Return
to the Beginning
Columbia
School Song
Sung
to the tune of "Columbia Gem of the Ocean"
Columbia,
best in the city,
Home of the Cougars strong and brave,
We work, we play, and we study,
And we always do our best in every way.
Chorus:
So let's
cheer for Columbia School,
We're the Cougars, white and blue,
We are proud of ourselves and our school,
So let's cheer for the white and the blue.
We learn to look to the future,
As we go through day to day,
We will always be thankful to our teachers
For the help they gave us all along our way.
Repeat
Chorus.
Return
to the Beginning
School
Hours
Student
hours are:
8:00
a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Grades 1-5)
8:00 a.m. -10:45 a.m. (Kindergarten, morning session)
8:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. (Preschool, morning session)
11:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Preschool, afternoon session)
First
bell rings at 7:55 a.m. Students should
line up from the playground and be ready to enter the
building with their teacher and classmates. The
Tardy Bell rings at 8:00 a.m. Any
student arriving after the tardy bell rings must
check in through the office to receive a pass to class.
We ask
that no students be on school grounds until ten minutes
before school starts as there is no supervision before this
time. Students should enter the playground through
the gates in the front and side of the building. Do
not enter through the front doors of the school.
Students eating breakfast at school may enter the cafeteria
through the back doors after 7:45 a.m.
Students should be picked up
promptly at 2:30 p.m. (10:45 a.m. for morning preschool and
kindergarten) or at the designated time of dismissal for any
after school activities.
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to the Beginning
Entrance
Requirements
A
child entering kindergarten must be five years of age by October
1 of the school year of registration. Pupils
enrolling in a District Eleven school for the first time
will be required to submit birth certificates and proof
of immunization at the time of enrollment. It is recommended
that new pupils and those entering kindergarten, first and
fourth grades have a physical examination before the opening
of school. Physical examination forms are available in the
school office.
Return
to the Beginning
Columbia
Staff Telephone and E-mail Directory
Linda
Schlagenhauf , Principal and Columbia's Main Office 719-328-2700
Attendance
Line
719-328-2711 (answered 24/7)
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to the Beginning
Library
Books, Textbooks, School Supplies
Students can check out two pleasure book.
Upon the return of the book, students may check out
another book. Students
doing reports in class may check out an additional book for
research. Any
damaged or lost books must be paid for.
If a paid for book is returned undamaged, money will
be returned.
Textbooks are furnished by School District Eleven.
Students are responsible for payment of lost or
damaged textbooks.
School supplies needed by students will vary with
each individual teacher.
Students will receive a copy of the school supplies
needed for the next school year in their summer newsletter
edition. Supply
lists are also available in the school office.
Additional supplies may be needed during the school
year.
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to the Beginning
School
Attendance
The
Board of Education emphasizes the importance and value of
regular attendance for each student in order to benefit
from the school instructional program. Absence for any reason
affects both individual student progress and instruction
of the class as a whole. As a general rule, absences should
occur only as a result of illness or injury or doctor's
appointments that absolutely cannot be scheduled outside
of the school day. Legally excused absences are those recognized
in Colorado School Law and outlined in School District Eleven
Board Policy.
Legally
unexcused absences are those with or without parent consent
not recognized as excused under Colorado School Law. The
principal or designee will determine if absences are excused
or unexcused based upon Board Policy criteria.
The
Colorado School Attendance Law is compulsory. The law states,
"Every child who has attained the age of seven and is under
the age of sixteen shall attend public school for at least
1056 hours if a secondary school pupil or 968 hours if an
elementary school pupil during each school year."
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to the Beginning
Absences/Make
Up Work
If a student will be absent, please notify the
classroom teacher as far in advance as possible and call the
school office before the school day begins.
If no phone call is received beforehand, a written
excuse giving the date and reason for the absence is
required after any absence or tardy; otherwise, the absence
or tardy will be recorded as unexcused.
For excused absences, students will be responsible
for the timely make up of all work missed.
