Columbia Elementary Newsletter
October 2021
Columbia Elementary School
October is National Principals Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Dyslexia Awareness Month and National Bullying Prevention Month.
Newsletter Contents:
◊Principal's Message ◊Testing Information ◊Mark Your Calendars ◊New Covid Dashboard ◊Fitness and Health Corner ◊PTA Fundraiser ◊Well-being Survey ◊Free meal for all Students ◊Order your School Picture ◊Morning Drop-Off ◊Mr. Kaas' Food Drive
Principal's Message
Dear Columbia Families,
We have had a great start learning classroom and school routines and COVID protocols. Our students have done very well wearing masks, maintaining distancing, and washing hands. I am very impressed with your children as they participate in their lessons with enthusiasm.
Thank you for your care in arriving to school between 8:45 and 9:00. It’s a tight window, but we appreciate your understanding during COVID times.
In October, your child will participate in one or more of the following assessments:
- WA-KIDS is an assessment for kindergartners
- i-Ready is a program that identifies the learning level of the student and provides appropriate interventions and supports for learning.
- State Smarter Balance Assessment (SBA). Last spring, the state postponed the SBA to this fall. Our 4th and 5th graders will take last spring’s assessments October 18-29. This will provide information to the classroom teacher, the school district, and the state on where our students’ learning is this fall.
In October we will celebrate Disabilities Awareness Month, Anti-Bullying Month, and our PTA sponsored Read-A-Thon.
- Disabilities Awareness: Students will view a Virtual Abilities Awareness Assembly and how we each have strengths to offer one another.
- Read-A-Thon: An explanation of the PTA fundraiser will be presented at the end of our Virtual Abilities Awareness Assembly.
- Anti-Bullying: In morning announcements, Principal Eidbo will include excerpts from Second Step curriculum on how to recognize, stop, and report bullying. PTA is sponsoring a virtual assembly by Taproot Theater who will present a play focused on bullying prevention.
We are a Positive Behavior Systems School (PBIS) which means we make every effort to support expected behaviors with positive recognitions and interventions. In cases where students need more support, a behavior support staff member may be called to provide a break, or have a conference, or a check-in to support a behavior plan. We make our best effort to keep children feeling safe and supported while learning how to navigate social norms for successful living. If your child brings home a Behavior Action Plan, view it as a learning opportunity; have a discussion about the incident; and finally, please sign and return it to school.
I am glad to be your partner,
Wendy Eidbo, Ed.D.
Message from Dean of Students
Testing Information
Each fall, Mukilteo School District students take diagnostic Reading, Math, and/or Early Literacy tests in school to help teachers better understand what skills students are ready to learn next. This year, teachers will be using the iReady diagnostic assessment that our school district is piloting.
The iReady diagnostic assessments is given on a computer using a multiple-choice format. The test questions “adapt” based on the student’s responses. Tests begin slightly below a student’s grade level and the next question gets easier or harder, depending on whether the answer selected is correct or incorrect. The test adapts as low as kindergarten and as high as high school level. This makes the results a more accurate measure of student achievement for students who are below/above grade level than results from tests that only assess content at a single grade level.
These tests will be taken at school on laptops and may be used throughout the year by teachers to help students show their progress in reading and math. Students will take the Reading and Math tests over multiple days in approximately 20-30 minute session intervals to accommodate scheduling needs around core instruction areas, specialist schedules, and lunch.
Additionally, this fall, our 4th and 5th graders will be taking an abbreviated Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) to make up the Spring 2021 state testing that was postponed. The SBA test is taken by students in 3rd-5th grade each spring for both Math and English Language Arts (ELA). The shortened test will have fewer questions in each domain area to decrease the impact on classroom time this fall.
Teachers will schedule testing in their own classroom during the following testing windows:
- 1st-5th grade iReady window: September 27- October 15
- 4th-5th grade SBA window: October 18-October 29
- Link to April 2021 announcement regarding decision to postpone Spring 2021 SBA testing: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAOSPI/bulletins/2cce418
- Kindergarten iReady window: November 1- December 2
- September/October assessment focus for Kindergarten is on WaKIDS readiness skills
To prepare for testing, here are a few suggestions for families:
- Help your child develop a bedtime routine to consistently have ample sleep for each school day
- Have your child eat a nutritious and filling breakfast each day, or eat breakfast at school
- Remind your child that the expectation of a test is for them to work hard and show what they know; share that you will be proud of them for trying their best
- Prioritize daily attendance and communicate with the school if your child needs to stay home due to an illness or other family reason
For additional information for families on iReady testing: https://i-readycentral.com/familycenter/
Teachers use additional assessments in class to determine student mastery of content. Please reach out to your child’s teacher with any questions on classroom or unit-specific assessments.
As with any test, many factors can affect a student’s scores, and the iReady scores give only a snapshot of student achievement at a specific point in time during the school year.
Thank you for all that you do for your student(s).
Sunah J. Lee, M.A.T, M.Ed
Mark Your Calendars!
Oct 1: Friday Early Dismissal (2:10 PM)
Oct 6: "READ-A-THON FUNDRAISER" Kick off
Oct 8: Friday Early Dismissal (2:10 PM)
Oct 15: Friday Early Dismissal (2:10 PM)
Oct 22: Waver Day (No School)
Oct 25: MR. KAAS' FOOD DRIVE Starts
oct 28: PTA General Meeting (3:45 PM)
Oct 29: Friday Early Dismissal (2:10 PM)
NEW COVID DASHBOARD
A new COVID case dashboard is now available on the district website under the Return to School tab. The information shows the number of positive COVID cases at each school and will be updated each Wednesday.
