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Dear CES friends and families,
It has been wonderful to see the dedication of our students again this week at Columbia ES. Last evening, Columbia students past and present joined Mrs. Eggleton on stage at the Annandale Pyramid Honors Chorus Concert. We are so proud of the students for representing CES and sharing their talents with the Annandale Community. Special thanks to Mrs. Eggleton for her leadership!
With winter weather continuing next week, we ask for your partnership in keeping students safe and warm. Please remember to dress your child in warm layers, including hats and gloves, for the upcoming frigid temperatures.
We also want to remind the community that there is no school on Monday, January 19th, as we observe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We are excited to welcome students back to school on Tuesday, January 20th.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Take care,
Mike Astudillo
Proud Principal
Columbia Elementary School
PTA News & Notes
PTA Meeting
Please join us Tuesday, January 20th at 7 PM on zoom for the first PTA meeting of 2026. We will be discussing the second half of the year and we look forward to our continued partnership.
To join the meeting please use the link below:
https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/91903873132
Family Night Out
Don’t want to cook dinner? Support Columbia and have pizza from Dominos on January 28th (Code: DN3)
Mark Your Calendars - Glow Run Fundraiser is coming in February! We’re excited to share that this year Columbia is doing a Glow Run Fundraiser, and we can’t wait to kick off this important event. This year, our goal is to raise $15,000 for field trips and field trip transportation. These funds directly support our students and help us provide engaging and memorable learning experiences free for all students at Columbia Elementary. With your help, we can take students to Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Lego Discovery Center, Colonial Williamsburg, Va, and more!
To learn more here are videos with details (English Video, Spanish Video). More information will be forthcoming. Thank you in advance for your support!
Specialists Spotlight!
Hola familias de CES from the STEAM/Spanish Lab!
Our STEAM/Spanish Lab has been a hub of activity and growth throughout the 2nd quarter. Beyond building projects, our students are building vital problem-solving skills. Impressively, they are reaching these milestones while continuing to strengthen their Spanish capabilities, showing real dedication to their speaking, writing, and listening skills.
I'm happy to share the following recent topics covered through both STEAM activities, and Spanish language practice, during the 2nd quarter of school:
- Kindergarten has been working on shapes and numbers 1-10, and the five sense.
- First graders and second graders have been working on weather, seasons, parts of the body and face.
- In third grade, the students have learned about emotions, parts of the plant and gardens.
- In fourth grade, the students have learned about geography and the regions of Virginia in Spanish.
- Lastly, the fifth grade students are learning about the rock cycle, stem and leaf plot, and renewable energy. Here’s a picture of third grade and their tree made out of brainflakes.
Gracias!
Senorita Alba
2026 First-Class Awards – Nominations Open
First-Class Awards are presented each year to individuals who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the First-Class Awards. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students who demonstrate inclusion of students with disabilities in all facets of education.
Nominees should demonstrate the following skills/criteria:
- Modelling excellence in their role relative to special education
- Positive impact that benefits disabled and non-disabled students alike
- Commitment to creating an inclusive environment and mindset
There are seven award categories with up to fourteen awarded.
- Elementary: Teacher, Administrator, Student, and School Support Staff (instructional assistant (IA), office staff, librarian, bus driver, cafeteria worker, etc.)
- Middle, High School & Secondary: Teacher, Administrator, Student, and School Support Staff (IA, office staff, librarian, bus driver, cafeteria worker, etc.)
- Central Office: Any FCPS central office staff member (superintendent, assistant superintendent, executive principal, director, coordinator, specialist, resource teacher, administrative support, etc.)
- Specialty Program Staff: Anyone assigned to a public day school, alternative school, home-based instruction, or other FCPS educational program not clearly defined as an elementary, middle, high, or secondary school
- Specialist: Professional staff categorized as related service providers (speech language pathologist, counselor, occupational therapist, physical therapist, itinerant, etc.)
- Team: Any team of two or more staff members who work together to support special education students, whether directly or indirectly. This award is not specific to a role; it may be awarded to any staff team (ex., administrators, teachers, related services, etc.)
- Community Partner: Any person or organization not employed by FCPS that contributes to excellence in special education
Please complete this form to nominate an administrator, a staff member, or a student who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools.
Nominations close February 20, 2026.
Save the date!
January 19: Holiday
January 20: Monthly PTA Meeting
January 28: End of 2nd Quarter & 2 Hour Early Release
January 29: Student Holiday
January 30: Student Holiday
February 3rd - 12th: Boosterthon Fundraiser!
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