It is the
responsibility of the student and the parent to initiate a
request for make up work. Make up work shall reflect class assignments missed during
the absence. Columbia
School has established a reasonable period of time, which
shall be a minimum of one day for each day absent, within
which make up work must be completed after the student
returns to school. Required
course work not made up when missed may result in a lower
grade.
The procedure to be followed for a first and
second unexcused absence is as follows:
The student's parents will be notified by telephone
or letter, and the student will meet with a counselor,
teacher or administrator in an effort to change the
student's behavior. For
a third unexcused absence, an administrative conference with
parent and student will be held and disciplinary action may
be taken.
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to the Beginning
Tardiness
Tardiness
has the same impact as absenteeism. It is defined as loss
of instruction time. Classroom teachers will generally handle
excessive student tardiness with the following three-step
approach: (1) a warning, (2) a note to the parent, (3) makeup
time or other appropriate measures as determined by the
teacher with respect to individual student needs and differences.
Students with excessive tardiness (over three per quarter)
will be referred to the principal's office for further disciplinary
action.
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to the Beginning
Truancy
Truancy
is defined as any unexcused absence which occurs without
parental knowledge or consent. Repeated, extended, or continual
truancy from school may result in loss of credit, lowering
of grade, non-promotion, expulsion, or referral to Juvenile
Court.
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to the Beginning
Dismissal
During School Hours
No student may leave school grounds after arriving
during school hours without permission from the school
office. Parents
must check students both in and out through the office when
leaving early, arriving late, or returning from
appointments. Please
do not go directly to the classroom to take students out of
school.
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to the Beginning
Breakfast
and Lunch
The breakfast and hot lunch program is operated under
the Federal Lunch Program.
The cost is $0.95 per day for breakfast and school
lunches are available for $1.80 per day including milk.
They may be purchased by the day or by the week.
Payment made by check on Monday mornings is
preferred. Pre-payment
can be made at the school or www.d11.org/fns/prepay.htm
where a credit card may be used.
We would encourage younger children to bring their
money for breakfast, lunch or milk in an envelope with their
name, grade, and teacher listed on the front.
Credit will be given for breakfasts and lunches
missed because of absences.
Children who bring their lunch may purchase white
milk at school for $0.50 or chocolate milk for $0.55.
Children from families whose income is low may be
eligible for free or reduced rate for breakfasts and
lunches. To
apply at any time during the year, check with the school
office for an application form or to online to obtain an
application in English or Spanish at www.d11.org/fns/free_red_info.htm.
Only one application needs to be filled out for each
household.
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to the Beginning
School
Rules
Every
student at Columbia Elementary has a right to learn in an
atmosphere which is safe, conducive to the learning process,
and free from unnecessary disruption.
Each
teacher will set achievement and behavioral expectations
in a positive learning environment for the development of
self-disciplined, self-directed, independent learners. It
becomes the students' responsibility to meet or exceed these
expectations.
Substitute
teachers are guest teachers and are to be treated with the
same respect and helpfulness shown to any guest in the building.
It is especially necessary for students to be attentive,
cooperative, and hard working in class so that learning
can continue as indicated by the regular teacher.
Students
are expected to abide by school rules governing classroom,
hallway, rest room, lunchroom, playground, and school bus
behavior. Classroom rules vary from teacher to teacher.
Generally classroom rules are designed to maintain an orderly
classroom atmosphere which promotes concentration and learning.
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to the Beginning
School
Playground
SAFETY is number 1.
If it is not safe it is prohibited!
Playground gates will be locked from 8:15 a.m. –
2:15 p.m. Anyone
wanting to enter the building MUST enter through the front
doors and check in at the office!
1.
Students will be allowed to solve problems in ways
that do not create problems for someone else.
Fighting is prohibited and is a suspendable offense
for all involved.
2.
Any action that would be harmful to others including
throwing of stones, sand, or dirt; using equipment
improperly; tripping; chicken fighting; and tackle games
will not be allowed. (Touch
football is allowed.)
