Columbia Elementary Newsletter
November 2021
Newsletter Contents:
◊Principal's Message ◊Dean of Students Message ◊Mark Your Calendars ◊I keep up my skills over the summer! ◊PTA Fundraiser ◊Mr. Kaas' Food Drive ◊Exercise your Right to Vote ◊Honoring those who served! ◊Message from Librarian ◊Scholastic (Virtual) Book Fair! ◊Make-Up Picture Day ◊Free meal for all Students ◊Mukilteo School District is Hiring! ◊Stay Informed
Principal's Message
Dear Columbia Families,
We have enjoyed the change from summer to fall. Many of our students are collecting colored leaves. I love their excitement and wonder.
Our November themes Columbia is gratitude and emotional management. These concepts may look and feel different to each of us. Behavioral health professionals tell us there is science behind having a grateful heart. It is good for all of us. As we focus on gratitude and emotional management, we will use our Second Step Curriculum to discuss ways we can manage our emotions using gratitude. One recent way our students have shown gratitude is with food bank donations. The Mukilteo Food Bank Drive ends November 5th.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences are November 22nd – 24th. Please work with the teacher to schedule your conferences and let them know if you would like an interpreter.
What should you expect at the conference? Your partnership is key in supporting your child’s learning. In the conference you will talk about your child’s strengths and areas for growth. Please come prepared to ask questions, listen, and share any information that will be helpful to the teacher in meeting your child’s learning needs.
Progress Reports
Progress Reports are simply an account of how your child is progressing in alignment with our academic and behavior standards. You may see many scores of NA (not-assessed) or NE (not-evaluated) for standards that have not yet been taught. Your child’s teacher will explain further in the conference.
Our school has begun a new assessment system titled i-Ready. The teacher will discuss your child assessments results and ways to support their learning.
Veteran’s Day Assembly
Our Veteran’s Day Virtual Assembly will be recorded and shared with your children November 10th. We plan to honor our veterans. Please email pictures with name, area of service and years of service. We can’t thank you enough for your sacrifice for our freedoms. We are grateful for our Veterans and those who currently serve to protect our country.
I am grateful most of our students and staff have remained well. Stay healthy with good nutrition, sleep, social distancing, mask wearing, and frequent hand washing.
I am grateful and honored to be Columbia’s principal.
Your partner,
Wendy Eidbo, Ed.D.
Message from Dean of Students
Thank you for your amazing support in your child’s attendance at school. We know that this year has been challenging. These are some ways families can continue supporting to help students succeed in school and build habits of good attendance early.
- Talk about family expectations regarding school attendance.
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpack the night before.
- Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor or another parent.
- Try to schedule non-Covid-19 related medical appointments and extended trips when school isn’t in session.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors and other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- If you are concerned that your child may have Covid-19, call us for advice (425) 366-2600.
- If your child must stay home due to illness or quarantine, ask the teacher for resources and ideas to continue learning at home.
Thank you for all that you do for our student(s).
Sunah J. Lee, M.A.T, M.Ed
Mark Your Calendars!
Nov 2: Remember to VOTE
Nov 5: Mr. Kaas' Food Drive Ends
Nov 5: Friday dismissal (2:10 PM)
Nov 5-18: Scholastic (Virtual) Book Fair!
Nov 8: School Board Meeting (6:00 PM)
Nov 11: NO SCHOOL- Veteran's Day -
Nov 12: Friday dismissal (2:10 PM)
Nov 19: Friday dismissal (2:10 PM)
Nov 22-24: NO SCHOOL K-5 - Parent/teacher conferences
Nov 25-26: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
I keep up my skills over the summer!
Congratulations to the following students for sharpening their skills over the summer
- Olivia S. (5th Grade)
- Christopher S. (3rd Grade)
- Kenshin L. (2nd Grade)
PTA FUNDRAISER!
Readers, you blew our socks off!
Over 300 of you registered for our Read-A-Thon, and you read 142,720 minutes!
Wow!!! You've also raised $25,741, so thank you so very much. We look forward to putting all of that effort to great use for our school community.
Fundraising remains open through November 5th, so there is still time to make a donation. Please remember to check with your employer to see if matches are available for charitable gifts. Such an easy way to double your donation! Have your match go to Columbia PTA, Snohomish County 7.5.6 to make sure it gets to the right place.
If you have questions, please email Rebecca at vp@mycolumbiapta.org.
Prizes will be distributed in the coming weeks, and we look forward to celebrating all of you!
- Serena R -- 3285 minutes!
- Jacob A -- 2040 minutes!
- Kahlan H -- 1910 minutes!
- Hiba A -- 1860 minutes!
- Ella R -- 1858 minutes!
And our top 5 fundraisers deserve a huge thank you!
- Niah M -- $1125!
- Camden H -- $775!
- Toby G -- $675!
