Raider Report

January 27th, 2025

Message from Superintendent Bansek

Hello Raider Nation!

This is the first installment of a monthly newsletter to keep you updated on events taking place in CLSD. These newsletters will be sent at the end of the month moving forward. Each month, we will highlight a staff member in a video called, "Spotlight on Raider Nation." This is an exciting series to give you an idea of what our employees have to say about our district and schools.

The days are finally getting longer and my hope is that the cold and snow will be coming to an end soon! Don't forget to set your clocks ahead this weekend. There are great things happening daily in our District. Our staff and students are working really hard academically, in the arts, and in athletics. I welcome everyone to see it for yourself and join us at our events.

This Wednesday and Thursday are parent/teacher conferences. If you have not yet signed up, please contact the building in which your child attends. There will be an early dismissal for students on Thursday, March 6 and no school on Friday, March 7th for all staff and students. Enjoy the long weekend!

Congratulations to Gabriy'el Grace, Bodey Gibbs, Tanner Cochrane, Youstina Hanna and Xavier Hendon that will represent CHS at the state wrestling tournament this weekend. Both Bodey and Youstina were District Champions! We wish all of these outstanding student athletes the best of luck!

COMING SOON! CLSD will hold our annual "Spotlight on the Arts" on Tuesday, March 11th. It will begin at 6:00 pm at Columbia High School. This is always a very well attended event that showcases all of our students involved in the arts. We welcome our parents, students and community to join us celebrating the Arts!

For building communications, you can click on the green links below for our school's web pages and under Building Level Communications for each buildings newsletters.

Go Raiders!

Graig Bansek

#onceaRaider

#theRaiderWay

We want YOUR feedback!

We value the input of our CLSD community and are asking our community to participate in an important survey. This survey covers a wide range of topics related to academics, the district’s facilities, enrollment growth, potential bond issue, and more. The survey results will help guide decisions on district facilities, academics, and future planning. Your responses are confidential and participation is completely voluntary. The deadline to complete the survey is Wednesday, April 2nd.

Complete the survey here!

What is Raider Nation?

Here in Columbia we use the term Raider Nation to describe our entire CLSD Community. Raider Nation is more than just our school mascot. It represents the people that make up our school district including students, staff, teachers, and families. Raider Nation is our community! This month we kick off a new video series that spotlights the people of Raider Nation. Throughout this series we will introduce you to the faces, personalities, and people that make our district shine. These videos will be featured each month in our e-newsletter and also posted on our CLSD YouTube Channel. Be sure to follow Columbia Local Schools on YouTube @CLSDRaiders!

Joe Pangrace - Head Night Custodian Columbia Middle School

Spotlight on the Arts

Join us on March 11th to celebrate the arts in CLSD! This event is open to the entire community and will feature musical performances and student displays that showcase various programs and student work. We hope to see you there!

Board of Education - Meeting Recap

Did you know you can get a recap of each Board Meeting by reading the draft minutes that are posted from each meeting? These minutes can be found on the district website under the Board of Education.

All Board of Education meetings are held at 6:00 pm on the third Wednesday of the month (unless otherwise noted) in the Columbia Community Foundation STEAM Room at CHS.

Check out the draft minutes from the February 19th meeting here!

Little Raiders Preschool Registration

Preschool registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open. Complete details about Little Raiders Preschool can be found on the district website.

Requirements for students to attend our preschool program as peer models are:

Must be a resident of the Columbia Local School District.
Must be at least three (3) years of age prior to August 1, 2025 and less than six (6) years of age by August 1, 2025.
Strong communication and social skills are preferred.
Must be completely toilet trained by August 1, 2025.
Ability to separate from parents during preschool screening.

Little Raiders Preschool Registration Form

Follow CLSD on Facebook!

Columbia Local Schools is on Facebook! Visit https://www.facebook.com/CLSDRaiders/ or search for Columbia Local Schools and follow us to stay up to date on district news and events.

Are you receiving CLSD text messages?

You can receive CLSD communications directly to your phone via text message. Follow the steps below to opt into CLSD text messages.

Governor's Merit Scholarship

Congratulations to CHS Seniors Ramya Patel, Addison Stair, Kaitlyn Miller, and Kendyll Cochrane who were recognized at the February Board of Education Meeting as recipients of the Governor's Merit Scholarship. The Governor's Merit Scholarship provides up to $5,000 in financial assistance to high school seniors who are identified as graduating in the top 5% of their class. Recipients can use this scholarship towards tuition, fees, books or other college/university expenses.

Picture left to right: Principal, Brian Siftar, Ramya Patel, Addison Stair, Kendyll Cochrane, Kaitlyn Miller, and Board President Shawn Ondrejko.

100th Day of School

Copopa Elementary students were looking a bit older in February as they celebrated over 100 days of school. Students participated in a number of classroom activities related to the number 100 and both students and staff dressed like they were over 100 years old!