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Covington School Howler March 3, 2015 |
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Principal’s Message |
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Dear Covington Families,
Enjoy the week!
Raquel Matteroli |
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Important Dates |
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Mar. 10 & 13 - New Parent Tours @ Blach School |
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Covington PTA Auction |
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Help raise money for Covington while enjoying our community's biggest party of the year. Come dine, drink and dance with us! Aditi Goel aditi.m.goel@gmail.com Sumaira Nabeel sumaira.nabeel@gmail.com Anisha Vaswani anisha.vaswani@gmail.com |
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LASD JUNIOR OLYMPICS |
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Important dates: |
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Hearing Screening |
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The District Nurses & Health Assistants will be doing Hearing Screening at Covington School for all Kindergarten, 2nd, 5th, and Special Day Classes on Friday March 13, 2015. If your child has a known hearing loss, please notify Health Services Staff the day before the screening: nurses@lasdschools.org. The nurse will mail a referral form and call the parents of students who do not pass the Hearing Screening. |
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Employment Opportunity |
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NURSE NEEDED: The Los Altos School District needs Registered Nurse 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 diabetes blood sugar levels and insulin administration; both injection and insulin pump. Monday-Friday. To apply, call Marlene Revelo 650-947-1153. |
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Sixth Grade Immunization Requirement |
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Pertussis Booster for Students in grade 6
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Sixth Grade Students Bridging to Blach & Egan |
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New Parent Information Sessions
Blach Dates:
Egan Dates: |
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Girl Scout Cookies! |
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Last Chance for Girl Scout Cookies!!! |
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After School Enrichment and Summer Camp Information |
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Book your summer camps through Activity Hero and Covington earns 3% of each registration. There are no extra fees! Popular camps such as Galileo, TechKnowHow, and Steve and Kate's are some examples: |
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LAEF |
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LAEF's Annual Report 2013-14 is here |
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School & Community News |
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District English Advisory Committee (DELAC) meeting: On March 12th from 5:00-6:00pm in the District Office iLearn Studio, there will be a district-wide meeting about the English Learner program in LASD. On the agenda are the following topics: Information about and Goals of the DELAC, election of officers and input into the District Local Control Accountability Plan process. This is a public meeting and all who are interested are invited to attend. Please contact Raquel Matteroli, Interim Principal at Covington School, at rmatteroli@lasdschools.org, if you have questions. |
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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. |
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Covington School Howler February 25, 2015 |
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Principal’s Message |
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Dear Covington Families,
Don't forget! Today is the last day to register for the Covington STEM Expo. Please talk with your child to make sure that they have signed up if they would like to participate. You can use this link to register: Covington STEM Expo Intent to Participate
Raquel Matteroli |
One added benefit of the sunshine during our Winter break is that we were able to get our large blacktop resurfaced and repainted (I know I should be hoping for more rain but was secretly pleased that there wasn't any last week!). Yesterday during recess I had the opportunity to ask many students what they thought about the new surface and I saw many thumbs up, huge smiles and heard an outpouring of positive words, in between games of 2-square and wall ball. If you haven't gotten a chance to check it out yet, I encourage you to take a jaunt across the new playground during drop off or pick up. A HUGE thank you to our facilities crew for making that happen for our Covington students!
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Important Dates |
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Feb. 25 - Dine Out for Covington @ Pizza My Heart |
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Dine Out for Covington - Tomorrow |
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PIZZA NIGHT! Please dine in or order take out at Pizza My Heart in Mountain View on Wednesday, February 25th. Make sure you mention Covington at the time of purchase. Pizza My Heart will donate 30% of all proceeds from Covington supporters to our PTA. Pizza My Heart is located at the corner of El Monte and El Camino at 1037 El Monte. (650) 938-4200. You can pre-order online on the link below: |
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Hot Lunch - New Session Starts Next Week! |
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Order Your Hot Lunches Now! |
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LASD Junior Olympics |
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Important dates: |
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Employment Opportunity |
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NURSE NEEDED: The Los Altos School District needs Registered Nurse 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 diabetes blood sugar levels and insulin administration; both injection and insulin pump. Monday-Friday. To apply, call Marlene Revelo 650-947-1153. |
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PTA Auction Information |
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Covington Auction tickets now on sale! For more information and ticket purchase, https://covington.schoolauction.net/auction2015/tickets/ticket_sales |
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Sixth Grade Immunization Requirement |
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Pertussis Booster for Students in grade 6 |
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Sixth Grade Students Bridging to Blach & Egan |
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New Parent Information Sessions
Blach Dates: For more information about bridging to Blach, please check out the Blach School website here.
Egan Dates: For more information about bridging to Egan, please check out the Egan School website here. |
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Living Classroom |
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Become a LIVING CLASSROOM docent... share your love of nature with kids! It's time to prepare for planting tomato seeds, baking pretzels, taking habitat hikes, and learning about ancient civilizations! If you like all those things and more, please consider becoming a Living Classroom docent! 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 Spring Docent Training Session will take place Monday mornings in March from 9 – Noon and will be held at the Mountain View Whisman School District Board Room (750-A San Pierre Way, MV) on March 2nd & 16th and at the LASD Conference Room #2 (201 Covington Rd., Los Altos) on March 9th and 23rd. Attend one or all four of the training days. Breakfast will be provided. Please click here to view our spring training flyer. Questions? Please email Living Classroom at livingclassroom@lasdschools.org or call us at (650) 947-1103. For more information about Living Classroom, please visit our website at www.living-classroom.org.
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After School Enrichment and Summer Camp Information |
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Book your summer camps through Activity Hero and Covington earns 3% of each registration. There are no extra fees! Popular camps such as Galileo, TechKnowHow, and Steve and Kate's are some examples: |
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Family Giving Tree |
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ON BEHALF OF THE CHILDREN |
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School & Community News |
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School & Community News now found via Peachjar: https://www.peachjar.com/index.php?a=28&b=138®ion=54001 |
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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. |
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Covington School Howler |
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Principal’s Message |
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Dear Covington Families,
And finally, please join us this Friday morning for the PTA Meeting & Parent Coffee. |
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Important Dates |
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Feb. 13 - 8:30am PTA Meeting/Parent Coffee |
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Lost & Found at Covington |
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The LOST & FOUND is overflowing!!!! There are many lunch bags, water bottles, and most of all, loads of sweatshirts, jackets & coats!!! All the content will be donated to charity over the Winter Break. |
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Attendance Reporting |
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Did you know that you can simply report your child's absence by clicking the link on our Covington Website?|
Covington STEM Expo |
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Reminder from the Covington STEM program: |
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Student Council Announcements |
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Charities. Thank you for your donations for the Pennies for Patients coin drive! So far, we've raised almost $1,000 to help find a cure for Leukemia! This coin drive will be ending on Friday, February 13, so make sure to send in as much loose change as possible by then! |
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Employment Opportunity |
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NURSE NEEDED: The Los Altos School District needs Registered Nurse 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 diabetes blood sugar levels and insulin administration; both injection and insulin pump. Monday-Friday. To apply, call Marlene Revelo 650-947-1153. |
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PTA News |
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PTA General Meeting, 2/13, 8:45, Staff Room: All, I hope you can make it to this month's PTA General Meeting. This week we will host a presentation from the Living Classroom, continue our discussion about allergies in the classroom with district nurses, get an update on this year's auction, vote on a resolution to send to the city about bike and pedestrian safety around the schools and as usual conduct normal PTA business. Coffee and treats are always served. Look forward to seeing you there. |
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PTA Auction Information |
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Covington Auction tickets now on sale! Early Bird pricing available until Friday, February 13th! Act today to secure your discounted tickets - $150 per couple, $75 per individual. For more information and ticket purchase, https://covington.schoolauction.net/auction2015/tickets/ticket_sales |
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Sixth Grade Immunization Requirement |
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Pertussis Booster for Students in grade 6 |
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Sixth Grade Students Bridging to Blach & Egan |
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New Parent Information Sessions
Blach Dates: For more information about bridging to Blach, please check out the Blach School website here.
