Weekly update for 5.15.26

GovDelivery 2 days 23 hours ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for May 15, 2026

Dear Columbia Friends and Families,

It has been another exciting week at Columbia Elementary School! We are so proud of the focus, perseverance, and hard work our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students demonstrated while completing their Math SOL assessments. We also want to wish our 5th grade students the very best as they prepare for their final assessment next week, the Science SOL, on Tuesday, May 19. We know they will continue to show their Columbia pride and do their very best!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Take care,

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

PTA News & Notes

PTA Elections

At our meeting Tuesday, May 19th we will be electing a new PTA board. There are several open positions for the 2026-2027 school year. If you are curious about any of these roles, please contact any of the board members directly or email [email protected] . Open positions:

President (2-year term)
Treasurer (2-year term)
Secretary (2-year term)

PTA Meeting

Please join us on Tuesday, May 19th at 7 PM on zoom for the last meeting of the year. We will elect a new PTA board and review the budget for the 2026-27 school year.

To join the meeting please use the link below:

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/91903873132

Field Day is June 12 — and we need your help to make it happen!

Field Day is one of the most beloved traditions of the school year. Students rotate through outdoor activity stations - think relay races, team challenges, and plenty of movement - all organized and run by parent volunteers. It's a fun, low-key way to be involved, and the kids absolutely love seeing familiar faces cheering them on. We're looking for parents to help run stations throughout the day. No experience needed; just enthusiasm!

Questions? Reach us at [email protected] .

Help Water Our Trees This Summer!

Our recently planted new Columbia trees need extra care during the summer heat, and family support can make a big difference in helping them stay healthy and strong.

Each tree needs 38 gallons of water, which is equal to two full watering bags.

Families who are able to help with summer watering are encouraged to contact Ms. Nevin at [email protected] .

Thank you for helping our trees continue to grow and thrive!

Specialist Spotlight!

What a productive year we’ve had in Art class! I hope you are enjoying the projects that are being sent home, and your students have been displaying them with pride. As we head into the end of the school year, our artists have been busy exploring lots of new media!

Kindergartenershave been learning about textiles and weaving and reviewing the parts of flowers and what helps them grow.
1st gradershave been exploring architecture and printmaking and are beginning a stitchery project soon. We need parent volunteers to assist with stitchery- email Mrs. McKenna if interested ( [email protected] ) or reach out through Talking Points.
In 2nd gradewe have been discussing animals and their habitats. We are ending the year with printmaking and need parent volunteers to assist on our printing day- email Mrs. McKenna if interested ( [email protected] ) or reach out through Talking Points.
Our 3rd gradersare finishing up our functional ceramic animal sculptures and starting a weaving inspired by a natural resource.
4th gradersare reviewing VA geography in our Virginia landscape paintings and hope to fit in an architecture project.
In 5th grade,students are creating a chalk drawing inspired by a childhood memory and the style of artist, Marc Chagall. We hope to end the year with a small weaving project.

Thank you, families, for all the support you have provided this year! Please continue sending in those bubble wrap mailers so we can get your students ceramic projects home safely. I appreciate the many parents who have come in to volunteer and everyone who purchased items from our Art to Remember fundraiser this spring. Your children’s creativity never ceases to amaze me!

Mrs. McKenna

Finish the School Year With Strong Attendance!

As we enter the final weeks of the school year, Fairfax County Public Schools appreciates your continued partnership in supporting your child’s success. Regular attendance plays an important role in helping students stay engaged in learning, maintain connections with their teachers and peers, and finish the school year strong.

Attending school consistently also helps students build valuable habits such as responsibility, perseverance, and daily routines that support success both in and out of the classroom.

If your child needs to miss school, please remember to report the absence. Full-day absences can be reported in ParentVUE . Families may also report absences by calling the school attendance line or emailing the school-designated attendance address.

If your child is experiencing challenges that are affecting attendance, we are here to help. Please contact your child’s school so staff can partner with you to provide support and resources. Learn more about attendance resources . Click to edit this placeholder text.

Save the date!

Tuesday, May 19- 5th Grade Science SOL

Monday, May 25 - Holiday, No School

Tuesday, May 26 - Teacher Workday, No School

Wednesday, May 27 - Holiday, No School

Weekly update for 5.8.2026

GovDelivery 1 week 2 days ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for May 8, 2026

Dear CES Friends and Families,

It has been another great week at Columbia ES!

I am so impressed by the way our community rallied together to cheer on and support all of our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders as they successfully completed their Reading SOL tests this week. Next week, we will cheer them on again as they take their Math SOL tests. We are proud of their hard work, focus, and perseverance!

Also this week, as you may have heard, we had some special visitors from a local farm—fully grown sheep and baby lambs! Through Ms. Rosemary Nevin’s leadership with our Get to Green Initiative, the sheep helped mow our lawn, fertilize a section of our grounds, and, most importantly, provide some joyful stress relief for our students and staff. We will see our new friends one more time next week, and it was wonderful to see how much joy they brought to our school community.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I also want to wish a very special and happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers, mother figures, and caregivers in our CES community who are celebrating this weekend.

Take care,

Mike Astudillo
Proud Principal
Columbia Elementary School

PTA News & Notes

PTA Elections

At our meeting on May 19th we will be electing a new PTA board. There are several open positions for the 2026-2027 school year. If you are curious about any of these roles, please contact any of the board members directly or email [email protected] . Open positions:

President (2-year term)
Treasurer (2-year term)
Secretary (2-year term)

PTA Meeting

Please join us on Tuesday, May 19th at 7 PM on zoom for the last meeting of the year. We will elect a new PTA board and review the budget for the 2026-27 school year.

To join the meeting please use the link below:

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/91903873132

Field Day

This great event will happen on Friday, June 12th. Sign-up to volunteer here .

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4EA8AD29A2F94-64014623-volunteer#/

Save the Date!

May 12 -4th Grade Math SOL

May 13 -3-Hour Early Release with Dismissal at 1:05pm

May 13 -Rising Kindergarten Orientation at 3:00pm

May 14 -5th Grade Math SOL

May 15 -3rd Grade Math SOL

May 25 -Memorial Day Holiday

May 26 -Teacher Workday

May 27 -Holiday

Weekly update for 5.1.26

GovDelivery 2 weeks 2 days ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for May 1st, 2026

Dear CES Friends and Families,

This has been another exciting week at Columbia, highlighted by Staff Appreciation Week! The PTA-led theme for the week was inspired by Wicked , celebrating our educators for being truly "Wicked Oz-some!" As we pause to honor our staff's remarkable dedication and everyday positive impact, I also want to express my deep gratitude to our amazing PTA. Thank you for your leadership, generosity, and commitment to showing our teachers how much they are valued.

