The Cove Connection 

Sunday, May 21st, 2023

Issue #37

For Previous Issues Click Here

Principal's Message

This week, I want to shine the spotlight on an incredible group of people who have done more than you can imagine to support our school this year: The Cove PTO Board. Led by Presidents Catherine Wold and Kate Kropf, this incredible group of dedicated individuals has worked tirelessly to support students and teachers. Here are just a few examples of their work this year:

• Planned and hosted the Fall Family Picnic and Spring Art and Family Recess Night

• Provided funds for each teacher to get materials and supplies for their classroom

• Catered monthly appreciation lunches or breakfasts for our staff

• Organized and hosted an incredible Variety Show

• Designed spirit wear items for students and staff alike

• Ran a highly successful Readathon complete with 5 assemblies, prizes, awesome participation rates and lots of spirit from kids and parents alike...and they surpassed their monetary goal!

• Organized a National Bike to School Day

• Organized our Ruby Bridges Walk to School

• Restocked emergency backpacks and provided water bottles to classrooms

• Planned an incredible Staff Appreciation week in May

• Organized our traditional Holiday Store

• Led our Green Team (alongside Ms. Estes) to a Silver Level Zero

• Waste Certification!

• Facilitated picture day and the creation of a yearbook

• Organized our lost and found- including an online catalog

• Organized a membership drive and membership appreciation efforts

• Coordinated and published the Cove Connection each week

• And... our classroom coordinators organized parents at large to support teachers and staff throughout the year in various ways.

Thank you, PTO Board members from the bottom of my heart! Cove wouldn’t be the same without you.

Sincerely,

Michelle Walker, Principal

School & PTO News

The Cove Green Team was recognized at the Board Meeting,
Coyotes in the Garden, and A BIG to all our volunteer parents at the

Appreciation Breakfast and Assembly

The PTO still has positions available for that 2023 -2024 school year. If you would like to get involved in any capacity, please reach out to Co-Presidents Kate & Catherine at president@covepto.org.

Library News We are asking students to check their homes and classrooms (under the sofa, under the car seat, on their bookshelf, at aftercare… you get the idea) for any missing school library books.  All books are due back to the library by Tuesday, May 30th. Thank you.

SPARK is closing in on our $1.5M goal but we are currently facing a $150k shortfall including $80k in unpaid pledges. What does this mean? Not hitting our goal means we must reduce our commitment to LCMSD for Art, Music, Science, Technology and Wellness next year, affecting resources for your student.  

What can I do today? 

• If you have pledged but have yet to donate, please reconfirm your commitment by submitting your payment today or letting us know when to expect it. As a reminder, all pledges are due on or before June 30, 2023.

• If you haven’t donated to Annual Giving this year, remember that all funds raised this year are spent this year. Please join the 75% of families who have come together to support our students and teachers.   

• Reconfirm your pledge at annualgiving@sparkschools.org or donate today at I WANT TO HELP.

SPARK Open Board Positions Want to make a difference in your child's education journey?  Join the SPARK Board today! We have a few key positions open for dedicated parents like you. We are looking to fill the following positions. Please click here for more details, job descriptions and how to join.   

• Cove VP - One person to shadow the current VPs in the role for 2023-2024, who will set up to be a co-VP in 2024-2025. 

• Annual Giving - One person to shadow current AG Co-chairs in 2023-2024, who will step up to co-chair 2024-2025.

• SPARKBiz - Two co-chairs.If you or a friend or family member are interested, please email us at info@SPARKschools.org

District News

Coffee Chat On Tuesday, May 23 from 8:30-9:30 at Cove, Superintendent Dr. Brett Geithman will be hosting a coffee chat. Parents from all schools are welcome to attend. For this chat, there will be no set agenda – all questions and topics are welcome. We hope to see you there!

Board Updates The Board met on May 17 where Cove’s Zero Waste program was celebrated. The Board approved the Facilities Master Plan, Resolution for National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and Dr. Megan Atkins as the new Chief Business Official. Additionally, Trustees were presented with the LCAP draft and a wellness report. All agendas can be found here. 

Community News

Please click link for Community News that includes updates from:

• Corte Madera Park and Rec Offerings

• San Francisco Boys Chorus

• Youths Ride Free on Public Transportation

• Registration open for Southern Marin Broncos Cheer Program. Season begins in August

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.