Weekly update for January 10, 2025
Dear Columbia friends and families:
Happy New Year! Well, it has been quite a week with snow days, freezing temps, and a long extended winter break...but we were so excited to be back at school today. We missed seeing students and families here in the building on a routine basis, and look forward to more consistency starting next week.
The weather forecast for next week includes cold temperatures. We want to make sure all of our students stay warm during outdoor recess. Please remember to send your child to school with a warm coat, hat, and gloves. If you have any gently used winter coats that your child has outgrown, please consider donating them to the school as we will make sure they go to students in need. Feel free to drop them off in the main office.
Take care,
Mike Astudillo
Proud Principal
Columbia Elementary School
PTA News & Notes
Fall Direct Donation Campaign – Success!
THANK YOU to all who contributed to the Fall direct donation fundraiser. We were able to raise 100% of the funds needed to purchase the typing program! We are excited to see the students become speedy typists this year.
Family Night Out - Wednesday, January 29
January's Family Night out will be at Taco Bamba (6259 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA 22312). The fundraiser runs from 9 am - 9 pm. Columbia will receive 20% of the sales from the day. Please mention Columbia Elementary School when ordering at the counter or use promo code GIVE20 when ordering on the website. Gift cards can be purchased online.
Next PTA Meeting - Hybrid
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 21 at 7 PM. We will meet in-person in the school library. For those who would like to participate virtually, please find the Zoom information below. We look forward to seeing you!
Zoom: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/91903873132 Meeting ID: 919 0387 3132 One tap mobile: +13092053325,,91903873132# US
A message from Ms. McKenna!
Does your child love to create artwork? The FCPL is having a Tiny Canvas Art Contest from January 13-February 28th. Free supplies can be picked up at the public library starting Jan. 13th. Check out the link below for more information.
Library Research: Reading Adventures for Youth and Adults: Tiny Canvases - Ready to Paint?
Annandale Pyramid Honors Choir Festival
You're invited to the annual Annandale Pyramid Honors Choir Festival, Thursday (1/16) at Annandale High School! The concert will begin at 7pm and will feature 5th graders from the elementary schools in our pyramid, singers from Holmes and Poe MS, as well as Annandale HS choirs.
We have 13 students from Columbia ES participating this year. You might see some former CES students too! In the past we've had a high turnout of attendees, so please take into consideration possible traffic congestion around the high school.
Specials Spotlight
Library with Ms. Papas
Thank you to everyone who came to the CES Fall Book Fair and supported our school. I appreciate you helping to inspire a love of reading in your children.
In all grades, we are starting to think about topics that interest us personally and how we can learn more about them. In the second quarter, students will focus on how to use library resources.
Kindergarteners have been comparing different Gingerbread stories and will continue to explore folk tales this quarter.
First graders have been discovering the importance of words and effective communication. Next, they will learn how to locate books in the library based on their interests and different types of books.
Second and third graders have been encouraged to expand their curiosity and learn how to find answers to their questions. They will be looking at features of non-fiction texts to help with their research.
Fourth and fifth graders have been focusing on using information responsibly, learning how to credit their sources by creating a bibliography, and will keep practicing how to evaluate these sources.
🐾Save the Date 🐾
Holiday
January 20
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Meeting
January 21
Student Holiday
January 29
3 Hour Early Release - 1:05 p.m. Dismissal
February 10
Holiday
February 17
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Meeting
February 18
STEAM Night
February 20
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