This past Tuesday, our Band, Strings, and Choir ensembles reached a wonderful accomplishment with their annual spring concert. Congratulations to Mr. Nakamura, Ms. Volcansek, and Ms. Bolden for leading these talented groups of students through a wonderful performance that inspired a love of music across the entire Columbia community.

On Thursday morning, our kindergarteners enjoyed an engaging field trip to the Hidden Oaks Nature Center. This hands-on learning experience sparked their curiosity and supported their academic growth by connecting them directly with natural and cultural resources; even including live animals!

Finally, we want to wish our 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students the absolute best as they begin their SOL testing next week. Our teachers have prepared them diligently for excellence, and we are incredibly proud of the immense progress they have demonstrated this year. Please join me in encouraging our scholars as they confidently showcase their learning.

Let's go Cougars...Believe, Achieve, Succeed!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Take care,

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

PTA News & Notes

THANK YOU

Huge thank you to everyone who hosted, set up, made posters, and donated time, talents, and goods for the teacher and staff appreciation week. It was a huge success and the staff feel very loved.

PTA Meeting

Please join us on Tuesday, May 19th at 7 PM on zoom for the last meeting of the year. We will elect a new PTA board and review the budget for the 2026-27 school year.

To join the meeting please use the link below:

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/91903873132

Field Day

Save the date for field day, Friday, June 12th. Additional details will be forthcoming

Specials Spotlight with Spanish/STEAM Lab!

Hola familias de CES!

For the fourth quarter in our Spanish/STEAM Lab class, Kindergarten has been working on pumpkins and wild animals. First graders and second graders have been reviewing numbers 1 through 20 and 10 through 50. In third grade, the students learned about parts of ozzie the ozobot and layers in the ground. In fourth grade and fifth grade students have been learning about mazes, clouds, conductors and insulators, and places in the city.

All students across all grade levels have had a chance to use ozzie the ozobot and make mazes and codes for their small robot. We will continue to learn and expand our knowledge about things the ozobot can do. See above for a picture of third graders with their layers of the ground lego creation.

Muchas gracias!

- Seniorita Alba

SOL Testing starts next week

SOL testing starts next week! Students in grades 3–5 will take reading and math tests, and 5th grade will also take science. These tests show what students have learned this year.

SOL Testing Schedule:

5th Grade: Reading (May 5), Math (May 14), Science (May 19)
4th Grade: Reading (May 6), Math (May 12)
3rd Grade: Reading (May 7), Math (May 15)

You can help your child do their best by making sure they get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast on testing days. Please do not schedule doctor's appointments or vacations, or pick your child up early from school on these days. Thank you for your support!

Benchmark Buddies for Unit 5!

Our K-5 students celebrated the end of another wonderful unit in Benchmark this week!

The students pictured went above and beyond by completing three of their take-home calendar activities. To celebrate, we connected with the theme of Unit 5, technology, and collaborated on coding Ozobots.

It’s not too late to join us to celebrate the end of Unit 6. If your child completes three activities at the end of their student workbook and brings them to their teacher by Friday, May 15th (or brings a note from you saying three activities were completed), they’ll participate in Columbia’s May Benchmark celebration.

We hope to have lots of students continue to be able to join us as we congratulate them on their hard work!

Save the Date!

May 5 -5th Grade Reading SOL

May 6 -4th Grade Reading SOL

May 7 - 3rd Grade Reading SOL

May 12 - 4th Grade Math SOL

May 13 - Final 3-Hour Early Release Day

May 13 - Rising Kindergarten Orientation at 3pm

May 14 - 5th Grade Math SOL

May 15 - 3rd Grade Math SOL

May 19 - 5th Grade Science SOL

PTA Updates - Family Night Out tonight & Spirit Day on Friday!

GovDelivery 2 weeks 5 days ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Eat at Chick-fil-A tonight!

This month's Family Night Out is at Chick-fil-A in Annandale tonight, April 29th!

As a reminder, a portion of sales will go back to Columbia ES when you use the code: cougars

Wear Green or Pink on Friday, May 1st!

We have been thrilled to appreciate the wonderful staff at Columbia Elementary School this week. As Friday is our last day of the appreciation week, we are having a spirit day where we are encouraging everyone to either wear Green for Team Elphaba or Pink for Team Glinda.

All staff and students are invited to participate!

Weekly update for 4.24.26

GovDelivery 3 weeks 2 days ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for April 24, 2026

Dear Columbia Friends and Families,

It has been another exciting week at CES! It was a joy to see so many families share in our annual Columbia Family Heritage Night yesterday evening. The food, music, and conversations were truly exceptional. Community events like this continue to make Columbia the small school, with a big heart.

Earlier this week, in celebration of Earth Day, our students and staff showed wonderful dedication to our community by participating in a campus clean-up activity. As you can see from the photo above, our students were great stewards of our environment and took pride in making a positive impact for Earth Day!

As a friendly calendar reminder, next week we will host our annual Band, Strings, and Choir Concert. We look forward to celebrating our students' musical growth and performance skills with you at 6:30 p.m. in the GYM.

Have a great weekend!

Take care,

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

SOL Testing are starting soon!

Students in grades 3–5 will take reading and math tests, and 5th grade will also take science. These tests show what students have learned this year.

SOL Testing Schedule:

5th Grade: Reading (May 5), Math (May 14), Science (May 19)
4th Grade: Reading (May 6), Math (May 12)
3rd Grade: Reading (May 7), Math (May 15)

Columbia Spirit Day Flyer:

Join us for food and fun! Come support Columbia Elementary School, by using the word "cougars" at check out or online by using the Chick-fil-A App and a portion of the sale will be donated accordingly. *Online code is case-senstive.

Chick-fil-A Annandale

Save the date!

