Columbia Heights Public Schools

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• TONIGHT - August 28th, 4:00-6:00 p.m. - CHHS Open House

Columbia Academy

• TONIGHT - August 28th, 2:30-6:00 p.m. - Orientation Day 1
• Friday - August 29th, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Orientation Day 2

Highland Elementary

• TONIGHT - Orientation sessions will only be held on August 28.
• Session one is from 2:00-4:00 pm for students with last names beginning with the letters A-M.
• Session two is from 4:00-6:00 pm for students with last names beginning with the letters N-Z.

North Park School for Innovation

• TONIGHT - August 28th, 2:30-6:00 p.m. - Orientation Day 1
• Friday - August 29th, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Orientation Day 2

Valley View Elementary

• TONIGHT - August 28th, 2:30-6:00 p.m. - Orientation Day 1
• Friday - August 29th, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Orientation Day 2

Family Center (ECFE, PreK 3, ECSE, Mini Adventures)

• Tuesday - September 2: PreK 3 Orientation

CHPS Staff all got together yesterday to have our Staff Convocation and Annual Staff Picnic! We reflected on the last school year, celebrated getting ready for this school year, watched our staff band perform, sang our Hylander school song and had a ton of fun being all back together and getting ready for students to arrive next week!

CenterPoint has informed CHPS that Fairview from Upland to Heights Dr. will be closing for a Gas Line Upgrade Project. Please note the picture below with the closure shown in orange and the detour shown in green.

This closure will start around 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2nd, through Friday afternoon, Sept. 5th, and open back up for the weekend. It will then close again on Monday, Sept. 8th, for blacktop with an anticipated open permanently starting Tuesday, Sept. 9th. This timeline is, of course, weather-dependent and does not factor in time for any problems that may come up. CHPS Transportation is aware of this development and is adjusting bus routes as needed.

Please anticipate additional time for traveling in this area during the construction period.

Educational Benefits Applications for School Year 2025-26 can be filled out online any time! Families who were directly certified should have received an approval letter.

If you received the approval letter, PLEASE look at the letter carefully and make sure ALL STUDENTS who are members of your household are listed on the letter. If anyone is missing from the household, please call Skylar Hatch at 763-528-4520 or email her at hatchs@colheights.k12.mn.us . It is very important that all students are listed and the school is correct for each of them. Any questions, can be directed to Skylar Hatch or Pam Haupt, Food Service Coordinator at 763-528-4527.

All households that were not directly certified will be receiving a postcard with Educational Benefits information and a guide on how to complete the application.

This is a very important annual process as the educational benefits applications need to be completed every school year. Thank you for your sense of urgency to get this done before the start of the new school year on September 2, 2025.

As we near the start of the school year, Health Services has a few reminders:

• As we head into the school year, please ensure your students' immunizations are up to date. Our immunization noncompliance enforcement date for students K-12 and students in CHPS child care programs will be Monday, October 20th. If your student is not up to date by this time, they will not be allowed in school until they are compliant. If you need assistance finding an appointment or are not sure your student's immunization status, please contact Keturah Spriggs at spriggsk@colheights.k12.mn.us.

• If you received a "Barrier Free Immunization Form" regarding your student's immunizations in the mail, please use this form to bring your student to the designated clinic (on the form) for a free immunization appointment. You can also make an appointment online here. Please contact Keturah Spriggs at spriggsk@colheights.k12.mn.us with any questions or concerns.

• If your student will be taking medication at school this year, please use this month to prepare the needed paperwork. A new Medication Authorization Form is needed each school year and must be signed by your student's provider and a parent/guardian. Medications must be dropped off by an adult, and we will not accept any medications without the necessary paperwork already on file. Please see the Health page of our district's website for more information.

Thank you for assisting us in keeping your student safe and healthy! Please contact Keturah Spriggs, District Nurse, at spriggsk@colheights.k12.mn.us or your school's nurse with any questions.

CHPS is hosting a Well Child Immunization Clinic in partnership with HCMC on September 25th, from 2:30-6:30 p.m. in the Family Center (1440 49th Ave. NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421). Enter Door #2.

Well child visits and immunizations will be offered at this clinic by appointment only. You will receive a phone call the week of the clinic to notify you of your appointment time. These visits will be free of charge for our families, regardless of insurance status. Sign up for an appointment by clicking the link below.

