Columbia Heights Public Schools

• Thursday, October 15 (Tomorrow): No School (MEA Break); Adventure Club & Mini Adventures Open
• Friday, October 16: No School, District Closed, Mini Adventures & Adventure Club Closed (MEA Break)

October 12th was Indigenous Peoples' Day, which is a holiday in the United States that celebrates and honors Indigenous American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the sovereignty, resilience, and immeasurable value of the Native American people.

Columbia Heights Public Schools resides on ancestral Dakota land. Please join us in acknowledging the Dakota and Ojibwe community, their elders both past and present, along with future generations. This acknowledgement demonstrates a commitment to dismantling the ongoing legacies of colonial power and our school district's desire to support local indigenous communities to thrive in our schools.

CHPS has a Native American Educator as part of our staff, Yolanda Dorr-Slowey, who leads the CHPS Native American Education Program and the Native American Parent Advisory Council. To learn more about the program, please visit the CHPS Native American Education Program website.

A reminder from the Health Office that if you received a letter in the mail that your student is not up to date on their immunizations, you have until October 19th to bring in updated records or a signed and notarized exemption form.

If your student remains noncompliant on October 19th, they will be sent home from school and will not be able to return until they receive updated immunizations.

If you need assistance finding or making an appointment, please contact your school's nurse or District Nurse Keturah Spriggs at spriggsk@colheights.k12.mn.us Thank you for your assistance in keeping your student(s) and our community safe and healthy!

Early voting in Minnesota starts on Friday! You can vote on the school-related items and the three open seats for the school board anytime from now until November 2nd.

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

There are two school-related items on the November 3 ballot.

• School District Question: Columbia Heights Public Schools (CHPS) Operating Levy. Operating Levies support student learning by funding teachers and staff, classroom materials, student transportation and school operations. The CHPS Board of Education approved this referendum at their June 30th meeting.
• Constitutional Amendment: Permanent School Fund, which has supported Minnesota public schools since 1858, would increase the funding going to all school districts from the permanent school fund, which is an existing fund that supports school districts without raising taxes. Leaving this ballot question blank has the same effect as voting "No." Complete the ballot so your vote counts. Because the formula is in the Minnesota Constitution, voters must approve changes.

• If the CHPS Operating Levy passes, the tax increase for property owners would be $170 per year (approximately $14.17 per month) for an average-priced home, with an inflationary adjustment (an average-priced home in CHPS District boundaries is $275,000).
• The 2026 Operating Levy is a 10-year levy. The school district would first receive these funds in fiscal year 2028 and would continue to receive these funds through fiscal year 2038.
• The Permanent School Fund amendment would not increase property, income, sales, or other taxes. This fund would provide a total of approximately $150,000/year for CHPS.

We will be recognizing our 2026 Alumni of Distinction, Craig Larson, Dan Shuck, Michelle Radermacher, Matt Townsend and Michelle Douglas, during the evening. We invite everyone to wear their Hylander gear/Blue & Gold for the occasion!

A silent auction, along with a social hour, will begin at 5:00 p.m. Dinner and the program will be at 6:00 p.m. The ticket prices for this year's dinner are $75 a person, or $700 for a table of ten. The Alumni Foundation is a non-profit corporation whose sole purpose is to raise funds and provide scholarships for CHHS graduates.

Winter Registration is open- Sports and Strength Training at CA and CHHS, CHHS Activities- Math Team and Mock Trial.

Strenth Training Starts Monday, register now! Open to all 6-12 grade students. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3:30-4:45 pm in the Hylander Center.

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

• Our CHHS Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer and Girls Tennis teams on the successful completion of their seasons! Thanks to all our players, coaches, and families for all of their hard work and support.
• All of our Fall CA Teams on the successful completion of their seasons! Thanks to all our players, coaches, and families for all of their hard work and support. We had over 130 student athletes participating in Football, Soccer and Volleyball at CA this Fall!

Attendance directly impacts student achievement. The highlighted dates in the images below are ideal days for appointments or vacations for students. Please try and schedule on these days to optimize student attendance.

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.

Two positions we are featuring are:

• 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.
• Community Education Spanish Interpreter: The Community Education Interpreter will provide Spanish-speaking support to our Early Child Family education classes, Early Childhood screening, One-to-One visits, PreK-3 classes and families, and Mini Adventures Child Care programming.

• Hourly Rate: $27.88
• Schedule: Mornings, days and nights as scheduled/needed
• Approximately 10 hours per week
• Community Education Spanish Interpreter Substitute: The Community Education Interpreter will provide Spanish-speaking support to our Early Child Family Education Programs as a substitute.

Here are a couple other positions currently open:

• Education Assistant Positions throughout the district
• District-wide Licensed School Nurse

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.

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

• Family Drop-in Basketball is back!

• Come play basketball and work on your skills! Kids must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times; they cannot be dropped off without adult supervision.
• Ages 6-14 with an adult.
• Wednesdays, Sep 23-Dec 9 (no Nov 25),
• 5:30-8:00 pm
• $2 per child.
• Kids under 6 are free to come with families Hylander Center, Door #42

• Adult Mini Canvas Club: Cozy Seasons Collection, see brochure or RecDesk for more dates
• Join us for a relaxing evening of painting as you create a new 8x10 seasonal canvas each month. With step-by-step instruction and a welcoming atmosphere, this class is perfect for beginners and experienced painters alike.
• Second Tuesday of each month, 5:30–7:30 pm Murzyn Hall (lower level, Senior Center)
• Drop-In: $30 per date; Full Series: $100
• Nov 10 – Northern Lights

• Adult Mixed Media Adventures, see brochure or RecDesk for more dates
• Create a unique seasonal project each month while exploring a variety of mixed media techniques. Experiment with paint, collage, paper, fabric, natural elements, and more as you discover new ways to create. Every workshop features a different hands-on project inspired by the changing seasons, holidays, and nature.
• First Wednesday of the month, 5:30–7:30 pm Murzyn Hall (lower level, Senior Center)
• Drop-In: $30 per date; Full Series: $100
• Nov 4 – Thankful Mixed Media Canvas

• 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

YOUTH THEATER

• Theater: Improv
• Whether you are an aspiring actor, an experienced performer, or simply seeking to enhance your confidence while having fun, this class is designed to unleash your creativity and spontaneity. Through a series of engaging exercises and dynamic games, you’ll learn to think on your feet, collaborate with fellow participants, and embrace the unexpected.
• Grades 7-12, $29 Thursdays, Oct 8-Nov 12, 6-8 pm Murzyn Hall, (lower level, Theater Room)

• Script to Stage
• Write and perform your own short play! In this class, we will walk through each step of creating a performance. Students will learn how to bring their ideas from their head, to the page, to the stage. Instructors will guide students through ideation, scriptwriting techniques, and blocking. The class will end with a performance of the shows we created together on Nov 13.
• Grades 9-12, $29 Fridays, Oct 9-Nov 13, 6-8 pm Murzyn Hall, (lower level, Theater Room)

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

Teen Coffee and Thrifting

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