Superintendent's Message

 

 

The season of Thanksgiving is here and I want to begin by thanking our students, staff, and community for an amazing start to the 2022-23 school year. It’s been so great to start the year and return to all the wonderful school events of the past. While it feels like yesterday was just the first day of school, Friday, November 4th marks the end of the first quarter and that means that we are already 25% of the way through the school year. Time flies when students are learning! With the end of first quarter in sight, here are a few other items you may want to consider over the next month.

In the month of November, students will have an early release day on Friday, November 4th for teacher grading preparation. Don’t forget that Tuesday, November 8th is the General Election date. Remember to vote in this year’s election! Ballots may be returned via mail or a county elections drop box. Did you know that there is a ballot drop box right in front of Columbia Elementary School? Ballots must be postmarked by 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 8th. Columbia School District has a 4 year Capital Levy proposition on the ballot. If approved, the proposed Capital Levy will be used to pay for districtwide safety, security, and infrastructure improvements. To learn more about the Capital Levy, please visit the CSD website at https://www.csd400.org/apps/pages/Levy2022 or Columbia School
District #400 Facebook page.

Friday, November 11th there will be no school as Columbia School District will celebrate Veterans Day. On this day, we honor and recognize the service and sacrifice of the men and women of our armed forces, those serving both past and present. Thank you for protecting our country’s citizens both home and abroad. We thank you for your steadfast commitment to protecting our freedom.

Parents, just a reminder that Fall Conferences are November 16th-18th at Columbia Elementary and Middle School. This is an important time to partner with your child(ren)’s teacher to learn more about the academic and social development of your child. Please make sure to set a time to meet with your student's teacher later this month. We look forward to seeing you here!

•Nov. 16th - Columbia Elementary School Conferences - Early Release @ 11:10 am
•Nov. 17th - Elementary & Middle School Conferences - No School
•Nov. 18th - Elementary & Middle School Conferences - No School

 

During the pandemic, we heard from parents that they had a difficult time getting into their health care provider to update their child’s required school immunizations. Columbia School District has set up an opportunity for parents and students during conference week to get their immunizations up to date. No insurance is required! You can find more information within this month’s newsletter regarding the November 16th immunization event. Dinner will be provided plus a chance to win several gift cards. CSD would like to thank the Walla Walla County Health Department, Health Commons Project, and ESD 123 for their support of this community event.

 

Finally, there will be an early release on Wednesday, November 23rd for Thanksgiving and no school on November 24th and 25th. It has been an amazing start to the school year and we have so much to be thankful for. Over the next month, no matter what your holiday celebrations look like, please take a moment to give thanks and encourage those around you.

 

 

Sincerely,

Todd Hilberg, Superintendent