Columbia Heights Public Schools

January 20-26, 2025 is Paraprofessional Recognition Week in Minnesota!

"The support and services provided by paraprofessionals are integral to student achievement. Paraprofessionals take on a wide range of responsibilities to meet the unique needs of the students in their care. Their dedication supports safe, effective, and engaging learning environments throughout Minnesota." - Minnesota Department of Education

Here at CHPS, our Paraprofessionals hold the title of Education Assistants (EAs). Their work ensures students have access and support for their learning and is so important to the growth and success of our students. Thank you to our EAs for their thoughtful and caring work!

Tonight is our Festival of Bands! CHPS is excited to be hosting our second annual All-District Band Concert tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the CHHS Main Gym!

Band students from all three elementary schools, Columbia Academy and CHHS will be performing together in a super-sized Hylander Band Concert!

Everyone is welcome to attend! Come on out and support these young musicians!

Local Resources will be in attendance, such as:

• Public Safety Departments
• Programs for food and clothes
• Local health programs/resources
• English Classes for Adults (Metro North Adult Basic Education)
• And more!

Free Flu Shots and COVID-19 Vaccines will be available for anyone ages 6 months and older.

• Information and sign-ups for future dental appointments will also be available along with other health businesses and resources.

• HACER will be attending the Resource Fair and providing childhood immunizations as well as Covid and Flu immunizations. No appointment required and this is free of cost to families. Please bring your student's immunization record (or a photo of their records) with you. Please reach out to Leueen Saavedra (saavedral@colheights.k12.mn.us) or Keturah Spriggs (spriggsk@colheights.k12.mn.us) with any questions or concerns!

Programs with information include: CHPS Early Childhood, CHPS School Social Workers, and CHPS Community Education, Anoka County Head Start, Youth Programs, Columbia Heights Senior Programs and more.

This is a good time of year for all parents/guardians to make sure Columbia Heights Public Schools (CHPS) has up-to-date Emergency Contact information for your student as preferred contacts can change over time. It is very important for us to have Emergency Contacts for each student and to make sure they are accurate. It is also helpful if at least one of the Emergency Contacts lives outside of your household. It is fast and easy to check and update your Emergency Contacts information- just follow these directions:

1. Log in to your ParentVUE account. If you need an activation key, contact your student’s school.
2. Click Student Info.

3. Click Edit Information

4. Update information as needed. The current information will display on the left; enter the new information on the right.

5. Click Save Changes at the top of the screen.

CHPS is hosting a Well Child Immunization Clinic on February 13th from 2:30-6:30 p.m. in the Family Center (1440 49th Ave. NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421). Enter Door #2.

Well child visits and immunizations will be offered at this clinic by appointment only. You will receive a phone call the week of the clinic to notify you of your appointment time. These visits will be free of charge for our families.

Immunizations offered at this clinic:

• All Well Child Vaccinations
• Influenza (flu)
• COVID-19

Please contact Keturah Spriggs, CHPS District Nurse, with any questions or concerns at 763-528-4580 or spriggsk@colheights.k12.mn.us.

Nominations for 2025 are now being accepted at City Hall (3989 Central Ave NE) through March 31, 2025. You may also email a scanned or electronic copy of your filled-out form to wrottler@columbiaheightsmn.gov. Download a nomination form.

With the upcoming semester switch, CHPS student device insurance enrollment portal has temporarily been reopened. See attached for prorated insurance rates ($22 for grades 1-8, $16 for grades 9-12) and flyers in both English and Spanish. The portal will be open until February 15.

As a reminder, minor damage to the device (for example, keyboard, trackpad, hinges) is $50, and major damage (for example, screen replacement or internal liquid spill damage) is $200.

Families are responsible to cover these fees in the event of damage according to our internet agreement form.

Columbia Heights Public Schools has partnered with MealViewer for our new school breakfast, lunch and after-school snack menus. You can still find the school lunch menus in the same place on our website, but the links are different.

School Menu Webpage on CHPS Website

You can also download the MealViewer App on your phone to see meal options!

• iOS (iPhone) Application Download
• Android Application Download

This update was made to include more detailed information about the meal options and nutrition breakdowns and allergens of each item.

Get ready for Valentines Day with this lovely Lava Cake class! You can make this a date night for $50 (two adults), or come on your own and learn yourself for $30 (one adult), and get to go home with 6-8 lava cakes per person!

CHHS FACS teacher, Autumn Trzaskowski will be walking you through the process of home-making these treats that might seem like a complicated culinary feat, but with her help, you will be able to master these delicious desserts. She will be showing you all of the steps, from making the batter, assembling and baking, and of course adding customizable toppings before you get to package up your goodies (or try them while you're still here) to take home!

This class will be on Wednesday, February 5th from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the CHHS FACS Classroom!

Starting Saturday, February 1*, CHPS Community Education will be having youth swimming lessons! They will be at the Columbia Heights High School Swimming Pool every Saturday February 1-March 22 (no class Feb. 15 and March 1). All levels are open to students 4 years old and above, as long as they have completed the level prior to the one they are signing up for.

Swimming lessons will cost $60*. Registration is required. Please bring/wear a swimsuit and towel to class. Goggles are optional.