Immunizations offered at this clinic:

• All Well Child Vaccinations
• Influenza (flu)
• COVID-19

Please contact Keturah Spriggs, CHPS District Nurse, with any questions or concerns at 763-528-4580 or spriggsk@colheights.k12.mn.us.

This fall, our CHPS Agriculture Specialist is looking for volunteers to help out with harvesting and preparing the Blooming Heights Garden for winter!

• Volunteering is open to CHPS students, staff and families
• Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:15-4:15 p.m.
• Meet outside in Blooming Heights Garden
• Volunteering will be canceled if there is rain or other bad weather

Please contact Melissa Trent if you have any questions about this volunteering opportunity

Check your mailboxes or follow this link to read the 2025 Fall Community Connections Catalog!

See what Adult Enrichment classes/programs we are running, what after school programs your students can participate in, what options there are for your little ones in Early Childhood and check out what CHPS offers for child care.

Plus fun pictures and updates from Spring Activities and Summer/End-of-School Year announcements like Teacher of the Year, Employee of the Year and Alumni of Distinction!

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. 25-26 Sports Physical Form

More information can be found at the CHPS Activities Website or contact the Activities Office at 763-528-4511

Fall Sports Registration is open, register now!

• CA Football started on Monday, August 25. September 8 start dates for Robotics, Strikers Soccer, CA Volleyball and CA Soccer.
• High schoolers- It’s the last week to register for fall sports, these are the teams that still have space: Cross Country, Football, Girls Soccer, Girls Swim & Dive.

If you are a Columbia Heights student, in grades 7-12, who likes to bowl and have the desire to become a better bowler, then the Columbia Heights High School bowling team may be a good fit for you! Interested in learning more?

Contact Tom Greenhalgh at heightscoachtom@aol.com or 612-597-6301.

• Bowling is a club sport in ISD 13. Bowlers are eligible to receive varsity club letters.

• Beginners welcome. Students may attend up to two practices before committing to join.

• Activity Fee: $100 Payable to Hylander Sports

• High School Bowling is a co-ed sport in the fall and a girls-only sport in the winter. Students in grades 7 - 12 are eligible to compete.

• Mermaid Lanes of Mounds View is the sponsoring bowling center for the Columbia Heights High School bowling teams. Practices are held at Mermaid Lanes on Mondays and Wednesdays from rom 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Matches are held on Friday afternoons at bowling centers in Mounds View or Arden Hills.
• Practice starts Aug 18th

What is ECFE?

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a program for parents and their children. Recognizing that parents are their child's first and most important teachers, ECFE promotes interaction between parents and children, while offering parenting support.

Who can attend ECFE classes?

All families with children birth to five years old are welcome to attend classes. Families may join during the year, as space permits. Children must be the appropriate age by September 1st. Most classes meet once per week.

Short Sessions - 9:00-11:00 a.m.

• Nature-Based (September 8-October 27): Learn about nature and explore different activities in our Blooming Heights Edible Schoolyard and Outdoor Classroom.
• Create Art (November 3-January 12): In this mini-session, engage in theme-based activities and group time with your child each week and engage in parent discussion on how to create and support your child's learning through art.
• Experiment with Science (February 2-April 13): In this mini-session, engage in science-based activities and group time with your child each week and engage in parent discussions on how to create and support your child's learning in the areas of art and science.
• Learning with Literature (April 20-June 9): Reading is one of the best ways to support your young child's language and literacy development, join us to celebrate the power and joy of reading during I Love to Read month. In this mini-session, we will engage in theme-based activities and group time with your child each week and engage in parent discussion on how to create and support your child's learning through literature.

ECFE for Spanish Speakers - 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

• Las familias disfrutarán aprendiendo y jugando juntas a través de actividades y tiempo en grupo con canciones y cuentos. Los padres se reunirán con nuestra educadora de padres para aprender sobre el desarrollo infantil, hacer preguntas y recibir apoyo para padres. Para familias cuyo idioma materno es el español.

Terrific Toddlers - 9:00-11:00 a.m.

• Toddlers are curious and busy! Spend time with your child, exploring and engaging in activities, songs, and stories in the classroom for part of the morning. Engage in discussion with other parents/caregivers in an educator-led discussion, while your child interacts with peers and fun activities.

