Columbia Heights High School Senior, Hiedi Lee, wrote a piece for the CHHS student school newspaper, the Heights Herald, which has been published on "Best of SNO". SNO is School Newspapers Online, which is the largest student journalism publication service in the country. Lee's feature story is titled "Scholastic Journalists Deserve Consideration Equal to Professionals".
CHPS is currently accepting nominations for the 2024-2025 Employee of the Year! Nominations will be accepted through 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17th.
Selection Criteria:
- Demonstrates a strong work ethic
- Serves as a positive role model for students and staff
- Extends oneself beyond the basics by displaying initiative and creativity
- Contributes significantly to improving the work site or school district
- Demonstrates courage or exemplary performance in an emergency situation or under unusual difficulties
- Demonstrates Hylander Pride by displaying constant care for students and the community
Eligibility Requirements for Nominators
- Anyone may nominate an employee for Employee of the Year (student, parent, CHPS staff, community member, etc...)
- Self-Nominations are not accepted
- Unlimited nominations per nominator are accepted
Eligibility Requirements for Nominees
- Current employee of CHPS when nomination is submitted and the Employee of the Year announcement is made
- Has worked at least three full years in the district (no FTE requirement)
- Has not been named Employee of the Year before by CHPS
Columbia Heights High School's Financial Aid Night has officially been rescheduled for Wednesday, January 22, 2025, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
This event is only for CHHS Seniors!
The event had to be pushed back for a second year in a row due to rollout delays of the new, 25-26 FAFSA and MN Dream Act forms.
Please reach out to Ms. Trnjanin or to Mr. Prellwitz if you have any questions!
Every Moment Matters - Why Regular School Attendance is Important.
Students who are frequently absent from school have lower grades and standardized test scores, and are more likely to drop out of high school. Those who do not graduate high school are more likely to have difficulty obtaining a job, have lower-quality health, and are more likely to have involvement in the criminal justice system.
MYTHS ABOUT CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM:
- Myth: Absences are only a problem if they are unexcused.
- Fact: Missing school affects student learning, no matter the reason for the absence.
- Myth: Sporadic absences aren't a problem.
- Fact: Important information is taught every day in school, so students may miss learning essential information at any time.
- Myth: Attendance only matters in older grades.
- Fact: Missing out on learning foundational information in Younges grades can have a compounding negative effect on learning in future years.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- Schedule appointments before or after school, or on days when school is not in session.
- Schedule vacations during the summer or during other breaks in school.
- Develop regular family habits to get your child to school on time.
With winter illness on the rise, here are some reminders of the health policies/guidelines we have in place to prevent the spread of illness and keep our students healthy.
When to keep your children home from school:
- Fever over 100 degrees F or higher
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Rash of unknown origin that has not been assessed by a provider
- Drainage from the eye(s) that is yellow/green in color
- A positive Covid, Strep throat, or Influenza test result
- Uncontrolled cough/respiratory symptoms
When your student may return to school:
- When they have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications (ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
- When they have been free from vomiting/diarrhea without medication for 24 hours
Please keep your children home when they present with the symptoms listed above and call their school's attendance line each day they are absent. When calling the attendance line, please:
- Say and spell your child’s name and state what classroom/grade they are in, the reason they are staying home, and your phone number.
- If they have tested positive for an illness (for example: Influenza, Covid, Strep Throat, Chicken pox, Measles, etc.)
- Has Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI): a fever of 100.0 degrees F or greater and a sore throat or cough
- Has Measles symptoms = Rash AND Fever AND one of these: Cough OR runny nose OR discharge from eyes
If your child has not yet gotten the Influenza vaccine or Covid booster, please call their provider to discuss. These vaccines are not required by the State of Minnesota, but these immunizations help to reduce the spread and severity of illness in our schools and community. Thank you so much for your cooperation in keeping your student healthy! If you have any health or attendance related questions, please call your school’s health office or the District Nurse and we will assist you.