April 28 - Band, Strings, and Chorus Concert

Week of May 5th -SOL Testing begins for 5th, 4th, and 3rd graders

May 13 - Final 3-Hour Early Release Day, dismissal at 1pm

May 13 - Rising Kindergarten Orientation 3pm - 4pm

Weekly update for 4.17.26

GovDelivery 1 month ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for April 17, 2026

Dear CES Friends and Families,

We had another exciting week at Columbia ES! Earlier this week, the dedication of our young artists was on full display as many students' artwork beautifully represented CES at the Annandale Pyramid Art Show. We also shared a wonderful moment of community impact on Wednesday. It was inspiring to see so many staff and students wearing purple to honor "Purple Up! Day" for the FCPS Month of the Military Child.

Looking ahead to next week, please make sure to mark your calendars: there is a student holiday (no school for students) on Tuesday, April 21st and we have our annual Family Heritage Night scheduled for Thursday, April 23rdfrom 5:30pm - 7:00pm.

Come and celebrate an evening of fun as we share one another's cultural foods and heritage. Please bring a dish for 10-15 people and a blanket/chairs to picnic outside (weather permitting). You are welcome to dress in clothing representative of your family's culture and/or bring artifacts to display.

Have a great weekend!

Take care,

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

PTA News & Notes Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

Columbia Elementary School’s Staff Appreciation Week is April 27 – May 1, 2026. Please help us celebrate our wonderful teachers and staff. You can volunteer here or contribute supplies here .

April PTA Meeting

Please join us Monday, April 20 at 7 PM on Zoomfor our next PTA meeting. We will be discussing teacher appreciation week, field day, upcoming PTA officer elections, and other key items. We hope you will join us!

To join the meeting please use the link below:

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/91903873132

Order your Columbia Elementary School today.

Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate your student's achievements this year. The 2025-2026 Columbia Elementary Yearbook is now available for purchase online.

Cost:$11.00
Final Date to Order:April 29th
Ordering link: www.myschoolbucks.com

Note on Delivery:To ensure efficiency, all yearbooks are shipped in bulk and will be distributed directly by the school. Thank you for supporting our school's tradition of excellence.

Annandale Pyramid Art Show Success!

Thank you, families, for all your support of our Art program here at Columbia! The Annandale Pyramid Art Show on Tuesday night was a huge success! We had an amazing turnout of students, families, and neighbors. Also, our Art to Remember fundraiser has ended. Thank you to everyone who placed an order! Orders sent to school should arrive between early-mid May. If you missed out on ordering a keepsake featuring your child’s artwork, it’s not too late. Orders can still be placed through May 2nd, but the option to ship to school is no longer available. Orders can be placed online at https://arttoremember.com/school/Z2PHTL .

Sincerely,

Mrs. McKenna

Annandale High School invites students K-6 to join us on May 22nd from 5-9pm for crafts, games, pizza, and a movie for Parents’ Night Out! The event will be supervised by Annandale High School staff as well as Class of 2026 students. Space is limited so sign up today! Spots can be reserved by completing this form and paying a $20 donation to the Class of 2026. All funds raised will support end of year senior class activities such as senior picnic and senior sunset during the last week of school! Please contact Erin Mahoney at [email protected] with questions.

Friends of Forest Hollow (FH) 5K & Fun Run

Date & Time:Saturday May 2nd

Fun Run:9am
5K:10am

Sponsors:

PACK Animal Care
D1 Alexandria
- (703) 935-5762
- www.d1training.com/alexandria
Connection Wellness Center
Patient First Primary and Urgent Care
gMg Services Corporation * www.gmgservices.com
SOLluna Pilates

Save the date!

April 21: No School for students

April 23: Heritage Night 5:30pm - 7:00pm

April 28: Band, Strings, and Chorus Concert at 6:30pm

Purple Up! on April 15, 2026

GovDelivery 1 month ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Purple Up! Tomorrow on April 15th

To show our support for military-connected youth, Fairfax County Public Schools and Columbia Elementary School, is encouraging students, families, school employees, and community members to “Purple Up!” on April 15.

Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Space Force blue.

We extend our appreciation for the service of all children from military families and celebrate them by wearing purple in an effort to say “Thank You!” Whether or not you know any military-connected youth, please take a moment to recognize and honor them by wearing purple on April 15

Post your picture and tag #PurpleUpFCPS!. Let’s Purple Up! for military kids!

For more information about Purple up! Day and FCPS, follow the link below:

https://www.fcps.edu/month-of-the-military-child

Weekly update for 4.9.2026

GovDelivery 1 month 1 week ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for April 9, 2026

Dear CES Families,

Thank you for a fantastic first week of the 4th quarter! It is a joy to watch our students continue their steady progress as we head into the final stretch of the school year.

Please remember that tomorrow, Friday, April 10th, is a School Planning Day. There will be no school for students while our teachers prepare for the weeks ahead.

We can't wait to see our Cougars back in action and ready to learn on Monday, April 13th. Have a great weekend!

Take care,

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

PTA News & Notes

April Board Meeting

Please join us Monday, April 20 at 7 PM on Zoom for our next PTA meeting. We will be discussing teacher appreciation week, field day, upcoming PTA officer elections, and other key items. We hope you will join us!

To join the meeting please use the link below:

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/91903873132

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

Columbia Elementary School’s Staff Appreciation Week is April 27 – May 1, 2026. Please help us celebrate our wonderful teachers and staff. You can sign up HERE or at the link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4EA8AD29A2F94-63394625-2026#/

Field Day

Save the date for Columbia Elementary School's Field Day, Friday, June 12.

Updates from the Art Room!

Our Art to Remember fundraiser closes next Monday, April 13th. Orders can be placed online at https://arttoremember.com/school/Z2PHTL . These products make great gifts and your child’s code can be shared with extended family and friends. Orders should arrive in early May.

Tuesday, April 14th is our Annandale Pyramid Art Show from 6-8pmin Clausen Hall at Annandale High School. All are invited to come out and see the amazing artwork our students are creating!

If you have questions about either event, please reach out to our Art Teacher, Mrs. McKenna, [email protected] .

SOL tests are coming soon!

Students in grades 3–5 will take reading and math tests, and 5th grade will also take science. These tests show what students have learned this year.

SOL Testing Schedule:

5th Grade: Reading (May 5), Math (May 14), Science (May 19)
4th Grade: Reading (May 6), Math (May 12)
3rd Grade: Reading (May 7), Math (May 15)

You can help your child do their best by making sure they get a good night's rest and eat a healthy breakfast on testing days. Please do not schedule doctor's appointments or vacations, or pick your child up early from school on these days. Thank you for your support!

Support Military Children on Purple Up! Day

To show our support for all our military-connected families, we are inviting all Fairfax County students, families, staff, and community members to “Purple Up!” on Wednesday, April 15,for military children.

Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and the blue of the Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force.

Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Updates News from Fairfax County Public Libraries

Fairfax County Public Library Earth Month Reading Challenge ,April 1-April 30, 2026.

Get inspired to build a sustainable future for our world by broadening your horizons through reading and Earth Month activities. Join the Sustain Fairfax Challenge, conserve energy, reduce waste and read books! Earn FIVE virtual badges by reading or listening to books, reading for 30 minutes, completing activities or a combination of all three to earn a bingo!

Visit George Mason Regional Library on Satruday, April 11th for Poetry Storytime at 10:30am. Enjoy stories and songs in celebration of National Poetry Month, followed by a craft. All ages are welcome.

Save the Date!

April 10: School planning day, no school for students

April 15: AAP Night at 5:30pm

April 21: Teacher workday/School planning, no school for students

April 23: Heritage Night, 5:30pm - 7:00pm

April 28: Band, Strings, Chorus Concert at 6:30pm

Weekly update for 3.27.26

GovDelivery 1 month 3 weeks ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for March 27, 2026

Dear CES Families and Friends,

It is hard to believe that today marks the end of the third quarter. We have seen tremendous growth and dedication from our students over the first three quarters of this school year, and we are looking forward to finishing the fourth quarter strong.

Under the dedicated leadership of Ms. Nevin and our Get2Green initiative, we have made wonderful enhancements to our school grounds this year. Earlier this year, students helped with the planting of numerous new trees, and they have thoroughly enjoyed learning from nature firsthand. This week, we were thrilled to receive our long-awaited tree stumps, which will provide fantastic natural outdoor seating for our students. We have also invested in new supplies and materials, empowering our teachers to utilize an inspiring "outdoor classroom" setting whenever the weather permits.

As a reminder, we will have a 2-hour early release today, with dismissal beginning promptly at 2:05 p.m.

Please note that our school will be closed next week for Spring Break. When we return, Monday, April 6th, will be a teacher workday. We look forward to welcoming all our Columbia Cougars safely back to school on Tuesday, April 7th.

Wishing you and your families a restful and wonderful Spring Break!

Take care,

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

Hey, Columbia Families!

While March may be Youth Art Month, we have some exciting things coming up in April as well. Our Annandale Pyramid Art Showwill be Tuesday, April 14th from 6-8pm in Clausen Hall at Annandale High School. It is a fun night filled with art, our Annandale Pyramid families, and fun activities for kids. All are welcome to come and support our Columbia artists. We hope to see you there!

Also, our Art to Remember fundraiseris happening now through Monday, April 13th. Orders can be placed online to purchase products with your child’s amazing artwork printed on them. Did you know you can also upload other artwork on their site if you have another art project from your student that you love. You can scan the QR code or check out their website at https://arttoremember.com/school/Z2PHTL to find out more. Happy Shopping and thanks for supporting our school!

Benchmark Buddies!

Our K-5 students celebrated the end of another wonderful unit in Benchmark. The students pictured went above and beyond by completing three of their take-home calendar activities. To celebrate, we treated them to some fun activities and donuts earlier this week. It’s not too late to join us to celebrate the end of Unit 5!

If your child completes three activities at the end of their student workbook and brings them to their teacher by Thursday, April 9th (or brings a note from you saying three activities were completed), they’ll participate in Columbia’s April Benchmark celebration. We hope to have lots of students able to join us as we congratulate them on their hard work!

📚 Halfway Through Journeys and Themes in Language Arts 📚

We are halfway through Benchmark Unit 6 in Language Arts! Across grade levels, students have explored stories involving quests, challenges, and problem solving.

Connect with your child’s learning at schoolwith these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:

Question: Which character has been your favorite from this unit and why?
Activity: With your child, brainstorm a brand-new invention to solve a problem, like shoelaces that tie themselves or a clothes dryer that folds clothes. Ask your child to tell or write a story about someone using the invention.

At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website

Save the Date!

March 30 - April 3: Spring Break, no school

April 6: Teacher workday, no school for students

April 10: School planning day, no school for students

April 15: AAP Night at 5:30pm

April 21: Teacher workday/School planning, no school for students

April 23: Heritage Night, 5:30pm - 7:00pm

April 28: Band, Strings, Chorus Concert at 6:30pm

Weekly update for 3.19.26

GovDelivery 1 month 4 weeks ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for March 19, 2026

Dear CES Friends and Families,

It has been another exciting week of growth and discovery for our Columbia students! Our 4th-grade students explored the rich history of Colonial Williamsburg, while our 3rd graders engaged in active learning in Washington, DC at the National History Museum. It is truly wonderful to see our dedicated teachers bring the curriculum to life and make a lasting impact through real-world connections.

Looking ahead, please mark your calendars for our Book Character Dress-Up Spirit Day next week on Friday, March 27th! We can’t wait to see our students' creativity shine as we celebrate the end of the 3rd quarter.

As a friendly reminder, there is no school tomorrow, Friday, March 20th. We look forward to welcoming all of our Cougars back to school on Monday, March 23rd.

Have a wonderful three-day weekend!

Take care,

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

Thank you for considering to serve as a member of the PTA board next school year. Without board members, we are legally not able to have a PTA. Please reach out to Ms. Nguyen-Fawley with questions at the email linked below: [email protected]

"Pi" Day treat from the PTA!

Last week, the dedicated staff at Columbia Elementary School enjoyed a wonderful surprise in our conference room. Our highly supportive PTA led a generous effort to provide pies for everyone in celebration of Pi Day. Our teachers and staff deeply appreciate the unwavering support we receive from our families. Thank you to the PTA for your outstanding leadership and your continued dedication to our school community!

2026 Special Education Family Conference

The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, at Marshall High School .

Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.

Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors who will be on site.

Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.

Specials spotlight! Spanish/STEAM Lab with Senorita Alba

Hola familias de CES! For the third quarter, Kindergarten has been working on pets, animals in the farm and sea. First graders and second graders have been working on days of the week, months of the year and animals. In third grade, the students have learned about pronouns and layers of the soil. In fourth grade, the students learned about the food chain and pronouns in Spanish. Lastly, the fifth grade students are learning about light energy. Here’s a picture of second grade with their sea animal lego creations!

Save the Date!