ECFE for All - 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

• This class provides the added support of transportation (only for CH residents) and Spanish interpreting. Let our staff know at registration if you are in need of these services. All are welcome to enroll in this class regardless of need.
• Esta clase ofrece el apoyo adicional de transporte (sólo para residentes de CH) e interpretación en español. Informe a nuestro personal en el registro si usted está en necesidad de estos servicios. Todos son bienvenidos a inscribirse en esta clase, independientemente de su necesidad.

Mixed Ages AM - 9:00-11:00 a.m.

• This class is a time to enjoy learning and playing together through activities designed for you and your child(ren). Boost your parenting/caregiving skills through an educator-led discussion for part of the class, while your child(ren) enjoy interacting with their peers.

Mixed Ages PM - 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

• This class is a time to enjoy learning and playing together through activities designed for you and your child(ren). Boost your parenting/caregiving skills through an educator-led discussion for part of the class, while your child(ren) enjoy interacting with their peers.

Incredible Infants - 9:00-10:30 a.m.

• Bringing home a new baby comes with a lot of joy as well as challenges, and we are here to help! Join other families with infants to connect, play, and learn about infant development including sleep, nutrition, attachment, and more. Each family will receive a CHPS welcome baby bag! This class offers sibling care. Siblings outside the class age range 12 months-5 years old will be cared for in another room by one of our ECFE teachers. Please sign-up any siblings that will attend and call 763-528-4517 to waive the fee for those siblings.

ECFE for Spanish Speakers - 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

• Las familias disfrutarán aprendiendo y jugando juntas a través de actividades y tiempo en grupo con canciones y cuentos. Los padres se reunirán con nuestra educadora de padres para aprender sobre el desarrollo infantil, hacer preguntas y recibir apoyo para padres. Para familias cuyo idioma materno es el español.
• Families will enjoy learning and playing together through activities and group time with songs and stories. Parents will meet with our parent educator to learn about child development, ask questions, and receive parenting support. For families with a home language of Spanish.

Night Owls - Drop In & Play - 4:30-6:00 p.m. (Beginning Oct. 23, 2025)

• Looking for something fun to do with your child? Drop in with your child to play and learn in a classroom rich with materials to explore. Enjoy free play, art activities and a chance to meet new friends! This class is free of charge and does not have a parent education time.
• NO NEED TO REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS. Come when you can! Parents must stay with children.
  

Drop In & Play - 9:00-10:30 a.m.

• Looking for something fun to do with your child? Drop in with your child to play and learn in a classroom rich with materials to explore. Enjoy free play, art activities and a chance to meet new friends! This class is free of charge and does not have a parent education time.
• NO NEED TO REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS. Come when you can! Parents must stay with children.
  

Registration is open for the 2025-2026 school year! Adventure Club programming facilitates a variety of activities to promote learning beyond the classroom including arts & crafts, guided group time, themed activities, dramatic play, cooking, games, outdoor play, science and more for Kindergarten-5th graders at Highland Elementary, North Park School for Innovation and Valley View Elementary! We are excited to reopen the NPSfI Adventure Club site again!

Hours:

• 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Regular School Days
• 6:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. on Non-School Days (weekdays)

Dates:

• Adventure Club begins on the first day of school (September 2nd)
• See CHPS District Calendar to see closed dates

Fees (per child):

• Registration Fee - $25
• After School - $24
• Non-School Day - $53
• Drop-In - $27

Mini Adventures is a four-star Parent Aware child care program for children ages 36 months to 5 years old. In Mini Adventures, your child will participate in a variety of activities, including mathematics, guided group time, literacy, dramatic play, music, games, outdoor play, arts & crafts, movement and more! Early Childhood Screening is required for all participants. Independent toileting is required for children before participating.

Hours, Dates, Locations & Fees:

• 6:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. weekdays, year-round at the CHPS Family Center (check CHPS for closed dates)
• Weekly program fee for 5 days a week = $339

• Weekly program fee for 4 days a week = $287
• Weekly program fee for 3 days a week = $226
• Weekly program fee for 2 days a week = $160
• Weekly program fee for 1 day a week = $81
• `Plus a $25 registration fee for new registrations only

• This fee includes breakfast, lunch and a snack. We accept County Child Care Assistance and Pathways I scholarships. Pathways II scholarships may be available for those who qualify.

Learn More:

• For more information, visit the Mini Adventures Webpage or call 763-528-4517.

Come and join the Hylander Family! CHPS has many positions open on our website and does hiring throughout the year!

Please join us in working with our students and colleagues this school year!

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.

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