Covington School Howler

August 25,  2015

Dear Covington Families & Community Members,

Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year!  It has been so wonderful to both connect and reconnect with you and your children over the last week! From talking with your children, it is evident they have had busy summers and are excited to be back at school.  During our classroom observations over the last week, we have seen students engaged, challenged and inspired. Learning looks incredibly different from what it did only 5 years ago!  Revolutionizing learning is evident across the Covington campus.

There are many changes happening in education that are important for shifting some long held practices and mindsets. Educational practices, in general, have remained the same for hundreds of years. While there’s valid reasons for some to have remained in practice, the current abundance of information and the impact technology has had on our lives is requiring us to rethink and reframe many of the needs of today’s learners. Here in LASD, you are already seeing references to “LASD 3.0” and our desire to further personalize learning and “design to the edges.” This takes courage.

“If we are ever going to move past our current circumstances, to that special place we dream about, that we consider, but have determined not to share, to keep hidden and below the surface…to do that thing we really want to do, but scares us the most…will require an internal shift…from fear, judgment, condemnation, criticism...and the 100 and 1 other reasons that are holding us back.”                                                                                                                                     -The Internal Shift: The Difficult Side of Creativity and Innovation by DCulberhouse

This year, both in LASD and here at Covington, we are going to embrace creativity and innovation by trying some new things. Our staff is embracing design thinking and looking to create new and better strategies for engaging our learners. As we prototype and test our ideas, we appreciate your feedback and we ask you to partner with us as we challenge and ask thoughtful questions around some long held practices, such as homework, grades, and report cards.

“Our future prosperity depends on the quality of our collective imaginations.”               -Eric Ries, The Lean Startup

We intend to “give it a whirl with purpose and direction” and create a better learning experience for our students. We embrace the challenge, knowing that we need that internal shift and courage, “the gritty kind,” to get it done.

Looking forward to a fantastic new school year!                  

Best Regards,

Erin S. Green and Kami Thordarson

Important Dates

Sept. 3 - Back to School Night

Sept. 4 - Minimum Day: PICK UP AT 12:15PM ALL STUDENTS

Sept. 7 - Labor Day Holiday, No School

Sept. 11 - PTA Meeting/Principal Coffee

Sept. 25 - Staff Development Day:NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Yard Duty Supervisors Needed

Yard Supervisors Needed Monday-Friday 12:00-12:40pm every day:  If you are able to help one day a week or all five days each week, we need you!  We have openings for parents, grandparents, or college students.  If you are interested (this is a paid position) yourself or know of someone else who may be interested, please give the office a call at 650.947.1100.  This is a fun and great opportunity to get to know our awesome students and see some of the great things that go on at school during the year!

PTA News

NOTES FROM THE PTA PRESIDENT: Welcome back to school!!! I hope your children are settling in well in their new classrooms and have reconnected with old friends and made new ones.  I know I am happy to have my children back in school and was ready to put them in the hands of the wonderful teaching staff!  

Now that you are settled in, please don't forget about your Back to School Purchases.  You can complete your back to school purchases in two ways: (1) You can fill out the Combined Payment Form attached to this Howler and attach a check for the grand total or (2) online here (please follow the directions closely). If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me. Jessica Speiser

jessica@speiser.net

Ordering for Hot Lunch at Covington is Now Open! Click here for information and instructions on ordering Pasta Market Hot Lunch for your student: http://www.covingtonschool.org/covingtones/7030-Untitled.html

AMAZON SHOPPERS – Make Your Back-to-School Shopping Count for Covington! Earn referral fees for Covington on purchases of books, electronics, toys, 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, then 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. Questions? Contact Jennie Ebbitt at jtebbitt@gmail.com.

Few spots left for Covington's first prom,come and enjoy party!

Email crysta.krames@gmail.com to be added to the Evite and you can  pay at the door! Throw Back to the 80's Prom Party. Garden House - Shoup Park

Saturday, September 12th. 7:30-midnight

$75pp. If you've ever had a perm, acne or worn ruffles, then this party that will bring closure to your night terrors!  If you didn't go to Prom, then you must attend so that you can say you've participated in an American High School tradition...

PTA After School Enrichment Programs

After-school programs/classes start in August and September.

Class schedule:

Mon: Soccer (K-4), Drawing (1-6), Mathletes-in-Training/Mathletes (3-6), Flag Football (4-6)

Tues: Chess (1-6), Mad Science (K-2), Bald Eagle Go Games (3-6)

Wed: Lego Engineering (K-2), CSMA Art (K-3)

Thurs: Run for Fun (1-6), Public Speaking/Debate (3-6), Technology/Programming (2-6)

Fri: Basketball (K-6), Spanish (K-6), Flag Football (4-6)

Register early to ensure you get a spot. More details and registration (not all classes listed yet): http://covingtonschool.org/covingtones/4757-After-School-Programs.html

St William Rummage Sale

Our neighbor, St. William Church, is having their annual rummage sale Sept 3-5th.  Sept 3rd is a private sale day, open only to their own members and Covington School.  You are welcome to stop by after drop off on 9/3 starting at 9am and shop.

LAEF

LAEF welcomes you to the 2015-16 School Year!

LAEF is a non-profit organization led by parent volunteers that raises funds to provide enrichment programs and smaller class sizes for LASD students. This year's staff for STEM; PE; libraries; art; music; computer science; Junior High electives and smaller class sizes in grades K-3 and 7-8 are all supported by your tax-deductible LAEF donation.  

LAEF strives for 100% participation and every gift in any amount is appreciated. Learn More & Make Your Tax-Deductible Donation Today at www.laefonline.org

Shop at Whole Foods Los Altos on 8/26 = LAEF gets 5%!

LAEF is proud to have been chosen by Whole Foods in Los Altos to receive 5% of its sales on Wednesday, August 26th.  Get ready to shop and spread the word today!

School & Community News

Pack 76 Cub Scout Round Up Thinking about joining the Cub Scouts? Then come to Pack 76’s August Round Up. What: Cub Scout August Round Up

When: Thursday, Aug 27, 2015 from 7-8pm

Where: Covington School, Multi Purpose Room, Los Altos

What to Expect: Overview presentation, Q/A for new parents

Who Should Attend: Boys in K-5th grade interested in Cub Scouts + a parent

Questions: Contact Lauren Hasenhuttl, Pack 76 Committee Chair lhasenhu@gmail.com

Become a LIVING CLASSROOM docent... share your love of nature with kids! No experience necessary as we provide all the training needed! Altos.  Please click HERE to view our Fall training flyer. www.living-classroom.org.

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.