Weekly update for November 8, 2024
Dear Columbia friends and families,
We have had a strong start to the 2nd quarter of school. Earlier today, we celebrated the upcoming Veteran's Day holiday in a number of ways, including having guest speakers read books to our students about the important role that the military plays in our lives. Thank you to all the Veterans and active duty members who shared time with our Cougars today!
As you can see in pictures and articles below, many students have already attended their first field trip of the school year. As one of our School Improvement and Innovation Plan goals revolves around developing critical thinking skills, field trips can encourage students to think about a topic from multiple perspectives. Studies show that students who go on a variety of field trips have higher test scores and improved critical thinking skills overall. We are excited to offer these experiential learning opportunities throughout the year as we align them with curriculum standards. Thank you for your support for these impactful life-long learning experiences!
As a reminder, in honor of Veteran's Day, Monday will be a holiday with no school. We will see our Cougars back here on Tuesday, November 12th.
Have a wonderful three-day weekend!
Take care,
Mike Astudillo
Proud Principal
Columbia Elementary School
4th Grade Field Trip to the Kennedy Center
New Tables for the Art Room!
We're thrilled to announce a fantastic addition to our art room: beautiful new tables! Thanks to the incredible support of our school community during the Art to Remember fundraiser, we were able to purchase these wonderful workspaces for our budding artists.
2nd Grade Field Trip to E.C. Lawrence Park
On Thursday of this week, 2nd Graders visited E.C. Lawrence Park Earlier this month, second grade visited Ellanor C. Lawrence Park to learn about Native American Life in Fairfax County. Students explored what life may have been like for Eastern Woodland Indians and the relationship they had with the land that is now Fairfax County. Take a look at the CES website for more pictures and details! |
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Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.
For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, we will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
Need to Register for ParentVUE?
Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey.
Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).
Kindergarten Field Trip to
Hidden Oaks Nature Center
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Earlier today, our Kindergarten students visited the Fairfax County Park Authority's Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale. Students interacted with live animal displays, exhibits, a pond, creeks, woodland trails, gardens, play areas, and a resource library and a rain garden. See the school website for more details! |
Volunteer at the Book Fair!
Our Book Fair will be open from November 18 to November 22. I hope to see you there!
If you are able to volunteer to help at our Book Fair please see the Sign Up Genius for available days and times. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FA9A623A7FBC25-53030194-book
Check out our Book Fair Page HERE for all the details:
- Dates
- Special Family Times, including after school hours on Monday and Thursday!
Our Book Fair will be cash free this year. Please use the following links to learn how to set up an eWallet or eGift Card for your child.
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eWallet, a cash-free way for your child to shop at the book fair https://www.bookwormcentral.com/ewallet.php
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eGift Card, the perfect gift for students, teachers or friends, redeemable at the book fair or our online bookstore
https://www.bookwormcentral.com/gift_card/
Thank you for supporting our school and encouraging your child's love of reading!
Happy Reading,
Maura Papas
IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair
Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School.
The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance.
Invitation to CES Thanksgiving Luncheon
We are pleased to invite you to Columbia’s Thanksgiving Luncheon on Tuesday, November 21st!
The Thanksgiving meal includes roast turkey with dressing, green beans, fresh fruit, milk, whipped potatoes with gravy, and pumpkin bread. Vegetarian offerings include chickenless bites or power packs.
The price is $4.75 for any adults and non-school aged children. To pay for an adult or child’s meal, please add additional funds to your child's mySchoolBucks lunch account.
On the day of the luncheon, you must bring a valid ID with you to sign in at the office. Parents will have the option to shop at the book fair during their child’s lunch block!
Thanksgiving Luncheon Schedule
10:45 - 11:15: Kindergarten & EAC Lunch
11:30 - 12:00: 1st Grade Lunch
12:00 - 12:30: 2nd Grade Lunch
12:10 - 12:40: 4th Grade Lunch
12:40 - 1:10: 5th Grade Lunch
12:45 - 1:15: 3rd Grade Lunch *updated time
🐾Save the Date 🐾
Holiday - Veterans Day
November 11
3 Hour Early Release - 1:05 p.m. Dismissal
November 18
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Meeting
November 19
Thanksgiving Luncheon
November 21
Holidays - Thanksgiving Break
November 27 - November 29
Donuts with Grownups - Last Names A-L
December 12
Donuts with Grownups - Last Names M-Z
December 13
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Meeting
November 17
Holidays - Winter Break
December 23 - January 5
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