P is for parents.
Between the ages of birth and 21, children spend just 9% of their time in school. Obviously, parents are their children’s most important teachers! Parental involvement is the biggest indication of a child’s success in school. It’s great if parents can actually be at school, but parental involvement doesn’t just have to be limited to the physical space in a school. Read to your child! Listen to them! Ask them about their school activities! Encourage regular school attendance! Your child will know that you think education is important.
PARKING
Because our parking lot is small, we have designed parking spots in the front of our building for visitors. Otherwise, feel free to park where spots are available and enter the main entry doors. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. Parking along any yellow curb for any period of time is in violation of fire code and a ticket may be issued by local law enforcement.
Perfect attendance awards are given out the last day of the school to students who have no absences or tardies throughout the school year. A school year is considered the amount of days set by the official school calendar approved by the School Board. Any discrepancies must be submitted in writing one week prior to the last day of school.
PERMISSION TO PHOTOGRAPH
The Forest Lake School District and Columbus Elementary may photograph and/or videotape your child for in-district purposes such as the district newsletter and displays as well as out-of-district purposes including, but not limited to, the Forest Lake Times, Forest Lake Press, Pioneer Press, Star Tribune and presentations to other districts. If you do not want your child’s photograph to be used for any purpose the principal must receive your request in writing within the first week of school.
PESTICIDE NOTICE
Pursuant to the Minnesota Statute requiring schools to inform parents and guardians when certain pesticides are applied on school property we are providing you with the following information:
Spraying in the building: done only in the kitchen areas of the building by a licensed commercial applicator. Time schedule is one day per month. The specific schedule is on file in the principal’s office.
Spraying outside the building: we use an environmentally friendly organic fertilizer, which does not require an EPA registration. We use a product for weed control in the infield of ball fields along fence lines and general weed control. Application is in May through August. Fields will be adequately signed when the product is applied.
Emergency Spraying: for the control of bees or other nature insects we will use an insecticide as needed in the specific area of the problem such as around the garbage dumpsters, or the class of chemicals to which they belong may not be fully understood.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Each class has a scheduled activity period of 30 minutes each day through a coordinated program between the physical education specialist and the classroom teacher. For the safety of our students it is requested that all children wear tennis shoes. A student may be temporarily excused from physical education for one day upon presentation of a written note from the parent/guardian. If a student is to be excused beyond one day, a written statement is required from a doctor stating the reason and duration of excused class time.
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PICTURE DAY
School pictures will be taken on Friday, September 30th.
(Re-takes November 1st) Pre-pay envelopes with information will be sent home a few days before the picture taking date. Also, an optional picture package will be scheduled in the spring (March 17th).
PICKING UP STUDENTS
Parent, please pick up your child(ren) at the southeast corner of the building during the designated time of 3:30-3:40 at door #5. This will ensure the safety of everyone. PLEASE BE PROMPT! It’s better to have parents waiting rather than students waiting. Students not picked up by 3:40 will be escorted to the main office to call parents. If parents can not be reached, students will be escorted to the SAC program and parents may be assessed a fee for childcare.
P LEDEGE OF ALLEGIANCE
State law requires that all students shall recite the Pledge of Allegiance at least one a week. If an individual student or staff member does not wish to participate, he or she may elect not to do so, and respect must be shown by other students and staff regarding the right to make that choice.
PTO (COLUMBUS PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION)
The CPTO has been actively involved in enhancing the education of students at Columbus Elementary. The PTO budget provides for Artist-In-Residence programs, bus expenses for fieldtrips, lyceums, music instruments, phy-ed equipment, Smartboards, and other school needs. PTO supports parent-child book clubs and offers a book club library. PTO also shows appreciation and recognition to bus drivers, teachers and staff, and graduating 6th graders.
Every school has its own fundraising personality. At Columbus Elementary, our parents feel strongly about keeping fundraisers to a minimum and avoiding door-to-door sales. Participation in any of our fundraising is voluntary.
The CPTO organizes two main fundraisers each school year. In the fall, they host Cougar Fitness Day to promote physical fitness and in the spring, Family Fun Night, which has bingo, silent auction, carnival games, food and more. To supplement these two fundraisers, CPTO also participates in the following programs: Turkey Bingo in the Fall, General Mills Box Tops for Education, Kemps Give ‘Em Five Program, Land ‘O Lakes Save 5¢ For Schools, Tyson’s Project A+, , Target’s Take Charge of Education, and Domino DoughRaiser Nights.
C PTO meetings are generally held the 2nd Monday of each month. Please come – CPTO meetings provide an opportunity to become informed about what is going on and to offer input for change. It is also a time to get to know other parents and staff. Childcare is provided free of charge. If you have questions or concerns about the Columbus PTO, please feel free to telephone any of your CPTO officers or the school office.
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