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First page of the Columbia Ridge Newsletter

PRINCIPAL MESSAGE

Thank you for helping us have an amazing start to our 24-25 school year. We have had a 95% attendance rate! You have helped make school a priority in your kids lives and they are benefiting from being here everyday. Please encourage your kids to read every night. This can be reading together, reading silently or listening to reading. If time is short, have them read real world signs, lists and help you grocery shop. There are also a number of fun family games that encourage reading. Make it a fun family event. Mark your calendar for October 17th for our McTeacher Night. Funds earned from this event go right back to our students in the form of prizes for our tiger paw store.Please feel free to contact me if you have concerns,
questions or ideas on how to make Columbia Ridge the best place for kids and families. We strive to help each student be successful everyday.

Principal Williams


UPCOMING EVENTS

OCTOBER

  • Tuesday, October 8: PTO Meeting @ 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 10: Kinder Field Trip
  • Friday, October 11: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
  • Thursday, October 17: McTeacher Night
  • Friday, October 25: Picture Retakes

NOVEMBER

  • Monday, November 4: Veterans Day Assembly (9:30 a.m.)
  • November 6, 7 and 8: EARLY RELEASE FOR STUDENT CONFERENCES (A Remind will be sent out when parents can sign-up in Skyward)
  • Monday, November 11: NO SCHOOL - Veterans Day
  • Tuesday, November 12: PTO Meeting at 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 27: EARLY RELEASE
  • November 28 - 30: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

PTO NEWS

Thank you to all who supported our cookie dough fundraiser. It was a big success. We will send a Remind when we know the date of arrival.


McTEACHER NIGHT: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17

Join us from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Ephrata McDonald's. Enjoy dinner served by Columbia Ridge teachers. Your participation will support Columbia Ridge and make a meaningful difference in our school. We look forward to seeing you there!


TRANSPORTATION

To ensure a smooth end-of-day transition, it's important to keep transportation routines consistent. If you need to change your student's usual pick-up or bus plan, please contact the office before 2:00 p.m. Requests made after 2:15 p.m. may not be accommodated.


WATER OR HEALTHY DRINKS ONLY, PLEASE

Families, we kindly ask that our students only bring in water or healthy drinks to school. We want to avoid bringing pop, soda or specialty drinks inside. - Thank you!

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First page of the Columbia Ridge Newsletter

SBA TESTING

Dear CR Families:

May is here and school is busy with year-end learning. Our 3rd and 4th graders will take the state assessment for the next two weeks Tuesday through Friday. Notes have gone home to share how you can help. Parents, it is very important that your student is in school on these days. Please schedule any appointments in the afternoon or after school.

SCHOOL BBQ JUNE 4

Watch for all the details coming in Remind. The office will pre-sell tickets starting Monday, May 20.

LAST PTO MEETING MAY 16 at 6:00 p.m.

Families, parents, grandparents and friends! We need your support. We have three positions that need to be filled and we're short on volunteers. Without support the following PTO events may not happen next year. If we could get a commitment for just one event, that would be a huge help. Here are a few events that happen because of PTO:

  • Grade level field trips
  • School movie for all students
  • Bike rodeo and field day
  • Lego Robotics and Math is Cool events
  • Book fairs fill our new book vending machine
  • A glow dance for CR families

UPCOMING MAY EVENTS

  • Thursday, May 16 (6:00 p.m.): PTO Meeting
  • Friday, May 17: AG Extravaganza
  • Thursday May 23 & Friday, May 24: Pacific Science Center at Columbia Ridge
  • Monday, May 27: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

SBA TESTING

  • Week 1: May 14-17 (8:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.) Third and Fourth Graders
  • Week 2: May 21-24 (8:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.) Third and Fourth Graders

UPCOMING JUNE EVENTS

  • Monday, June 3: Student of the Month Assembly
  • Tuesday, June 4: School BBQ and Book Fair
  • Wednesday, June 5: Field Day (Volunteers Needed)
  • Thursday, June 6: Move Up Day
  • Friday, June 7: Last Day of School - Early Release

WE LOVE OUR READERS

We've had 35 students earn their Accelerated Reader (AR) t-shirts so far this year, and there is still time! The last day to earn and AR shirt is May 29. Those shirts will be awarded at our last Student of the Month assembly on June 5. To earn a shirt, students need 30 points at 1st grade, 50 at 2nd, 60 at 3rd and 70 at 4th. Students may also take AR quizzes at home by logging into their Clever account and going to "Renaissance Place."

Be on the watch for this summer's reading challenge, which will be sent home with your child at the end of the year. Those who complete the challenge will be recognized at an assembly upcon returning in the fall, as well as ear a free book pick and a special summer readers picnic in our new courtyard!

- Mrs. Billingsley

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Check out the latest news, information and upcoming events at Columbia Ridge Elementary.

PRINCIPAL PONDER

We have made it to the last quarter of the year! This is when we begin preparing our students for the next year. We are working on independent skills, leadership and confidence in their abilities. To help your student this is a great time to increase nightly reading. 

We have also started a new version of our (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support) PBIS program. Kids are working to earn their tiger stripes by being safe, respectful and responsible. We began by giving out tiger stripe stickers when these traits were displayed and now we will be flooding kids with tiger paws for showing their stripes. Please ask you students daily if they showed their stripes at school and see if they can also show them at home. It is our goal to grow safe, respectful and responsible kids.

