Columbus School District
March Newsletter
Building Together One Cardinal At A Time
Columbus School District
Website: https://www.columbus.k12.wi.us/
Location: 200 West School Street, Columbus, WI, USA
Phone: (920) 623-5950
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusWisconsin/
Upcoming Events
March 3rd
March 13th & 27th
13-School Board Workshop
27-School Board Meeting
March 20th-24th
Message From The Superintendent
As I began my tenure as Superintendent in July, “Great First Impressions” was the title of a section that I started in a notebook. I would like to share a few of the earlier entries:
Today I saw something neat on the playground at the middle school. As the students were running around and playing, I saw a young lady sitting near the building by herself. I saw another classmate go over to the young lady sitting by the building and sit down and start talking. Out of curiosity, I looked out the window about five minutes later. The two were still engaged in a conversation. I bet it made the young lady's day!
I was walking past the copier today. I overheard a staff member tell a teammate that she would put the finished copies in the staff member's mailbox so she could get to her child’s game on time…TEAMWORK!!!
I observed a really neat elementary student today. I would guess it was probably a 3rd or 4th grader. First, I watched the student point a much younger student in the right direction. I can only imagine how scary it can be navigating the new building. The boy did not stop there. The boy picked up garbage from another lunch table and threw it in the trash can with his garbage. What I found more impressive was that he didn’t care about getting credit or attention from the adults. He simply did it because it was the right thing to do.
Tonight we had an event that was open to the public. It is good to have events open to the public again. It was amazing to watch parents/community members after the event help jump in to reorganize the gym space. Even though our staff would have taken care of it, it definitely saved our team time and energy.
I started to keep this type of journal as we were navigating the pandemic in 2021 (in my previous district). I decided that I wanted to be able to reflect on the good. Pandemic or not, I think sometimes we miss all of the great things in the minutiae of day-to-day work. Also, I think that the best in people are sometimes washed out by the loudest voices.
I have to admit that after the first couple of months, I did not do a very good job of adding to this notebook. Last month, I read that it was Random Acts of Kindness Week. Kindness is often promoted with the great “Be Kind” slogan. I am not naive in realizing that there are mean moments that happen. Trust me, we continue to work hard on improving in that area. Every week, though, I witness situations of kindness. I see it from our students, staff, and community members. I see “Be Kind” as an applied action and not just a catchy phrase.
I firmly believe that kindness can grow throughout a community. Furthermore, I think that accountability and expectations (some might call this toughness) can work in partnership with kindness. Over the years, I wonder if there have been questions if kindness and toughness can coexist. I sincerely think and hope that the two can and will in our district!
This is simply another piece to making Columbus School District an exceptional place for students to learn and staff to work! I look forward to getting back into the habit of adding moments in my journal. If so inclined, feel free to send me an email with your Random Act of Kindness story from our district. I may not be able to reply to all emails; however, I will be sure to read the emails. If you would be comfortable with us sharing your story on our social media account, please feel free to note that in the email. Please understand, we might not be able to share all submissions, and we will redact names. It might be another way that we help grow our community. Go Cards!
Jake Flood
Superintendent
Columbus School District
Care Solace Supporting Columbus Schools
If you or a family member are looking for help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can help you quickly find treatment options matched to your needs regardless of the circumstance. Care Solace is a complementary and confidential service provided to students, staff, and their families by Columbus School District. Care Solace's team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in your language. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:
- Call 1 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365
- Visit www.caresolace.com/columbus and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
See attached flyer English
See Family letter English
See attached flyer Spanish
See Family letter Spanish
Inclement Weather Make Up Days
With the amount of canceled school this year, please plan for June 5 (Monday) being a regular school day for students.
District Office sometimes receives questions about the number of make-up days compared to other districts. The difference is because make-up days are typically a calculation based on total instructional minutes. In simplest terms, we have a very long school day (number of minutes that we run school each day) compared to most districts. This is why neighboring districts and us may vary on the number of necessary make-up days.
