake drill (air quality permitting).  This drill helps staff prepare in case of an earthquake, as we run through various scenarios and situations.  The drill lasts anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes. During that time, students are on the blacktop, in class lines, as we work through the drill.  We allow the students to read or bring games to pass their time.  

Halloween is coming!  On Tuesday, October 31st, Covington will host it’s annual Costume Parade on the blacktop, beginning at 2:00pm.  Students should not come to school in costume.  They will be given time after lunch to change into their costumes in order to get ready for the parade.  We ask that student costumes be free from grotesque or gory themes.  We also request that students do not wear overly scary masks (those masks scare our little ones).  Other masks, that do not inhibit sight or breathing, can be worn. If you or child has any questions about the appropriateness of their costumes, please speak to your child’s teacher or you can direct your questions to me.

Be well,
Wade Spenader, Principal