Keturah Spriggs, RN, PHN, LSN - District Nurse for CHPS
Email spriggsk@colheights.k12.mn.us or Call (763) 528-4580
It is a common misconception that cold weather causes illness. While illnesses occur more often in the colder months, this is due to the spread of viruses, not the temperature outside. Spending more time indoors in the winter months means spending more time with germs and bacteria being cycled through the building’s air system. Playing outside in the winter allows time for the body to breathe in fresh air, which can help lower the risk of illness.
It is recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of daily exercise, which can include playing outside. As long as children are dressed appropriately, it is safe and beneficial for their health and well-being to be outside.
Some tips to help prevent and manage childhood illnesses during the winter:
- Dress appropriately - it is important to ensure your child is wearing enough clothing when playing outside in the winter time. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, then insulating layers, then finish with a weather resistant outer shell/coat. Children should also wear a hat and gloves.
- Wash hands - teach and encourage children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, washing for at least 20 seconds.
- Get vaccinated - the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ages six months and older get the yearly flu and Covid-19 vaccine.
- Eat well and stay hydrated
- Get enough rest
- Stay home when sick to prevent spreading germs.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Keturah Spriggs, District Nurse for Columbia Heights Public Schools at spriggsk@colheights.k12.mn.us or at 763-528-4580.
Registration for CHPS PreK 4 for next school year (2025-2026) will begin on Monday, January 6. For many years the PreK 4 program has used Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten state funding to provide this program for free to all students. The Minnesota Department of Education has a new requirement for next year that students must qualify for the free Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten spots in the program and that the program will be fee-based for non-qualifying students.
Qualifications include:
- Qualifies for free or reduced-priced meals.
- Qualifies using state general financial eligibility requirements listed in MN State Statute.
- Is an English language learner.
- Is an American Indian.
- Has experienced homelessness in the last 24 months.
- Is identified through health and developmental screening with a potential risk factor that may influence learning.
- Is in foster care, kinship care, or is in need of child protection services.
- Has a parent who is a migrant or seasonal agricultural laborer.
- Has a parent who is incarcerated.
- Is defined as at risk by the school district.
Families will indicate if their student meets one of the qualifications when they fill out enrollment material or if they will be enrolling through the fee-based registration. The fee amount will be finalized by the end of January pending Board of Education approval.
For any questions, please contact the CHPS Placement Center at SaavedraL@colheights.k12.mn.us or call 763-528-4426
Girls Flag Football is coming to Columbia Academy! - In partnership with the Minnesota Vikings, Columbia Academy is excited to start a Girls Flag Football program at CA this year!
- There will be an interest meeting about flag football on Tuesday, December 17th in the CA Gym from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Come to learn about flag football!
- Snacks provided!
- Open to all CA girls interested in flag football!
Adventure Club - Kindergarten-Grade 5
Adventure Club programming facilitates a variety of activities to promote learning beyond the classroom including arts & crafts, guided group time, themed activities, dramatic play, cooking, games, outdoor play, science and more!
Hours, Dates, Locations & Fees:
2:20-6:00 p.m. on Regular School Days | 6:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. on Non-School Days
Programming is available for Highland, NPSfI and Valley View students. Open most school vacations and non-school days.
- Registration Fee: $25
- After School: $22.50
- Non-School Day: $50.50
- Drop-In: $26
Learn more about Adventure Club Here, or call 763-528-4517.
Mini Adventures - 36 Months-5 Years Old
Mini Adventures is a four-star Parent Aware child care program for children 36 months to 5 years old. In Mini Adventures, your child will participate in a variety of activities including mathematics, guided group time, literacy, dramatic play, music, games, outdoor play, arts & crafts, movement and more! Early Childhood Screening is required for all participants. Independent toileeting is required for children before participating.
Hours, Dates, Location & Fees:
6:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m., weekdays, year-round at the CHPS Family Center.
- 5 Day Fee: $323
- 4 Day Fee: $273
- 3 Day Fee: $215
- 2 Day Fee: $152
- 1 Day Fee: $77
Learn more about Mini Adventures Here, or call 763-528-4517
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.
There are full-time and part-time positions open on the CHPS Employment Website!
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!
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