- Mrs. Williams

UPCOMING APRIL EVENTS

  • Spring Class Photographs: April 17
  • Report Cards Sent Home: April 17
  • Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Meeting: April 18 at 6:00 p.m. - Please Come!
  • GLOW Dance: April 19
  • BICYCLE Rodeo: April 26

COUNSELOR CORNER

Be Respectful is our Super Power - How Can You Show Respect?

  • Use kinds words and good manners
  • Listen to what others have to say
  • Follow the rules
  • Appreciate the difference of others
  • Take care of other people's property at school, home and in the community

What Does the Word, "Respect" Mean?

  • Showing consideration for other people and their property
  • Caring for ourselves, family, community and school
  • Appreciating and accepting individual differences
  • Treating others the way that you would want to be treated. "Respect is learned, earned and returned."

- Mr. Garcia

PTO - HAPPY APRIL CR FAMILIES!

We're excited to announce that we'll be hosting a GLOW Dance on Friday, April 19 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.! Details and RSVP options have been sent via Remind to families to help us plan for snacks. CR has a variety of upcoming spring events and we will need volunteers - so now is the perfect time to get involved with the PTO. Join us for our meeting on Thursday, April 18 at 6:00 p.m. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and make sure to ask your child's teacher to add our name to our volunteer list. Thank you!

FROM THE OFFICE

  • SKYWARD - Family Skyward access is important. It is the way to change and update student information. It is the way you will give permission and sign your child up for events. If you do not know how to login in or have lost your password, please contact the office for help.
  • LAST QUARTER OF THE YEAR - As the school year heads into the last quarter, please make sure to check your student's backpack for important end-of-the-year notices. Springtime is very busy and lots of information heads home to keep our families informed.

- Kathy & Jill

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First page of the April Columbia Ridge Newsletter (Spanish)

 

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PRINCIPAL PONDER

I hope this message finds you well. I want to extend my gratitude for your continued support and participation in our school's events and initiatives. Your dedication truly enhances the learning experience for our students. I am thrilled to announce that 12 of our fourth-grade students have been diligently preparing for the Math is Cool competition, which will take place in Wenatchee on March 22. Their hard work and commitment to math problem-solving are commendable, and I have no doubt they will represent our school with excellence.

In addition to the upcoming competition, I would like to remind you of our PTO meeting scheduled for March 14 at 5:00 p.m. This meeting will be both informative and enjoyable, offering insight into how you can become involved with the PTO and continue to contribute to our school community. Following the meeting, we will host Literacy Night, providing an opportunity for everyone to engage in literacy activities and foster a love for reading. During the PTO meeting, we will also unveil the school's most significant purchase to date, make possible by your generous fundraising efforts. Your support has been instrumental in making this acquisition a reality and I am excited to share this achievement with you. 

Asl always, I encourage you to visit the school if you have any questions, concerns or ideas on how we can further improve. Your input is invaluable, and together, we can continue to foster a nurturing and enriching learning environment for all students. Thank you for your ongoing partnership and dedication to your child's educational journey. Let's continue to work together to ensure their success.

- Mrs. Williams - 


HEY THERE TIGERS!

Did you know that coming to school every day is important? Here's why:

  1. Learning is Fun! When you're in class you get to learn new things, play with friends and have fun activities! Missing school means missing out on all the cool stuff your teachers have planned for you.
  2. Being Responsible: Showing up on time every day shows that you're responsible and ready to learn. Plus, your classmates and teachers count on you to be there!
  3. Making Friends: School is a great place to make new friends and share exciting experiences together. Being here allows you to build strong friendships and be part of the awesome school community.

So remember: Every day counts! Your teachers and friends are excited to see you, learn with you and have fun together. Let's make every day a great day at school.


PTO UPDATE

The PTO organized a book fair during school conferences. They bought a book for each student to choose during their class preview time. They want families to get excited for CR's Literacy Night on Thursday, March 14. To beat the rush, come early at 5:00 p.m. The PTO will be in the cafeteria to talk about upcoming events like the glow dance on April 19, PTO officer elections on May 16 and the Pacific Science Center assembly on May 23 and 24. They need parents to help make these events successful. There's also a big surprise they've been working on all year that they'll reveal soon! They're looking forward to seeing everyone in the next few weeks!


UPCOMING EVENTS

March 14: PTO Meeting (5:00 - 5:30 p.m.), Literacy Night (5:30 - 7:00 p.m.)

April 1 - 5: Spring Break

April 17: Spring Class Pictures

April 19: Glow Dance

April 26: Bike Rodeo


JUNIOR JOGGERS

Junior Joggers resumes on March 13. Make sure your student comes prepared with the right clothing, shoes and maybe an extra pair of socks in their backpacks.


AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION - KIDS HEART CHALLENGE FUNDRAISER UPDATE

Fundraising Update: We raised $9,401.61, exceeding our $5,000 goal and last year's amount!

Top Fundraiser: Alexis Brown raised $1,436.82

Student Prizes: Alexis Brown, Braelynn Lutz and Raelynn Castillo will receive a Buster, a special character from Kids Heart Challenge

Top Class: Mrs. Eldredge's class won a lunch with Principal Williams

PE Teachers: Top fundraisers from each grade will be PE teachers:

  • Fourth Grade: Alexis Brown
  • Third Grade: Landon Demetruk and Trayce Moore
  • Second Grade: Braelynn Lutz
  • First Grade: Henry Mauney
  • Kindergarten: Lane Demetruk

PE Reminder: Please wear appropriate shoes: no slip-ons (Hey Dudes, Crocs or sandals) for safety. Students can bring PE shoes and change before class.

- Mrs. Demetruk - 

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Colorful boxes with text