Email: promote@columbus.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.columbus.k12.wi.us/
Location: 200 West School Street, Columbus, WI, USA
Phone: (920) 623-5950
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusWisconsin/

Instagram: columbusschooldistrict

I am excited for the opportunity to engage with you in our District Newsletter. As background for any new reader, I utilize this section of the newsletter to share district-level information. Parents of our students serve as the primary intended audience. We noticed that the newsletter continued to receive a consistent number of views throughout the 2023-2024 school year. We hope that it is informative and engaging enough for you to continue to read. I will admit that some of our staff joke that the majority of readers are clicking on the Lunch Menu versus my section, though.

Schools are unique in the fact that there are concrete cycles. Each year for students is defined by a firm start and end date. I am proud of this year's start with our wonderful students, staff, and stakeholders. We are optimistic that we have even more to come. However, my primary focus today is to share some district-level work that we completed after the end of last year during the summer months. That is a time of the year that we get a good amount of our planning work completed.

This summer we completed the process of updating the vision and mission statements. As I have mentioned before, vision and mission statements can be wide-spanning. They are hopefully meaningful, too. We look at our mission statement as a way of defining our purpose and why we exist. The vision statement helps define what we aspire to be, on the simplest level, if we are living out our mission. Below we present to you our updated vision and mission statements.

Vision Statement: Columbus School District will empower minds, inspire growth, and be a great place to learn and work.

Mission Statement: The mission of the Columbus School District is to ensure each student is prepared for future success.

In addition, we defined five strategic dimensions to help us focus. The idea is that success in each of the strategic dimensions will help us achieve our mission (and hopefully eventually our vision). Our five strategic dimensions are the following:

Student Care

Student Challenge

Student Commitment

Community & Staff Engagement

Sustainable Finances and Infrastructure

I concede that competing with the lunch menu might be an uphill battle. Additionally, a new mission and vision might not move the needle for everyone. We believe that they will be meaningful and impactful. In the event you see this information in the buildings or distributed material, the hope is that this newsletter provides you the foundational knowledge behind it. Go Cards!

Jake Flood

Superintendent

Columbus School District

Once again we have rolled out another issue of "Charlie's News" for the 2024-2025 school year. We started "Charlie's News" to enlighten the community about the district. Based on stakeholder feedback, we continue to put an emphasis on increasing our external communication. Charlie’s News was intended to take our stakeholders on a journey through various aspects of the district's operations, student achievements, and initiatives. If you have not had a chance to check it out, please feel free to click on the link. Our intention is to create this publication annually. We hope that you enjoy it!

Families of students who ride the bus, GO Riteway is offering an app called "Here Comes the Bus" to get real time updates on buses and your children's location for pickup/drop off. Please use the attached directions to install this app. Contact GO Riteway with any questions Columbus@goriteway.com or 608-655-3862.

We wanted to inform you of some updates regarding our administrative processes. To streamline our operations and save time, we have successfully converted our volunteer background check form into an electronic version. This means you can now fill them out conveniently online. If you intend to volunteer in the district this school year please click the link below to complete this form.

Are you looking for ways to help in our community? Consider donating to the Columbus School Nutrition Angel Fund.

The funds will be used to help families receive nutritious meals through the School Nutrition Program.

It’s easy to do. You can send or drop-off your donation to the District Office or any school office. Make checks payable to Columbus School District. In the Memo write Angel Funds.

Columbus School District Office, 200 W School Street, Columbus, WI 53925

If you wish to donate electronically please click the link.

For more information, please contact the district office 920-623-5950

If you or a family member are looking for help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can help you quickly find treatment options matched to your needs regardless of the circumstance. Care Solace is a complementary and confidential service provided to students, staff, and their families by Columbus School District. Care Solace's team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in your language. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:

• Call 1 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365
• Visit www.caresolace.com/columbus and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

See attached flyer English

See Family letter English

See attached flyer Spanish

See Family letter Spanish

In an effort to keep local voters informed on educational issues, the Legislative Committee

reached out to legislators/candidates who have constituents within our school district with

questions that impact our students and staff members. The committee received responses from Sen. Joan Ballweg (Senate incumbent, 14th District), Sarah Keyeski (Senate candidate, 14th District), Maureen McCarville (Assembly Candidate, 42nd District), Lisa Rubrich (Assembly Candidate, 48th District) and Latoya Bates (Assembly Candidate, 37th District). The following statements are from the candidates themselves and have not been edited by the committee. To register to vote, view what is on your ballot, your candidates and more visit: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/

We are hiring! Please click the links below to redirect you to the job postings.

Certified Staff Positions Available - WECAN

Support Staff Positions Available -WECAN

Support Staff Positions Available - Indeed