Columbia Elementary Newsletter
January 2022
Columbia Elementary School
24 Hours Attendance Line: (425) 366-2605
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
Welcome to 2022! We have come through the challenges of 2021 like soldiers, with stronger partnerships. One way we partner with you is by supporting your efforts to help your child develop successful social skills.
Columbia Elementary School implements a social-emotional curriculum titled, Second Step. Our teachers teach lessons from this program weekly. Students in our school are learning common vocabulary, such as point of view, compassion, respect, focus attention, listen, self-talk, problem-solving skills, calm-down steps, and fair ways to play.
In small groups, students explore these concepts through conversations about daily scenarios they may encounter on the playground, in class, or in the lunchroom. Our small groups are called Stars and Steps. Students identify their strengths (stars) and their goals (next steps) for implementing the common vocabulary.
Soon, you may be notified that your child has been invited to join a Stars and Steps social group. The group meets for 15 – 20 minutes two times a week for about six weeks. Some meet during lunch and others meet at the start and end of the day. Feel free to call if you have questions about it. Our goal is for all students to feel a sense of friendship, support and belonging as they talk about real-life experiences and share strategies that work for them.
Stay warm,
Wendy Eidbo, EdD
Message from Dean of Students
The Great Kindness Challenge
Our school is proudly participating in The Great Kindness Challenge, again! The Great Kindness Challenge is a week-long program dedicated to creating a culture of kindness and compassion in communities worldwide. To help our students practice kindness and put their compassion into action, they will receive a Great Kindness Challenge checklist. We will encourage all students to complete as many acts of kindness as possible at school and hope they feel inspired to continue them at home! Together, we will lift each other up, cheer each other on and show the world that KINDNESS MATTERS!
This challenge will take place January 24th - January 27th. Please join us in encouraging and reminding your children to participate in the kindness checklist and spirit days.
Monday – Crazy for Kindness: Wear crazy hair
Tuesday – Hats off to Kindness: Wear your favorite hat
Wednesday – Team Kindness: Wear your favorite sports uniform
Thursday – Dream of Kindness: Pajama Day
Mark Your Calendars!
Jan 3 First Day of School after Winter Break
Jan 7 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
Jan 10 School Board Meeting (6:00 PM)
Jan 14 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
Jan 17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (NO SCHOOL)
Jan 21 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
Jan 24 School Board Meeting (6:00 PM)
Jan 24-28 Kindness Week
Jan 28 Non-Student Day (NO SCHOOL)
School Resumes January 3rd
Winter break is over and it's time to settle back in to our routine. The school office will reopen Monday, January 3rd at 8:00 am. to welcome our students into a fresh, bright new year.
School Hours:
Monday - Thursday 8:55 AM - 3:25 PM
Friday 8:55 AM - 2:10 PM
We hope you had a healthy and relaxing break.
Cougars C.A.R.E. 1st Trimester 2021-2021
We're so excited to share our Cougar's C.A.R.E. award recipients for this first trimester.
Life Academics:
Mrs. Woodworth: Ajjei L., Miriamanne L., Jazmin M.
Mrs. Joseph: Diego L. Helen P., Lawrence R.
Mrs. Peregoy: Ryder B., Rey L., Devyn F., Kalifa C., Aiden L.
First Grade:
Miss Bosa: Nola D., Henry B., Sawyer H. Kendrick P., Andrew B.
Ms. Halvorson: Grant W., Ruari L., Kiana M., Luca C., Christopher K.
Mrs. Pietzsch: Ava R., Salem I., Cayn W. Yassin Y., Bao Tran N.
Ms. Steffins: Berkeley N., Esme D., Gray B., Nya H., Andrea I., Grayson B.
Second Grade:
Ms. Minaker: Ashton H., Liam M. Elliott P., Elwin B., Emily S., Vira L., Eliana S., Jayden W.
Mrs. Craggs: Peyton B., Kenshin L. Bjorn H., Luke S., Rosie M., Simon X., Charlotte H., Luka G.
Ms. Boyd: Olivia T., Avery K., Minhee C., Niah M., Xavier A., Alex S.
Third Grade:
Ms. Fetherston: Frankie D., Clara R., Lincoln B., Charlie K., Penelope P., Christopher S., Karrar A., Jiselle P.
Mrs. Rhoades: Livia G., Maya L., Ciarán L., Valeesa K., Theo M., Piper H., Henry B., Hiba A.
Ms. Roberts: Annabelle L., Carlo G., Iliana A., Khataab A. Lisa N., Bobby S. Mykhanh D., Cameron B.
Mrs. You: Declan B., Aubrey R., Rex G., Melvyn K., Enzo O., Logan C. Rhiley B., Ian K.
Fourth Grade:
Ms. Parise: Serena R., Mia A., Timofey D., Julianna G., Aiden D., Reed L,. Natalie C., Carla G.
Mr. Seal: Emma G., Said H., Katherine W., Lexington G., Noralyn B., Arjun S., Evelyn P., Jack L.
Mr. Melby: Aruba F., Deklin G., Hana D., Ana M., Jake M., Ellie S., Gracelyn W., Eli T.
Fifth Grade:
Mrs. Clark/Robinson: Iryna L., Claire L., Jackson K., Brayden I.
Mrs. Somers: Ella R., Olivia S., Mercy K., Caleb M.