Egan Dates: For more information about bridging to Egan, please check out the Egan School website here. |
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Library News |
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Attention eBook Readers! The LASD eBook collection has just been expanded to include exciting new titles for reading over the February Break. The "Online eBook Library" is available to all students in the district free of charge and is easy to access. From the Covington School website at www.covingtonschool.org under "Navigation", select "Library", and then click on "Online eBook Library". Access requires a student ID number (available from the school library) and password: gobooks. eBooks can be read instantly on a computer or downloaded to any eReader device. Further instructions are available from the website by clicking on "Library eBook Information and How-to Videos". Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Happy reading! Maureen Drobot, Covington Library |
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After School Enrichment and Summer Camp Information |
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Book your summer camps through Activity Hero and Covington earns 3% of each registration. There are no extra fees! Popular camps such as Galileo, TechKnowHow, and Steve and Kate's are some examples: |
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School & Community News |
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School & Community News now found via Peachjar: https://www.peachjar.com/index.php?a=28&b=138®ion=54001 |
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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. |
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Covington School Howler February 3, 2015 |
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Principal’s Message |
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Dear Covington Families, We have an amazing group of students at Covington. Can I say that again? We have AM-AZ-ING kids at Covington!!
Students love to share. As I walk through classrooms and ask students to share what they are learning, I am impressed by their openness and willingness to take the time to explain their thinking. The fourth graders in the following picture were given a design challenge last week to construct a prototype for a tool that Karana, the main protagonist from the book, Island of the Blue Dolphins, might need. These students designed a spear that could help Karana catch the elusive “devil fish” or octopus, whose meat could feed her for months on the island she lives on. As the students described their spear and why it would be helpful for Karana to have, it was clear to me that they had formed a real connection to the character Karana (not much older than they are) and her experience surviving alone on her island. Students look out for each other. Last week a 6th grader helped comfort a 2nd grader in the nurse’s office. The younger student hurt his arm while out on the playground and the older boy (who was nursing a bump to the head) tried to offer comforting words while they both waited for their parents to arrive. It was the first time they had met but the older student really took the little one under his wing. I hear many similar stories to this everyday on our campus. Students are happy to help out. I asked a group of 6th grade students to help out at New Family and Kindergarten Information night in December and they were more than happy to lend a hand. They welcomed and chaperoned parents to the library for the event, helped explain how to enter contact information into a google form on iPads and shared their experiences about being a student at Covington. They were respectful, well spoken, warm and did a phenomenal job of representing our school and district. I really believe that our students are amazing. And thank you to the parents, teachers, staff and other adults that support them every day. Important Reminder: Don’t forget PTA is sponsoring a Family Science Night entitled “Engineer and Invent” tonight from 6-8pm in the Multi. Students will get hands-on opportunities to build bridges, wind turbines, hydraulics, and circuitry. This exciting event is presented by the Lawrence Hall of Science. Read further in the Howler for more details. Enjoy the week!
Raquel Matteroli |
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Important Dates |
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Feb. 3 - PTA Science Night 6pm-8pm Feb. 16-20th - No School for Students, Winter Recess Mar. 10 & 13 - New Parent Tours @ Blach School Mar. 18 & 20 - New Parent Tours @ Egan Mar. 23-25 - Covington STEM Expo Mar. 28 - Covington Auction Bombay Dreams April. 25 - LASD Jr. Olympics |
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Kindergarten Registration |
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Just a reminder that the open enrollment period for Kindergarten 2015 is now in progress until February 6th. If you have younger children who will be joining Covington in the Fall 2015, please stop by the office and pick up a registration packet this week. |
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Attendance Reporting |
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Covington Voice Mail, including the Attendance Line, is still out of order. To report a student’s absence please email: covingtonattendance@lasdschools.org Please include:
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Sixth Grade Students Bridging to Blach & Egan |
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New Parent Information Sessions
Blach Dates: For more information about bridging to Blach, please check out the Blach School website here. Egan Dates: March 18: 9:30 am March 20: 1:00 pm For more information about bridging to Egan, please check out the Egan School website here. |
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Sixth Grade Immunization Requirement |
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Pertussis Booster for Students in grade 6 Students currently in 6th grade must have proof of a Tdap or Dtap (Pertussis or Whooping Cough) booster given after their 7th birthday (after 10th birthday is recommended) in order to begin 7th grade in August of 2015. Please provide a copy of your child’s immunization record to your school office by March 13, 2015. |
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PTA Family Science Night |
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Tonight! Tuesday (Feb 3), Lawrence Hall of Science will be presenting a hands-on festival entitled “Engineer and Invent” in the Covington Multi from 6-8 pm. For those of you new to Covington, this free annual Covington PTA sponsored event always promises to be an evening of hands-on science fun! This year’s festival will give the children an opportunity to step into the shoes of an engineer as they investigate, experiment, and develop solutions to real-world problems. Tweak the blades on a wind turbine to efficiently harness the power of the wind. Construct a working hydraulic arm to explore the strength of water-powered machines. Flip the switch on the world of electricity, as you explore circuits and bring your motorized creations to life. Build bridges, towers, or whatever you can imagine with metal, paper, or wood. There will be several stations to explore including hydraulics, wind turbines, circuitry, wobble bots, bridges, Keva planks, and Bionicblox. Please feel free to stop by any time between 6-8 pm to enjoy the festival. Please send questions to Ingrid Choong: ichoong2@gmail.com |
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LAEF |
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Did you Know?...Our school has library staff thanks to LAEF donations! LAEF (www.laefonline.org) funds the library staff at every LASD school site. Our library is dedicated to fostering a love of reading and teaching 21st century information skills. It provides access to a rich collection of library materials and exposure to literature, personalized book selection assistance, and the lessons students need to be able to locate, evaluate and use the information for school projects and beyond. The virtual district library (https://sites.google.com/site/lasdlibraries) is also filled with online resources by grade level, and allows students to check out up to 7 eBooks, so they can read any time, any place on their Kindle, iPad, phone or other device. Library staff also collaborate with classroom teachers to make sure students have access to the materials they need to support the curriculum. The LAEF grant benefits EVERY student in EVERY grade evenly. We still have $1 million to go to pay for programs that are in place in our classrooms THIS YEAR so we need your support! Make your tax-deductible LAEF donation today at www.laefonline.org (or bring a check to the school office)
LAEF Questions? Web: www.laefonline.org … Phone: 650.559.0445 ... Email: admin@laefonline.org
Thanks in advance for your support of LAEF.