3.
All playground equipment is to be used properly.
Personal
sports equipment and toys should not be brought to school.
4.
Abusive language and disrespectful behavior will not
be allowed. Consequences
for rules violations should be expected.
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to the Beginning
Arrival
and Dismissal
It is essential that parents do not send or bring
their children to school before 7:50 a.m. each morning.
Supervision will not be provided until then.
During the winter, temperature and chill factor will
be monitored daily and signs (blue flag with snowflake)
posted on exterior walls if students are to come inside at
7:50 a.m.
Students should be dropped off on the school side of
St. Vrain or Institute.
Vehicles should not be left unattended in front of
the school. This
is a 10-minute drop off zone only.
There is a possibility of being ticketed if your car
remains longer than 10 minutes.
A No Parking zone is from the Handicap Zone west.
Students should be picked up promptly at 2:30 p.m. or
should be prepared to walk home at that time unless they are
involved in special activities.
School District Eleven Policy permits schools to keep
students a maximum of twenty minutes after school without
contacting parents. If a child is kept longer, parents will be notified.
Return
to the Beginning
Student
Medication and Health Information
Medications are rarely necessary for students during
the school day. They
are justified in some chronic health conditions or
short-term acute health conditions.
If possible, medication should be given at home.
It is the policy of School District Eleven that
medication can be given in the school with a signed blue
medication form from the doctor and parent.
The forms are available in the school office. The medication must be brought to school in a container
appropriately labeled by the pharmacy or doctor. This policy is for over-the-counter medications
(antihistamines, aspirins, cough drops, and inhalers, etc.)
and prescription drugs.
All medications are kept locked in our office, and
the child should remember to come to the school office at
the time specified to take the medicine.
Please send the dosage for the day, week, or month
only so that your child does not need to transport the
medication back and forth to school daily.
NO MEDICATION
IS TO BE SENT TO SCHOOL IN A CHILD'S LUNCH BOX, BACKPACK,
COAT POCKET, PLACED IN THEIR DESK, ETC.
Immunization
Information see Nurses Notes in
Parent Place
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to the Beginning
Emergency
Care
When
a child suffers any injury or illness while in school, an
immediate and continuing effort will be made to contact
the parents. In case of serious illness first aid will be
rendered in accordance with local school policies and the
911 system will be called.
Please
inform the school of any health concern or restrictions
your child may have. We need current phone numbers for parents
and emergency contacts to assist your child for health concerns.
Return
to the Beginning
Outdoor
Recess
Recess
is scheduled as part of the regular school day.
This time serves as a break for students and teachers
who are not scheduled for duty.
As a general rule, if your child is too ill to
participate in recess, he/she should be kept at home.
A signed note from the parent is required for
students to stay inside.
A doctor's certificate will be required of any child
staying in for an extended period of time.
The number of days must be specified.
Return
to the Beginning
Communications
Feel
free to contact your child's teacher or the principal with
any questions or concerns you might have. As a rule, deal
with the person most directly involved first. If your child
is having a problem, start with the teacher. This is the
person most familiar with your child. See the principal
when it is a general school problem. He/she is the most informed
in this area.
Return
to the Beginning
Reporting
to Parents
Report
cards are sent home at the end of each quarter/semester.
Parent-Teacher conferences are also scheduled during the
year. If you have questions about your child's progress
at any time, please contact the office at 328-2700 to set
up an appointment with your child's teacher or to leave
a message for a particular teacher to return your call.
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to the Beginning
Newsletters
and Notices
A
newsletter is sent home at the beginning of the school year
and again monthly afterwards. Newsletters and other
information will be sent home each Friday with your student.
Please stress to your child/children the importance
of getting these items home to you.
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to the Beginning
School
Visits
You
are always welcome and encouraged to visit any time.
We ask that you check in at the office when you
arrive.
In order to get the most from your visit, contact the
teacher and make arrangements as to the best day and time
for your visit.
