Columbia Central Weekly Bulletin

Greetings Parents and Guardians,

Please take note of events happening this week at Columbia.

We are proud of our Columbia Central students that participated in the Steger School District 194 Spelling Bee on Friday, December 15. Pictured below are Joey Spada and Zoralei Simon. Zoralea finished with a first place win and will be moving on to the next round. We will keep you posted.

We have Dough Not miss Friday this coming Friday, where students that come to school this day have an opportunity to sample our fabulous dough nuts displayed in the front office. It is also Candy Cane Day on Friday, where all students with no referrals from December 12 through December 21 will receive a candy cane. Given we have an early dismissal on Friday as well, we hope to see your child here at Columbia as we close out the week and get ready for the upcoming break.

On behalf of the Columbia School staff, we wish you you and your family an excellent Winter Break. I hope you find time to spend with your family and loved ones during this time. There will be no school from December 23, 2023 through January 7, 2024. School resumes Monday, January 8, 2024.

Let's make it a great week!

Dr. Steve Carnes

Columbia Principal

Events for the Week

Monday, Dec. 18

• Holiday Pajama Day
• Musical Practice -> 2:30p.m. - 4:00p.m.

• S.T.E.M After School -> 2:40p.m. - 3:40p.m.
• After School Homework Help -> 2:40p.m. - 3:40p.m.
• 7th & 8th Grade Boys Basketball Practice -> 2:30p.m. - 4:30p.m.
• Momence Math Competition Team Practice -> 2:45p.m. - 3:45p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 19

• Holiday Hat Day
• Jazz Band -> 7:00a.m. - 7:40 a.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 20

• Flannel Day
• Musical Practice -> 2:30p.m. - 4:00p.m.
• Boys Volleyball Tryouts -> 2:40p.m.
• Momence Math Competition Team Practice -> 2:45p.m. - 3:45p.m.
• 7th & 8th Grade Boys Basketball Practice -> 2:30p.m. - 4:30p.m.
• Band Field Trip
• 5th Grade Movie Day

Thursday, Dec. 21

• Ugly Sweater/Holiday apparel
• Jazz Band -> 7:00a.m. - 7:40a.m.
• Musical Practice -> 2:30p.m. - 4:00p.m.
• Boys Volleyball Tryouts -> 2:40p.m.
• S.T.E.M After School -> 2:40p.m. - 3:40p.m.
• After School Homework Help -> 2:40p.m. - 3:40p.m.
• 7th & 8th Grade Boys Basketball Practice -> 2:30p.m. - 4:30p.m.

Friday, Dec. 22

• Holiday Bling Wear Things that Light up or Sparkle
• Candy Cane Day for Students with No Referrals
• Dismissal -> 11:00a.m.

Upcoming Events

• December 22 - School Improvement Day - Early Dismissal @ 11a.m.
• December 25-January 7 - Winter Break
• January 8 - School Resumes

This year, Columbia Central will have yearbooks available for families to purchase showcasing the 2023-2024 school year. They are only $20!! You can pay with cash or order online. It is super easy and the steps are below. All yearbooks will be passed out in May. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Fluga, lfluga@sd194.org.

Steps to order online:

1. Go to ybpay.com

2. Type in Yearbook Code: 15192524

3. Type in your student’s first/last name and grade

4. Then you will continue on to payment

If your student will not be present at school, please call our attendance line: 708-753-4700 Ext. 1

Dear Parents,

In this week’s Second Step lesson, your child will practice identifying things that a person can or cannot change in a recurring situation that causes them to feel a strong emotion. They will focus on what they can change, then recommend something a person could think or do differently to manage their reactions in the future. Your child will learn three “upstander strategies” for responding to bullying. They will practice analyzing different bullying situations and choosing an upstander strategy they think would work best for each situation. They will learn how to recognize gender-based harassment, which is when people are bothered, teased, or bullied because of their gender or because they look, act, or have interests that are different from male and female stereotypes.

Try This at Home

Ask your child if anything is coming up at school that makes them feel a strong emotion, like nervousness, frustration, or stress. Ask them what they could think or do differently to make the situation easier to handle. Consider reminding your child that it is vital that they tell you if they experience gender-based harassment.

Is your child struggling with homework/missing assignments?

Here's how we can help:

• Students can attend after school homework help on:

Mondays and Thursdays from 2:40 p.m. - 3:40 p.m.

• Doors open for breakfast at 7:30 a.m.
• School starts at 7:50 a.m.
• Attendance is a priority for students and staff.
• If your child is out sick, please call 708-753-4700 press 1 for Attendance.
• Please remind your student to be on time to each class.
• Please remind your child to sign up for the activity bus on their Google Classroom daily.

If your student is showing any flu or COVID-like symptoms, please keep them home from school and notify the nurse. Students should be kept home if he/she has:

1. Fever more than 100 degrees within the last 24 hours (must be fever free without medications)
2. Vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours.
3. Continuous coughing not relieved with cough medicine.

In case of an emergency, please ensure that you are updating the emergency contact numbers.

If your child has allergies, asthma, or will be needing to take medication(s) at school, please print off the necessary forms under the ‘Parent Resource’ tab.

Columbia Central Middle School

Email: Scarnes@sd194.org
Website: https://columbia-central-school.echalksites.com/home_page
Location: 94 W Richton Rd, Steger, IL, USA
Phone: 708-753-4700