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PTA Auction Information |
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Covington Auction tickets now on sale! Early Bird pricing available until Friday, February 13th! Act today to secure your discounted tickets - $150 per couple, $75 per individual. For more information and ticket purchase, https://covington.schoolauction.net/auction2015/tickets/ticket_sales Donate to Covington Auction! In addition to the continued support of local businesses, we are counting on the generosity and creativity of our Covington families to make this year’s event a success. Now is the time to share your favorite vacation getaways, your VIP access, your talents, and all of the unique experiences, goods and services you treasure! Donations are due no later than Friday, February 6th. Please direct any questions to our Donations Chair, Lara Sullivan, at lara.sullivan06@gmail.com. Online donations may be submitted here: https://covington.schoolauction.net/auction2015/donate_items/new Computer skills needed! Do you know your way around Adobe InDesign? Do you, perhaps, possess a particular talent with Pages for Mac? Could you even be, or know someone who is, a graphic designer? Are you, or your friend, willing to volunteer your time, or donate a bit of it, to the Auction Committee in the next few weeks? If so, the gratitude of literally the entire school, especially all the programs funded by the PTA, is yours. As well as a tax write-off, if applicable. Please email Sumaira Nabeel sumaira.nabeel@gmail.com with any leads. Thank you! Adult Auction Parties: We are looking for hosts for Adult Auction Parties - these parties are hosted by Covington parents for Covington Parents. The host decides the theme, location, date, and number of participants. These fun and creative parties raised $35,000+ for Covington last year. Any idea that shares your enthusiasm for something is a great one! Think about what you and your friends would enjoy, or perhaps special skills you may have to offer.he list is limited only by your imagination and the parties do not need to be expensive or lavish to be a great time! Please email or call Christine Sellers at cyberchristine@hotmail.com / 650-867-7187 if you have questions or are willing to host. |
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PTA News |
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Traffic Duty and Your Child's Safety: Have you been noticing longer than normal lines of cars at drop off and pick up? Has your child almost gotten hit by a car while crossing on the crosswalk? Do you know what helps to ensure this does not happen? Did you say Traffic Duty? Well, you were right! Another correct answer involves driving around the Covington driveway and parking lot like it was your own driveway and it were your own children in front of you. As you have read in the room parent email that went out yesterday, we have noticed that parents are either not signing up for traffic duty or not showing up and this is just unacceptable when you think what could happen to your child, or your child's BFF without the safety that the Traffic Duty volunteers help provide. We realize that everyone's schedules are busy and that it can be difficult to take time out of your day to fill one of the slots during the week(s) your class has traffic duty. With this in mind, we have attempted to minimize the time needed and spread out the assignments throughout the year. Please help during your assigned weeks, sign up and remember to come to your time slot. If you work, a morning slot is the best way to go (it is an 8:10am to 8:40am slot). If you are a stay at home parent, perhaps an afternoon slot is best for you as you will already be there to pick up your little one (starts at 2:10pm). When you sign up, please remember to put it your calendar as as reminder. We are sending this out as it would be horrible if something happened to one of our children at school because there was no one on traffic duty. We can all work together to keep them safe by driving slowly and carefully during drop-off and pick-up AND by everyone taking Traffic Duty as a serious responsibility to the community. - Thank you, Jessica Speiser, PTA President (jessica@speiser.net) Friday 2/27 (5:00 - 7:15pm) - Kinder Movie Night in Covington Library Come watch a movie and eat popcorn with the fabulous kinder teachers! If you are interested in signing your child up please contact Tracey Leong: tsakumoto67gmail.com YEARBOOKS. Covington will be using TreeRing again this year to produce our yearbooks. If you aren’t familiar with TreeRing and how to use the website or need a refresher - here is a link that gives you everything you need to know. http://www.treering.com/Watch-the-TreeRing-Personalized-Yearbook-Demo#.VMbuUnacybM. To register for your yearbook go here: www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1013595707721745 and enter passcode: 1013595707721745 Should you have any more questions, please feel free to contact, Christine Wedner, cwedner@mac.com CALLING ALL PARENTS! I have decided to try to take a different approach to the yearbook this year. I would like it to be more of a community and collaborative effort. I am asking that one parent from each class be a representative and put together a one page photo collage for their class. In addition, I also need a couple of parents to put together a 2 page spread of the Walkathon and the Junior Olympics. The task involves, collecting photos and dragging and dropping into a template. No design experience required. If you are interested, please contact Christine Wedner, cwedner@mac.com. Thank you. |
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Girl Scout Announcement |
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It's Girl Scout Cookie Time! Covington 4th grade Girl Scouts will kick off the 2015 cookie season with a cookie booth in front of the Multi Thursday, Feb. 5 from 2:20-3:30pm All of your old favorites will be there waiting for you as well as some new flavors too. Cookies are $5 per box; cash and check are accepted. Thank you for supporting Girl Scouts at Covington! |
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School & Community News |
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School & Community News now found via Peachjar: https://www.peachjar.com/index.php?a=28&b=138®ion=54001 |
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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. |
Covington School Howler - Jan. 27, 2015
Dear Covington Families,
Every Friday, parent volunteers support Covington students by donating their time during lunchtime Run Club. Student punch card boxes, per grade level, are set out; volunteers strategically space themselves at key route points on the field to encourage student runners; another team of parents greet students and hole-punch mile marker cards as children complete a lap around the track. An entire system has been created with the idea that should students choose, there is a place for them to go to run.
For the past couple of months, I have tried my best to be out at the track on Fridays, running (or in my case walking) with the students. I enjoy walking and observing students in motion on the greater playground, and quite frequently, find myself chatting with passing students who need a break and a quick conversation. While ambling along with different students I have learned about upcoming weekend plans, future aspirations for college, younger brothers and sisters still too young to attend school and the latest projects in the classroom. Run Club is an activity where many students flex their muscles, provide a workout for their heart and lungs and enjoy some time during the school day recentering themselves. And Run Club is also an opportunity for students to flex their minds through lively conversation and to strengthen relationships with their peers.
If you get the chance, encourage your child to try Run Club out or, if they already have, ask them what they find valuable about running. You may hear something surprising. And if you want to learn more about how physical activity affects learning, check out this TEDx talk, Run, Jump, Learn! How Exercise can Transform our Schools.
Enjoy the week!
Raquel Matteroli
Interim Principal, Covington School
Important Dates:
Jan. 28 - Dine Out for Covington @ Chevys
Feb. 3 - PTA Science Night 6pm-8pm
Feb. 16-20th - No School for Students, Winter Recess
Mar. 10 & 13 - New Parent Tours @ Blach School
Mar. 19 - Minimum Day: Dismissal at 12:15pm for all students
Mar. 23-25 - Covington STEM Expo
Mar. 28 - Covington Auction: Bombay Dreams
Apr. 25 - Jr. Olympics
Pertussis Booster for Students in grade 6: Students currently in 6th grade must have proof of a Tdap or Dtap (Pertussis or Whooping Cough) booster given after their 7th birthday (after 10th birthday is recommended) in order to begin 7th grade in August of 2015. Please provide a copy of your child's immunization record to your school office by March 13, 2015.
Remember: You must report an absence every day that your child misses school. Email: covingtonattendance@lasdschools.org
ORDER FORMS TO PURCHASE SIGNED COPY OF BOOK
BY VISING AUTHOR MICHAEL NORTHROP
DUE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Students in grades three through six will have the opportunity to attend an assembly in February featuring Michael Northrop promoting his first book in a five-part series TombQuest, an Egyptian adventure in the same vein as the 39-Clues.
Pre Order forms to purchase a signed copy of "TombQuest: Book of the Dead" are now available from classroom teachers, in the Covington Library, and the school office. Pre Order forms are due Monday, Feb. 2.