If you wish a conference with your child's teacher,
feel free to make an appointment with that teacher through
the school office.
Playground gates will be
locked from 8:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Anyone wanting to enter the building MUST enter
through the front door AND check in at the office.
Return
to the Beginning
Parent
Teacher Community Organization (PTCO)
Columbia
has an active PTCO that involves many parents supporting
school activities.
The Columbia PTCO strives to benefit all our children
by providing volunteer assistance, support/resources for
instructional programs, health/safety protection at school
and in the neighborhood.
Additionally, the PTCO supports enrichment activities
for students, organizes the school volunteer programs, and
makes special purchases to enhance our facilities.
Three General Membership Meetings are held during the
year to select officers, approve the annual budget, and to
present reports on PTCO activities.
In addition, the PTCO Board meets monthly to transact
necessary business.
Specific meeting dates and times are published in the
monthly school newsletter.
ALL interested parents are encouraged to attend the
meetings.
Please consider donating some of your energy, time
and talent to our school by becoming active in the Columbia
PTCO.
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to the Beginning
Volunteers
Many
give some of their time to work at school.
It does not matter how much time you can give--your
help in needed throughout the year!
If you can help, please complete the sign-up sheet
sent home at the beginning of the year, contact your child's
teacher, or write your name on a Volunteer sign-up sheet in
the office.
Please complete two volunteer cards, one for PTCO and
one for the administration office.
Return
to the Beginning
Emergency
Closing of School for Inclement Weather During the School
Day
Following
is a summary of the School District Eleven inclement weather
procedure:
School
District personnel will notify the media by 5:30 a.m.
whether or not schools will be closed.
If weather conditions necessitate closing schools
after students are already in school, the media will be
notified by 11:00 a.m.
If schools are closed early, bused students will be
released two hours early and non-bused students will be
dismissed at noon.
Keep
buildings open as long as necessary to release all students
safely. If any
early dismissal occurs, afternoon Kindergarten, afternoon
activities and evening events will be canceled.
Parents
are asked to use their own discretion during storms to
decide whether or not to send their children to school.
No student will be penalized if parents keep them
home on questionable snowstorm days and call in the absence
as such..
Parents
should listen for announcements of school closings and make
sure their children know what to do if they are dismissed
early. If is
important that prior arrangements be made because often
school telephones are overloaded during storms.
For
your child's safety, please complete and return the Early
Dismissal Plan form, which will be sent home the first day
of school. We will keep a copy of these instructions in the school
office. Be
specific about your instruction--for example, you do not
want your child to walk home, or only ride with a specific
neighbor, or only be picked up by a parent.
We cannot accept a plan which would require students
to use the school phone.
Parents are responsible for updating these plans as
family information and/or circumstances change.
Also, parents should periodically remind their
children of early dismissal instructions.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Please call us at 328-2700 if you have any questions.
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to the Beginning
Delayed
Start for Inclement Weather
School
District Eleven has reinstated a 2-hour delayed start which
may be used on bad weather days.
On bad weather days, be sure to listen to major local
radio stations for information on school delays.
Buses will run two hours late.
As usual, we ask that no students be on school
grounds until ten minutes before school starts as there is
no supervision before this time.
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to the Beginning
Telephone
Usage
The
school telephone is a business phone. Student use is limited
to emergencies and students must receive permission from
a teacher to use the phone. Please help by seeing that your
child has homework, books, supplies and has made after school
plans before leaving for school.
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to the Beginning
School
Insurance
School
District Eleven has liability insurance for accidents ONLY
if the school is found to be negligent. If you do not have
family insurance, or would like additional insurance for
your child, a voluntary insurance program is offered as
a service to pupils and parents in District Eleven. If you
do not receive an insurance form during the first week of
school, please contact the school office.
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to the Beginning
Student
Dress
It is
required that parents and school personnel have a common
interest in the educational, physical and moral development
of students. Student dress and appearance along with student
conduct have a definite influence on class discipline and
achievement. The manner in which a student dresses and grooms
himself/herself has an important effect on his/her feelings
concerning himself/herself and his/her school.
