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Little Eagles

Columbia Elementary School (PK-2)

Little EaglesColumbia Elementary School (PK-2)

December 2025

Mr. Jackson, CES Principal.. Derek.Jackson@myeagles.org

Mrs. Wilding, CES Secretary.. Joelle.Wilding@myeagles.org

Mrs. Phelps, CES Counselor.. Ashley.Phelps@myeagles.org

Mrs. Vlcek, Nurse.. Lyza.Vlcek@myeagles.org

Mrs. McLaury, Child Care & Preschool Director.. Terri.McLaury@myeagles.org

Meet Columbia Elementary School Staff
Please Click Here For CES Staff Contact Information
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A Peek Ahead

Wednesday, November 26th

Thanksgiving Break! No School!

Thursday, November 27th

Thanksgiving Break! No School!

Friday, November 28th

Thanksgiving Break! No School!

Monday, December 1st

GSRP Conferences No School

Tuesday, December 2nd

Good News Club 3:00-4:15 p.m

GSRP Conferences No School

Wednesday, December 3rd

Comfy Cozy Day!

Credit Union

Thursday, December 4th

Smiles on Wheels

PTO Meeting @ CUES Library 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Friday, December 5th

CES Cares Food Drive Begins!

Bible Release 8:15-9:30 a.m.

Monday, December 8th

2nd Grade Musical Rehearsal 1:50-2:30 p.m.

School Board Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 10th

2nd Grade Musical Rehearsal 1:50-2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 9th

2nd Grade Musical Rehearsal 1:50-2:30 p.m.

Good News Club 3:00-4:15 p.m

Thursday, December 11th

2nd Grade Musical 6:00 p.m. CUES gym

GSRP Holiday Celebration 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Friday, December 12th

Popcorn Friday!

Monday, December 15th

Mad About Plaid! Wear your favorite plaid flannel shirt, sweater or sweatshirt!

Tuesday, December 16th

Wear your favorite holiday hat!

Student of the Month 10:30 a.m.

Good News Club 3:00-4:15 p.m

Wednesday, December 17th

Wear your holiday socks!

Credit Union

Thursday, December 18th

Wear your favorite holiday pj's!

Friday, December 19th

Wear a holiday sweater or shirt!

Half Day 7:55 a.m.-11:20 a.m.

Monday, December 22nd-Friday, January 2nd

No School Winter Break!



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Smiles for Miles

What do you call Santa when he takes a break?

*Santa Pause!


What do gingerbread men use when they break their legs?

*Candy Canes!

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COMFY COZY DAY

Comfy Cozy Day is the first Wednesday of the month!

Friday is Blue and Gold Day!

Show your school spirit and wear your blue and gold Little Eagle spirit wear!

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Important Transportation Information

Please note that all bus changes need to go through the transporation department this school year. For example, if your child is riding a bus with a friend, etc. The phone number is 517.592.6449. This needs to be approved at least 24 hours in advance. Your cooperation is appreciated!

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Breakfast and School Arrival Time

Breakfast and lunch will be free for all students this year! Students may enter the building at 7:40 a.m. for breakfast and they will eat in the cafeteria. Students not eating breakfast can enter the building at 7:50 a.m. School starts at 7:55 a.m and ends at 2:55 p.m. Half days are 7:55-11:20 a.m.
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School Breakfast and Lunch Information

We are excited to share that free breakfast and lunch will continue for the 2025-2026 school year! We still encourage families to complete a free and reduced lunch application. It may help families qualify for other programs.

My School Menus

launch myschoolmenus.com

Popcorn Fridays are coming back to CES!

We cannot do it without your help! Check out the signup below.


https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A8A72DA6FAC16-57740304-20252026

Youth Savings Program at TRUE

For information on our Student-Run Credit Union, click the link below:


https://www.trueccu.com/accounts/personal-savings/youth-savings.html

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Click for the CES Behavior Rubric
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Mr. Jackson
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Principal's Corner

Hello Little Eagle Families:


As the song goes, "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" CES was bursting with fun and engaging activities this last month! Thank you for all of your support, donations, and help you gave to our classrooms to make every day extra special for our Little Eagles.


I know the Holidays can be a stressful time for families, especially when your students are young. I hope that you will keep it simple, spend lots of time just relaxing with your Little Eagles. Remember: your children will remember most the time you spent making memories with them. It doesn't have to cost money to make memories...see below for some low-cost activities you can do during Winter Break! I hope you and your families enjoy a wonderful Holiday Season.


Activities to do during Winter Break....

  • Build a snow family
  • Make a snow fort
  • Go ice skating on a nearby lake or at the ice rink
  • Take a drive and look at Christmas lights playing "I spy"
  • Make popcorn garland or a paper chain to hang on your tree
  • Decorate cookies together as a family
  • Make paper snowflakes
  • Paint snow using a little bit of paint and water in spray bottles
  • Have a Holiday Movie marathon with hot cocoa and popcorn
  • Learn a Holiday song and sing them to a neighbor or two!


It's getting colder (sigh!); please remember to send your student with a jacket, hat, gloves, etc. to ensure their comfort throughout the day. All students are expected to participate in outdoor recess unless there is inclement weather. Please label/mark these items so that we can get missing items back to their owners. If you have additional items that you no longer need or would like to donate to our "borrow room", please send washed items to the main office! Thank you in advance for your generosity!


Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!


Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!