Michael Northrop's visit is made possible at no charge through Peninsula Arts and Letters a nonprofit organization partnered with Kepler's Books in Menlo Park and the Covington PTA.
Maureen Drobot, Covington Library
Lori Parson, PTA Author Visit Chair
Did you Know...K-3 class sizes are 25 or smaller because of LAEF?
The 2014-15 LAEF grant provides funding for the teachers needed to keep class sizes lower. Transitional kindergartens through third grades are limited to a maximum of 25 students per class because of your donations. In addition,first and second grade classes have a trained instructor during Literacy/Reading lessons for 45 minutes, four days a week. This lowers the student-to-teacher ratio even farther. Keeping student-to-teacher ratios lower during these critical educational years is important to LASD parents, and these dollars are hard at work in our classrooms today.
The LAEF grant benefits every student in every grade evenly. We have less than $1 million to go for programs that are currently in place in our classrooms this year.
LAEF cannot fund these programs without your support!
Make your tax-deductible LAEF donation today at www.laefonline.org (or bring a check to the school office)
LAEF Questions?
Web: www.laefonline.org … Phone: 650.559.0445 ... Email:admin@laefonline.org
Thanks in advance for your support of LAEF.
The LAEF parent-volunteer team
Fundraising & Fiesta! Please come dine at Chevys in Mountain View between 5-9 PM on Wednesday, January 28. Chevys will donate 20% of proceeds from Covington supporters to our PTA. Make sure to bring a copy of the attached flyer. Chevys is located at 2116 W. El Camino Real. (650) 691-9955. Please contact manjitabhaumik@yahoo.com with any questions.
PTA News:
Oola Dance Fitness and Margarita Party
Date: Jan 30th 7-9pm
Address: 347 1st St, Los Altos, CA 94024
Price: $40 per person
Ditch the workout and join the party! This Ladies night out dance fitness party will be led by Oola Dance Fitness, the Zumba class that has been blasting Los Altos with amazing exhilirating workouts. Check out what the buzz is about. Move to the beat and then socialize with some fabulous treats and Margaritas. Viva O Sol, a Brazilian fitness and fashion boutique will be featuring its line of sexy Brazilian workout wear to try on and purchase, 15% of revenue going back to Covington school.
Friday 2/6 (6:30 - 8:30pm) - 4th Annual Father/Daughter Dance @ Covington Multi
There are still a few spots available for this event. If you are interested, please contact Tracey Leong: tsakumoto67@gmail.com.
Friday 2/27 (5:00 - 7:15pm) - Kinder Movie Night in Covington Library
Come watch a movie and eat popcorn with the fabulous kinder teachers! If you are interested in signing your child up please contact Tracey Leong: tsakumoto67@gmail.com
Covington Auction tickets now on sale! Early Bird pricing available until Friday, February 13th! Act today to secure your discounted tickets - $150 per couple, $75 per individual. For more information and ticket purchase, https://covington.schoolauction.net/auction2015/tickets/ticket_sales
Donate to Covington Auction! In addition to the continued support of local businesses, we are counting on the generosity and creativity of our Covington families to make this year's event a success. Now is the time to share your favorite vacation getaways, your VIP access, your talents, and all of the unique experiences, goods and services you treasure! Donations are due no later than Friday, February 6th. Please direct any questions to our Donations Chair, Lara Sullivan, at lara.sullivan06@gmail.com. Online donations may be submitted here: https://covington.schoolauction.net/auction2015/donate_items/new
Computer skills needed! Do you know your way around Adobe InDesign? Do you, perhaps, possess a particular talent with Pages for Mac? Could you even be, or know someone who is, a graphic designer? Are you, or your friend, willing to volunteer your time, or donate a bit of it, to the Auction Committee in the next few weeks? If so, the gratitude of literally the entire school, especially all the programs funded by the PTA, is yours. As well as a tax write-off, if applicable. Please email Sumaira Nabeel sumaira.nabeel@gmail.com with any leads. Thank you!
Adult Auction Parties: We are looking for hosts for Adult Auction Parties - these parties are hosted by Covington parents for Covington Parents. The host decides the theme, location, date, and number of participants. These fun and creative parties raised $35,000+ for Covington last year. Any idea that shares your enthusiasm for something is a great one! Think about what you and your friends would enjoy, or perhaps special skills you may have to offer.he list is limited only by your imagination and the parties do not need to be expensive or lavish to be a great time! Please email or call Christine Sellers at cyberchristine@hotmail.com / 650-867-7187 if you have questions or are willing to host.
Lost & Found. Just three weeks into the new year, the bin is already brimming! Please check it regularly for clothes, water bottles and lunch boxes. The warmer afternoons means children forget the colder, morning jackets on the playground...
Thanks!! Atossa
YEARBOOKS. Covington will be using TreeRing again this year to produce our yearbooks. If you aren't familiar with TreeRing and how to use the website or need a refresher - here is a link that gives you everything you need to know.
http://www.treering.com/Watch-the-TreeRing-Personalized-Yearbook-Demo#.VMbuUnacybM
To register for your yearbook go here:
www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1013595707721745
and enter passcode:
1013595707721745
Should you have any more questions, please feel free to contact, Christine Wedner, cwedner@mac.com
CALLING ALL PARENTS! I have decided to try to take a different approach to the yearbook this year. I would like it to be more of a community and collaborative effort. I am asking that one parent from each class be a representative and put together a one page photo collage for their class. In addition, I also need a couple of parents to put together a 2 page spread of the Walkathon and the Junior Olympics. The task involves, collecting photos and dragging and dropping into a template. No design experience required. If you are interested, please contact Christine Wedner, cwedner@mac.com. Thank you.
Common Core Math and LASD February 6, 2015 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Covington School Multipurpose Room. Los Altos School District is integrating the new Common Core Standards into our educational programs. This EdTalk will provide information that separates Common Core myth from fact. Discussion will center around LASD's approach to the Common Core to assure that all students are mathematically prepared for grade level progression. Common Core builds mathematical reasoning and critical thinking through problem solving strategies that are relevant to everyday life. The eight common core mathematical practices remain the same in grades K-12 to build a solid foundational understanding. Join us as we share information, try some hands-on math, and provide an opportunity to have your questions answered.
You may register to attend at Eventbrite by clicking this link:
http://edtalkscommoncoremath.eventbrite.com
School & Community News now found via Peachjar: https://www.peachjar.com/index.php?a=28&b=138®ion=54001
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.
Covington School Howler - Jan. 20, 2015
Important Message: Covington Voice Mail is Not Currently Working.
We will let you know as soon as it is back online. Please report any student absences to covingtonattendance@lasdschools.org. Please include student's name, teacher and reason for the absence. Even if you let the teacher know, you still need to inform the office via email.
If you need to leave a message for anyone on staff, please use email.
Important Dates:
Jan. 22 & 23 - New Parent Tours @ Egan School
Jan. 24 - Boy's Night Out
Jan. 28 - Dine Out for Covington @ Chevys
Feb. 3 - PTA Science Night 6pm-8pm
Feb. 16-20th - No School for Students, Winter Recess
Mar. 10 & 13 - New Parent Tours @ Blach School
Mar. 23-25 - Covington STEM Expo
From the School Nurse: Flu Season is Here! The following guidelines are indications that you should keep your child home. Thank you for your help, to control the spread of colds, flu, and other contagious illnesses.
