Columbia Academy Weekly Update

Greetings from Columbia Academy,

We look forward to seeing your child this Tuesday at Columbia Academy as we begin our new school year! Thank you to all of you who made it to Open House to make sure your child was ready to go on the first day of school. If you were not able to make it, there is still time to get things completed using the links below.

In addition, please take a moment to read through the drop off and pick-up process at CA. We will do our best to keep traffic flowing but patience is needed at times with our busy intersection.

Finally, each week we will try to have a few tips on how to support your child in their middle school years. Our partnership with you as parents and guardians can make a big difference so we will strive to communicate with you frequently. We welcome conversations with you about your child and how we can help them succeed at CA.

Our goal is to create worlds of opportunities for your child both now and in their future. Our commitment to your child is to help them know they belong and learn how to succeed. Our challenge to our entire CA team is to RISE UP and grow each and every day!

All the best from Columbia Academy where we all belong and together we rise up!

Principal Berkas

berkasd@colheights.k12.mn.us

763-528-4705

• Transportation questions or concerns? Call 763-528-4424
• Need to order order a CA uniform or case-it? Click here
• Need to sign up for ParentVue? Click here
• Need to complete the Educational Benefits form? Click here
• Want to sign your your child up for sports or Robotics? Click here
• Does your child have Meds or other health concerns? Please come to our front office.
• Is your child going to be absent from school? Call 763-528-4704
• Need to leave a message for your child or ask us a question? Call 763-528-4701 or 4703

All bussing questions should be directed to our Transportation Company. If your child qualifies for bussing, you will receive notification from the bus company. They will send you your child's bus number as well as the time and location of your child's pick-up spot and drop-off spot.

Please plan on transporting your child until you receive this information from the bus company. Here is the phone number to the bus company: 763-528-4424

In order to make sure everyone is safe during our busy drop-off and pick-up times, please follow these mandatory safety procedures:

Drop-Off

1. Be alert and drive with caution.
2. Do not drop off your child on 49th. This is extremely dangerous and you may be ticketed.
3. Do not drop off in the Walgreens parking lot or between CA and Valley View.
4. Do not sit and wait with your child in the CA drop-off lanes. Students must get out immediately so the next cars can pull up. Have your child join the other students waiting in front.
5. Do not drop off at the entrance to CA. Proceed forward before dropping off. Stopping at the entrance backs more cars up into 49th.

Pick-Up

1. Be alert and drive with caution.
2. Do not pick up your child on 49th. This is extremely dangerous and you may be ticketed.
3. Pull up as far as you can. This allows more cars in behind you and helps make it easier for you to exit onto 49th.
4. There are two lanes for stopping and a third for cars to exit. Please do not stop in the exit lane.
5. Do not pick up your child at the entrance to the CA parking area. This backs cars up onto 49th.
6. Do not pick up your child at Walgreens parking lot. We want to be good neighbors!

Walkers and Bussers

1. Students are required to use the walking bridge over Central and the cross-walks on 49th. Please emphasize this to your child.
2. Students should stay on the sidewalk on 49th in front of our building until they reach the new sidewalk that goes through the front lawn next to the CA electronic sign. This is the safest way for walkers reach the building from 49th.
3. Students who ride the bus are not allowed to go to Walgreens or cross 49th after getting off or before getting on their bus.

Please note that Walgreens does not allow CA students into their store immediately before or after school without a parent.

Columbia Academy has high expectations for our students because we believe in them! Here is a link to our school rules . Things to keep in mind include:

• Students must come in uniform. If they do not, they will need to wear a loaner.
• Phones and other electronic devices must be stowed in lockers the entire school day. This includes cell phones, smart watches, air pods, beats, and headphones.
• Students must be on time to class and follow teacher instructions.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

The main goal in our first two days of school is to make sure we support our new students as we welcome all students back to school. We will spend two full days of orientation for all students. Please assure your child that they will find lots of people to help them find their classrooms and their lockers, get breakfast and lunch, and find their bus at the end of the day.

Here is how our first day will go:

Doors will open at 8:05

All students will go to their STAR classroom first. This is where their day will begin. We will have lots of people to help them find their STAR classroom. Students will get their lunch number so they can eat breakfast and lunch.

Students will spend their entire first day of school with their advisor who will guide them through their schedule. The second day will be a practice day of finding classes and meeting all of their teachers. The third and fourth day will include getting students going with their computers and learning their classroom routines.

Students will get to know their STAR classmates through fun activities and have people they know at school from the very first day.

Our hallways will be full of people to help guide students from classroom to classroom the entire week. Encourage your child to ask for help if they need it. It is normal to need help finding classrooms and lockers. We will be there to support!

School will end at 3:15. 6th graders will be given extra time to get to their lockers and find their bus. Again, we will have lots of people available to help your child.

Our 8th grade WEB Leaders are easy to spot in their purple t-shirts. The WEB Leaders will be in the halls to greet students on Tuesday and show them how to find their classrooms. They will also give tours of the school and help students learn how to open their lockers. Throughout the school year they will also lead fun activities to help students build connections. Encourage your child to get to know our WEB leaders!

Did You Know?

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