Please stay alert for any further information coming from the different schools. Adaptations are often necessary at the building or specific grade levels when the final student school day of the year changes. We anticipate school communication to be shared with families in the next couple of weeks. We wanted to share this message from the district-level for planning purposes.
I hope that sending this message does not jinx us with more inclement weather. If that would be our reality, we would communicate about additional make-up days
Pathways Career Fair
Polar Plunge 2023
As a Unified Champion School, we receive 50% of the money we fundraised back to our Project Unify program! With this rebate money, we fund: (1) A district-wide grant for teachers to make their learning environments more accessible/inclusive, AND (2) $500 “Live Unified” scholarships to graduating seniors who choose to pursue a career working with people with disabilities.
Thank you to community members that donated and supported our students in this feat. We are so proud of them!
Student Account Balances
Student accounts can be blocked for meals at parent's request by contacting the Food Service Director.
Pay By Check or Cash
Envelopes are available in each school office or place payments in a sealed envelope with the student(s) full name, student ID#, and amount enclosed.
Payments received are processed and updated within 24 hours with the exception of holidays and vacations.
Pay Online
Using your parent portal, you can track your student's account balance and spending habits.
Angel Fund Donations
Are you looking for ways to help in our community? Consider donating to the Columbus School Nutrition Angel Fund.
The funds will be used to help families receive nutritious meals through the School Nutrition Program.
It’s easy to do. You can send or drop-off your donation to the District Office or any school office. Make checks payable to Columbus School District. In the Memo write Angel Funds.
Columbus School District Office, 200 W School Street, Columbus, WI 53925
If you wish to donate electronically please click the link.
For more information, please contact the district office 920-623-5950
Social Media
Facebook: Columbus Wisconsin School District
Instagram: columbusschoooldistrict
School Closings Due to Inclement Weather
EMERGENCY CLOSINGS
The District Administrator may close the schools, delay the opening of school, or dismiss school early when such alteration in the regular session is required for the protection of the health and safety of students and staff members. The District Administrator shall have the authority to determine which school-related activities may be conducted if the school is closed for a period of time. Staff and students may be alerted by Infinite Campus notifications along with the following media stations: WBEV-1430AM, WMTV-Channel 15, WKOW-Channel 27 AND WISC-Channel 3.
Honor Roll-Columbus Middle School
Honor Roll-Columbus High School
Spring Election
2022-2023 School Calendar
2023-2024 School Calendar
Board Business
Important Student Update: Free 24/7 Tutoring
We have some incredible news to share! We are thrilled to announce that Columbus School District has partnered with Paper to provide ALL students in Grades 6-12 free, 1-on-1 tutoring and writing support. To learn more about this fantastic resource, pleases click on the links below.
English Welcome Message to Families
MISSION OF THE DISTRICT
Columbus School District empowers students to be community, career, and college ready.
Vision of the District:
Columbus School District will create a global learning experience in rural Wisconsin.
We Believe All Students and Staff:
- are valued.
- are engaged in learning.
- are responsive to unique learning needs.
- have a place to belong.
- appreciate diversity.
- interacting with community will benefit all.
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
Certified Staff Positions Available - WECAN
Support Staff Positions Available -WECAN
Support Staff Positions Available - Indeed
BUS DRIVERS WANTED!!
Are you parent who has children that participate in athletics or other after school activities? Do you like children? Lamers Bus Lines in Columbus is looking for a few good people to help transport for school, sports, and other activities.
Comprehensive school bus CDL training program high hourly wages. Experience pays more.
- Part time, flexible hours
- Mid-Day opportunities available
- Child ride-along program for school bus route drivers
- 401(k) and profit sharing programs
- Nights, weekends, holidays off for route drivers
- Afternoon, evening and weekend charter work available
- Drivers can qualify for health insurance after meeting requirements.
Lamers Bus Lines is a family-focused company that takes pride in being a part of your community. Together we work to provide our passengers safe and worry-free transportation every time they step on board one of our buses. Lamers Bus Lines is an EOE/AA employer.