LOS ALTOS SCHOOL DISTRICT HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL
Keep your child at home when he/she has any of the following symptoms:
Fever, Chills, Vomiting or diarrhea, Nausea, Sore throat or trouble swallowing,Coughing, sneezing, and/or runny nose, Rash or unusual sores or spots, Headache, Generalized muscle aches and pains ,Wheezing or trouble breathing, Unusually red, crusted or burning eyes.
If you or your child develops a cold that includes a severe cough or a cough that lasts a long time, it may be pertussis (whooping cough). The best way to know is to contact your doctor.
You need to keep your child home until he/she has been symptom free without medication for 24 hours.
Remember: You must report an absence every day that your child misses school. Email: covingtonattendance@lasdschools.org
Author Michael Northrop to Visit Covington in February
Students in grades three through six will have the opportunity to attend an assembly in February featuring Michael Northrop promoting his first book in a five-part series TombQuest, an Egyptian adventure in the same vein as the 39-Clues.
Pre-order forms to purchase a signed copy of "TombQuest: Book of the Dead" will be available beginning this week through classroom teachers, the Covington Library, and the school office. Pre-Order forms will be due Monday, Feb. 2.
Michael Northrop's visit is made possible at no charge through Peninsula Arts and Letters a nonprofit organization partnered with Kepler's Books in Menlo Park and the Covington PTA.
Maureen Drobot, Covington Library
Lori Parson, PTA Author Visit Chair
PTA News:
Mother/Daughter Yoga Party - THIS SATURDAY! Enjoy a unique and enlightening experience with a mother/daugther Yoga Class! While doing simple and fun GroovYoga dance combinations, yoga poses and a guided meditation, you will build trust, connection and have a great time. Taught by Yoga instructor and Covington mom Kathi Donnelly.
Saturday, January 24th, 10:00am Ivivva, Valley Fair Mall $40 per couple
Please email vjcairns@yahoo.com to sign up
Friday 2/6 (6:30 - 8:30pm) - 4th Annual Father/Daughter Dance @ Covington Multi
There are still a few spots available for this event. If you are interested, please contact Tracey Leong: tsakumoto67@gmail.com.
Friday 2/27 (5:00 - 7:15pm) - Kinder Movie Night in Covington Library
Come watch a movie and eat popcorn with the fabulous kinder teachers! If you are interested in signing your child up please contact Tracey Leong: tsakumoto67gmail.com
Covington Auction tickets now on sale! Early Bird pricing available until Friday, February 13th! Act today to secure your discounted tickets - $150 per couple, $75 per individual. For more information and ticket purchase, https://covington.schoolauction.net/auction2015/tickets/ticket_sales
Donate to Covington Auction! In addition to the continued support of local businesses, we are counting on the generosity and creativity of our Covington families to make this year's event a success. Now is the time to share your favorite vacation getaways, your VIP access, your talents, and all of the unique experiences, goods and services you treasure! Donations are due no later than Friday, February 6th. Please direct any questions to our Donations Chair, Lara Sullivan, at lara.sullivan06@gmail.com. Online donations may be submitted here: https://covington.schoolauction.net/auction2015/donate_items/new
Computer skills needed! Do you know your way around Adobe InDesign? Do you, perhaps, possess a particular talent with Pages for Mac? Could you even be, or know someone who is, a graphic designer? Are you, or your friend, willing to volunteer your time, or donate a bit of it, to the Auction Committee in the next few weeks? If so, the gratitude of literally the entire school, especially all the programs funded by the PTA, is yours. As well as a tax write-off, if applicable. Please email Sumaira Nabeel sumaira.nabeel@gmail.com with any leads. Thank you!
Adult Auction Parties: We are looking for hosts for Adult Auction Parties - these parties are hosted by Covington parents for Covington Parents. The host decides the theme, location, date, and number of participants. These fun and creative parties raised $35,000+ for Covington last year. Any idea that shares your enthusiasm for something is a great one! Think about what you and your friends would enjoy, or perhaps special skills you may have to offer.he list is limited only by your imagination and the parties do not need to be expensive or lavish to be a great time! Please email or call Christine Sellers at cyberchristine@hotmail.com / 650-867-7187 if you have questions or are willing to host.
Covington Boy's Night Out at Area 151. Pizza/Soda/100Tokens
Saturday January 24th / 5:30 - 7:30PM / $25 per person/ $50 for Father and Son
Pizza and Soda at Area 151 at 6PM. To save your spot please email John Crawford at jbcrawfo@aol.com by January 10th. Make checks payable to: Covington PTA Boy's Night Out box in Office
Girls on the Run Program Registration Closes Soon! Girls on the Run is a fun, life-changing, after-school program for (3rd-5th) grade girls. The 10-week program teaches girls life skills such as confidence, how to be a good friend and how to stand up for themselves and others while inspiring them to be joyful, healthy and confident by using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running.
Girls on the Run begins the week of March 2, 2015, and concludes the week of May 18, 2015. The Covington team will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:40-4:30pm. There will be no lessons the week of spring break. The culminating event of the season is the Girls on the Run 5K, on Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Vasona Park in Los Gatos, where program participants and community members come together for this celebratory fun run/walk.
Program registration is online only at www.gotrsv.org and will close on Thursday, January 22. Space is limited and girls are registered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Common Core Math and LASD February 6, 2015 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Covington School Multipurpose Room. Los Altos School District is integrating the new Common Core Standards into our educational programs. This EdTalk will provide information that separates Common Core myth from fact. Discussion will center around LASD's approach to the Common Core to assure that all students are mathematically prepared for grade level progression. Common Core builds mathematical reasoning and critical thinking through problem solving strategies that are relevant to everyday life. The eight common core mathematical practices remain the same in grades K-12 to build a solid foundational understanding. Join us as we share information, try some hands-on math, and provide an opportunity to have your questions answered.
You may register to attend at Eventbrite by clicking this link:
http://edtalkscommoncoremath.eventbrite.com
School & Community News now found via Peachjar: https://www.peachjar.com/index.php?a=28&b=138®ion=54001
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.
Covington School Howler - Jan. 13, 2015
Dear Covington Families,
This week I want to highlight two upcoming events that affect Covington students and also LASD students as a whole. The first happens next Tuesday, January 20th, when school will be closed for students but open for LASD staff. The adults in our district will be engaging in professional learning around the new Common Core Math standards. The day-long event will require educators to delve deep into the standards by collaborating with other teachers across the district at their grade level and communicating with each other on how students progress from one school year to the next. They will be asked to critically think about what it means to "meet the individual learning needs of all students," one of our district goals, and to work together to come up with creative solutions to do so. This great work will have a direct impact on your child's learning!
The other event I wanted to bring attention to is the Los Altos School District's STEM Expo, which invites students in grades K-6 to participate! While engaging in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) projects, students will have an opportunity to design hands-on projects while exploring just how fun STEM can be!
Students will be guided through a myriad of activities: STEM lunch clubs, opportunities for special class projects, and/or providing grade level support. This event lends itself to a variety of learning experiences either within the class or at home, working individually or collaboratively with their peers or with adults amongst a wide range of STEM categories. Ultimately, students get the chance to showcase their science work in a fun and unique venue, with learning opportunities for the entire family.
Check out the 2015 STEM Expo Trailer here. For information on signing your child up to participate, please see Covington STEM teacher Katie Farley's write up further below in the Howler.
Thank you LAEF for supporting our STEM program!
Enjoy the week!
