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Covington Elementary School |
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April 29, 2010
The Covington Howler - April 29th, 2010
From Erin Green, Principal
Dear Parents and Community,
JUNIOR OLYMPICS
What
a great event last weekend! Thank you again to our PTA Junior Olympics
event chairs, Kathleen Vitakis, Rachel Botsford and Terese Blockus, as
well as all of the grade level reps: Vahe Baronian & Ty Levine (4th
grade) Linda Baxley & Peggy McGrath (5th Grade) Darcy Ratner &
Sherri Glein (6th Grade) who assisted and put in countless hours
planning and supporting this superior student event. I know many more
people helped to make this happen; please know you are appreciated!
Since
this was my first Junior Olympics in Los Altos, I had no idea what to
expect, and what a great day I had! Our students were so positive,
spirited and they definitely stood out (and not just from wearing
bright orange)! I was so impressed with our students' attitudes and
appreciated how they supported one another throughout the day!
I
have limited results from the day, however I do know that each 4th
grade Girl Relay teams took first place! The events/ results will be
posted on our website at a later date. A highlight of the day, our
Coyote had a strong showing in the Mascot event; even Coyote
participated and attempted to achieve his personal best! Finally, a
big thank you to Mr. Heeb and his team for his hard work and dedication
to our community!
Congratulations
are in order! The Federated Woman's Club of Los Altos sponsored its
17th Annual Student Art Contest in March. The 56 entrants from the Los
Altos School District received participation certificates. In addition
for being recognized as participants, two Covington students placed
first in first and fifth grade. Jack Dragoli, first grader, and Anisha
Palasamudrum, fifth grader, were both awarded a $100 Savings Bond.
Congratulations to our stars; they were recognized at our flag salute
assembly on Monday!
STAR TESTING MAY 3rd - 7th
Our
teachers have been preparing the children for STAR testing which begins
May 3rd. As a school community, we view STAR testing as a tool to
reflect on the positive achievements of our students, and to identify
areas of instruction we may need to focus on. The tests are designed to
measure students' attainment of grade level standards in language arts
and mathematics in grades 2-6, and science in grade 5.
Here are a few suggestions to support your children during the testing process:
-Take care of the basics. See
that your child gets a good night sleep the night before the test and
eats a good breakfast. The brain can't work if the stomach is empty!
-Keep your cool.
While tests have increasing importance, they are just one measure of
student learning so try to keep the process in perspective. Explain
that the results may help your child, and the teacher, understand the
areas where he or she might be especially strong or may have a need for
improvement.
-Get to school on time. Testing will begin when school starts. Students arriving late will not be allowed to interrupt the testing process.
-No appointments please! Thank you ahead of time for you help arranging appointments outside of that week if at all possible!
Some good news does accompany the testing news; students will not have homework the week of May 3rd-7th.
Covington Coyotes rock!
Sincerely,
Erin S. Green
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Upcoming events - mark your calendars!
May 3-7 Mon - Fri - STAR Testing
May 7 Fri, 5:00 7:00pm - Multicultural Festival, School Toolbox Orders due
May 13, Thurs, 8:30am - PTA Meeting
May 15, Sat, 10am - Los Altos Pet Parade
May 19, Weds - Teacher Appreciation Day
May 20, Thurs - Open House & Summer Reading Kickoff
May 25, Tues, 2pm - Junior Olympics Awards Assembly
May 28, Friday, 8:00 - 8:30am - Volunteer Breakfast
Click the item for more details or see Covington website calendar
_________________________________________________________________________________
School Council
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tomorrow
is Arbor Day! The PTA and Student Council are joining forces to
celebrate the holiday here at Covington. Mark your calendars for a
ceremonial tree-planting event at the Friday morning assembly on 4/30.
Also,
we will be hosting a Stay & Play and Bake Sale from 2:45-3:30 on
the playground tomorrow afternoon. Please remember to join your child
at this event, parental supervision is required. If anyone is
interested in donating individually wrapped baked goods to be sold at
the Bake Sale on 4/30, please email Sarah Wedel at swedel@covingtonschool.org
for more information. Please plan on dropping off the treats in Room 20
before school or bringing them directly to the bake sale on the
playground after school.
Thank you for your continued support...GO COYOTES!
_________________________________________________________________________________
From the PTA
STATE FUNDING CHANGES
LASD
funding is being significantly impacted by the state budget crisis.
Help lobby Sacramento to maintain education funding for FY11 by picking
up and mailing a copy of our postcards at this Friday drop-off/pick-up.
Don't want to mail? We'll do it for you.
LOOKING FOR REGISTERED VOTERS _ NOVEMBER BALLOT INITIATIVE
PTA will have a petition for the LOCAL CONTROL OF LOCAL CLASSROOMS FUNDING ACT on the November ballot. See www.improvedschoolfunding.com
for more details. The Act would change the margin of victory required
for school initiatives. Please support by signing this petition. Look
for the PTA table at drop-off/pick up by the Multi this Friday and next
week.
THANK YOU to the Covington's Boy Scout Pack 76
Under
the direction of Suzanne Kasso, the Boy Scouts worked last Sunday
afternoon to clean up and prepare the planting beds for the school's
Arbor Day celebration. They weeded, trimmed, raked and dug the holes to
plant the trees. Check out the results of their efforts!
REMINDER: Orders for 2010-11 School Tool Box Due by May 7
The School Tool Box™ is a customized prepackaged school supplies kit for students. Order now and save yourself a shopping trip plus take advantage of lower costs due to bulk purchasing. The boxes will be delivered to your child's classroom the first week of school. Download/print order form and place orders/checks in the front office.