There are several other resources available under the Return to School tab including the Family Guide, Recovery Plan, and FAQs. The Past Family Messages webpage is also a great resource for finding announcements and information sent to families.
At this time we are not doing rapid COVID test at Columbia. If and when that changes, we will make sure to share with you.
Fitness and Health Corner
October is International Walk/Bike to School and Vegetarian Month. It is okay to occasionally have a sweet treat, but do you get all five of your fruits and vegetables every day? Research shows that most children and adults do not. It is important that you get the vitamins they provide. Let’s be proactive and eat vegetables as our daily snack this month. I’d also like to encourage families to get out and go for a walk, every day!! Research shows that if you do something for 30 days it becomes a habit.
What a good habit to have!!
Mrs. Beiermann and Mrs. DuBois
PTA FUNDRAISER!
Columbia PTA is getting ready for our only major fundraiser of the year and we would love your support. Since we can’t be in the building at all, we are relying on you to help encourage your students to participate. We hope we’ve made this easy!
Our fundraiser this year is a Read-A-Thon! Through read-a-thon.com all students are encouraged to participate, whether by reading themselves, being read to, or reading to someone else. Class time spent on reading counts, along with reading time at home.
Our Read-A-Thon officially runs from 10/8 to 10/25. During these two weeks we hope students and families will log their daily reading time. The fundraising portion will be open through the end of October.
Each student has access to their very own fundraising page so minutes can be tracked, and donations received online. Links can be emailed to friends and family, and shared on social media.
Stay toned for more details coming soon.
Our PTA does so much for our school and students!
Please follow our PTA on Facebook!!
Well-Being Survey!
As part of our commitment to supporting the well-being of staff, students and their families, we will administer social-emotional well-being surveys to students, families and staff beginning October 4. It is optional, but it is highly encouraged as it will provide valuable data to help gather your perceptions and needs to improve supports for students and families.
Students in grades 3-12 will receive survey questions appropriate to their grade level. Families will also receive a survey which will replace the district’s annual Family Survey. The questions differ depending on the participant role and cover several topics that align with the state social-emotional learning standards for students as well as cultural awareness, relationships and safety. The surveys will be given to each participant group in the fall and again in the spring.
Family responses are anonymous, but the student information is identifiable. The benefit to that is teachers and school leaders will be able to access student information to help support student needs by classroom or at an individual level, if needed.
Families may preview the student questions and have the option for their child/children to participate in the survey. If you have reviewed the student survey questions and do NOT want your child to participate in the survey, please complete this online opt-out form by September 30 at 8 p.m. Families will have the opt-out option again before the spring survey is given.
Watch for the family survey link next week and we hope you’ll participate!
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.
Order your School Picture
You are invited to take this opportunity to order portraits of your children. Click KidsPhotography link to submit your order.
Families can order for more than one student at one time. The last day to pre-order is Friday, October 1st. (the day after last picture day).
Picture make-up day to be announced.
Morning Student Drop-Off
- Drop-offs occur in the North parking lot
- When you enter the parking lot, form one line along the curb
- While in line please do not block the driveway.
- Students shall exit car at the curb only.
Life Academic Student Drop-Off:
- Park in the designated disable parking.
- A supervisor will greet your student.
Preschool Student Drop-off:
- Students will be drop off by the curb.
- Parents will get student out of the car seat and hand them over to a supervisor.
Cars are not permitted to pass other vehicles while exiting or entering.
Please remember this line must keep moving. Drop and go!
These guidelines are meant to keep our students safe. Thank you!
Mr. Kaas' Food Drive Oct 25-Nov 5
We will be collecting food for the Mukilteo Food Bank.
The grade-level that contributes the most will receive a school appropriate prize and special recognition.
The Mukilteo Food Bank is in need of the following:
- Monetary donations to purchase meat and produce (http://www.mukilteofoodbank.org)
- Canned chili, Canned Soup, Peanut Butter, Healthy Snack Bars.
- Condiments (Catsup, Mayo, Salad dressing, Mustard, Sugar)
- Packets of cocoa and/or apple cider, high protein items.
(Please, no tuna or macaroni & cheese - we are stocked up)
It takes an entire community to eradicate hunger. Consider donating!
October
1 Early Dismissal (2:10 PM)
6 Ability Awareness Virtual Assembly
8 "Read-a-Thon Fundraiser
8 Early Dismissal (2:10 PM)
11 School Board Meeting
15 Early Dismissal (2:10 PM)
22 Waiver Day (No School)
25 Mr. KAA’S Food Drive Starts
28 PTA General Meeting
29 Early Dismissal (2:10 PM)
November
5 Mr. KAA'S Food Drive Ends
5 Early Dismissal (2:10 PM)
8 School Board Meeting
11 Veterans Day (No School)
12 Early Dismissal (2:10 PM)
19 Early Dismissal (2:10 PM)
22-24 Parent/teacher Conferences (No School)
25-26 Thanksgiving Day (No School)
December
10 Early Dismissal (2:10 PM)
13 School Board Mtg. (6:00 PM)
17 Early Dismissal (12:55 PM)
20-31 Winter Break (No School)
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
Disclaimer
Mukilteo School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator Dan Dizon (425-356-1319), dizonds@mukilteo.wednet.edu, Section 504 Coordinator Lisa Pitsch (425-356-1277), pitschla@mukilteo.wednet.edu, and the ADA/Access Coordinator Karen Mooseker (425-356-1330), moosekerkw@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9401 Sharon Drive in Everett, WA. Inquiries regarding ADA/Access issues at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center should be directed to Wes Allen, Director (425-348-2220) allenwr@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9001 Airport Road in Everett, WA 98204.