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Columbia High School Newsletter

December 2023

Columbia High School Newsletter December 2023

Our Mission

The mission of Columbia High School is to utilize instruction to provide students with experiences that build on higher level thinking skills, accountable behavior, and self-disciplined social skills to become responsible citizens in a globally competitive society.

Our Vision

The vision of Columbia High School is to be a school of excellence preparing all students to live and compete productively in a globally competitive world.

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PRINCIPAL'S CORNER

Our first semester of school has been amazing! As the year draws to a close, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering dedication and hard work. Your resilience is inspiring.


May this festive season bring joy, peace and moments of reflection. Cherish the time with loved ones and return in the new year refreshed and ready for teaching and learning.


Wishing you all a very merry holiday season and a happy new year. School will resume for students on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Remember school hours are from 8:00 am to 3:10 pm.


One Team One Dream

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Assistant Principal Of Instruction

pammy_darden@dekalbschoolsga.org

678-874-0815

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Assistant Principal (9th Grade)

christopher_taylor@dekalbschoolsga.org

678-874-0821

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Assistant Principal (10th - 12th Grade)

rickey_l_wright@dekalbschoolsga.org

678-874-0820

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Important Dates

  • MAP Testing Window: Jan 8 - 12, 2024
  • Schedule Change Request 2nd Semester: Jan 3 - Jan 8
  • Access Testing: Jan 12
  • 9th - 11th grade Advisement : begins Jan. 22, 2024
  • MLK Holiday SCHOOLS CLOSED: Jan. 15
  • EOC Mid-Month: Jan 16 - 19, 2024
  • 1st 4.5 week grading period: Jan 29
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Instructional Spotlight

Your Columbia High School Marching Eagles have been selected to perform at the Celebration Bowl pregame Jamboree! This is a very high honor! It is in conjunction with Disney, ESPN and ABC.

Counselors Corner

New Year’s resolutions have gotten a bad rap. Maybe it’s because we almost never stick to the goals that we so eagerly set for ourselves. But, that doesn’t mean that we need to throw out goal setting entirely. Having goals can be a great way to help us stay focused and achieve the things that are important to us. Use the “fresh start” feeling that January brings to talk about goal setting with your students!


Activity Idea: Use this free SMART Goals lesson and booklet to help kids learn about what a SMART goal is and to create their own. The lesson is no-prep, and includes a 6-page booklet where students can identify their own goal and think about how each letter of the SMART acronym applies to it.


Try This: When talking about goals with students, try asking them about who they’d like to be, not just what they’d like to do. Ask them what positive characteristics they’d like to further develop, and then work together to come up with a plan.

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Locker/BookBag Policy 2024

Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, all bookbags (backpacks) must be clear or mesh. Students will carry their laptops in the school-issued, non-transparent laptop bag. Students participating in an extracurricular activity are permitted to carry non-transparent bags to store items pertaining to their particular activity (i.e. band, athletics, etc.). Upon entry into the school, all extracurricular activity bags must be stored in designated areas. All bags are subject to search. Additionally, the maximum size for non-transparent bags that students will be permitted to carry during the school day, such as lunch kits, pencil bags and purses, will be 6” x 9”.


LOCKERS WILL NOT BE ISSUED THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

PARENT PORTAL

Students and parents can keep track of their grades and attendance using the Infinite Campus parent and student accounts. Students can access their Infinite Campus account through the Clever application. Parents will need to download the Infinite Campus Parent Portal application to receive real-time grade and attendance notifications (Click here for instructions on creating your Parent Portal account). If you have any questions regarding setting up your parent portal, please visit https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/infinite-campus/.
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Digital Dreamers

Chromebooks were distributed in August to all qualifying students. Parents and Students must sign the Parent and Student Agreement form before a chromebook can be distributed. Please click here to sign the form online. Students in need of chromebook support should contact Ms. L. Moore in the counseling center.
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Attendance

As we begin our school year, we must remember that daily attendance will be an integral part of your child's success at CHS.


Upon returning to the traditional setting, School hours are from 8:10am-3:10pm. We ask parents to not drop off their child prior 7:30 am. Student check-in each day must be before 10:00 am and student check-out will end at 2:45 pm.


All students should be at school no later than 8:05 am to ensure that they get to class on time. Students arriving after 8:10am will need to report to the front office to receive a tardy pass with their parent.

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Dress Code

Shirts

1. With the exception of school approved logos, shirts may not have insignias, logos, labels, words, or pictures that are inappropriate.

2. Shirts must be appropriately sized without holes.

3. Undergarments may not be visible at any time.

4. No see-through or mesh clothing that will reveal the body or will reveal undergarments shall be allowed.

5. Clothing shall be worn appropriately (correctly sized; not inside- out or backwards; not rolled up pants legs, etc.).



Pants, Skirts, Skorts, Jumpers, Capri Length Pants, Shorts, Dresses

1. Bottoms must be free of holes and rips.

2. Shorts, skirts, skorts, and jumpers shall be modest and of sufficient length.

3. Clothing must be appropriately sized. No baggy or sagging pants or shorts are allowed. No “low rise” clothing is allowed. Pants must be worn with the waistband at or above the hipbone

5. Clothing shall be worn appropriately (not inside-out or backwards; no rolled up pants legs, etc.)

6. No see-through or mesh clothing that will reveal the body or will reveal undergarments shall be allowed.

7. Shoes should be secured at the ankle. No slides or house shoes are allowed.


HEAD GEAR*

  1. No Hat
  2. No Hoods
  3. No bonnets, scarfs*, bandannas

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Discipline

Columbia High School functions as a safe and orderly environment. We have high academic and behavior expectations for our students; therefore, they are held accountable for their actions and choices. Our administrative staff as well as our faculty are committed to being proactive in resolving issues to ensure that your child is receiving the best education we have to offer.



Please encourage your child to adhere to the DCSD Code of Conduct and to make good decisions daily.

Senior Class 2024 Updates

In November, we had two pop-up events scheduled. We had a waffle bar and hot drink bar on November 16th during 1st block. On November 17th, we had funnel cakes during all lunch waves. You had to be current on your senior dues to participate in the pop-ups ($164 paid). On Friday, December 15, 2024 we will have a holiday viewing party for those seniors who are academically eligible to participate.


Important take-aways

● To be current on senior dues, $164 should have been paid


Senior Checklist

● Check Naviance weekly for emails from the counseling team

● Schedule senior pictures with Cady Studios (home.cady.com)

● Purchase cap and gown from Herff Jones (Herffjones.com)

● Catch up on senior dues (if you are past due)


If you have any questions, please feel free to email Ms. Smith richanna_n_smith@dekalbschoolsga.org. You may also message me in Remind. I respond within 24 hours Monday through Friday. I do not respond during the weekend, but I will respond on Monday to all weekend emails and messages.

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