- Madison M -- $600!
- Noah D -- $575!
Big round of applause for all of our readers and fundraisers, and their families and friends for supporting their efforts. Every one of you made a difference to our Columbia community.
Please follow our PTA on Facebook!!
Mr. Kaas' Food Drive Oct 25-Nov 5
Please join us and help feed those in need as we collect food for the Mukilteo Food Bank.
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.
And... to add a little fun in the spirit of generosity: Students who bring in two or more non-perishable items will receive one ticket toward a drawing for a pumpkin on October 29th.
It takes an entire community to eradicate hunger. Consider donating!
Exercise your Right to Vote
November 2 is election day! This is your time to make your voice heard by casting a ballot.
For more information about voter registration, ballot box locations, tracking ballots, etc., visit the Snohomish County Elections website.
Honoring those who served!
We are dedicating our virtual assembly on Wednesday, November 10th to honor those who have served and are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. We hope you can provide us the following information by November 3rd to offer our appreciation and recognize your service. Photos from your time during service are welcome and encouraged!
Please email the information to Mrs. Beiermann or the front office.
Remember, there is no school Thursday, November 11th, in observation of Veterans Day.
Message from Librarian
Mrs. Griffin is excited to share this year’s reading programs hosted by the library and the PTA. Read as much as you can and take AR quizzes to participate.
AR Outstanding Reader Program
Columbia’s Accelerated Reader Program is underway. Earn prizes and achievement charms, as well as a certificate when you earn half of the required points for your grade level. Students who reach the point requirements with a passing average of 80-85% or higher will receive a reading medallion and a frozen yogurt or pizza treat (most likely as a gift certificate or coupon) at the end of the year!
- K: 50 points, 80% or higher
- 1st:100 points, 80% or higher
- 2nd: 150 points, 80% or higher
- 3rd: 175 points, 85% or higher
- 4th: 200 points, 85% or higher
- 5th: 250 points, 85% or higher
Sasquatch Contest
Students in grades 4 and 5 are invited to read all 12 books nominated for the 2022 Sasquatch Award. After reading each book, take the AR quiz and get 80% or higher. Earn prizes for your reading achievement.
OTTER Contest
This year, students from kindergarten to 5th grade are invited to read the 6 books nominated for the 2022 OTTER Award. This contest is usually open only to grades 2 and 3. Read the book, take the AR quiz, and get 80% or higher to be eligible for prizes!
Scholastic (Virtual) Book Fair!
If all of those reading minutes caused you to run out of books, our Fall Book Fair is coming right up. You will be able to shop virtually from Friday, November 5th through Thursday, November 18th so keep an eye out for the link.
Free shipping with a $25 book purchase.
This is a great way to stock up for the holiday season.
Picture Make-Up Day!
Monday, November 8th KIDS Photography will be taking pictures of students that were absent or would like to re-take their picture.
To order pictures please use this link: Kids Photography Order Form
INSTRUCTIONS TO FAMILIES:
- If your student was absent on picture day, or if your student is new, you can order photos through the link. You do not need to order a package- your absent/new student will still be photographed.
- If you would like a retake, return the original package of pictures on Make-Up Day with a note as to why you would like a retake. There is no need to use the link if you are returning a package of pictures.
- If your student was present on the original picture day, but would still like to order and have a new photo taken, you can do that as well through the online order link. Make sure the student and/or teacher knows the child is to be photographed.
- If you need financial assistance, please contact Libby Finerty, Family Support Specialist.
- If families want to order photos from the original day and they no longer have their proof sheet and password, they can email KidsPhotography and you will receive instructions from them for ordering photos.
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!
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
Stay Informed
In addition to the family notification system, there are other options for receiving text messages in the event of a school closure or delay. When the school district announces a change in the schedule, it notifies the local TV and radio stations through a service called FlashAlert.
Anyone can sign up to receive a text message directly from FlashAlert when the district posts a notice to that system. You can sign up for FlashAlert notifications at www.flashalert.net.
To sign up, click on the link and create an account the do the following:
- For “region” select Seattle/Western Wash
- Click on Island and Snohomish County Schools
- Select Mukilteo School District
November
5 Mr. KAA'S Food Drive Ends
5 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
6 PTA General Meeting
7 Daylight Saving -Set BACK 1 Hr.
8 School Board Meeting
11 Veterans Day (No School)
12 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
19 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
22-24 Parent/teacher Conferences (No School)
25-26 Thanksgiving Day (No School)
December
3 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
10 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
13 School Board Mtg. (6:00 PM)
17 Early Dismissal (12:55 PM)
20-31 Winter Break (No School)
January
7 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
10 School Board Meeting (6:00 PM)
14 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (NO SCHOOL)
21 LIT Dismissal (2:10 PM)
24 School Board Meeting (6:00 PM)
24-28 Kindness Week
28 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