Weekly update for April 26, 2024
Dear Columbia families and friends:
It was another exciting week at CES! We celebrated an Earth Day themed spirit week, had a visit from our division's Superintendent, joined in a Chipotle Family Night out, and came together with all students and staff for a school wide morning meeting in the gym.
Additionally, as you can see above, we celebrated our annual Family Heritage Night on Thursday evening. Thank you to all the families and staff who helped to organize, and participate in, this wonderful tradition! As part of the overall experience for families and students at Columbia ES, we provide opportunities like Family Heritage Night for students to grow as ethical and global citizens.
At Columbia Elementary School, we aim to help students become ethical and global citizens who act responsibly, recognize and appreciate the similarities and differences among people and their cultures, and care for their community and environment.
Ethical and Global Citizens:
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Acknowledge and understand diverse perspectives and cultures
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Help their community
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Consider impact on the environment
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Understand the foundations of our country and value our rights, privileges, and responsibilities
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Act responsibly and ethically
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Communicate effectively in multiple languages
Looking ahead to next week, we are excited to celebrate the amazing people that work at Columbia Elementary School! Staff Appreciation Week at CES will be all next week. Please see below to get involved and support the PTA as they lead the effort to show gratitude for the individuals that work so hard for children every day at CES.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Take care,
Mike Astudillo
Proud Principal
Columbia Elementary School
PTA News & Notes
Next week is Staff Appreciation Week
Columbia Elementary School’s Staff Appreciation Week is April 29 – May 2, 2024. We have planned some fun events! Please help celebrate the wonderful teachers, custodians and administrative staff at CES by volunteering or contributing. You can sign up to participate HERE or contribute supplies for the events HERE.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions (columbiapta@gmail.com).
Spirit Wear
Order your spirit wear today! The Spring spirit wear drive will run through this weekend. There are items for the whole family in both youth and adult sizes. All purchases must be done online at the Columbia Elementary Spring 2024 website and will be delivered to classrooms at the end of May.
Additionally, we are collecting Columbia spirit wear during April. If you would like to donate old shirts and sweatshirts, you can drop them in the red box located in the front office.
PTA Board Elections - Nominations open for 2024-2025 school year positions
The PTA Board will have 3 positions up for election for the 2024-2025 school year:
- President (filling out the remaining year of a 2-year term)
- Vice President of Fundraising (2-year term)
- VP of Communications (2-year term).
If you are curious about any of these positions, please contact any of the Board members directly or email columbiapta@gmail.com. Thank you to those who have volunteered to stand for election. We will vote on these positions during the next general membership meeting, Tuesday, May 14.
Upcoming Events
- April 28th Last day for Spirit Wear Sales
- April 30th Band and Strings concert
SOL testing dates for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders
Dear Families,
Columbia Elementary will be administering Spring Non-Writing SOL tests to students in grades 3-5 during the month of May. Tests are administered as part of the Virginia Assessment Program and provide useful data to parents, teachers, and school administrators on what students have learned during instruction.
Below are the testing dates for our school (all tests begin in the morning):
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5th Grade
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4th Grade
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3rd Grade
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Reading- 5/7
Math- 5/14
Science- 5/21
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Reading- 5/8
Math- 5/15
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Reading- 5/9
Math- 5/16
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Expedited Retakes will be offered to students who earn a failing score between 375-399 on any SOL test. Retakes are optional and parental consent is required prior to retesting students. Retake consent forms were sent home at the beginning of the school year. If your child qualifies for a retake and there is no form on file, the school testing coordinator or your child’s teacher will contact you directly to inquire about a potential retake. Students who will be participating in retakes will be provided remediation instruction based on data from the first attempt during their instructional blocks and Cougar Time intervention time.
Please encourage your child to go to bed early the night before their tests. Also, as we will be testing first thing in the morning, it is important your child arrives to school on time.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Assistant Principal and Testing Coordinator, Sarah Boudart by email at sboudart@fcps.edu
Yearbook sales ending on Monday!
Order a 2023-2024 school yearbook by this Monday, April 29th!
Go to ybpay.com and enter our code’s Yearbook ID: 13263024
Don't miss out on having a yearbook, order today!
Class Placement - Parent Input
As administration begins collaborating with teachers to form grade level classes for the 24-25 school year, we understand that parent/guardian input is valuable to consider as well.
Interested parents/guardians that would like the opportunity to share their input with administration should do so by completing the google form linked below no later than Friday, May 17th.
We kindly ask that you do not request specific teachers; rather keep the focus on the type of learning environment and learning style that will support your child's academic and social wellness success.
Thank you for your continued partnership in making your child’s experience at Columbia ES a positive one!
Your Proud Administrative Team,
Mike Astudillo & Sarah Boudart
Class Placement Parent Input Form
Essay winners in local and state competition!
Earlier this year, Columbia students in Grades 4 & 5, participated in Virginia State and National Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) essay contests, sponsored by the local Falls Church Chapter, NSDAR.
Charlie Harris and Dayana Martinez Vasquez were the Falls Church Chapter winners for the Virginia 4th Grade Flag Committee contest, “What the American Flag Means to Me”. Their entries went to the state level where they were received by DAR state officials and judges “with joy” and admiration.
5th grade student, Aakriti Pandey, was chosen as the Falls Church winner of the American History Essay Contest, Grades 5-8. Aakriti’s essay was also chosen as the Virginia District V winner and passed on to the state level. State officials and judges commented that her entry was “original and creative”. She was awarded the DAR American History Bronze Medal, certificates, and a $100 cash prize.
We were thrilled to share this news today as these students were recognized this morning at today's Schoolwide Morning Meeting. Congratulations Cougars!
Be Internet Awesome Recap & Resources
CES Community,
Thank you to those of you who joined last week's "PTA Connect: Be Internet Awesome" virtual program. And a huge thanks to Ms. Dumont and Ms. Hestmark for leading an engaging discussion around digital citizenship and online safety.
Here are some resources that were shared during the session for you to continue the dialogue with your family and members of the community on how to keep our kids safe when using technology.
Program links
FCPS resources
Some parents and caregivers also shared their own favorite resources:
We hope that you will continue to help your students make safe, responsible choices to Be Internet Awesome!
Earlier this week we welcomed a very special guest, FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Reid! We were excited to share time, stories, and examples with her about what makes Columbia Elementary School truly a small school, with a big heart.
⭐Save the Date⭐
Band and Strings Concert
April 30
Student Holiday
May 3
PTA Meeting
May 14
TJ Techstravaganza
May 18
Memorial Day Holiday
May 27
Domino's Doughraiser
May 29
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