March 20th:Holiday

March 27th: End of 3rd Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release, dismissal at 2:05pm

March 30th - April 3rd: Spring Break

April 6th:Teacher Workday, no school for students

April 7th:Students return to school

April 10th: School planning day, no school for students

Weekly update 3.13.26

GovDelivery 2 months ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for March 13, 2026

Dear Columbia friends and families,

We have had another wonderful week of learning and growth here at Columbia Elementary, made even brighter by the welcome spring-like weather earlier in the week!

As a friendly reminder, please note a couple of upcoming schedule changes for next week. We will have a three-hour early release on Wednesday, March 18, with dismissal at 1:05 p.m. Additionally, there will be no school on Friday, March 20.

Thank you for updating your calendars and for your ongoing dedication to our school community. Have a great weekend!

Take care,

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

PTA News & Notes

Columbia Spirit Wear

You can buy spirit wear year round now and our new store has so many fun options. If you are looking to freshen up your spring wardrobe, need a new water bottle ,or even a new bag for spring break, you can purchase them all HERE .

📚 Finishing Up Our Exploration of Technology and Society in Language Arts 📚

Students are finishing Benchmark Unit 5 in Language Arts! Over the last several weeks, our students have learned, read, and written about why and how we use technology.

Connect with your child’s learning at schoolwith these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:

Question: What do you think life would be like if we didn’t have cell phones or the internet?
Activity: Ask your child to predict the next big invention in transportation, communication, or entertainment. Have them sketch it, name it, and explain how it works.

📚 Journeys and Themes in Language Arts 📚

Benchmark Unit 6 in Language Arts is about the lessons we can learn from different stories around the world. Students in K-5 will be learning about themes across cultures.

Connect with your child’s learning at schoolwith these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:

Question: What’s a lesson that you’ve learned recently, or a challenge you had?
Activity: Pick a few of your child’s favorite books or classic stories such as “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” With your child, discuss each story and whether it has a lesson.

Hello, Columbia families and friends!

Our school is participating in a creative fundraiser with Art to Remember that allows you to purchase keepsake products customized with your child’s art. There are over 50 products and many are less than $15. These make great gifts, and a percentage of every purchase goes right back to our school. Click on the link below and enter the online order code shown on your child’s order form or search for your child’s artwork by name. Then, have fun shopping!

https://arttoremember.com/school/Z2PHTL

Paper order forms with online order codes will be sent home with your child soon, but you can go ahead and view their artwork and place orders at the link above. All orders are due by Monday, April 13th. Also feel free to share your child’s code with extended family and friends. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Art teacher, Michelle McKenna [email protected] .

April Statewide Election: No School

There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled.

Fairfax County Public Schools will still exceed the required number of instructional hours for students, as set by the Virginia Department of Education.

Save the Date!

March 18th: 3-Hour Early Release, dismissal at 1:05pm

March 20th:Holiday

March 27th: End of 3rd Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release, dismissal at 2:05pm

March 30th - April 3rd: Spring Break

April 6th:Teacher Workday, no school for students

April 7th:Students return to school

Weekly update for 3.6.2026

GovDelivery 2 months 1 week ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for March 6, 2026

Dear Columbia families and friends,

We have had another exceptional week of growth and learning at CES! I want to extend a special thank you to Ms. Ames, our dedicated librarian, and our incredible PTA for facilitating such an engaging Read Across America Week. It was truly inspiring to witness the enthusiasm of our students and staff as they celebrated a shared love of literacy and reached new reading milestones together.

Have a great weekend!

Take care,

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

PTA News & Notes

Calling All Pie Bakers – PI Day is Coming!

For all the math nerds out there, PI Day is March 14th. We will be celebrating next Friday, March 13th, by treating the teachers and staff at Columbia Elementary School to pie. If you would like to participate, please sign-up HERE to bring a pie for the staff to enjoy!

Specialists Spotlight Art Class with Mrs. McKenna!

Did you know that March is Youth Art Month? We have many incredible and creative artists here at Columbia. Help celebrate your CES artist and support our school 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 in the next week or so. Purchases should be made online at https://arttoremember.com/school/z2phtl and orders are due by April 13th. Below are some of the fun things that are happening in the art room this quarter.

Kindergartenershave been learning about architecture, experimenting with printing with cardboard, and using recyclable materials to make self-portraits.
1st gradershave been learning different paper sculpture techniques to embellish their animal masks and are working on a paper weaving about the different generations of their family.
In 2nd grade,students are sculpting ceramic animals and learning about animal habitats by creating a 3-D habitat for their clay animals.
Our 3rd gradershave been busy painting about memories of a day at the park and will be starting a fiber art weaving project.
4th gradershave been working hard on their memento stitchery projects and will be starting a Virginia landscape painting soon.
In 5thgrade, students have created some imaginative ceramic face jugs and are exploring printmaking and radial symmetry.

Mark your calendars--Our Annandale Pyramid Art Show will be on April 14th at Annandale HS! Thank you as always, for your continued support of our Art program and a special thank you to those of you who have been sending in recycled bubble wrap envelopes- we need more!

Sincerely, Michelle McKenna (Art Teacher)

Family Engagement Survey opens March 9

FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Monday, March 9, to Monday, March 23. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools.

Survey topics include:

Welcoming environment.
Communication.
Student success.
Advocacy.
Family and school partnerships.
Community partnerships.

The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link via email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.

Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun

Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.

Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts CampsCareer and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.

Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps . Registration is open through Friday, June 5.

Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.

New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.

Save the Date!

March 18th: 3-Hour Early Release, dismissal at 1:05pm

March 20th:Holiday

March 27th: End of 3rd Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release

March 30th - April 3rd: Spring Break

Weekly update for 2.27.26

GovDelivery 2 months 2 weeks ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for February 27, 2026

Dear CES friends and families,

It has been another great week at Columbia ES. As a reminder, next week is our Read Across America week. Please see the flyer below for details and opportunities for all students to participate.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Take care,

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

PTA News & Notes

Calling All Pie Bakers – PI Day is Coming!

For all the math nerds out there, PI Day is March 14th. We will be celebrating on Friday, March 13th, by treating the teachers and staff at Columbia Elementary School to pie. If you would like to participate, please sign-up HERE to bring a pie for the staff to enjoy!

New Visitor Management System

All FCPS schools are now using the new Raptor Visitor Management System (VMS). This new system is part of FCPS’ ongoing commitment to layered school safety and streamlining the process for visitors at our schools. The VMS ensures that no school visitor is on the sex offender registry.

The user experience will generally remain the same. Visitors will check in at the front office and scan their ID.

