Little Eagles
Columbia Elementary School (PK-2)
October 2026
Mr. Jackson, Lead Principal.. Derek.Jackson@myeagles.org
Mr. Timmerman, Principal...phillip.timmerman@myeagles.org
Mrs. Wilding, CES Secretary.. Joelle.Wilding@myeagles.org
Mrs. Neville, Behavioral Specialist..kathryn.neville@myeagles.org
Mrs. Schatzle, CES Counselor.. Krista.Schatzle@myeagles.org
Mrs. Vlcek, Nurse..Lyza.Vlcek@myeagles.org
Mrs. McLaury, Child Care & Preschool Director.. Terri.McLaury@myeagles.org
A Peek Ahead
Thursday, October 1st
Spirit Week-Sports Jersey Day! Wear your team's colors!
PTO Meeting @ CES 6:00 p.m.
Friday, October 2nd
Spirit Week-Wear Blue and Gold!
Tuesday, October 6th
Good News Club 3:00-4:15 p.m.
Allskate Fundraiser Black & Orange Party! 6:00-800 p.m.
Wednesday, October 7th
Count Day!
Comfy Cozy Wednesday!
Friday, October 9th
Popcorn Friday!
Monday, October 12th
School Board Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 13th
Good News Club 3:00-4:15 p.m.
PTO Spring Kick Off Planning Meeting 6:00-7:00 p.m. @ CES
Wednesday, October 14th
Comfy Cozy Day!
Half Day 7:55-11:20 a.m.
Smencil Sale 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Monday, October 19th
No School
Tuesday, October 20th
Good News Club 3:00-4:15 p.m.
Wednesday, October 21st
Unity Day! Wear Orange!
Sunday, October 25th
Trunk or Treat 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 27th
Good News Club 3:00-4:15 p.m.
PTO News
Come and enjoy a family skate night + a fundraiser for our PTO!
📆Tuesday, October 6th
⏰6-8 PM
📍AllSkate Fun Center
Online Link to Purchase Tickets - https://tinyurl.com/2s67tc28
We are hoping to bring the Spring Carnival back! Please join us for our Kickoff Planning Meeting on 10/13!
Can’t make it to the meeting? Make sure to check back in on our Facebook page to see future dates and information!
We have 30 blankets available for purchase! These super soft blankets can help show off your school spirit.
Pick up a form in the CES or CUES office, attach your form of payment and return to your student's school office to recieve a blanket.
Thank you for supporting our PTO!
Save The Date! 📝
Smencil Days are coming back! Our next sale is on Wednesday, October 14th.
Principal's Corner
Happy Fall, Y'all!
Thank you parents for all of the support you have shown us as we complete our first full month of school! The students are settling in to their new routines. It's still so crucial that you continue to help them have great routines at home. Children require a lot of sleep. It's recommended that children between the ages of 5-11 get between 9-11 hours of sleep each night. So, if your student is waking up at 6am, then they should be in bed by 8pm to get an average amount of sleep (some kids need more). Having enough sleep will help your student be ready to engage in learning and do all of the great activities that are planned for them throughout the day without too many disrupting factors.
Also, please be mindful of student attendance. We are springboarding into awesome, dynamic instruction, and we want to ensure that your student is an active member of these learning opportunities. Check out some of the information sheets in this newsletter for more information!
Homecoming is right around the corner! We have awesome dress up days for your student to get involved and show their school spirit! There will be a parade downtown on Friday, October 2nd at 5PM. Please see more homecoming details throughout this newsletter.
Wishing you a wonderful fall!
Educationally yours,
Mr. Jackson
Hello CEC Families,
With October just around the corner, the fall activities seem to never disappoint. Homecoming Spirt Week which begins September 28th, and Trunk or Treat on October 25th are my two favorite.
Just a few reminders of ways to support the continued the success of CEC students:
- Please help your student to be prepared for the changing weather by having layered clothing for cold mornings and warmer afternoons. This would include warmer coats and snow gear when the snow starts to fly. I know we tend to start the month warm, but snow seems to be flying by Halloween.
- Provide your student an opportunity to read daily. Research show that students who engage in reading outside of the school setting are significantly more successful than their peers who do not engage in regular reading practice.
Thank you for all of the support you show for your student(s) and all of the members of the CEC family.
Sincerely,
Mr. Timmerman
The Secretary's Desk
Welcome to October Little Eagle Families! As we head into one of the busiest and most fun stretches of fall, the front office is working hard to keep everything running smoothly. I know how quickly your family schedules fill up, so this month’s newsletter is filled with all the essential dates, policy reminders, and event details you need to stay on top of things! Please call or email if you have any questions joelle.wilding@myeagles.org or 517-592-6632.
