Weekly update for March 7, 2025
Dear CES friends and families:
It has been another exciting week at Columbia ES. 3rd quarter interims went home on Tuesday, 1st graders went on an exciting and engaging field trip to the National Building Museum on Thursday, and we tallied up the results and identified the winners of our recent Read-a-thon (more details to come!) earlier today. Speaking of which, I wanted to share a huge THANK YOU to the wonderful PTA for their efforts in leading the annual Read-a-thon last week. We love seeing the kids dive into good books!
As we move our clocks backward an hour this weekend, please consider giving your student(s) a little extra support in the morning to arrive on time to school next week until we are all adjusted to the change. Have a wonderful weekend!
Take care,
Mike Astudillo
Proud Principal
Columbia Elementary School
PTA News and Notes
PTA Meeting
Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 18th in the library. There will be a zoom link for those who would like to join virtually. We will be discussing Teacher Appreciation Week. April 28- May 2. Please join us.
After School Soccer
PSA soccer after school sign-up is open. More inforemation can be found HERE
PTA Wish List
We have a spring full of events ahead of us. Please see our wish list that includes things such as concession stand supplies, paper bags for school use, and items to stock the teachers lounge. Items do not have to be purchased from Amazon. Feel free to purchase elsewhere and drop it off in the front office. Thank you!
Online Spirit wear Store is Live
Students, family and staff can now order spirit wear all year long. You can click HERE to order your gear.
Upcoming
3/26 Family Night Out – Jets Pizza
Monday is a 3 Hour Early Release!
This coming Monday, March 10th, is a 3-hour early release day. You should have received an email confirming your preference for having your student dismiss at 1:05pm or 4:05pm. Please call the main office with any questions you may have about the 3-hour early dismissal for this coming Monday afternoon or email Mrs. Dumont at sldumont@fcps.edu.
Congratulations Ms. Chapman and Ms. Hiltabidle!
FCPS Lexia Leaders for Quarter 2!
We're bursting with joy to announce that two of our amazing teachers, Ms. Chapman and Ms. Hiltabidle, have been recognized for their outstanding work in promoting literacy! They've both been named Lexia Leaders for Quarter 2, a special recognition from Lexia Learning, that celebrates their dedication and expertise in using this innovative program, as they foster a love of literacy. Read all about Ms. Chapman and Ms. Hiltabidle's recognition!
Specialist Spotlight
Art with Mrs. Mckenna
Did you know that March is Youth Art Month? Help celebrate your CES artist by purchasing their artwork printed on some of the many cool items offered through our Art to Remember fundraiser. Order forms will be sent home next week. Purchases should be made online at https://arttoremember.com/school/z2phtl and orders are due by March 25th. Below are some of the fun things that are happening in the art room this quarter.
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Kindergarteners have been learning to be architects and using their imaginations to create some fantasy lands.
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1st graders are working on a paper weaving about the different generations of their family and will be starting some architecture projects soon.
- In 2nd grade students are learning about animal habitats and creating a 3-D habitat for their ceramic animal sculptures.
- Our 3rd graders have been busy painting about memories of a day at the park and will be starting a fiber art weaving project.
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4th graders have been working hard on their memento stitchery projects and will be starting a Virginia landscape painting soon.
- In 5thgrade students have created some amazing face jugs and will next be exploring printmaking and radial symmetry.
I appreciate the amazing students and families we have here at CES and thank you for sharing your children with me. Please reach out if you have any questions or comments about your child’s art education. Fondly, Mrs. McKenna
Specialist Spotlight
Library with Ms. Papas
During the third quarter, students are discovering how to explore topics that interest them by using library resources. Soon, we'll kick off Book Madness, where students can read new books and vote for their favorites. Just like basketball's March Madness, we will eventually choose one favorite book as the winner!
This quarter, Kindergarteners are learning about non-fiction books and how to find books on various topics that are of interest.
First graders are exploring biographies, learning that these are non-fiction books about famous people. The person may still be living or may not be, and biographies can cover their entire life or just a specific part. Students now know where to find the Biography section in the library and that these books are organized by the last name of the person, not the author.
Second graders are getting ready for a research project by learning how to use our online catalog and databases. They feel confident logging into Destiny Discover and searching for books in our library. They have also learned how to place books on hold!
Third graders are becoming Collaborators, focusing on how to work together while researching and sharing information.
Meanwhile, Fourth and Fifth graders are using information to build their Creative and Critical Thinking skills by refining their work and asking questions to explore ideas.
🐾Save the Date 🐾
3 Hour Early Release - 1:05 p.m. Dismissal
March 10
PTA Meeting
March 18
PTA Family Night Out - Jets Pizza
March 26
Holiday
March 31
Student Holiday
April 1
Rising Kindergarten Orientation
April 1
5th Grade Cougar Chorus Concert
April 10
Spring Break
April 14 - 18
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