Raquel Matteroli
Interim Principal, Covington School
Important Dates:
Jan. 13 & 16 - New Parent Tours @ Blach School
Jan. 16 - PTA Meeting & Principal Coffee, 8:30am
Jan. 19 & 20 - No School For Students, MLK Holiday & Staff Development Day
Jan. 22 & 23 - New Parent Tours @ Egan School
Jan. 24 - Boy's Night Out
Jan. 28 - Dine Out for Covington @ Chevys
Feb. 3 - PTA Science Night 6pm-8pm
Feb. 16-20th - No School for Students, Winter Recess
Mar. 23-25 - Covington STEM Expo
From the School Nurse: Flu Season is Here! The following guidelines are indications that you should keep your child home. Thank you for your help, to control the spread of colds, flu, and other contagious illnesses.
LOS ALTOS SCHOOL DISTRICT HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT: WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL
Keep your child at home when he/she has any of the following symptoms:
Fever, Chills, Vomiting or diarrhea, Nausea, Sore throat or trouble swallowing, Coughing, sneezing, and/or runny nose, Rash or unusual sores or spots, Headache, Generalized muscle aches and pains ,Wheezing or trouble breathing , Unusually red, crusted or burning eyes.
If you or your child develops a cold that includes a severe cough or a cough that lasts a long time, it may be pertussis (whooping cough). The best way to know is to contact your doctor.
You need to keep your child home until he/she has been symptom free without medication for 24 hours.
Remember also you must call the Attendance Line Every Day that your child is absent: 650-947-1101.
Covington Stem Expo Information:
The STEM Expo is coming soon! If your child would like to participate in this engaging adaptation of a science fair, he or she will need to complete an Intent to Participate form by February 24, 2015. This form merely states your child's intent to participate in the STEM Expo this year. Before completing the form, your child must be prepared to enter the following information:
Independent/Partner/Group/Class Participation
Name(s)
Email address(es)
Grade level/Teacher
Category of project (invention, robotics, etc.)
Title for project
A brief description of project
A few things to note:
1. If your child plans to participate as an individual, and is in 3rd grade or below, please complete this form along side your child.
2. If your child is participating as part of a class project, his or her teacher will take care of the form.
3. If your child plans to participate as part of a partnership or team of three, all participants should be present for the completion of the form.
4. A parent or guardian's email address may be used in place of a student email address.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Looking forward to the STEM Expo from March 23 - March 25!
tinyurl.com/covingtonstem
https://sites.google.com/a/lasdk8.org/covington-stem/class-newsletters
PTA News:
PLEASE NOTE: The Allergist scheduled to speak at the PTA General Meeting has had a family emergency and is unable to speak at this week's meeting. Currently we are working with her to reschedule for our March PTA meeting. However, we will still be conducting regular business including: discussing a bike and pedestrian safety resolution, this year's STEM Expo, financials year to date and updates on happenings around Covington.
Covington Auction tickets now on sale! Early Bird pricing available until Friday, February 13th! Act today to secure your discounted tickets - $150 per couple, $75 per individual. For more information and ticket purchase, https://covington.schoolauction.net/auction2015/tickets/ticket_sales
Donate to Covington Auction! In addition to the continued support of local businesses, we are counting on the generosity and creativity of our Covington families to make this year's event a success. Now is the time to share your favorite vacation getaways, your VIP access, your talents, and all of the unique experiences, goods and services you treasure! Donations are due no later than Friday, February 6th. Please direct any questions to our Donations Chair, Lara Sullivan, at lara.sullivan06@gmail.com. Online donations may be submitted here: https://covington.schoolauction.net/auction2015/donate_items/new
Computer skills needed! Do you know your way around Adobe InDesign? Do you, perhaps, possess a particular talent with Pages for Mac? Could you even be, or know someone who is, a graphic designer? Are you, or your friend, willing to volunteer your time, or donate a bit of it, to the Auction Committee in the next few weeks? If so, the gratitude of literally the entire school, especially all the programs funded by the PTA, is yours. As well as a tax write-off, if applicable. Please email Sumaira Nabeel (sumaira.nabeel@gmail.com) with any leads. Thank you!
Adult Auction Parties: We are looking for hosts for Adult Auction Parties - these parties are hosted by Covington parents for Covington Parents. The host decides the theme, location, date, and number of participants. These fun and creative parties raised $35,000+ for Covington last year. Any idea that shares your enthusiasm for something is a great one! Think about what you and your friends would enjoy, or perhaps special skills you may have to offer.he list is limited only by your imagination and the parties do not need to be expensive or lavish to be a great time! Please email or call Christine Sellers at cyberchristine@hotmail.com / 650-867-7187 if you have questions or are willing to host.
Covington Boy's Night Out at Area 151. Pizza/Soda/100Tokens
Saturday January 24th / 5:30 - 7:30PM / $25 per person/ $50 for Father and Son
Pizza and Soda at Area 151 at 6PM. To save your spot please email John Crawford atjbcrawfo@aol.com by January 10th. Make checks payable to: Covington PTA Boy's Night Out box in Office
Girls on the Run Program Registration Closes Soon! Girls on the Run is a fun, life-changing, after-school program for (3rd-5th) grade girls. The 10-week program teaches girls life skills such as confidence, how to be a good friend and how to stand up for themselves and others while inspiring them to be joyful, healthy and confident by using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running.
Girls on the Run begins the week of March 2, 2015, and concludes the week of May 18, 2015. The Covington team will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:40-4:30pm. There will be no lessons the week of spring break. The culminating event of the season is the Girls on the Run 5K, on Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Vasona Park in Los Gatos, where program participants and community members come together for this celebratory fun run/walk.
Program registration is online only at www.gotrsv.org and will close on Thursday, January 22. Space is limited and girls are registered on a first-come, first-served basis.
School & Community News now found via Peachjar: https://www.peachjar.com/index.php?a=28&b=138®ion=54001
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.
Covington School Howler - Jan. 6, 2015
Dear Covington Families,
I hope you had a restful and relaxing break from school. I always find the time away to be a great opportunity to reflect on the work that has been done and what is yet to be accomplished. The turn of the year always brings with it renewed energy for new and on-going projects. Looking at the calendar from January to June, there are many exciting events coming up from the STEM Expo to the Junior Olympics to the LASD Film Festival. I look forward to our continued partnership together in the months to come.
Just a reminder that the open enrollment period for Kindergarten 2015 is now in progress until February 6th. If you have younger children who will be joining Covington in the Fall 2015, please stop by the office and pick up a registration packet.
Enjoy the week!
Raquel Matteroli
Interim Principal, Covington School
Important Dates:
Jan. 16 - PTA Meeting & Principal Coffee, 8:30am
Jan. 19 & 20 - No School For Students, MLK Holiday & Staff Development Day
Jan. 28 - Dine Out for Covington @ Chevys
Feb. 3 - PTA Science Night 6pm-8pm
Feb. 16-20th - No School for Students, Winter Recess
Mar. 23-25 - Covington STEM Expo
PTA News:
Covington Boy's Night Out at Area 151. Pizza/Soda/100Tokens
Saturday January 24th / 5:30 - 7:30PM / $25 per person/ $50 for Father and Son
Pizza and Soda at Area 151 at 6PM. To save your spot please email John Crawford at jbcrawfo@aol.com by January 10th. Make checks payable to: Covington PTA Boy's Night Out box in Office
Registration for Covington PTA's next Musical Theatre, THE WIZ, is now open for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders! Start Date: Thursday, January 15th, 2015
Rehearsals: Thursdays and Fridays, 2:45-4:30pm in multi* (Different start times on some days- Please see registration form in office for full schedule)
Mandatory Tech Week Rehearsals: April 13-17, 2:45-6:00pm
Performances: Sat April 18th @ 7pm and Sun April 19th @ 3pm (Must be able to attend both performances to be part of cast) Cost: $300 (includes t-shirt)
Refunds must be requested prior to the first class meeting. Two ways to register:
1. complete the form in the office "WIZ" box, attach payment, and drop back into the "WIZ" box.