- Please make sure you have a background check on file so you don't miss out on volunteer opportunities, classroom parties or field trips with your student! Background check forms are in the office. A copy of your driver's license must also be provided.
- Dress your students for the weather! Label hoodies, coats, hats and gloves with your students name so if it ends up in the lost and found we know who to return it to.
- If your student was absent on picture day, our retake day will be Tuesday, November 10th.
Counseling Corner
Hi Little Eagles!!
Happy Fall!
October will soon be upon us. I will be focusing on bully prevention lessons for each grade level K-6th as October is Bully Prevention month. October 5th is World Day of Bullying Prevention and October 21st is Unity Day. On Unity Day we ask that all students and staff wear orange in unity to support tolerance, kindness, and bully prevention.
Continuing with our district social emotional curriculum, Character Strong, the word for October is Responsibility. We will begin Student of the Month ceremonies as well this month.
My goal is to continue helping the students on the Columbia Elementary Campus with social emotional growth and learning and to provide support when needed. I am also here to provide support and resources to our CEC families should the need arise.
You can reach me by email: krista.schatzle@myeagles.org, in Rooms, or by calling 517-769-8605, feel free to leave a message, and I will get back to you as soon as I am available.
From Your School Nurse
Welcome to a new school year!
​Hello Families!
My name is​ Lyza Vlcek, and I am so excited to be supporting our students this school year! As your school nurse, my goal is to help keep our students healthy, safe, comfortable, and ready to learn.
The beginning of the school year is a great time to make sure we have the most up-to-date health information for your child. Please take a few minutes to review the information below.
Does Your Child Need Medication at School?
If your child needs medication during the school day, please make sure all required paperwork is completed before the medication is brought to school.
Medication may include:
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medications
- Inhalers
- Epinephrine auto-injectors
- Seizure rescue medications
- Diabetes medications
- Other medications ordered by your child’s healthcare provider
What is needed?
For medication to be administered at school, we need:
- Parent/Guardian Authorization: A parent or legal guardian must provide written permission requesting that the school administer the medication.
- Healthcare Provider ​S​ignature: Written instructions from your child’s healthcare provider should include information such as the medication name, dose, route, and when/how it should be administered.
- Properly Labeled Medication: Prescription medication should be provided in the pharmacy/prescriber-labeled container. Non-prescription medication should remain in its original labeled container.
- Medication Delivered Safely to School​ By An Adult: For our younger students, medication should be brought to school by a parent/guardian or responsible adult rather than being sent to school in your child’s backpack.
Michigan Department of Education guidance recommends that medication authorization and provider instructions be renewed each school year and whenever there is a change in the medication or treatment plan. (Michigan.gov)
Please Remember:
One medication = one medication authorization/order.
If your child takes more than one medication at school, please check with the school nurse to make sure the appropriate paperwork is completed for each medication.
Emergency Medications
If your child has a condition that may require emergency medication at school, such as:
- Severe allergies/anaphylaxis
- Asthma
- Seizures
- Diabetes
- Another medical condition requiring emergency treatment
Please contact the school nurse so we can make sure your child’s medication, emergency plan, and staff instructions are current.
For our youngest students, individualized plans are especially important because children in kindergarten through second grade may need an adult to recognize symptoms and provide assistance.
When Should Your Child Stay Home?
Please keep your child home when they are too sick to comfortably participate in the school day or may be contagious to others. Please refer to this document with further information.
If you are unsure whether your child should attend school, please feel free to contact the school nurse or your child’s healthcare provider.
Remember: A healthy child is a child who is ready to learn!
Please Keep Us Updated!
Please notify the school nurse if there are changes to your child’s:
- Health condition
- Medications
- Allergies
- Emergency care plan
- Healthcare provider
- Emergency contact information
Keeping this information current helps us provide the safest care possible for your child.
If you have questions about medication paperwork or your child’s health needs at school, please reach out to me.
Here’s to a healthy, happy, and successful school year!
Warmly,
​L​yza Vlcek, RN
School Nurse
517-592-2181
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 arriving late who don't have time to eat in the cafeteria can take a grab-and-go bag. 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.
Smiles for Miles
What do you call a skeleton who won't work?
*Lazy Bones!
What kind of shoes do ghost wear?
*Booooots!
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 or email casey.stein@myeagles.org
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!
Preschool
4 year old . AM Mon, Wed and Fri---$155.00 per month
4 year old Mon-Thurs----$185.00 per month
3 year old Tues and Thurs AM---$130.00 per month
Full Day $480.00 per month
If you are interested, please call 517-592-9753 or
Email: Terri.McLaury@myeagles.org