Cheers,
Mr. Jackson

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Counseling Corner

Happy Holiday's Eagle Families!


As we enter into the busy season of holiday gatherings, traditions and fun remember to leave room for downtime. Just as adults, children need time to reset now and then. Sometimes the holiday's can become overwhelming, as resilient as they are, children need us as the adults to help protect their boundaries and show understanding when things becoming to stimulating. Give you, and your family grace and build in those reset days as a family, and even one on one time with your little ones.


Click for helpful tips during the holiday season:

https://emergepediatrictherapy.com/parenting-during-the-holidays-tips-to-help-you-deck-the-halls-and-not-hit-the-deck/


K-Kids Peer Mentoring

2nd grade K-Kids came together for an initial meeting and practiced peer mentoring skills. In December we will have our first mentoring session with Kindergarten students! K-Kids are excited to get started supporting their younger peers.


Character Strong - Purposeful People

This month our Character Trait focus is: Empathy.

Understanding and connecting to other peoples feelings.

- We look forward to celebrating students chosen for the trait of Empathy at our December Student of the Month on December 16th.


Safer, Smarter, Kids

All students who opted in for Safer, Smarter Kids lessons participated in our first two lessons in November. We look forward to our next lessons in January. Students did a great job with the lessons and articulating all the safety tips practiced!


Small Groups

In December I will be starting multiple Counseling groups to support students. Teachers have made recommendations based on needs and if you have opted in for this option. If you have any questions or feel your student could benefit from a social, worry, self-control, coping skills group please reach out.



You can reach me by email: ashley.phelps@myeagles.org or by calling 517-769-8557, feel free to leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I am available.

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Columbia District Counseling Smore
Click for Social Emotional information Pk-6

Student of the Month! Student of the Month!

November - Gratitude November - Gratitude

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Y5 & Kindergarten

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1st Grade

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2nd Grade

🩺 News From the Nurse 🩺 🩺 News From the Nurse 🩺

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🦠 Cold & Flu Season Updates

We’re officially in the thick of cold, flu, and viral season. In order for your child to be available for learning and to control communicable diseases in school, it is important to keep your child home for the following reasons:


  • Fever of 100.0 degrees and up: Your child should be fever free and off all fever reducing medications for 24 hours before he/she returns to school.
  • Vomiting / Diarrhea: Your child should stay home until symptom free for at least 24 hours.
  • Flu Symptoms: Fever, chills, headache, body aches, dry cough, nausea and/or vomiting. The flu is serious. Contact your doctor if you suspect your child has the flu.
  • Head Lice: Your child will be kept home if lice is found. He/she may return to school the next day if proof of treatment is provided (box or receipt of product).
  • Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): yellow or green drainage coming from the eye.
  • Rash: Please keep your child home if they have a rash until it is diagnosed as non-contagious



Students must be fever-free and vomit-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.


Thank you for helping keep germs from spreading!

Public Health Fact Sheets | Jackson County, MI

See a listing of fact sheets on various alphabetically organized public health hazard topics.

launch co.jackson.mi.us

🤧Tips to Stay Healthy This Month

  • Encourage lots of handwashing

  • Pack a water bottle to keep kids hydrated

  • Add tissues and chapstick to backpacks

  • Make sure children are getting plenty of sleep

  • Talk to your child about covering coughs and sneezes



Small habits make a big difference!

When Should a Child be Kept Home?

A Few Reminders for the 25'-26' School Year:

● All students are required to have an updated immunization record on file and documented in order to start and remain in school.

● Make a point to talk with the school, the teachers and nurse about any medical condition/health concern you may have including your child.

● Reminder to bring new and updated medical orders from your child’s physician for any treatment and prescription medications that are to be done here at school. All medications must be brought in their original containers and a medication form must be completed by a parent or guardian and signed by a physician (This includes prescription AND non-prescription medications).

● Allergy and asthma medications, rescue inhalers, and Epi-Pens are a necessity, and may save a life! These medications also require an updated order every year. These action plans have to be completed by your child's physician and returned to school before the start of the school year.

● If your child has a health condition or needs special care while at school, for example, medications, treatments, or monitoring, please inform the school nurse or office. Individual health care plans help keep your child safe, protected and healthy. It is also important to talk to your child's teacher regarding any health care conditions.

● Please have a current and working phone number of a parent or guardian in the school office daily in the event your child needs your attention and we need to get a hold of you.

Healthy Habits for the New School Year!

  • Maintain a regular sleep routine
  • Plan balanced meals and stay hydrated
  • Make physical activity a priority
  • Limit screen time
  • While academics are important, make time for hobbies and loved ones, and activities they enjoy!
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Attendance Matters!

Showing up to school greatly impacts a student's academic success. Families play a crucial role in ensuring that a student gets to school safely and on time daily. We understand that absences are unavoidable, such as illness or medical appointments. Please call in advance if your child will not be in school.


CES Attendance Line 517-592-7552

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PTO Meeting

The PTO Meeting is the first Thursday of every month.


All parents and staff are invited to attend.


For further questions or information about PTO, please contact Casey Stein, PTO President at cespto2@gmail.com
Please Click Here to Apply To Be A Substitute
We are looking for substitute teachers and substitute aides
Click to learn more about the Nurtured Heart Approach
Click to see the CES Behavior Rubric
Michigan.gov: Okay2Say
Anyone can report tips confidentially on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees, or schools.
Columbia Elementary School Facebook Page
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