The Weekly Cat Tales

This year’s first day of school will be Wednesday, August 23rd and it is a half day of school for students in grades 1st through 5th. The school day begins at 8:30 am and ends at 11:30 am. We are looking forward to seeing all of the smiling faces coming back to in person learning.

• Tuesday, August 22nd: Supply Drop-Off from 12:30-2:00pm or 6:00-7:30pm.
• Wednesday, August 23rd: First day of school for Grade 1 - Grade 5 students HALF DAY(11:30 Dismissal)
• Thursday, August 24th: First full day of school for Grade 1 - Grade 5 students
• Friday, August 25th: 9:30-11:00-First day of school for Kindergarten students-
• Monday, September 4th: No School - Labor Day
• Wednesday, September 6th: Covington Open House: 6:30 P.M.

I am so excited to start the 23.24 school year with the Covington family!! I am joining the Covington family with 20 years in education. I have spent the last five years in Flossmoor as the K-5 Principal of Heather Hill. Before that, I was the Instructional Technology Coordinator in Ridgeland 122 for three years. As for teaching, I spent the first twelve years teaching grades 1-3 predominantly in second grade, in Evergreen Park.

My husband and I have been married for 13 years and are the proud parents of two beautiful children. Bobby is 12 years old and loves Nascar and anything to do with racing. Georgia is 10 years old and loves to cheer and play softball. They are the joys of my life and I can't wait to introduce them to our new Covington Family.

We also are HUGE animal lovers. We have a Great Day named Walter,an English Mastiff named Bruce, a Bearded Dragon named Pete, a Holland Bunny named Biscuit, and 10 fish.

I am looking forward to an amazing year filled with learning and laughter.

Homeroom assignments and schedules will be posted in Skyward Family Access on Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 at 12:00 P.M.

Kindergarten students will be screened starting August 22nd at 12:30pm. All registered kindergarten students have been registered for a screening time. The screening results will be analyzed, and students will be placed in classes heterogeneously. Families will be notified of their child’s teacher Thursday, August 24th afternoon via phone call, so please make sure your contact information is current in Skyward. Kindergarten students’ first day of school will be Friday, August 25th from 9:30am-11:00am. Parents will be able to drop off their child’s supplies to the classroom on Friday morning.

A reminder that will be providing an opportunity for you and your student(s) to visit the school and drop off supplies in the classroom before our first day. Students and family members are welcome to come to Covington on Tuesday, August 22nd from 12:30 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. to drop off supplies and meet staff.

If you cannot make it during the day, we also will have the option of coming to the building that evening from 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. to drop off supplies in the classrooms.

****Please note though that not all staff will be in the building for the evening option. Your child's teacher may NOT be in their classroom.****

Check out the Covington School Supply List for all grade levels. Included in this link is also our District 123 school year calendar.

Please mark your calendars. Covington Elementary School's Open House will be held on Wednesday, September 6th from 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

There are specific requirements for students entering preschool, kindergarten, second grade and sixth grade, as well as for all new students. Visit our Health Forms & Guidelines page for more information. Please note that these vaccinations and/or health examinations are required by state law.

We want to see our students in school as much as possible. However, there are going to be times when a student is absent. If your student is going to be absent from school, please let us know.

When reporting an absence, our phone number is 708-423-1530. When doing so, please share the following information:

• Name of the person leaving the message
• Relationship to the child
• Child's name
• Teacher's name
• Reason for the absence

The student device insurance policy provides full replacement cost coverage and protects the item worldwide (on and off school grounds) for only $25/year. The policy will be transferred to any replacement device that your child may be issued. Without insurance D123 families are fully responsible for the costs associated with the repair/replacement of their student's device. Insurance coverage is for the device only and does not extend to the case or the charger.

Families of students in all grade levels can sign up for this insurance program by adding the optional “Student Device Insurance” fee through Skyward Family Access. You have until September 30 to purchase device insurance every year. Additional information about the student device insurance program and deductibles can be found at: https://d123.org/about/technology/student-device-insurance/

Please view either the written or video tutorial on how to add Chromebook / iPad insurance to your student's account.

Beginning with the 2023-24 school year on August 24th, families who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will have to pay for school meals. Students whose families are eligible for free or reduced-price breakfast or lunch will be able to access meals next school year at no cost or a discounted rate. The cost is as follows.

• Breakfast: $1.60
• Lunch (including milk): $3.15.
• A la carte milk: $0.65 cents.

***If you would like to apply for free or reduced priced meals, please click here.***

At this time, the federal government has not extended the waivers for next school year to allow free meals for all students. As a result, schools across the nation will be reverting back to free and reduced-price meals based on income eligibility guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

• Students walking to and from school should utilize crossing guards.

• Staff members monitoring student drop off at the designated grade level doorways enter the building at 8:25 a.m. Students arriving after 8:30a.m. must enter through the Main Office.

• Students being dropped off by car at Door 2 will enter Door 2 and walk to their designated grade level door.

• Students walking to school will line up by their designated grade level door

• Traveling east on 92nd St past 52nd Ct is not permitted during drop-off times.

• 52nd Ct. is one way north from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m

• There are groups of lines that are painted on the blacktop and sidewalk areas for each classroom around the perimeter of the building. There is one set of lines per class.

• During a morning with weather that cooperates:

• Students arrive between 8:10 A.M. and 8:25 A.M. and should go to their assigned line in their classroom grouping

• Grade 2 and Grade 3 students line up on the blacktop near Door 5

• Grade 4 students line up on the north blacktop nearest Door 6

• Grade 1 and Grade 5 students line up on the south blacktop

• Grade Kindergarten and PTP students will line up along an assigned sidewalk in front of either Door 6, Door 7 or Door 8

• At 8:25 A.M., classroom teachers will walk their classes to their entry doors

• During a morning with inclement weather:

• Students will go directly to their entry door

• Grade Kindergarten - Door 7

• Grade 1 - Door 9

• Grade 2 and Grade 3 - Door 5

• Grade 4 - Door 6

• Grade 5 - Door 8

• Students that are dropped off at Door 2 will follow the same procedure of having their temperature taken as they enter Door 2; after this, they should line up with their class at either their outdoor or indoor assigned area (weather dependent)

• When a parent or guardian arrives to pick up the student, the teacher will dismiss him or her.
  

• Students that will be walking home on their own will let their classroom teacher know, once they are on their line

• At 3:30 P.M., students not picked up, are taken in the building

RECESS

• 11:30-11:50: 1st and 2nd

• 11:55-12:15: KDG

• 12:30-12:50: 3rd and 4th

• 12:55-1:15: 5th

LUNCH

• 11:30-11:50: KDG

• 11:55-12:15: 1st and 2nd

• 12:30-12:50: 5th

• 12:55-1:15: 3rd and 4th

If your child is in the D123 Preschool program, please click HERE for an informational newsletter.

We strongly encourage you to join our PTA at Covington. We work together to provide many different events throughout the school year for the students. We always work with our volunteers to set them up for success. We will be offering all of the possible sign ups at the first meeting. Please consider joining this organization.

Website: d123.org/covington
Location: 9130 S 52nd Ave, Oak Lawn, IL, USA
Phone: 708-423-1530
Twitter: @d123covington