Mrs. Harmon: Jasmeen R., Ryan H. Minah K., Jaz E.
Message from the Library
Have you received an automated call about overdue or lost library books from the school district and are wondering what to do next? If this is the first time you have received a call, please check in with your student first. Sometimes, students have returned books, but they are not yet checked back in by the library. If your student says they have returned the book or if you have received multiple calls for the same book, please contact me at griffinka@mukilteo.wednet.edu so staff can search for it in the library and classroom. Please continue to search at home, in the car, and anywhere your student goes after school. Have your student search thoroughly through their backpack as well as their desk and book bin at school. There are no fines given for overdue books, and fines for lost books are processed near the end of the school year.
When your student has overdue/lost books, they will be limited to checking out of one book which must remain in school to be read. Once the overdue/lost book is found, this restriction is lifted, and your student may check out the regular number of books according to their grade level.
Is your student interested in taking AR quizzes over winter break?
- Go to mukilteoschools.org
- Click student portal
- Click on Clever
- Click log in with active directory
- Type in your student’s username using the following format: studentID@mukilteo.wednet.edu
- Type in your student’s password
- In Clever, click on R for Renaissance Learning
- Click the orange Accelerated Reader box
- Type in the book title
- Find the correct book, click take quiz, then press start quiz under reading practice
From the Nurse's Office
Sick Kids:
Keep your student home if they are sick. Even if you think it's allergies or "just the sniffles," staying home prevents others from catching any germs or viruses. Refer to Snohomish Health Department for specific COVID protocols.
- Remember it is your responsibility to contact the school 24 Hours attendance line at (425) 366-2605 to report absence.
Daily Screening Form:
Please use this Daily Screen Form (translations coming soon) with your child and keep wearing masks, washing your hands and limiting social gatherings to help students stay healthy and in school.
COVID testing:
In coordination with Premier Medical Group, our first testing site will be located at the District Office, 9401 Sharon Dr., Everett, WA 98204. Testing will occur outside and will be located at the rear of the building (see map). This location will offer rapid antigen testing only.
This site will operate during winter break (Dec. 20-22 & 28-29) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Routine service will resume on January 3. Appointments are not needed and there is no fee for the test. You do not need to exit your vehicle. Persons wishing to be tested will need to provide consent and register via an app called Perseus.
Student and Staff health and safety is our priority.
Fitness and Health Corner
January is the time of year when we make those New Year’s resolutions. Whatever you choose to work on, remember exercise is good for you. I know you’ve heard me say this many times, but it can rev up your energy levels and help improve your mood. Experts recommend that kids get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day.
Here are some of the reasons:
- Exercise helps people lose weight and lower the risk of some diseases. Exercising to maintain a healthy weight decreases a person's risk of developing certain diseases, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. These diseases, which used to be found mostly in adults, are becoming more common in teens.
- Exercise benefits every part of the body, including the mind. Exercising causes the body to produce endorphins, chemicals that can help a person to feel more peaceful and happier. Exercise can help some people sleep better. Kids should be getting 8-9 hours of sleep per night.
If you would like to read more about his article, go to the following website. http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/wellbeing/exercise_wise.html#
Kids Health is a great resource for parents and teachers.
May you have a healthy, happy 2022! Mrs. Beiermann and Mrs. DuBois
School Board Appreciation Month
Weather Alert
If weather causes the district to delay or cancel school, you will receive a phone message and email from the district. This helps ensure we reach everyone, including those without an email address on file, before students stand outside at a bus stop, and before parents leave for work. If you have a mobile phone number on file with your child’s school, you should also receive a text message.
As usual, it will also be posted on the district website and posted through FlashAlert, which also feeds into mainstream local news feeds.
If your child rides the bus, it’s helpful to know your bus route’s alternative pick-up and drop-off location ahead of time. Find limited bus route information on the transportation website.
You can sign up for FlashAlert notifications at www.flashalert.net, click on the link and create an account by following this steps:
- For “region” select Seattle/Western Wash
- Click on Island and Snohomish County Schools
- Select Mukilteo School District
Free Meals for all Students!
Free Meals for all Students!
- Meals for all students are free of charge regardless of Free/Reduced Status for the 21-22 school year.
- Please encourage families to complete free/reduced applications, as they do need them to receive other benefits that are available (P-EBT Cards).
- Hot food will be served.
Mukilteo School District is Hiring!
The district has hired over 350 staff since school began, but we could still use more! We are hiring many positions, including bus drivers, food service workers, substitutes, paraeducators, and more!
Learn more about the jobs and application process and ask questions during a weekly information Zoom meeting - every Thursday, 4 to 5 p.m. The Zoom link is on the district home page and website calendar.
https://www.mukilteoschools.org/Page/10#calendar6564/20211012/month
February
4 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
11 Waiver Day (NO SCHOOL)
18 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
21-25 Mid-Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)
March
2 Dr. Seuss Birthday
4 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
11 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
18 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
25 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
April
1 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
8 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
11-15 Spring Break - (NO SCHOOL)
22 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
29 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
About Us
Developing Confident, Competent and Compassionate People.
Principal: Wendy Eidbo, Ed.D.
Email: sierraan@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Website: https://www.mukilteoschools.org/Domain/104
Location: 10520 Harbour Pointe Boulevard, Mukilteo, WA, USA
Phone: 425-366-2600