2. complete online form: http://goo.gl/forms/xU5K7IM9qS
You must still drop off check in the office "WIZ" box. Checks to be written to Covington PTA. Please contact Arezou (arezoua@yahoo.com) for questions.
Food Allergy Information: Did you know that we have many moderate to highly allergic kids in our Covington community with roughly 2 food related allergy sufferers per classroom? Did you know that for some of these kids just touching the food allergen found on another person, a table or the jungle gym can cause severe and/or life threatening problems? Would you like to hear more about how we as a community can make a safer place for all of our children? You do? Then come to our next PTA General Meeting on January 16th at 8:30 am in the Staff Room.
Covington Stem Teacher Links:
tinyurl.com/covingtonstem
https://sites.google.com/a/lasdk8.org/covington-stem/class-newsletters
School & Community News now found via Peachjar: https://www.peachjar.com/index.php?a=28&b=138®ion=54001
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.
Covington School Howler - Dec. 16, 2014
Dear Covington Families,
Last Saturday, my son and I had the pleasure of experiencing the Covington school musical, “Alice In Wonderland,” and I have to share that my cheek’s muscles were pretty sore afterwards from smiling so much! Our students were, in a word, PHENOMENAL! They were funny, poised, engaging and invested in the work they were performing. What a great opportunity for our young people to be involved in a project where they have spent several months flexing their 21st Century skills of creativity (the nuanced art of acting), collaboration (interacting and negotiating the theater space, dialogue and music with their fellow actors), critical thinking (understanding the motives of each character) and communication (playing off each other and emoting to the audience). When we got back home, my son immediately retrieved his condensed version of Alice in Wonderland to compare the storyline of the musical we had just watched with the one in the book. He wondered out loud why his book didn’t include the songs and musical numbers and found it to be quite lacking (Might I have a budding performer?).
As I thought about the musical over the rest of the weekend, it occurred to me that not only was it a growing experience for students in a variety of ways, but it was also a positive opportunity for students to engage in risk-taking. Those two words “risk taking” can often be considered negative, but they are a fundamental part of growing up and learning to be a well-rounded adult. We want our children to grapple with and negotiate all aspects of winning and losing as they are important social milestones that all humans must go through. The trick is to steer our young people towards activities that lead to positive risk taking (sports, theater, music, student government) instead of negative ones.
So, whether your child is interested in athletics, singing, chess or public speaking, encourage him or her to take positive risks! And in the case of those with a proclivity towards musical theater, there will be another opportunity for our 4-6th graders to participate in a spring production, “The Wiz.” See below for more details on the upcoming Covington musical.
A HUGE thank you to Covington parents for your continued support of all the wonderful programs and activities that our students enjoy!
Have a wonderful week, restful break and happy holidays!
Raquel Matteroli
Interim Principal, Covington School
Important Dates:
Dec. 15-19 - 6th Graders to Walden West
Dec. 22-Jan. 2 - December Recess, school resumes on Jan 5th.
Jan. 19 & 20 - No School For Students, MLK Holiday & Staff Development Day
Feb. 16-20th - No School for Students, Winter Recess
Friendly Reminder: The State of California Education Code only allows 3 unexcused absences per year. The only excused absences are for illness, appointments or family emergencies. If you are planning to travel during scheduled school time, please ask your teacher about Independent Study. Independent study is an optional educational alternative to classroom instruction available to all students in the district. We offer short term independent study which has specific guidelines of a minimum of 5 days, maximum of 15 days.
From Ms. Farley our STEM Teacher:
This year, Covington School will be participating in our first annual STEM Expo, in place of the science fair! This is an exciting opportunity for students to stretch an idea for a typical science fair project into a project with a STEM focus.
Details
When: Monday, March 23 - Wednesday, March 25
March 23 and 24: Class visitation of the Expo
March 25: Student project presentations to reviewers
Schedule for March 25:
9:00 - 2:30 (student presentations)
4:30 - 8:00 (open house for the community)
Who: Any student may participate! Some classes will be required to participate, while others are encouraged.
Where: Covington Multi and STEM Lab (details TBD)
Other details:
Depending on classroom regulations, students may participate individually, in a partnership, in a small group, with parent help, or as a class!
Students will present their projects during the day on March 25 at specified intervals. They will not be missing the entire day of school for presentations.
Please visit the LASD STEM Expo website, as well as the Covington School STEM Expo website for further information.
Please don't hesitate to email me at kfarley@lasdschools.org with any questions, concerns, or desire to get involved!
We are sincerely looking forward to your amazing projects!
PTA News:
LEGO ENGINEERING WORKSHOP Join your friends and Play-Well TEKnologies for a workshop using the LEGO building System. Explore concepts in Physics, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, and architecture while playing with your favorite creations. Thursday, December 18th, 2:30-4:30pm, Covington Multi. $30 per student Please email vjcairns@yahoo.com to sign up
Winter sessions for after-school enrichment programs are now accepting enrollment: http://covingtonschool.org/covingtones/4757-After-School-Programs.html
We have new sessions of Mad Science, Speech/Debate, Yoga, Spanish, Basketball, Technology, Art (CSMA) and Drawing (Young Rembrandts).
Sign up soon so you can reserve your spots!
Contact kathrynhan@gmail.com if any questions.
PTA After-School Spring Musical: Registration is now open for 4th-6th graders for the Spring Musical Theatre performance of THE WIZ!
Registration forms are in the office (in the WIZ box). Registration is $300 per student and includes a T-shirt. Classes will be held on Thursdays and Fridays in the multi usually from 2:40-4:30* (different start times on some dates; please see registration form for full schedule and times) Classes begin January 15th 4-6pm.
Mandatory Tech Week Rehearsals April 13-17th 2:40-6pm.
Performances April 18th and 19th. Must be able to attend both performances to be part of cast. Please contact Arezou for more information
Amazon Shoppers: If you're shopping at Amazon, please use the Amazon link through the Covington home page, instead of the Amazon link through eScrip. Covington will obtain a much higher percentage back to the school from our direct link. Thanks!
Go to www.covingtonschool.org
Click the Amazon logo on the lower right side to go to the Amazon website
Select and purchase your items as you normally would. No sign up required!
Lost & Found: Please pick up your jackets, coats and other items by Friday December 19th. Anything left over the break will be donated to charity.
Covington Stem Teacher Links:
tinyurl.com/covingtonstem
https://sites.google.com/a/lasdk8.org/covington-stem/class-newsletters
School & Community News now found via Peachjar: https://www.peachjar.com/index.php?a=28&b=138®ion=54001
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.
Covington School Howler - Dec. 8, 2014
Dear Covington Families,
There are two very exciting events going on this week, both made possible thanks to the tremendous parent support Covington school receives from the Los Altos Education Foundation. Read below to find out more!
