Weekly update for October 11, 2024
Dear CES friends and families,
It is hard to believe there are only 3 weeks left in the first quarter of this school year. As a reminder, this coming Monday, October 14th, is a Staff Development Day. There will be no school for students on Monday, and we will see everyone back at Columbia on Tuesday, October 15th.
Speaking of Tuesday, October 15th, that is also the same date as our October PTA meeting (see below for details). There are a lot of exciting events coming up in the next few weeks, please plan on attending either in person or virtually if you are available to get involved, support, or just hear about the wonderful activities for all Columbia students and families.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Take care,
Mike Astudillo
Proud Principal
Columbia Elementary School
March in the Annandale Parade!
Saturday October 26th, you and your family, friends, and pets are invited to join Columbia Elementary School as we march as this year's Grand Marshals in the Annandale Chamber of Commerce Parade!
This year we are going all out! We will be marching with Urban Evolutions Fire Truck. That's not all! We will have candy, bubble wands, face paint, pom poms and more!
Please wear Columbia gear or something red and join us for this exciting opportunity to show school spirit! We look forward to seeing you there!
Register your student here: https://forms.gle/RhriLYkADN72Xv3CA
Complete Survey for October 21 Three Hour Early Release
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To help ensure that all students have appropriate transportation and child care arrangements on our upcoming 3-Hour Early Release on Monday, October 21, please complete the following survey by October 14.
https://forms.gle/Hhqz5oAvuQUaaPwz6
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PTA News & Notes
October PTA Meeting
The October PTA meeting will be held in the library, and on zoom, next Tuesday evening, October 15th, at 7pm. Please join us as we gear up for an exciting month of activities and events!
BINGOween
Please join us Friday, October 25th for BINGOween. This is a student favorite where they can dress up for Halloween, play BINGO and win prizes. This event takes many volunteers to pull off. If you can help, please sign up here. We look forward to seeing you!
Together in Education/Harris Teeter Partnership
Together in Education is a program where Harris Teeter shoppers can link their account to Columbia Elementary School and the school will receive funds. You can link your card online HERE or visit the customer service counter at your local Harris Teeter and tell them that you would like to link your account. Columbia Elementary School’s code is 4295.
Join the PTA
Join us! We would like to invite you to join the PTA to become part of a collaborative community supporting events benefiting Columbia’s students, teachers and families. The PTA fundraises for school projects and provides volunteer support for beloved events such as BINGOween, the read-a-thon and other fun events throughout the year. You can join HERE and would love if you would consider sponsoring a teacher’s membership if you can. We welcome questions, please let us know if you would like to get more involved by emailing columbiapta@gmail.com.
Key Dates
- Family night out – Chick-Fil-A (10/30)
Next week is Digital Citizenship Week! (Or October 14-18 is Digital Citizenship Week!) Please consider using these conversation starters to stimulate discussion about this very important topic with your student! (K-2: English, Spanish & 3-5: English, Spanish)
Specials Spotlight
General Music with Mrs. Eggleton
Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders are working on getting to know the students in their class, learning the rules and procedure for the music classroom, move to music using our body to show how music changes, sing sol-mi patterns and songs to create answers to songs, echo two-measure rhythmic patterns, exploring music from other cultures and contributing in a positive manner to the group effort of making music.
3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are working on getting to know students in their class, learning rules and procedures in the music classroom, participating in action /singing games, performing on recorder/xylophones to create unique compositions, identifying band/orchestra instruments, and contribute in a positive manner to the group effort of making music.
All grades love our school song and ask to sing “We Are Columbia” every class. Keep a song in your heart!
Pre-School Community Peers Opportunity
Columbia ES is pleased to announce that we will have community peers in our preschool program again this school year. The early childhood special education staff members have been investigating the possible opportunities for our students to participate in integration activities with typically developing peers. This will involve teaching preschoolers with delays and without delays in the same classroom. It can provide young children with a more stimulating environment, teach coping skills in a variety of situations, and provide the opportunity to practice appropriate social skills.
Our program will invite a limited number of community preschoolers (1-2 per class), who are aged 3 ½ -5 years, to participate in our daily preschool activities. The children from the community will have the opportunity to make new friends and share experiences with current early childhood special education students. Our students will, in turn, benefit from being with community peers who can model appropriate language, motor, and social skills.
All children learn through their play. Intellectual growth occurs in a social context, influenced strongly by the quality of social interactions. The goal of this program is to encourage active learning and promote social interaction and acceptance through shared experiences between the community children and our preschoolers with special needs. Feel free to contact Ms. Tchinski (lmtchinski@fcps.edu) for further explanation of the program and if you are interested in participating. Your thoughts and suggestions are welcome, as we are all partners in this effort.
🐾Save the Date 🐾
Student Holiday (Indigenous Peoples' Day)
October 14
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Meeting
October 15
3 Hour Early Release - 1:05 p.m. Dismissal
October 21
Fall Picture Day Makeups
October 23
PTA Event: Bingo-ween
October 25
March with CES in the Annandale Parade!
October 26
2 Hour Early Release - 2:05 p.m. Dismissal
October 31
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