The Cove Connection 

Sunday, April 16th, 2023

Issue #32

For Previous Issues Click Here

Principal's Message

Class Placement for 2023-24

Here we go into the final stretch of the year! As we prepare for all that happens in May and June, we also start to plan ahead for a smooth start to next school year. As the end of the year approaches, we are hard at work to ensure a smooth start to the upcoming school year. 

We will soon be working on designing balanced classes for next year. 

Are you moving schools? Please respond to the district Actionaly survey asking if you will be returning next year so we can plan for staffing and classrooms next year. Thank you!

Staffing- We are still figuring out our enrollment and who will be teaching what next year. That means we do not know who will be teaching which grade. Things may change, so you cannot assume the grade level will have the same teachers next year. We will not honor requests for a specific teacher, so please do not ask!

Placement- We consider multiple factors when designing class groups. We look at learning styles, gender, language, learning needs, friendships, and level of independence among many other variables throughout the process. Once our preliminary process is complete, there are many changes that happen over the summer with regards to new enrollments, people moving, etc. For that reason, we share final class lists in August, a few days before school begins.

In the meantime, only if there are extenuating circumstances or factors that are unique to your child as a learner please be sure to communicate these (in writing/email​), to your child’s teacher. Please remember that your teacher knows your child very well, and only needs information that they do not already know (ie. a need to be separated from someone in another class). Please do not talk with teachers about their colleagues - that makes them very uncomfortable.

We take this job of class placement for your child very seriously.  Thank you for respecting our process!

Sincerely,

Michelle Walker

School & PTO News

Support SPARK with your Annual Giving Donation! Nearly 80% of the $1.5M we raise each year comes from Annual Giving. SPARK funds Music, Art, Science, Technology and Wellness programs for our three schools K-8. If you have not yet made your donation this year or completed your pledge, please show your support today. Every student benefits from SPARK funded programs every day and we are asking your family to make a donation of any amount that is meaningful to you. Click here for more information about donation options.

Flannel, Fur & Fizz is Friday, May 5th Join us at the Junction in Mill Valley for cocktails, food, dancing, live music, live auction, and paddle raise. This is the largest SPARK fundraiser of the year and this event is always a good time.

• Purchase tickets by April 18th to get early bird pricing  here

• Event FAQ here

Corporate Match Have you taken advantage of your company's Corporate Match program with your Annual Giving donation? Last year we raised nearly $155K alone through Corporate Match Programs. Not sure if your company participates? Find out here if you can double your donation!

Online Auction Sign-up Party spots are still available Check out teacher and staff events, parties for kids, grade level hikes, and parent parties. Click here.

District News

Board Updates At the April 19 Board Meeting Golden Bell Awardees will be celebrated. Trustees will vote on the tentative agreement with CSEA (classified employees association). Additionally, the LCAP survey results will be presented and discussed. This meeting is scheduled for April 19 at 6:00 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.

School Safety Coffee Chat- April 21 Student and staff safety is our top priority. LCMSD is committed to continually improving practices while working closely with first responders. On April 21 at 8:30am at Hall we will host a district-wide coffee chat to review our safety practices and answer any questions. Parents from all schools are encouraged to attend. 

Parent Ed Opportunities

• The last Let's Talk Discussion on Mental Health and Underage Substance Use is coming up Wednesday, May 3 at 7PM featuring Dr. Emily Tejani, guest expert trained at the Yale University Department of Psychiatry and board certified in three medical specialties: child and adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry, and addiction medicine. Our student speakers are Sophia DeMoe, a sophomore at Novato High School and MHYP intern and Leo del la Huelga, a sophomore at Tamalpais High School and MHYP intern. Register here. Live Spanish translation will be available. 

• Screenagers: Please join for a newly released film Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs and Alcohol in the Digital Age. Much of this film was shot and directed by Marin resident, Lisa Tabb, filming in our backyard and features a number of Marin programs including Raising the Bar. Feel free to share with anyone - it's an open community event. Register here.

Community News

Please click link for Community News that includes updates from:

• CM Rec Camps and Classes

• Steve & Kate’s Summer Camps

• Derby Den Summer Camp

• Marin Ballet Dance Camp 

• The Friends of the Larkspur Library Touch Trucks

• I Can Dig It Volleyball Camp with Ms. Estes

• One Seed, One Community Project

• Larkspur Rec Classes & Camps

• Nike Field Hockey Camp

• Painted Bins Art Unveiling Event Sunday

• Marin Tennis Club Summer Camps and Classes

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.