The Cove Connection 

Sunday, September 2nd, 2018

Issue #2

For Previous Issues Click Here

UPCOMING DATES

• No School, Labor Day, Monday, September 3rd

• SPARK Kindergarten Moms' Night Out, September 12th, 7:00pm - 9:00pm.

• LCM Parent Volunteer Orientation, Thursday, September 13th, 8:30am-9:30am, Cove Gallery

• LCAP Monday, September 17th, 3:30pm, Hall Middle School

• DELAC (District English Learner Advisory Committee), Tuesday, September 18th, Hall Middle School

• No School (Teacher Work Day), Wednesday, September 19th

• Cove Picture Day, Friday, September 21st

• SPARK Fun Run Sunday, September 23rd

• Cove Site Council Meeting, September 27th, 3:30pm - 5:00pm

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE- Mindfulness

We continue to grow our practice of mindfulness in each classroom atCove. Studies have shown that practicing mindfulness, even for just a few weeks, can bring a variety of physical, psychological, and social benefits. Teaching mindfulness in the classroom reduces behavior problems and aggression among students and improves their happiness levels and ability to pay attention. After just eight weeks of training, practicing mindfulness meditation boosts the immune systems ability to fight off illness. Teachers trained in mindfulness also show lower blood pressure, less negative emotion and symptoms of depression, and greater compassion and empathy in addition to improved teaching effectiveness! This article shares more about "Why Mindfulness is Needed in Education".

Teachers have implemented daily routines to give students the tools to help with self-regulation and attention control.  Additionally, thanks to the SPARK Fund-A-Need last spring, the Larkspur-Corte MaderaSchools Mindfulness Program is about to begin at Cove this week!  Mindfulness educators will be working in every classroom. This custom made program was created with the intent of having the kids learn an SEL language that is consistent across the whole district.  Don’t forget to ask your kids what they learned each week, they work just as well for us grown-ups! You can reach out to Krista Haskell (haskell.krista@gmail.com) or your classroom teacher with any questions about this mindfulness program.   

SCHOOL NEWS

District Calendar for 2018-19 Please click the link to see all early releases and days off of school for the whole school year on this calendar! You can also see this calendar printed on the inside of your child’s SPARK take home folder.

Parent Volunteer Orientation On Thursday, September 13th from 8:30am- 9:00am in the Cove Gallery, we have a district-wide LCMSD parent volunteer orientation. This will cover important informationabout volunteer responsibilities in the classroom, on campus and on field trips. Please attend this meeting if you plan to volunteer this year. Thank you!

Message from the Art Room The Cove Art Room needs donations of dish soap and hand soap (in containers to use next to the sink), preferably fragrance-free for kids with scent allergies. We would also happily use any larger refill bottles of either hand soap or dish soap to refill throughout the year. Thank you! Julia McKee

Fall Musical Enrichment: The Lion King Experience! In this after school musical program, we will dive deep into the process and performance of theatre from acting and design, to creativity and collaboration. The Lion King Experience is an immersive, project based exploration of theater making, and together we will create our very own adaptation. Registration Information: Mondays 3:00pm-4:30pm beginning week of September 17th- November 29th in the Derby Den for Cove 3-5th grade students. Tuition: $195/ 10 weeks, production week rehearsals, and our show night. Min: 25 Max: 50Registration will open Monday, September 3rd and closes when capacity is reached. First session begins September 17th. Click herefor link to register. Tuition may be dropped off in the manila folder in the front office labeled THE LION KING EXPERIENCE! (cash preferred, please make checks payable to Christine Derby). Thank you!

Thank You To Cove Community As many of you know, I was on family medical leave last year to care for my son, Rory who was born with respiratory issues.  I'm happy to share that today he is a happy and healthy 14 month old who is very "busy" walking, laughing and non-stop eating. Thank you all for your loving thoughts and support along the way. With gratitude, Leah Gallagher.

PTO UPDATES

President Message: Thank you to all families that have become members of the Cove PTO! The Cove PTO Executive Board works closely with Principal Walker and our amazing teachers to identify the needs of the Cove School each year and then organizes the time, talent and treasure of our campus community to get things done! Your help, both by joining the Cove PTO and by volunteering your time, allow your children to have the best educational experiences possible!

Did you know that last year the PTO provided more than $40,000 to teachers for their classrooms and professional development?And we purchased gym mats and balls for PE and recess? And a writing program for the school? We do this through memberships and fundraisers. A suggested annual donation of $30 will go directly to The Cove to support our children’s education and enrichment!Become a Member today! You'll feel good, and your child's classroom will benefit.

SPARK NEWS

Annual Giving We’re counting on every family to help us raise $1.4M this year to support Music, Art, Science and Technology for our 1,500 students District-wide. More than 70% of SPARK total revenue comes from the Annual Giving Campaign through donations from families. Set up monthly payments or pledge now and pay later.Learn about what SPARK funds from our Back to School Video.

Fun Run is September 23rd at the Village at Corte Madera Sign up before September 12th and get a free SPARK Fun Run Trucker Hat! Stay and play after the race at the Microsoft Gaming Tent, enjoy sweet tunes from our DJ, pick up some SWAG and raffle prizes, and enjoy food and beverages. Tickets and event information here.

Calling all Family Owned Businesses! Have you considered becoming a SPARK Biz Partner? In return for your financial support, we provide SPARK Biz Partners a high level of visibility within our school community and -- most importantly -- our patronage. We offer a wide variety of sponsorship options to help you find the perfect level of exposure for your business. Learn more here.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Please click link to Community News that includes updates from:

• • HIIT Training workouts for parents are coming to theCove!

  • Kiki’s Fall Clay Magic at The Cove

  • Art with Harry at The Cove

  • Corte Madera “Confidence & Coping Clubs”

  • Free Event: The Larkspur Community Foundation together with Larkspur Recreation bring you E.T

  • TinkerTech Classes at the Cove!

  • Bicycle Safety Lead Instructor Needed for MCBC's Safe Routes to Schools

  • Marissa Joy Ganz Broadway Training Programs

  • Cove books and materials from our previous English Language Arts and Science program for donation.

  • Marin Highlanders Rugby Football Club