Columbia Heights Public Schools
CHPS Update | October 22, 2026
Columbia Heights High School hosted its 69th Annual National Honor Society (NHS) Induction Ceremony on Wednesday night! 39 students were inducted into NHS (27 Juniors and 12 Seniors), joining the 31 Seniors who were inducted last year.
CHHS Social Studies Teacher Kristen Sinicariello was the night's guest speaker, joining NHS Advisor Melanie Kennedy, CHPS Superintendent Zena Stenvik and CHHS Assistant Principal John Kulick, in welcoming the new students into NHS.
Ava Sinchi (President of Leadership), Jessica Guaman Parades (President of Scholarship), Hanan Mohamoud (President of Service) and Kyannah McKinney (President of Character) spoke to the new inductees and current members about the four pillars of NHS and Carlos Bustamante was the night's MC.
Congratulations to all the new CHHS National Honor Society inductees!
Columbia Heights is just under two weeks away from the November 3, 2026 Election. There are three items of note concerning CHPS and education on the ballot:
- The Operating Levy Referendum Question
- The Permanent School Fund Constitutional Amendment
- Four candidates running for three open CHPS Board of Education seats
To read all about the Operating Levy Referendum, go to the CHPS Website and find "2026 Referendum" under the District dropdown, or follow this link: colheights.k12.mn.us/2026referendum
To learn more about the candidates running for the CHPS Board of Education seats, you can watch the BOE Candidate Forum run by the League of Women Voters on the CHPS YouTube Channel, "HeightsTube13".
Make sure you go into the November 3, 2026 election knowledgable about what is going to be on your ballot. More information can be found on the CHPS website.
Early Voting Started on Friday, October 16th!
Voting is underway through November 2 on the school-related items and the three open seats for the school board.
If you are a resident of Columbia Heights, Fridley or Hilltop, you can vote at your City Hall as long as you are that city's resident. All City Halls are open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and have the same special hours as Anoka County.
- Columbia Heights City Hall (3989 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421)
- Fridley City Hall (7071 University Ave NE, Fridley, MN 55432)
- Hilltop City Hall (4555 Jackson St, Hilltop, MN 55421)
You can do absentee voting at the Anoka County Government Center (2100 3rd Ave, Suite 160, Anoka, MN 55303) to fill out your ballot early, starting September 18.
- 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.
- Open 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on October 24 (Sat)
- Open until 7:00 p.m. on October 27 (Tue)
- Open 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on October 31 (Sat)
- Open 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on November 1 (Sun)
- Open until 5:00 p.m. on November 2 (Mon)
Check out what is on the ballot for CHPS here: colheights.k12.mn.us/referendum2026
Saturday, October 24th from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Get your costume ready for Truck or Treat this Saturday!
When: Saturday, October 24th, from 1:00-4:00 pm
Where: Huset Park East (3965 Jefferson St NE)
What you can expect:
- Trucks, vehicles, and equipment to explore
- Collect candy
- Face painting
- Help paint a snowplow blade
- Puppet Wagon performances at 1:30 and 3 pm
- Food trucks - Pronto Pups and D's Kitchen
- Enter for a chance to win a ride to school in a City vehicle
MN Education Commissioner Willie Jett visited Highland Elementary on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Commissioner Jett was accompanied by BOE Chair Mary Granlund, Superintendent Zena Stenvik, Assistant Superintendent Tara Thukral, Principal Michele Janke, and two CHHS students who are involved in tutoring at Highland, Sahvar Harvey and Nico Luitjens Weatherspoon. Commissioner Jett was impressed with the excellent instruction he saw in each classroom and the engaged school environment at Highland.
For the CHHS Centennial, our school partnered with Taho Sportswear (owned by CHHS 1983 Alum, Mark Aho) to make some shirts, sweatshirts, mugs and more to celebrate 100 Years of Hylanders!
This is the second round of the sale and the last opportunity to get these items.
Leave Your Mark on Hylander History
As we celebrate 100 Years of Hylanders, we're inviting our alumni, families, staff and community members to be part of something that will last for generations!
In honor of Columbia Heights High School's 100th anniversary, we're creating a special time capsule that will be sealed and reopened in 50 years. To help fund this historic project, we're selling personalized commemorative bricks that will become part of the patio surrounding the time capsule!
Make your mark with a personalized brick:
- 4" x 8" Brick | $100
- Personalize with up to three lines of text.
- 8" x 8" Brick | $500
- Feature your own custom artwork or logo.
Honor a graduate, celebrate your family, recognize a beloved staff member or showcase your business while helping preserve Hylander history for future generations!
