Columbia Heights Public Schools

Seventeen Columbia Heights High School (CHHS) art students earned a total of 34 Gold Key, Silver Key and Honorable Mention awards at the 2025 Minnesota Scholastic Arts Awards (MSAA) – a competition organized by Art Educators of Minnesota. The art students received four Gold Key awards, eleven Silver Key awards, and seven Honorable Mentions in the Photography, Ceramics & Glass, Drawing & Illustration, and Digital Art categories. The works were submitted by CHHS Art Teachers Michelle Dietz, Sarah Honeywell and Isaac Glidden.

CHHS Senior Daniel Abebaw received a Gold Key Award in Photography for his work titled “Triumph”, CHHS Junior Yumna Ali received a Gold Key Award in Ceramics & Glass for her work titled “The Weight of Progress”, CHHS Junior Dominic Baker received a Gold Key Award in Photography for his work titled “Gatekeeper”, and CHHS Junior Tamiah Jackson received a Gold Key Award in Painting for her work titled “Exploration”.

Two students received Silver Key Awards in Photography; “In Too Deep” by Dominic Baker, “Sliding Thru” and “Steps to Nowhere” both by Daniel Abebaw. Daniel also received a Silver Key Award for his Art Portfolio titled “Verdict to Misdirection”. Two students received a Silver Key Award for Ceramics & Glass; “Serenity” by Danchau Le and “Skull of Nerd” by Emeline Barre. Elizabeth Lee received two Silver Key Awards in Drawing & Illustration for her works titled “Audition” and “Gourmet”, and Danchau Le received another Silver Key Award in Painting for her work titled “Reflections of Sound”.

Fifteen CHHS students received Honorable Mentions for the MSAA awards; Dominic Baker (three mentions), Daniel Abebaw (two mentions), Mason Leon, Sanam Muradi and Ameer Ait Daoud in Photography; Tamiah Jackson, Ray Muhm and Yoselin Diaz Santos in Painting; Elizabeth Lee (three mentions) in Drawing & Illustration; Fin Sandvik in Digital Art; Yumna Ali, Louisianne Sadrant (two mentions), Liana Barre, Jasilyn Negron, and Dafne Keb Cetina in Ceramics & Glass.

February is Black History Month! CHPS will be recognizing this month by working with CHHS Sophomore, Harmony Crayton, on stories put together by the Heights Herald (CHHS Student Newspaper!

Black History Month is recognized to honor the achievements of Black Americans who have shaped the world we are in today. We are excited to share posts throughout the month created by our high school journalists! Make sure to follow CHPS on Instagram and Facebook to follow along!

February is CTE Month! This month CHPS will be highlighting some of the classes offered at Columbia Heights High School within our CTE program! CTE stands for Career and Technical Education and includes classes that provide education and experience in the following categories:

• Agriculture
• Construction
• Arts, Entertainment and Design
• Management and Entrepreneurship
• Education
• Energy and Natural Resources
• Financial Services
• Hospitality, Events and Tourism
• Healthcare and Human Services
• Digital Technology
• Public Service and Safety
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Marketing and Sales
• Supply Chain and Transportation

Follow CHPS on Instagram and Facebook to follow along for features throughout the month!

CHPS is excited to officially introduce our Youth Outreach Officer, Airreon Austin, to our Hylanders!

Officer Austin's position as the CHPD Youth Outreach Officer is more than just mentorship and crime prevention, it is about being an advocate for kids and teens who don't always have a safe place or someone to turn to. "I strive to build trust, provide guidance and create opportunities that help shape their future," Officer Austin stated. "Beyond the job duties, it's about making a real difference in their lives and giving them the support they deserve."

Some fun things to know about Officer Austin is that he is a Columbia Heights High School Alum! He graduated in 2017. He also runs the youth basketball program in the summer and open-gyms and pick-up games after school as well!

CHPS wanted to give a little introduction to Officer Austin so our students, staff and families know who he is at different school events!

"My favorite part of being a mentor for kids at the high school I graduated from is the chance to give back to a place that helped shape me. It’s incredibly rewarding to connect with students who walk the same halls I once did, understanding their challenges and guiding them toward positive choices. Seeing them grow, gain confidence, and realize their potential makes it all worthwhile. It’s more than mentorship it’s about being the role model I once needed and showing them that success is possible, no matter where they start. Seeing students go from struggling with confidence to becoming leaders is the best feeling ever." - CHPD Youth Outreach Officer, Airreon Austin

Dear CHPS Families,

We wanted to make sure you were aware of information that has been added to our CHPS website under the Family Resource section. We hope that this information is helpful for you or others you know.

The following are live links to the information:

• Immigration Resources Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Know Your Rights materials from the Immigrant Law Center of MN
• Know Your Rights – videos in many languages
• Know Your Rights at Home (English version)
• Know Your Rights at Home (Spanish version)
• Family Preparedness Plan (English version)
• Family Preparedness Plan (Spanish version)

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.

• Date: Monday, March 3rd
• Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
• Place: Columbia Heights Public Library (3939 Central Ave. NE)

Are you interesting in starting native seedlings to plant in your garden this spring, but unsure of where to begin? Join us for a workshop on how to start native plant seeds in a winter greenhouse. CHPS Agriculture Specialist, Melissa Trent, will walk you through constructing a small winter greenhouse from recycled materials; planting, labelling and caring for it.

You will learn about five native plants that provide food sources and nesting habitats for polliators and where to plant them. Take your greenhouse project home to watch through the winter months and plant your hearty seedlings in the spring!

• Our Girls Wrestling Team as they compete in Individual Sections this weekend!

• Our Dance Team on the successful completion of their season! They will be performing at halftime of the basketball games on 2/7 and 2/11, come out and support them! Thanks to all our players, coaches, and families for all of their hard work and support.

• The four CHHS Students, Afan, Lisbeth, Masno and Zoe, who competed in the Minnesota Brain Bee at the University of Minnesota this week. 74 students participated in the initial qualifying round and the top 30 moved on to the state level competition. All four CHHS student competed at the state level!

Week of February 10-14 we will be raising awareness on healthy relationships as part of the Love is Respect – “Respect That” campaign.

• Tuesday, February 11 is Wear Orange DAy.
• Friday, February 14 is Celebrating Healthy Love Day

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

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.

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.

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 10-10:30 a.m. $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 10-10:30 a.m. $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 10:45-11:30 a.m. $36. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/CMWinter1
• Session II: Sat Mar 1-Apr 5 10:45-11:30 a.m. $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 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $36. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/CMW6-7
• Session II: Sat Mar 1-Apr 5 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $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 1:15-2:45 p.m. $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