Weekly update for March 8, 2024
Dear CES friends and families:
It has been another great week at Columbia! As you can see above, our 1st graders had a wonderful learning experience earlier this week at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. They practiced and enriched their ethical and global citizen skills through authentic learning experiences in mathematics, measurement, and social studies. They also had the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the impact of architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, construction, planning, and design.
Thank you to the PTA and our wonderful librarian, Ms. Papas, for their efforts around supporting a successful read-a-thon this week! We are planning details around and looking forward to the CES spring book fair, scheduled for March 18 - 22nd.
Our School Innovation and Improvement Plan goal, in terms of reading, revolves around having all students on grade level by 3rd grade. The entire CES community is committed to helping students reach this goal not only in the classroom, but also with important community events like the Read-a-thon and the Book Fair. We appreciate your family's support for these events and activities!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Take care,
Mike Astudillo
Proud Principal
Columbia Elementary School
PTA News & Notes
Read-a-thon
This week is our Read-a-thon! We hope everyone has had a good week of reading. Please read and log your minutes through Sunday and submit reading logs on Monday. We look forward to announcing the winners next week!
Upcoming Events
- PTA Meeting (3/12)
- Spring Break (3/25 - 3/29)
CES Spring Book Fair coming soon!
Only one more week until the Book Fair comes to Columbia ES! The Book Fair will be held in the Library from March 18 to March 22. Students will be able to preview and shop for books from the fair during their library periods that week. There will also be afternoon shopping hours Tuesday, March 19 from 4:15 to 6:00 for parents and students to shop together.
Before the Fair, parents can set up eWallet for cash-free purchases.You can share your child’s eWallet so friends and family can add funds and give your kids more books to enjoy.
More information is available about the Book Fair, including How eWallet Works and shopping online at the Columbia ES Book Fair homepage: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/columbiaelementaryschool21
Volunteers are needed to help staff the Book Fair. Please email Ms. Papas at mopapas@fcps.edu if you are interested in volunteering!
Elementary Institute for the Arts
Students in all FCPS schools can enroll in the Elementary Institute for the Arts. IFTA is a weekly Arts enrichment program for students in rising 3rd through 6th grades during the month of July. Students take classes in Art, Music, Theatre, and Dance every day. Transportation is provided from around the county. Tuition assistance is available for students who qualify.
Check out the Elementary Institute for the Arts website for more information or email eifta@fcps.edu.
New Regulation on Meditation and Silent Reflection Spaces
FCPS has developed Regulation 1502 to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division. The regulation provides guidance for schools on how to manage requests for silent reflection during instructional and non-instructional time, and for students to leave school for religious activities.
These spaces are for individuals to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs.
Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students requesting to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Families are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher regarding accommodations. View Regulation 1502.
Visit FCPS' Guidelines for Religious Activities webpage for more information.
Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8
A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.
Because the timing overlaps with dismissal, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.
Family Engagement Parent Survey
Check your inboxes because FCPS has begun administering the Family Engagement Survey! The window will be open until Friday, March 22. The survey is designed to gather data to further inform implementation of the 2023-30 Strategic Plan. One such component of the Strategic Plan that will benefit is Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, & Community Partnerships and to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school community. The survey provides a key opportunity to hear the family perspectives and voices, and receive their feedback on their family’s engagement experience within FCPS. Parents/caregivers should have received an email invitation with a unique survey link from K12 Insight on March 3. The subject line was: FCPS Family Engagement Survey.
A general survey link that families can use is available on FCPS’ website. Finally, paper copies are also available in the main office at Columbia.
⭐Save the Date⭐
PTA Meeting
March 12
End of Third Quarter
March 22
Spring Break (Student Holiday)
March 25-29
Student Holiday
April 1
Student Holiday
April 2
Kindergarten Orientation
April 2
Annandale Pyramid Art Show at Clausen Hall
April 4
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