The Cove Connection 

Sunday, December 9th, 2018

Issue #15

For Previous Issues Click Here

UPCOMING DATES

• PTO Variety Show Information Meeting Tuesday, December 11th, 6:00pm

• PTO Board Meeting Wednesday, December 12th, 8:30am - 9:45am

• LCMDS Board Meeting Wednesday, December 12th, 6:00pm-9:00pmHall Library

• 3rd Grade Craft & Bake Sale proceeds to help the Butte County Fire Victims,  Wednesday, December 12th, directly after school

• Kindergarten Sing Wednesday, December 19th, 8:30am- 9:15am, CoveGallery

• 5th Grade Band and Choir Performance Thursday, December 20th 6:30pm

• Winter Break, No School December 24th - January 4th

PRINCIPAL MESSAGE

Dear Families,

As you know we have partnered with LunchMaster this year to provide a lunch option. Many have asked why we changed from Good Earth.  In short, it wasn’t sustainable anymore. It was too much for our volunteers, and the costs were too high. A districtwide committee worked hard last year to select the best lunch option for us to move forward.  When all factors were considered, LunchMaster was selected. In short, LunchMaster is the best option and we are lucky to have them as our partners!

I have received letters from students voicing their concerns with the waste we are producing at lunch. LunchMaster has the same interest- to reduce waste!  They already switched to using real forks and spoons that we wash daily. We stopped serving the single-serving snacks packaged in plastic. We serve fruits and veggies in a bulk salad bar and pizza straight from the box (instead of individually packaged).  They are even considering how we can feasibly reduce/cut the use of cardboard trays! Clearly, LunchMaster has been a great partner!

Zero Waste Marin visited last week to observe our sorting and lunch waste habits...and they had this to say: "I am very impressed with the efforts. The students I spoke to were very knowledgeable, the system seemed to be working well, and the custodians were present which makes a huge difference! Thank you again for working with Zero Waste Marin.”

Likewise, I have heard some complaints about kinks in the system such as spoiled milk, missing food items, etc.  Please know that these things happen periodically with any program, and LunchMaster has been immediately responsive to these issues.

Here is what you can do to support your child in enjoying their lunch:

• If ordering hot lunch, please order in advance for maximum options and  have them pick their meals with you

• Or, if your child is concerned about waste or not happy with the options, you can support them in packing a lunch from home.  

• If your child is complaining about options or food quality, please help them understand the complexity of running a hot lunch program that follows state regulations concerning costs, portions, nutritional requirements, etc.  It’s no easy task!

LunchMaster is working hard to reduce waste and keep costs reasonable while still maintaining quality food for our kids!

Moving? If you have moved since the start of the school year, or are planning on moving over the break, please contact our district office to update your student's records.

Registration for 2019-2020...Registration for NEW students joining LCMSD in the fall of 2019-2020 will begin in January. Please look on our district website for detailed information to schedule an appointment.

SCHOOL NEWS

Cove Cares- Fire Victim Relief! Our Student Council Leaders have organized aPennies for Paradise coin drive. Please encourage your child to bring coins to their classroom jar so that we can donate as a school. And the 3rd graders are learning about philanthropy and also want to help out the fire victims. They will be hosting a craft and bake sale on Wednesday, December 12th after school. Thank you for helping your children learn how to give to others in need through supporting these 2 student-created efforts!

Board Meeting Updates

• During the November 14th Board Meeting the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) process was reviewed, and the LCAP Dashboard was discussed. Here is the full board agenda.

• At the December 12th Board Meeting we will be celebrating our outgoing Trustees, Dan Durkin and Charles Schumacher; Mary Jane Burke will be swearing in new Trustees, Monica Canas and Katherine Chan; School Accountability Report Cards (SARC) will be up for approval, and the first interim budget will be reviewed and recommended for approval.  We hope to see you there!

Derby Den Productions Presents ANNIE! Come join Mrs. Derby in bringing Annie to our stage. To sign up, fill out your information here, please drop tuition in the manila envelope in the front office marked "ANNIE". Tuition due no later than December 17th. Auditions will be held on the first rehearsal day (12/17).Students should come prepared with a short song to sing, or sing one provided from the show. They will also read through a short scene from Annie (scene provided). Important details: Who: 3rd-5th grade Cove students When: Mondays 3pm-4:30pm beginning December 17th - week of March 18th. (10 sessions + production week. Show date: Thursday, March 21st. Where: Cove Music Room (Derby Den) Tuition: $195 (cash preferred, checks made payable to Christine Derby)

PTO UPDATES

The Cove Variety Show Info Night will take place on Tuesday, December 11th at 6:00pm in The Cove Gallery. Each act should have at least one parent present as we will review  information on rehearsal deadlines and policies. If you cannot attend Info Night, or if you have additional questions, please email Elena O’Brien or Amber Gaulding at: varietyshow@covepto.org. Open to all students in grades K-5. The Variety Show will be held on Friday, March 8th.

Wondering if you have made your PTO Membership contribution? No contribution is too big or too small. All membership funds go directly back to TheCove to support teacher professional development, Parent Ed events, classroom curriculum materials, leveled reading libraries, playground equipment, school wide social events, and much more! If you would like to make your tax deductible contribution before the end of this year click here. If you have any questions please email PTO President, Elena O’Brian at:president@covepto.org

Thank you from the Holiday Store Team! We couldn’t have done it without you! Your item donations, volunteering to help the children shop, wrap, and organize helped us carry on this beloved tradition!

SPARK NEWS

Online Auction Chair Needed: We are looking for a parent volunteer to manage the online auction this year which raises $100K for SPARK. The online auction chair will coordinate a team of volunteers, identify potential auction packages and follow up on leads. Starting December through March 2019. This can be a one or two person position. More details here.

December Annual Giving Raffle Up for grabs - two gift certificates for a 1-hr skate lesson including rental and pads at Sk8 Gym, available for any family who donates to Annual Giving by December 31st.

Corporate Match Last year we raised nearly 100K alone through Corporate Match Programs. Do you work at Wells Fargo, Autodesk, Salesforce or Apple? Not sure if your company participates? Find out here if you can double your donation!

Boon Supply Stock up on affordable and beautifully crafted goods that make wonderful holiday gifts with Boon Supply and 50% of your purchase will be donated to SPARK now – December 31st.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Click here for updates from:

• Age-Friendly Corte Madera ART FOR KIDS

• SK8 Gym Skateboarding lessons

• Carlos Menotti’s Amahl and The Night Visitors

• Marissa Joy Ganz NY Broadway Training Classes

• Kid’s Dance Class with Lisa Moore Shields

• Dance with E.N.A

• Winter Wonderland + Spring Forward Clay Classes with KIKI

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