Visitors who choose to download the RaptorSafe App and create a Raptor Passport can pre-verify their information before they get to school. The app will give you a QR code you can use to check in.

Submit questions online to the FCPS Chief of Safety and Security Office.

Benchmark Buddies!

Our K-5 students recently reached a wonderful milestone, wrapping up another fantastic unit of study in Language Arts! The students pictured went above and beyond by completing three of their take-home calendar activities. To celebrate their dedication and academic growth, we treated them to some fun activities and donuts earlier this week. Keep an eye out for similar opportunities in the future as we continue striving for excellence through our Benchmark Language Arts curriculum together!

Pre-K and Early Head Start Programs

FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors, ages 6 weeks to 4 years, living in Fairfax County.

Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30 of the same year.

Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from pregnancy to 2 years old.

Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Space is limited and provided based on need, not on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applications are accepted online , by email , by mail, or in person at the program office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042 .

If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).

Programas para Pre-K y de Atención Integral para la Primera Infancia

Los programas para Pre-K y de Atención Integral para la Primera Infancia proveen experiencias educativas tempranas de alta calidad a niños que califiquen para ellos, que enfrenten factores de riesgos económicos y educacionales, que estén entre las edades de 6 semanas a 4 años, y que vivan en el Condado de Fairfax.

Los programas para Pre-K priorizan aquellos solicitantes de 4 años de edad, pero también acepta solicitudes para niños que cumplan 3 años antes del 30 de septiembre del mismo año.
Los programas de Atención Integral para la Primera Infancia están ubicados en tres escuelas primarias; Clearview, Crestwood y Dogwood, y acepta solicitudes de cupo desde el embarazo y hasta los 2 años de edad.

Animamos a las familias a solicitar cupos lo más pronto posible; el espacio es limitado y se otorga basado en el nivel de necesidad, no en el orden de llegada.

Las solicitudes se aceptan de forma online , por email , por correo, o en persona en la oficina del programa en la dirección 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042 .

Si tiene preguntas acerca del proceso de solicitud o sobre el estatus del suyo, por favor llame en inglés al 703-208-7900, o en español al 703-208-7901.

Save the Date!

March 3rd:3rd Quarter Interims go home

March 3rd - 6th:Read Across America Week

March 18th: 3-Hour Early Release

March 20th:Holiday

March 27th: End of 3rd Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release

Weekly update for 2.20.26

GovDelivery 2 months 3 weeks ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for February 20, 2026

Dear Columbia ES Friends and Families,

Although it was a shortened week with students here at school, it was great to see students back in the hallways and classrooms around campus.

There are a lot of exciting events, programs, and opportunities coming soon to Columbia ES. See below for details about our celebration of Read Across America Week, after-school STEAM club registration, details about the Girls on the Run program, and much more!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Take care,

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

PTA News & Notes

PTA Meeting

Please join us Tuesday, February 24th at 7 PM on zoom. We will be discussing Read Across America and teacher and staff appreciation week.

To join the meeting please use the link below:

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/91903873132

Family Night Out

Chick-Fil-A (2/25)

Specials Spotlight!PE with Ms. Antignani

Hey Columbia Families!

It's been an absolute blast in PE class as we've kicked off our Winter Olympics journey! Our athletes have been working hard, having fun, and embracing the Olympic spirit.

This Month's Highlights:

● Gold Medal Moves: Students have been mastering their balance, agility, and teamwork with Olympic-inspired stations like curling, skiing, and bobsledding.

● Country Spotlight: Kids got to represent different countries and learn about their cultures.

● Fairfax Shoutout: We've celebrated a huge achievement of Fairfax alum Ilia Malinin winning the gold for men's figure skating by watching his routine that won him gold!

Upcoming Events:

● Olympic Torch Relay: Students will create their own torches and pass them along in a fun relay.

● Winter Games Finale: We will have a medal ceremony for each grade! Ways to Support:

● Ask your child about their favorite Olympic event or country.

● Encourage them to practice their Olympic skills at home! Teamwork skills, ALWAYS trying your best, and having FUN! Looking forward to sharing more Olympic excitement with you! Best, Miss. Antignani

New Pre-K program slated for 26-27 SY

Pending approval of the SY26-27 budget, we are pleased to share that Columbia ES has been selected to implement the Co-Teaching Inclusion Model beginning in the 2026-27 school year for Pre-K educaiton.

This expansion reflects the division's commitment to increasing inclusive opportunities for all PreK students and aligns with our division's Goal 1 of the FCPS Strategic Plan for early childhood education.

Our school will open a PreK class and restructure our existing ECCB program, bringing general education, and special education students, togehter in the new PreK program. We are excited to create a vibrant, inclusive learning environment where all children can thrive.

Girls On The Run at Columbia ES

Girls on the Run is coming back to Columbia! GOTR has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire girls in 3rd-5th grade to build their confidence, kindness, and decision-making skills. Dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills including the important connection between physical and emotional health.

Starting the week of March 2, the team will meet every Monday and Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:30pm. The program culminates in a celebratory 5K at the end of the season! The standard program fee is $210 and includes weekly lessons/practices, a t-shirt, a GOTR giveaway, entry into the 5K, a 5K medal, and more.

Financial assistance is availablefor anyone who needs it, with the lowest program registration cost being $22 for the season. Register at www.gotrnova.org .

Please email Ms. Garay at [email protected] with any questions.

En Espanol

¡Girls on the Run viene a Columbia! GOTR cuenta con programas divertidos y basados en evidencias que inspiran a todas las chicas para que desarrollen la confianza, la amabilidad y la capacidad de tomar decisiones. A través de clases dinámicas se transmiten habilidades valiosas para la vida, por ejemplo, la relación entre la salud física y la salud emocional.

Comienza la semana del 2 de marzo. El equipo se encontrará cada lunes y miercoles de 4:30 a 5:30. ¡El programa culmina en una 5K de celebración al fin de la temporada! La tarifa estándar del programa es $210 y incluye lecciones/prácticas semanales, una camiseta, una botella de agua, entrada en la 5K, una medalla de 5K, y más . Asistencia financiera esta disponiblepara familias que lo necesitan, con el menor costo de registro del programa de $22 para la temporada. Regístrese en www.gotrnova.org .”

Benchmark At-Home Activities Let's keep the learning going!