• Level 1 - (Ages 4-6) - For students who have never had swimming lessons: 11:20-11:50 a.m.
• Level 1 - (Ages 7+) For students who have never had swimming lessons: 12:00-12:30 p.m.
• *This class will start on February 8th and have one less class. Class is $50.
• Level 2 - For students comfortable in water and able to do basic swim strokes on front and back: 10:30-11:10 a.m.
• Level 2 - Section 2 - For students comfortable in water and able to do basic swim strokes on front and back: 9:40-10:20 a.m.
• Level 3/4 - This is a combined Level 3 and Level 4 class. Level 3 builds on skills through additional guided practice. Level 4 focuses on increasing endurance and perfecting strokes from Level 3: 8:50-9:30 a.m.

• CHHS One Act as they compete in their Sections Tournament Friday evening at Irondale HS

• Science Bowl Team as they compete in the Minnesota Science Bowl this Saturday at Hamline University.

• Robotics Team on the successful completion of their season! Thanks to all our students, coaches, and families for all of their hard work and support.

Interested in learning more about Synchronized Swimming? We will have two pre-season opportunities on February 4th and 6th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. to try out the spot, open to any 7th-12th grade girls. Bring your swimsuit and meet at the CHHS Pool.

Come out and support our Winter Sports and Activities - Full schedule can be found here

Sports Physical for all Athletics
Every athlete participating in school-year sports must have a physical on file with the Activities Office. Student Athletes cannot register for the upcoming season without a sports physical on file. Sports physicals are valid for three years. 24-25 Sports Physical Form

More information can be found at the CHPS Activities Website or contact the Activities Office at 763-528-4511

There are many wonderful activities for students through our CH Rec Dept and Library!

Please go to the CH Recreation website or call their office at 763-706-3730.

Click Here for the Columbia Heights Library Website.

Petite Concert

• Wednesday, January 29th
• 10:30-11:00 a.m.
• Petite Concerts presents experiential musical events designed for young listeners. From newborns to preschoolers, our concerts are informal and interactive. Join us for a fun-filled musical experience and discover our instruments! Children and adults will listen to and respond to classical music together. Registration is recommended, but not required.
• REGISTER here: https://anokacounty.libcal.com/event/13958200

Recreation has many more class offerings to try this winter season, including exciting youth and family trips, improv theater, virtual gaming classes, Martial Arts, Adult exercise, Active Agers activities and more. See our Brochure here: https://tinyurl.com/CHNewsletterRec

Basketball for 6th grade girls!

• The Columbia Heights Basketball Association is looking for 6th grade girls interested in playing basketball. Practices on Monday and Wednesday nights through the end of February with the possibility of playing in weekend tournaments.
• Cost is $25. Please email heightscoachtom@aol.com if interested.

Dance with Me: Adult/Child Dance Class for 2-3 years old

• Come along on a dance adventure with your 2-3 year olds as we learn fun dance and play exciting games. This class is all about fun with music, dancing together, rhythm, and building confidence. It is a great opportunity to bond with your child while they learn spatial awareness, confidence, balance, and more. 2-3 year olds accompanied with a parent, caregiver, aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc. Choose a 4- or 6-week session.
• Session I: Every-other Saturday Feb 1, Feb 15, Mar 1, Mar 15 10-10:30am $32 per child. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/CHDancewithme
• Session II: Every-other Saturday Jan 25, Feb 8, Feb 22, Mar 8, Mar 22, Apr 5 10-1:30am $48 per child. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/CHDancewMe2

Dance: Creative Movement 4-5 years old and 6-7 years old at Murzyn Hall

• 4-5 year olds will explore movement and engage in fun dance games! Dancers will learn basics of ballet and jazz through a balanced mixed of short, structured moments with free-movement time or dance games.
• Session I: Sat Jan 18-Feb 22 10:45-11:30am $36. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/CMWinter1
• Session II: Sat Mar 1-Apr 5 10:45-11:30am $36. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/CM4-5two
• The 6-7 year old class focus is on basic technique of ballet and jazz while strengthening the muscles, mind, and expression through movement
• Session I: Sat Jan 18-Feb 22 11:45am-12:30pm $36. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/CMW6-7
• Session II: Sat Mar 1-Apr 5 11:45am-12:30pm $36. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/CM6-7two

Musical Theatre Dance for 9-15 year-olds

• Take this rip-roaring exploration into dance in musicals that shape the industry! Our first day will cover the basics of what makes Musical Theatre Dance unique in both style and performance. Then, learn routines from Hamilton, Annie, Newsies, and more.
• Every-other Saturday: Jan 25, Feb 8, Feb 22, Mar 8, Mar 22, Apr 5 from 1:15-2:45pm. $36. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/MTwinter25

Are you looking for a job in education or within a school district? Check out the CHPS job site to find the right fit for you!

Visit the site here!

Did You Know?

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Creating worlds of opportunity for each and every learner.

All Belong, All Succeed

• Email: News@colheights.k12.mn.us
• Website: https://www.colheights.k12.mn.us/
• Location: 1440 49th Avenue Northeast, Columbia Heights
• Phone: 763-528-4500
• Instagram: @chpsisd13
• Facebook: facebook.com/chpsisd13