The School Tool Box™ is a customized prepackaged school supplies kit for students. Order now and save yourself a shopping trip plus take advantage of lower costs due to bulk purchasing. The boxes will be delivered to your child's classroom the first week of school. Download/print order form and place orders/checks in the front office.
SAVE THE DATE: Los Altos Pet Parade -Saturday, May 15th at 9:45am!
Gather
up your pets and the whole family and join other Covington families for
the 63rd annual pet parade. More details to follow about where to
assemble.
Update your Spring wardrobe and Support Covington too!
Check out kids short-sleeved tees in orange and blue, navy golf polo for Dad and short-sleeve navy v-neck for Mom. Shop Covington Wear online or download form and drop off payment to school office. All items will be delivered to your child's classroom.
Check out kids short-sleeved tees in orange and blue, navy golf polo for Dad and short-sleeve navy v-neck for Mom. Shop Covington Wear online or download form and drop off payment to school office. All items will be delivered to your child's classroom.
ORDER 2009-2010 YEARBOOKS!
Place orders online at Covington Website or make check payable to Covington PTA and indicate your child's name and room# on the memo line and drop off to Yearbook box in front office.
Place orders online at Covington Website or make check payable to Covington PTA and indicate your child's name and room# on the memo line and drop off to Yearbook box in front office.
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Multicultural Festival Update - Friday, May 7th, 5-7pm
Your family is invited to Covington's Multicultural Festival Friday May 7th 5:00-7:00 pm
5:00-5:10 Welcome & Passport Pickup
5:10 - 5:40 Performances
5:40 - 6:00 Fashion Show
6:00 - 6:45 Continue Booth Visits
6:45 - 7:00 Zumba! Join the fun!
We still need volunteers to help out on the day of the festival. Please contact Ula Ghosheh at if you can help. _________________________________________________________________________________
Junior Olympics
Congratulations
to all the participants at Junior Olympics! With wonderful weather to
set the tone, our Covington 4th through 6th graders enjoyed active fun
all day last Saturday at MVHS. Please put Tuesday May 25th, 2pm on your calendar and come and enjoy the Junior Olympics awards assembly and slideshow in the Covington Multi.
If you have any pictures please contact your grade level photography coordinator as we want to highlight EVERY child: 4th grade June Gur 5th grade Annette Jenab 6th grade Aleana Yiu
We
are extremely grateful to all the parents who helped the kids train,
our PE Specialists, the fourth, fifth and sixth grade teachers,
Covington staff and everyone who pitched in on the day of Junior
Olympics. We couldn't have managed any of it without your help.
Your co-chairs, Rachel Botsford, Terese Blockhus, Kathleen Vitakis
_________________________________________________________________________________
Community Information
MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ FESTIVAL, May 1st 2010
The
first band will start at noon and the line up includes a jazz band from
LASD, performing under the direction of Mr. Vincent Lewis. See the LASD
Frequent Flyer for further information.
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS PRESENTATION Weds May 5 at 7pm, Oak Elementary Multi
Your
PTA Emergency Preparedness Committee invites you to a presentation and
discussion led by Victoria Somerville, Community Disaster Education
Coordinator with Red Cross - Silicon Valley Chapter. If you're unable
to attend, make it a priority check out the Silicon Valley Red Cross
to create a plan, make a kit and become informed about how to respond
to the natural disasters that can strike in Silicon Valley.
6th GRADE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
ATTENTION all 6th grade students, parents and teachers!
The GIRLS' Basketball Tournament will be Friday, May 14 - 3:15-8:00PM @ Blach School
The BOYS' Basketball Tournament will be Friday, May 21 - 3:15-8:00PM @ Blach School
GO COYOTES!
_________________________________________________________________________________
Volunteer Opportunities
STAR TESTING SNACK VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We
need 6 volunteers for each day of the Star Testing week, May 3-7th to
help pass out snacks at recess (10:10-10:30). Please contact Alene
Baronian at Alene Baronian< > or 650-906-0097 if you can help. Thank you,
MEASURE A CAMPAIGN
Many
of you have likely already heard that the MVLA Board of Trustees voted
unanimously to place a bond measure on the ballot for the June 8, 2010
election to support the anticipated growth of our high schools by 900
students over the next 10 years. There is no increase in tax rates
above the current levels. The bond is an extension of the current bond
in place and will assure that all funds from the bond will remain in
our local high schools. This bond is for the future growth of our high
schools and will directly benefit the students currently attending Covington Elementary.
Put simply, this bond measure is for YOUR KIDS! WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COVINGTON PTA TO MAKE PHONE CALLS on Thursday, May 27th from 6:30 pm to 8:45 pm.
-Our night is Thursday May 27th (other high school, junior high, elementary groups will have assigned nights as well!)
-You
will be given a cell phone to make the calls at the Measure A
headquarters, 1685 Plymouth Street, Mountain View (behind the Century
Theaters)
-You will have a script and be trained so no past experience is required
-You will not be asking for money, you are educating and asking for support of Measure A
-Food will be provided!
Please let me know if you are willing to VOLUNTEER for this really important cause- I need committed volunteers by Friday, May 7. Thank you! Kate Evard klevard@pacbell.net 948-4573 _________________________________________________________________________________
From Los Altos School District
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY NEWS
Follow this link for the School and Community News
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Please submit PTA Howler articles by Monday to Lori Cox at lkcox@sbcglobal.net
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