Your student recently brought home their Benchmark Unit 4 student workbook. At the end of the workbook, you’ll find activities students can choose to do at home. Doing Benchmark reading and writing activities at home helps reinforce skills learned at school! If your child completes three activities and brings them to their teacher by Friday, February 27th (or brings a note from you saying three activities were completed), they’ll participate in Columbia’s March Benchmark celebration.

We hope to have lots of students able to join us as we congratulate them on their hard work!

After-school STEAM club registration now open!

We are excited to announce our upcoming STEAM Club schedule! During STEAM Club, lessons will be tied directly to the science units of study for each grade level. We are thrilled to offer this program in coordination with support from student volunteers from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Flyers will be coming home in Tuesday folders or you can sign up below.

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Nevin at [email protected] .

Program Details:

Cost:FREE
Time:4:10-5:30

Schedule by Grade Level:

4th and 5th Grade
- Dates:March 3rd , March 10th , March 17th , and March 24th
2nd and 3rd Grade
- Dates:April 7th , April 14th , April 21st , and April 28th
K and 1st Grade
- Dates:May 7th , May 14th , May 21st , and May 28th

Sign Up Here:

Google Doc Registration Link

Save the Date!

March 3rd:3rd Quarter Interims go home

March 3rd - 6th:Read Across America Week

March 18th: 3-Hour Early Release

March 20th:Holiday

March 27th: End of 3rd Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release

Weekly update for 2.13.2026

GovDelivery 3 months ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for February 13, 2026

Dear CES Friends and Families,

We have had an exciting, full week of learning and engagement at Columbia ES with many special events. It has been great to see so many smiles!

Please note that schools will be closed this coming Monday, February 16th, in observance of the MLK Holiday, followed by a Teacher Workday on Tuesday. We look forward to seeing all our Cougars back on Wednesday, February 18th, which is a three-hour early release day. We appreciate your partnership in keeping these schedule adjustments top-of-mind.

Have a great weekend!

Take care,

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

FCPS Region 6 Teacher of the Year - Ms. Nevin!

We are absolutely thrilled to share some wonderful news with our school community! Our very own Ms. Rosemary Nevin has been named the FCPS Region 6 Outstanding Elementary School Teacher of the Year. This prestigious honor is a true reflection of Ms. Nevin’s unwavering dedication and positive impacdt on our students, parents, and the greater Annandale community.

Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved achievement. As a regional winner, Ms. Nevin is now a finalist for the 2026 Fairfax County Public Schools Teacher of the Yearaward, which will be announced on June 10, 2026. We are incredibly proud to have her on this team and wish her the very best of luck in the next round!

PTA Soup Luncheon Success!

We want to extend a heartfelt note of gratitude to the incredible Columbia ES PTA for hosting the 2026 CES Soup Luncheon earlier this week on Monday, February 9th. Walking into the conference room and seeing it filled with delicious aromas—and even bigger smiles—was the highlight of the day.

The attention to detail was exceptional. From the comforting Grandma Sue Clary's Chili and the Potato and Leek Soup to the fresh Caprese Salad and everyting inbetween, every dish was a treat. And I know many of us couldn't resist finishing lunch with the Banana Pudding. Many families participated and donated items, supplies, and food and we are truly grateful!

Thank you for your generosity and for taking such wonderful care of the staff at Columbia ES. Your support fuels our teachers, both literally and figuratively, allowing us to bring our best selves to the classroom for students.

PTA News & Notes

THANK YOU!

This was a big week with the glow run and the teacher soup lunch! The Boosterthon Fundraiser and Cougar Glow Run were both a smashing success, and we hit our fundraising goal!Photos and video will be shared out soon. See below for more details!

The teacher & staff’s soup lunch was fantastic! Thank you to all those who donated soups, salads, baked goods, and volunteer hours. The teachers loved the variety.

These events could not have happened without you. Thank you for your continued support. We truly have a special school!

PTA Meeting

Please join us on Tuesday, February 24 at 7 PM on zoom. We will be discussing Read Across America and Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. We look forward to our continued partnership.

To join the meeting please use the link below:

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/91903873132

Family Night Out

Chick-Fil-A (2/25)

Boosterthon Fundraiser Success!

We’re excited to share that, thanks to your incredible support, we exceeded our fundraising goal of $15,000 in partnership with Boosterthon!

This means that we will slime Principal Astudillo and Assistant Principal Boudart!—we can't wait!

Here are a few final updates:

🥁 Total Raised: We’ve raised $24,671!

🎉 Impact: Your donations will be supporting field trips and field trip transportation throughout this school year, purchasing technology for classrooms, and enhancing furniture needs at Columbia Elementary.

MyBooster.com is available for one more week for any last-minute donations.

Once again, thank you for your unwavering support, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word. Your involvement has made a tremendous difference and showcases the strength of our school community!

Here is a link to our website with a few visuals of the Glow Run.

Specialists spotlight

Library with Ms. Ames

During library time, students read Olympig by Victoria Jamieson and learned about the Winter Olympics in preparation for the upcoming games. They watched an informational video about this year’s Olympics, used map skills to locate where the games will take place, practiced movements from different Olympic sports, and even decided which event they would win a gold medal in themselves.

If you have a chance to stop by the front lobby, you might spot some of our staff members getting into the Olympic spirit by participating in a few events. We will also be tracking how many gold, silver, and bronze medals Team USA earns throughout the games. We are proud of all Olympic athletes and loved celebrating the excitement together!

Save the date!

February 16th:MLK Holiday, No School

February 17th:Teacher Workday

February 18th:3-Hour Early Release, dismissal at 1:05pm

March 3rd:3rd Quarter Interims go home

March 20th:Holiday

March 27th: End of 3rd Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release

Boosterthon success for Cougar GLOW Run tomorrow!

GovDelivery 3 months 1 week ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Cougar GLOW run on Thursday!

Dear Columbia Friends & Families,

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible success of the Boosterthon fundraiser that is wrapping tomorrow with a GLOW RUN for all students!

This milestone would not have been possible without the exceptional support of our families, friends, and the broader parent community of Columbia. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our talented staff for their leadership and unwavering dedication. By working together, we continue to champion our school’s vision and invest in the growth and future excellence of every student

To capture the excitement of tomorrow's GLOW run, we are holding a special Spirit Day! We invite all students to wear neon colors, white, or Columbia gear.We will be taking class photos in the gym to document this spirit of excellence and success and look forward to sharing these memories with you soon.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

Weekly update for 2.6.2026

GovDelivery 3 months 1 week ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for February 6, 2026

Dear CES Friends and Families,

Thank you for your patience this week as we navigated the snow and ice. It was wonderful to see our halls filled with students again, and we truly appreciate your support at home to ensure an overall smooth transition back to the classroom.