Upper Grade 4-6 Music Concert Tuesday afternoon. Tomorrow at 1:00pm is our Upper Grade Winter Music Concert. Please join us in the Multi to experience the musical talents of our wonderful Covington students!
Hour of Code:
This week, December 8-12, is Computer Science Education Week. During this same week last year, code.org started the Hour of Code initiative to increase coding across the country. In LASD we have been teaching coding for years, this week simply allows us to spotlight and build upon the great experiences that our kids already have.
In preparation for the week, please take 2 minutes to watch the video on the Hour of Code initiative -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH7AjDMz_dc#t=65
To celebrate Computer Science Education Week and the Hour of Code activities, LASD is encouraging our community to CODE Together.
Please see a message from our STEM teacher Katie Farley (further down in the Howler) for opportunities to join your child in Hour of Code activities!
Enjoy the week!
Raquel Matteroli
Interim Principal, Covington School
Important Dates:
Dec. 9 - 4th-6th Grade Winter Concert 1pm
Dec. 9 - Dine Out for Covington @ Maltbys.
Dec 12 & 13 - PTA Play, Alice In Wonderland
Dec. 15-19 - 6th Graders to Walden West
Dec. 22-Jan. 2 - December Recess, school resumes on Jan 5th.
Jan 19 & 20 - No School For Students, MLK Holiday & Staff Development Day
Friendly Reminder: Rainy Weather is here. Please plan for extra time to travel to school in the morning to avoid an unexcused tardy.
From Ms. Farley our STEM Teacher:
This week (December 8th-12th) is Computer Science Education Week, a week dedicated to showing students in grades K-12 the importance of computer science education. This fabulous opportunity to gain a greater appreciation for computer science is organized by code.org with the goal to get as many students as possible of all ages (and adults, too!) to participate in one hour of coding during that week- appropriately called the "Hour of Code"!
According to code.org, "90% of K-12 schools in the U.S. do not teach computer science." Los Altos School District, thanks to funding from LAEF and an unbelievably supportive community and staff, is fortunate enough to fall within the 10% of U.S. Schools that are offering every student the opportunity to learn computational thinking through the STEM and C-STEM program.
During Computer Science Education Week, each student at Covington and throughout LASD will be participating in at least one computational thinking/coding lesson.
Grade Level Lessons During Computer Science Education Week
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Code.org tutorials
Scratch, Jr (http://www.scratchjr.org)
3rd - 5th grade
Code.org tutorials
Scratch: http://scratch.mit.edu/
6th grade
Will continue with c-STEM curriculum
Both days of LEGO Lunch in the STEM Lab will also be dedicated to allowing students the opportunity to engage in computer programming. LEGO Lunch is held on Tuesday for grades 1 and 2, and Wednesday for grades 3 - 6 at lunch recess in the STEM Lab. We are strongly encouraging parents to join their children during LEGO Lunch on either day!
Don't hesitate to contact me (kfarley@lasdschools.org) with any questions or concerns. We sincerely look forward to your participation in this year's Hour of Code next week!
"Everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer…because it teaches you how to think."- Steve Jobs
PTA News:
Dine out for Covington: Please come by and enjoy some classic comfort food at Maltby's in Los Altos Tuesday, December 9th. Maltby's will donate 15% of proceeds from Covington supporters all day. Please remember to mention Covington. Maltby's is open for lunch from 11:30-2:30 PM and for dinner from 5-9 PM. Maltby's is located at 101 Plaza North. (650) 917-8777. http://www.maltbys.com/
Holiday Crafting Workshop! Calling All Elves! Join your friends in Santa's workshop for a Holiday Craft and Cookie Party. Enjoy some holiday treats while you make some fun crafts and decorations, and cookies to take home!
Sunday, December 14th 2-5pm, Covington Multi ,$30 per student
Please contact Valerie Cairns vjcairns@yahoo.com to sign up
Mother/Daughter Yoga Party. Enjoy a unique and enlightening experience with a mother/daugther Yoga Class! While doing simple and fun GroovYoga dance combinations, yoga poses and a guided meditation, you will build trust, connection and have a great time. Taught by Yoga instructor and Covington mom Kathi Donnelly
Saturday, December 13th, 10:00am Ivivva, Valley Fair Mall $40 per couple
Please email vjcairns@yahoo.com to sign up
LEGO ENGINEERING WORKSHOP Join your friends and Play-Well TEKnologies for a workshop using the LEGO building System. Explore concepts in Physics, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, and architecture while playing with your favorite creations. Thursday, December 18th, 2:30-4:30pm, Covington Multi. $30 per student Please email vjcairns@yahoo.com to sign up
Winter sessions for after-school enrichment programs are now accepting enrollment: http://covingtonschool.org/covingtones/4757-After-School-Programs.html
We have new sessions of Mad Science, Speech/Debate, Yoga, Spanish, Basketball, Technology, Art (CSMA) and Drawing (Young Rembrandts).
Sign up soon so you can reserve your spots!
Contact kathrynhan@gmail.com if any questions.
Girls on the Run Program Registration Opening Soon! Girls on the Run is a fun, life-changing, after-school program for (3rd-5th) grade girls. The 10-week program teaches girls life skills such as confidence, how to be a good friend and how to stand up for themselves and others while inspiring them to be joyful, healthy and confident by using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running.
Girls on the Run begins the week of March 2, 2015, and concludes the week of May 18, 2015. The Covington team will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:40-4:30pm. There will be no lessons the week of spring break. The culminating event of the season is the Girls on the Run 5K, on Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Vasona Park in Los Gatos, where program participants and community members come together for this celebratory fun run/walk.
Program registration is online only at www.gotrsv.org and will open at 8:00 am on Saturday, December 13, 2014. Space is limited and girls will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Amazon Shoppers: If you're shopping at Amazon, please use the Amazon link through the Covington home page, instead of the Amazon link through eScrip. Covington will obtain a much higher percentage back to the school from our direct link. Thanks!
Go to www.covingtonschool.org
Click the Amazon logo on the lower right side to go to the Amazon website
Select and purchase your items as you normally would. No sign up required!
LAEF: What a week! #GivingTuesday, Winter Concerts, & Computer Science Ed Week. With the amazing support of this community, LAEF met our #GivingTuesday challenge match from the Cairns, House-Meyn and Tuch families. Thank you!
Coming up next are two programs LAEF is proud to fund:
- The Winter Music Concerts for grades 4-6 celebrate students’ participation in a full range of music experiences including: learning to read music, playing the recorder, chorus, band and orchestra.
- Computer Science Education Week will focus on collaborative coding for grades K-8, strengthening LASD’s commitment to every student learning computational thinking through the STEM and C-STEM programs in K-6 and through coding in science classes at Blach and Egan using the STAR Logo Nova program.
Show your support for these programs by giving to LAEF today!
AMAZON SHOPPERS: Earn referral fees for Covington while purchasing books, electronics, holiday gifts, and more. It’s EASY and DOESN’T COST YOU ANYTHING!
Go to www.covingtonschool.org
Click the Amazon logo on the lower right side to go to the Amazon website
Select and purchase your items as you normally would.
Covington will automatically receive a referral fee of at least 6.5%! No sign-up required.
Covington Stem Teacher Links:
tinyurl.com/covingtonstem
https://sites.google.com/a/lasdk8.org/covington-stem/class-newsletters
School & Community News now found via Peachjar: https://www.peachjar.com/index.php?a=28&b=138®ion=54001
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.