The Cove Connection 

Sunday, January 29th, 2023

Issue #22

For Previous Issues Click Here

Principal's Message

We had a special experience on Friday when author Mat Heagerty led 2 assemblies, signed copies of his book Lumber-Jackula (or stickers for students who didn’t have a book) and taught a writing workshop for 5th graders! If your child did not order a book and would like one, they are still available for purchase at Book Passage.

It was incredibly moving to watch him speak to the 3rd-5th graders about neurodiversity. His words and presentation were empowering, normalizing and totally engaging. As one Cove teacher put it, “I am at a loss of words to describe how impactful this assembly was. My students had the opportunity to ask questions about his experience being dyslexic and becoming an author. It was the best assembly ever. The kids were so into it. Thank you!” At the end of the assembly, students were volunteering information about their own neurodiversities (I am being tested for dyslexia, I have ADHD and I used to wonder what was going on, I have mild autism…these were just a few quotes). Their sharing was met with applause and support from their peers as well as affirmations from Mat Heagerty himself. How powerful. It brought tears to my eyes

Here is another unsolicited text I received from a Cove staff member: “That was a really meaningful and empowering assembly. The author just perfectly expressed his empowerment and is such an inspiration. Thank you and thank you to the PTO!” 

Thank you, Cove PTO! Thank you parents for supporting our readathon so we can bring experiences like this to our Cove coyotes! 

Sincerely,

Michelle Walker, Principal

School & PTO News

If your child did not order a book and would like one, they are still available for purchase at Book Passage.

Special Bonus Experience for 5th Graders

Author Mat Heagerty led a writing workshop with all of our Cove 5th graders. His goal was to share with them the joy of writing and have some fun co-crafting a graphic story.

Pictured are a few of the name cards he made for the students.

School & PTO News

Cove 99Pledges Website   Readathon Website 

Worm Tracking  Minute Calendar Tracking

Our Coyotes read 89,773 minutes this week! 

Our two week total is 176,471 minutes read!

This is our final week for minute tracking- can we beat our record?!

Classes with the most minutes read:

• 3-5: Sloan with 11,710 minutes read!

• K-2:  DeAvila with 7647 minutes read!

Raffle Winners Week 2 Assembly:

• Kayla S.

• Reed G.

• Charles S.

• Noah Q.

• Caleb H.

• Aria T.

• Grant R.

• Zain D.

• Dmitrii A.

• Nathan D.

Remember, tickets are earned electronically. Keep reading and raising for more raffle tickets. Our final raffle will be next week.

We have awesome incentives for our classes! All classes that receive 100% fundraising donations will receive two Books Passage gift cards -- one toward class materials and one especially for the teacher!

Two additional incentives added: 

• If we achieve 100% school donation contribution our beloved specialist teachers, Coach Arroyo, Ms. Derby, and Ms. McKee will also receive the gift card prizes! 

• The student with the most sponsors will receive a $25 Book Passage gift card for the awesome outreach. **each donor will only be counted once.

Our Readathon is the only fundraiser dedicated to Cove! The PTO needs these funds to pay for our:

• Tech licenses

• Campus Support Helper Position

• Reading Support Position

• Professional Development Days

• And SO MUCH MORE!

If your child has yet to gain a donation, please help them! DONATE HERE. Classes with 100% donation participation win a class prize! You can even donate to a friend! Win it for the kids!

Have you seen all the READATHON excitement at school? If not, check out the photos of all the events HERE.

Start planning your costume for Storybook Character Day next Friday!  

With Readathon in full swing, these are Tips And Tricks Parents Can Use To Nurture a Love of Reading in Kids Pamela Paul and Maria Russo are books editors at The New York Times and co-authors of How to Raise a Reader. They emphasize the important role teachers have in teaching kids how to read and how parents can help develop those reading skills by cultivating a love of reading at home.“It does start with the parent,” Paul said. “So even if you haven’t been reading a lot, it is important to bring books into your life because kids look to their parents as role models.” One idea they offer is to have a set bedtime but allow them to stay up 30 minutes longer if they are reading in bed. This type of strategy makes reading a treat that comes with privileges. 

Safe Routes Walk & Roll Day On Wednesday morning, February 1st!  Walking, biking, skating, scooting, carpooling, parking and walking or taking the bus are all excellent ways to participate! Make sure to stop by our welcome table on the blacktop for a fun prize. See you there!

PTO Board Meeting Wednesday February 1st 8:30am-9:30am in the Library. We will be chatting about ALL things Readathon, and discussing some exciting campus beautification projects! All parents/guardians are welcome to attend! Coffee will be served:) Zoom link here. Meeting ID: 894 6168 3684. Passcode: 982793 Questions, email Cove PTO Presidents, Kate Kropf and Catherine Wold, at president@covepto.org

Spring Online Auction is March 15-20: 

• Join the solicitations team - we provide you with an email template and reach out to businesses on our hit list. These are mostly businesses that frequently support SPARK so they are familiar with our outreach efforts which begin in mid-January and through late February. This is a 4-week commitment and you can sign up for as many as 20 accounts or as few as five. Our success depends on great items and we need your help to make this happen! Contact info@SPARKschools.org

• Also, if you have an item to donate like a vacation home, gift certificate or sports tickets -  we would love to include them in our auction. You can specify available dates and any other restrictions or important information. Click here to make an online donation. 

SPARK Biz Spotlight Tamalpais Pediatrics  is a welcoming, progressive and high quality pediatric practice with a team that's dedicated to working with, listening to and caring for their patients and families to ensure that they receive the comprehensive care and support that they need - specializing in the care of children from birth through adolescence. With two offices in Marin (Larkspur and Novato) and twelve providers, they are well equipped to offer you and your family high quality, accessible health care in a fun, friendly and compassionate environment.  

Easy Breezy Coupons We reached our participation goal in November in the Giving Day Participation Challenge and will be sending home coupons for a free sweet treat (up to 4oz) for each student next week.

District News

Board Updates On February 1 we will be holding our annual Board Budget Study Session. This is an important stage in our 2023-24 budget development cycle where our current fiscal outlook will be presented, leadership will make recommendations for the upcoming school year, Trustees will engage in a discussion, and time will be allocated for public comments. The Board Study Session will be held in person at 6:00 on February 1 in the Hall Library; no RSVP required. The meeting will also be live streamed via Zoom (link; passcode - lcmsd). Please know, public comments will only be taken by in person attendees; public comments via Zoom will not be available. If you cannot attend the meeting, public comments are welcome via email (mokeeffe@lcmschools.org) and will be included in Board Meeting minutes. We hope to see you there.

Community News

Please click link for Community News that includes updates from:

• Derby Den Show Choir

• Corte Madera Park & Rec Offerings

Follow Us! #CoveSchool  #WeAreLCMSD

ABOUT THE COVE CONNECTION The Cove Connection is a digital bulletin published by the CovePTO and distributed to The Cove School community each Sunday via email. To submit content to the Cove Connection, please email info@covepto.org. To receive a subscription to The Cove Connection, or to change your email address, send a note to  covesecretaries@lcmschools.org.