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Dear Columbia Friends and Families,
It's hard to believe that school will be starting in just a few weeks. Please make sure to check out our school's award winning website for supply lists, important dates, and more information as we gear up for another exciting school year at CES. Here's a direct link to the website and also please scroll down to the bottom of this email for important upcoming dates, including Open House, playdates, and the first day of school.
http://www.columbiaes.fcps.edu
Have a wonderful weekend!
Take care,
Mike Astudillo
Proud Principal
Columbia Elementary School
We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!
As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Use the following list to help make sure your child is ready!
☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrar at [email/phone number] if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Update Your Contact Information
Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) by clicking “My Account” and reviewing the “Online Verification/Update.” On that form, you can also update immunization records, health information, and emergency contacts.
☑️ Update Immunizations and Records
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy.
When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
☑️ Learn About School Meals
Families need to provide their children with money to purchase meals at school or send them with a packed lunch. Alternatively, families may apply to receive free and reduced-price meal benefits, pending approval.
☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.
¡Estamos entusiasmados por recibir a todos de vuelta en la escuela!
Mientras el verano llega a su fin, nosotros nos preparamos para darles la bienvenida a los estudiantes en nuestros salones de clase. ¡Revise esta lista para que se asegure de que su niño está listo para el primer día!!
☑️ Inscríbase en SIS ParentVUE
Tenga acceso a los récords de asistencia, calificaciones y tareas asignadas a su estudiante, cuando lo necesite a través de SIS ParentVUE. Contacte al registrador de la escuela llamando al [email/phone number] si necesita un código de activación. Conozca más sobre SIS ParentVUE.
Actualice su información de contacto
¡Asegúrese de que pueda recibir información que es importante! Actualice sus números telefónicos y direcciones email haciendo clic en “Mi Cuenta” y revisando lo que aparece en la sección “Verificación/Actualización Online”. En este formulario, usted también puede actualizar los récords de vacunación, la información de salud y los contactos de emergencia.
☑️ Revise las Vacunas y los Récords de Vacunación
Las vacunas son obligatorias para todos los estudiantes que van a la escuela en Virginia. Este es un paso importante para protegerlos de ciertas enfermedades y mantenerlos saludables.
Cuando le ponga alguna vacuna a su niño, recuerde pedir una copia de su récord de vacunación y entréguela en la oficina principal de la escuela o envíela a través de SIS ParentVUE lo más pronto que le sea posible. Encuentre más información en la página web de FCPS.
☑️ Conozca más sobre las Comidas Escolares
Las familias deben darles dinero a sus estudiantes para comprar comidas en la escuela o enviarles un almuerzo preparado en casa. Como alternativa, pueden solicitar los beneficios de comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido, sujetos a aprobación.
☑️ Ponga el Calendario del Año Escolar en sus Favoritos
Asegúrese de poner en sus favoritos el calendario del año escolar de FCPS para que esté al tanto de los días feriados escolares, las vacaciones y las fechas especiales religiosas y culturales:
- Los días marcados con una “H” azul, son feriados para los estudiantes. Las escuelas estarán cerradas esos días.
- Los días marcados con una “O” naranja son días de observancia religiosa y cultural (o tardes, si solamente se marca medio día). Habrá clases esos días, pero ciertos eventos que no puedan reprogramarse, podrían no realizarse esos días.
- Los días marcados con las letras TW, SD, y SP en color rosa son feriados para los estudiantes, pero son días de trabajo para maestros y personal escolar.
Por favor, note que algunos días feriados o fechas especiales como Eid al Fitr, podrían cambiar y el calendario sería ajustado.
Tax-Free Weekend
Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9, is a sales tax holiday in Virginia. Visit Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday webpage for details on eligible items, including school supplies and clothing.
Here is a link to our school supply lists for all grade levels at CES!
https://columbiaes.fcps.edu/academics/school-supply-lists
First Day of School
Monday, August 24, is the first day of school for the 2026-27 school year. View the 2026-27 school year calendar for additional important dates.
Limited Early Release Wednesdays for Elementary Schools
Early release Wednesdays will start in late September. Each elementary school will have four of these early release days throughout the school year, and lunch will be provided. Learn more and view dates for early release Wednesdays.
Explore School Meals in the New Menu Platform
Experience an easier way to view your child’s school menus using MealViewer:
- View what is being served each day.
- View the nutritional information for each meal.
- See if any specific allergens are being served.
- Get notified when your child’s favorite meal is being served.
Printable menus are always available on the Food and Nutrition Services webpage.
What’s New for the 2026-27 School Year
As you prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to make it easy for you to understand what changes are on the horizon and what families need to know! We’ll continue to update the list as we approach the first day of school on Monday, August 24.
Learn more about updates, apps, and policies.
 Welcome back to School Activites:
Annual Open House - Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 3pm - 4pm
Kindergarten Playdate - Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 10am
First Day of School - Monday, August 24, 2026
We can't wait to see you!
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