Students
should exercise good judgment in their choice of clothes
for everyday school wear. When in the school during school
hours, students shall be appropriately attired and groomed
for the classroom. Dress, appearance and behavior for special
occasions and activities under the jurisdiction of the school
shall be appropriate for these occasions.
Coaches
and sponsors of extracurricular activities are granted authority
to establish more stringent rules regarding dress and appearance
for students participating in such activities. Such additional
rules shall not be inconsistent with requirements of the
activity and shall require approval of the principal.
The
application of this policy shall recognize the right of
the individual student in dress and appearance restricted
on the basis of health, safety, interference with work or
contribution to disorder in the school or classroom.
The
exercise of his/her right shall not adversely affect the
health or safety of another or the right of another to work
or study without interference nor shall it create or promote
disorder in the school or classroom. Further, student dress
or appearance which is considered by school officials to
be vulgar, lewd, obscene, indecent, or plainly offensive
shall not be allowed, in or on district vehicles, regardless
of whether the dress or appearance causes a substantial
disruption.
Any
student who comes to school without proper attention having
been given to personal cleanliness, dress or appearance
may be sent home to be properly prepared for school or shall
be required to prepare himself/herself for the classroom
before entering.
Students will
not wear the following during regular school hours.
Running or athletic
shorts
- Muscle shirts as outerwear
- Sunglasses or hats
- Cut-offs
- Halters as outerwear
- Rubber shoe thongs
- Bedroom slippers
- Spandex or similar tight
outfits as outerwear
- Outfits that
inappropriately bare or expose traditionally private
parts of a body including, but not limited to, stomach,
buttocks, back and breasts
- Sagging or backless
clothes
- Clothes, paraphernalia,
jewelry or body adornment that contain advertisements,
symbols, words, slogans, patches or pictures that are
sexually suggestive, gang-, drug-, or alcohol related;
obscene, profane, promote hate or are disruptive or
potentially disruptive to the learning environment.
NOTE: Principals
and/or designee may authorize exceptions from the above
dress restrictions for specially-designated days, health
reasons or for school-sponsored learning activities.
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to the Beginning
Valuables
Parents
are urged to see that children do not wear valuable jewelry,
bring large amounts of cash, or other costly items to school.
School personnel cannot be responsible for loss or damage
to items of this nature.
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to the Beginning
Lost
and Found
Please
clearly label all items of clothing, lunch boxes, and school
supplies. Lost and found is located in the office. Articles
are stored in the two benches located on either side of
the walls.
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to the Beginning
Field
Trips
Written
permission from the parent is required in order for a child
to be allowed to go on school-sponsored field trips. When
your child brings home a request for permission to go on
a field trip, please see that he/she returns it promptly
to the teacher.
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to the Beginning
Child
Abuse and Neglect
School
personnel are required by Colorado State Law to report any
suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the Department
of Social Services.
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to the Beginning
Bicycles
A
bike rack is available on the west side located by the front
gate.
Students must provide their own bike locks. As
a safety precaution, bicycles, scooters and skateboards may
not be ridden on school grounds during the school day.
A Bicycle Permit must be obtained in the office.
This permit is available for third grade students and
above.
A helmet is suggested for your students safety.
Please complete, sign and return the form to the
school.
It will be kept on file in the office
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to the Beginning
Pets
Pets
may be brought to school only with prior approval of the
homeroom teacher. A parent must accompany any pet brought
to school. Pets are not to be taken on any field trip.
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to the Beginning
Sexual
Harassment
Sexual
harassment is recognized as a form of sex discrimination
and thus a violation of the laws which prohibit sex discrimination.
A learning
and working environment that is free from sexual harassment
shall be maintained. It shall be a violation of policy for
any employee or student of the district to harass another
employee or student through conduct or communications of
a sexual nature.
Sexual
harassment may include but is not limited to:
