Superintendent Newsletter

It is with tremendous pride and excitement that we announce Covington Elementary School has been selected as a 2025 California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education! This prestigious recognition places Covington Elementary School among only 336 elementary schools across the state to receive this honor. The California Distinguished Schools Program recognizes exceptional schools in two categories: those that are Closing the Achievement Gap and those demonstrating Exceptional Student Performance.

This recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of their entire school community including our remarkable students who consistently strive for excellence, our amazing teachers and staff who go above and beyond every day, our supportive parents and families who partner with us in education, and our community members who contribute to making Covington Elementary School a special place to learn and grow.

Schools are selected for this honor based on multiple measures of performance on the California School Dashboard, focusing on excellence and growth in academic achievement and ensuring a positive school climate. Covington Elementary School will hold this distinguished title for two years and will be formally recognized alongside other honorees at a ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on May 30, 2025.

Myna Nama, a sixth grader from Loyola Elementary School, claimed victory in the 4th-6th grade division on March 8. The annual competition brings together top spellers from each school district, with one representative from grades 4-6 and another from grades 7-9. Open to both public and private school students countywide, participants prepare by studying the Merriam-Webster Dictionary and memorizing district-provided spelling word sheets.

This wasn't Nama's first spelling competition. She previously competed at the district level while living in Colorado and recently won both her school's bee and the LASD Spelling Bee just a week before the county event. Her teachers accommodated her preparation—while classmates read, she memorized words. Nama dedicated three hours daily to studying the word list and enlisted friends and family to help with pronunciation practice.

Myna will represent Santa Clara County and Los Altos School District at the California State Spelling Bee Competition in San Joaquin County on April 26. We are so proud of Myna and look forward to cheering her on as she competes!

For more information on the state championships, visit sjcoe.org/StateSpellingBee.

On March 28th, LASD hosted Mountain View High School’s Principal Tech Interns as they guided LASD teachers, parents, and students (grades 5–8) through an engaging Digital Wellbeing Challenge in celebration of National AI Literacy Day. Participants explored the foundational question, “What is AI?” through two sessions: The Do’s and Don’ts of AI and The Art of AI. Our students collaborated with MVHS interns to experiment with AI-powered tools such as AI-generated notetaking platforms, the Gamma storytelling tool, and ChatGPT image generation.

This experience sparked meaningful conversations, prompting participants to consider AI’s evolving role in LASD. As a district, we recognize that technology, including artificial intelligence, has the potential to enrich learning, empower students, and support educators. We remain committed to integrating AI in ways that prioritize student well-being, privacy, and success, while fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment.

As we continue to explore the possibilities AI offers, we invite our community to join us in ongoing conversations that will help shape LASD's AI philosophy—leveraging the power of AI while ensuring that safety, ethics, and our core educational values remain at the forefront.