Every brick purchased supports our Centennial Time Capsule Project and creates a lasting tribute to the people who make our Hylander community so special.
Be part of the legacy. Purchase your brick today!
Good luck to our Girls Volleyball, Football and Cross Country teams as they compete in their Sections tournaments next week.
Winter Registration is open- Sports and Strength Training at CA and CHHS, CHHS Activities- Math Team and Mock Trial.
Strength Training has started, register now! Open to all 6-12 grade students. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3:30-4:45 pm in the Hylander Center.
Attention 5th grade girls- Are you interested in playing basketball? If so, you are invited to join the CA Girls Basketball Team this season. The season runs from November 9 to December 18. More info can be found here- https://www.gobound.com/mn/mshsl/girlsbasketball/2026-27/columbiaheights/l5 You will need to have a completed Sports Physical before you are able to start. If you are interested please connect with us at hendersj@colheights.k12.mn.us or vitalscc@colheights.k12.mn.us so we can assist you with registration.
Sports Physical for all Athletics
Every athlete participating in school-year sports must have a physical on file with the Activities Office. Student Athletes cannot register for the upcoming season without a sports physical on file. Sports physicals are valid for three years. 26-27 Sports Physical Form
More information can be found on Instagram @hylandersactivities or contact the Activities Office at 763-528-4511
There are important and varied opportunities to support our CHPS students by working in our school district. This is a great place to have a career that serves our students and community. Please encourage your family and friends to review the current job openings and to apply for the positions that fit their skills and interests.
A position we are featuring is:
- North Park Kitchen Manager: This full-time position is 7.5 hours a day from 6:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m. with full benefits. The positions requires a minimum of 3-5 years of past food service experience including high volume food production, and leadership and a Food Protection Manager License from the Dept. of Health with the ability to get Level 4 School Nutrition Certification within 6 months. English speaking is required and bilingual is preferred. This position has a set schedule with no nights or weekends. The work calendar is 183 days, and it is covered by a union agreement.
Here are a couple other positions currently open:
CLUES invites students, parents, and families to a Youth in Action (YA!) Listening Session. This is your chance to tell us what young people really need to reach their goals, and to help shape the future of YA!.
- Saturday, October 24, 2026
- 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- 797 7th East Street St Paul MN 55106
What to expect:
- Real conversations, no wrong answers
- Snacks while we talk
- Conversations in English and Spanish
Who should come: students ages 14 to 24 (in YA! or not), parents and caregivers, YA! alumni, and mentors. Bring a friend!
There are many wonderful activities for students through our CH Rec Dept and Library!
Please go to the CH Recreation website or call their office at 763-706-3730.
Click Here for the Columbia Heights Library Website.
Columbia Heights Parks and Recreation Programs
Recreation’s Fall Brochure is here. See all the great offerings we have for all ages this Fall season, including Theater, Dance, Sports, Adult Exercise, Active Agers, Family Events, and more!
Registration is open at: columbiaheightsmn.recdesk.com
- Explore watercolor, collage, lettering, and mixed media while creating pages in their own art journal. Each monthly workshop features a new creative theme and guided journal spread designed to inspire self-expression. Leave with fresh inspiration, a completed journal page, and a Pages Within Creative Pack filled with materials and prompts to continue creating at home.
- Ages 13-17, Murzyn Hall (lower level, Prestemon Room).
- First Tuesday of each month, 5:30–7:30 pm
- Drop-In: $15 per workshop; Full Series: $48
- Nov 3 – Stories & Layers
FRIDAY FESTIVITIES AT MURZYN HALL
Friday nights are fun at Murzyn! Bring some friends, make new friends, and come with a positive attitude to try new things and revisit activities you’ve come to know and love.
Fri, Oct 30, 5:30-8 pm, Grades 9-12, $15
Pumpkin Carving, making treats, cider, “scary” movie, and more. This is a more relaxed, chill event
Grades10-12 can enjoy a day with friends, with transportation provided! We will venture to a coffee shop, thrift stores, and a lunch spot if desired. Answer the question in the registration to let us know some of your favorite shops. Coffee, tea, or a drink order is included in the price. Bring money for lunch. Check in at the Prestemon Room in the lower level of Murzyn Hall. Tue, Nov 3, 10:30 am-5 pm, Grades 10-12, $15
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Creating worlds of opportunity for each and every learner.
All Belong, All Succeed
- Email: News@colheights.k12.mn.us
- Website: https://www.colheights.k12.mn.us/
- Location: 1440 49th Avenue Northeast, Columbia Heights
- Phone: 763-528-4500
- Instagram: @chpsisd13
- Facebook: facebook.com/chpsisd13