Welcome, Ms. Jay Bolden!We are thrilled to officially welcome Ms. Jay Bolden to the Columbia Elementary team as our long-term substitute music teacher. Ms. Bolden has already made a positive impact in our classrooms this week, and we are grateful to have her expertise through the end of the school year.

A proud graduate of VCU, Ms. Bolden joins us with years of dedicated experience teaching music in Richmond. She is deeply passionate about the arts and views creative expression as a vital tool for building student self-confidence and strengthening our school community. Please join us in giving her a warm Columbia welcome!

Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm.

Take care,

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

PTA News & Notes

The Glow Run Fundraiser is Here!

As you have probably seen, this year Columbia is doing a Glow Run Fundraiser. This year, our goal is to raise $15,000 for field trips, field trip transportation related costs, and new furniture improvements. These funds directly support our students and help us provide engaging and memorable learning experiences free for all students at Columbia Elementary. With your help, we can take students to Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Lego Discovery Center, Colonial Williamsburg, Va, and more!

To learn more here are videos with details ( English Video , Spanish Video ). More information will be forthcoming. Thank you in advance for your support!

Teacher & Staff Soup Lunch – Monday, February 9th

Please consider volunteering for a Columbia teacher and staff favorite! Monday, February 9th is the annual soup lunch. Get those favorite soup or salad recipes out and let’s show the staff how much we appreciate them. You can sign up HERE to contribute. Thank you!

Family Night Out

Chick-Fil-A (2/25)

It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

Kindergarten helps children learn and practice the social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives.

Fairfax County public schools typically conduct kindergarten registration events, including orientation, in the spring. Eligible children can be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps schools prepare and ensure they have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school.

If your child will attend our school, please gather necessary documents and complete registration forms as soon as possible.

FCPS offers support and resources for all families to help with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For support in other languages, please visit the FCPS Registration webpage .

SAVE THE DATE: Rising Kindergarten Orientation will be April 22, 2026

Language Arts and Benchmark

📚 Finishing Up “Points of View” in Language Arts 📚

Benchmark Unit 4 in Language Arts is coming to a close! Over the last several weeks, our students have analyzed point of view and perspective across various genres, to explore how different characters view the same events. In different grade levels, students have learned to distinguish between first- and third-person perspectives, compare viewpoints, and analyze character motivations.

Connect with your child’s learning at school with this fun activity:

Retell a favorite story or fairy tale from a different character’s perspective (what might the wolf say if he’s telling the story of the Three Little Pigs?)

At the end of the unit, your child will take home their unit magazine. The magazine includes a calendar with engaging ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. If your child completes three of the calendar activities and returns the form to their teacher, they’ll participate in a fun activity at school celebrating their hard work!

Meal kits available for students fasting

From February 18 to March 19, 2026, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.

Important Meal Kit Information:

Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid).
Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day.
Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day.
Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.

Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:

February 11, 2026 for week of February 18, 2026
February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026

📑Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors .

⌨️ Has your child logged in to Typing Club?

We're incredibly grateful to the amazing PTA for funding a subscription for students in grades 3 - 5 to TypingClub, which can be used at home and school! This fantastic online program helps students develop essential keyboarding skills in a fun and engaging way.

Looking for login information or how to get started for TypingClub? Contact your child's teacher or Mrs. Dumont .

Announcing new sponsor for Safety Patrols

We are delighted to announce that Ms. Emma Kremer has stepped into the role of Safety Patrol Sponsor at Columbia ES. We are confident that her dedication to student leadership will be a tremendous asset to our school safety team. Please direct any inquiries regarding the Safety Patrol program to Ms. Kremer at [email protected] ; she is ready to support our students and families.

Save the date!

February 10th:Progress Reports coming home in Tuesday Folders

February 12th: Boostherthon concludes with Cougar Glow Run

February 16th - 17th: No School for students

February 18th: 3-Hour Early Release with dismissal at 1:05pm

Weekly update for 1.28.26

GovDelivery 3 months 2 weeks ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page .

Weekly update for January 28, 2026

Dear CES Friends and Families,

I hope you and your loved ones have navigated our first significant snowfall safely and are making the most of this unexpected time together.

I want to extend a huge expression of gratitude to our amazing custodial team. As you can see from the photo above, the crew enjoyed a well-deserved break with hot cocoa and donuts earlier today. They have worked tirelessly to clear the school grounds, showing incredible dedication to ensuring a safe environment for our return. We cannot thank them enough for their efforts!

Upcoming Schedule Reminders: Please remember that school is closed for students on Thursday, January 29th and Friday, January 30th for Staff Development and Teacher Workdays. We are eager to welcome our Cougars back on Monday, February 2nd!

Academic Updates: To ensure our students have every opportunity to demonstrate their academic growth, we have adjusted the end of the second quarter.

New Quarter End Date: Tuesday, February 3rd.
Impact: This adjustment provides crucial time for teachers to administer end-of-unit assessments and allows students to complete current assignments with excellence without feeling rushed.

Teachers will include these assignments in the second grading window, which has been extended to Friday, February 6th.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or your child's teacher.

Take care,

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

Columbia Elementary Families!

We’re less than ONE week away from the start of our Cougar Glow Run fundraiser where we will have fun and build community while we work to reach our fundraising goal.

Curious about the event? Find an overview of our fundraiser HERE !

Key Information to help you during the fundraiser:

💵 Goal: $15,000

🎁 For: field trips and field trip transportation as well as technology and furniture improvements around the building

🎉 Kickoff Date (in school): 02/03/2026

👟 Event Date: 02/12/2026

Donations for our Cougar Glow Run will be collected through our fundraising platform: MyBooster.com

How to Start on MyBooster.com:

Choose “Sign Up”
Enter your School
Enter your Personal Information
Once you sign up, it’s time to share via Facebook, email and text!

Tips for Success:

Set a goal for how much to raise and make a plan with your student on how to reach it.
Share, share, share using our easy online tools!
Make sure to thank everyone who supported you after you reach your goal.

Thank you for helping make our fundraiser a success!

54 minutes 51 seconds ago

Columbia Elementary School News and Announcements

http://www.fcps.edu/index.shtml Subscribe to GovDelivery feed