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Dear Columbia Friends and Families,
It has been another truly exciting week of learning and celebration at CES!
I hope you have noticed the beautiful new "Welcome to Columbia" fence art on our campus, pictured above. I would like to send a HUGE shoutout to our amazing Art Teacher, Mrs. McKenna, and her family, for their incredible planning, creativity, and dedication in bringing this vibrant new decoration to life for our school community!
Last evening, our building was filled with joy during our annual 2nd-grade musical, with this year's theme being: Rompus in the Rainforest! I want to extend our deepest gratitude to our fantastic 2nd-grade teacher team involved for orchestrating such a spectacular, memorable evening. Thank you to Ms. Stone, Ms. Nevin, Ms. W., Ms. Alt, and Ms. Tina!
Today, we experienced a full-circle moment as we welcomed back former CES students who are now graduating seniors from the Annandale High School Class of 2026. Watching them walk the halls of Columbia Elementary one last time as FCPS students was an incredibly proud moment for our staff, beautifully showcasing the lasting impact of the CES foundation.
I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing weekend!
Mike Astudillo
Proud Principal
Columbia Elementary School
 Important message from the clinic
The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. If your student will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, the existing medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program, but you will need to pick up the medication on the last day of school and deliver the medication and completed forms to the summer learning site on the first day of the summer program. Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s).
 Family Vision Group - CES representative needed
As we prepare for the 2026–27 school year, Columbia Elementary School is in search of two parents to serve as representatives for CES on the Superintendent’s Family Vision Group—a vital forum for elevating family voice and strengthening connections across the division.
Below is general informaiton about the opportunity, please email Mr. A. at mastudillo1@fcps.edu if you are interested and/or want to hear more about this wonderful opportunity:
- The Superintendent’s Family Vision Group meets six times in person, all sessions held in the evening, from 6-7:30pm.
- The Family Vision Group team has divided Fairfax County into four sections, called Quads. You are placed in a Quad based on where your school falls within these sections. Meetings are organized by Quad to ensure accessible locations.
- Tentative Meeting Schedule for 2026–27:All meetings are subject to change in accordance with division-wide priorities and scheduling adjustments as needed.
- Kickoff - Wednesday, September 9 -Location TBD
- Meeting #1-Wednesday, September 30- Location TBD
- Meeting #2-Wednesday, November 18- Location TBD
- Meeting #3-Wednesday, January 27, 2027- Location TBD
- Meeting #4-Wednesday, March 17, 2027- Location TBD
- Full Group Wrap-Up-Wednesday, May 5, 2027- Location TBD
- Representatives are expected to attend all meetings whenever possible.
- Communication is essential—please notify the Family Vision Group Team in advance if you cannot attend a meeting.
- Representatives who accumulate two or more unexcused absences will be replaced during the school year.
- For more details on the group’s structure and purpose, please visit the Superintendent’s Family Vision Group webpage.
 CES students highlighted on recent podcast!
CES Get2Green student members are making a real difference at Columbia Elementary! Earlier this week, our Get 2 Green sponsor, Ms. Nevin, along with several of our student leaders, were featured guests on the K-12 Food Rescue Podcast with John Williamson where they shared some of these acheivements.
They help run a Share Table to save unopened food from the trash.
This wonderful program teaches personal responsibility, giving back to the environment, and helps provide snacks to classmates.
CES students achieved great things this year:
- Saved over 50 pounds of food.
- Shared their story on a national podcast.
Listen to the episode and read more about the podcast.
 Ms. Martin - Keynote speaker at HS!
Columbia Elementary School has amazing teachers, and we love sharing their stories.
Recently, special education teacher Tessa Martin returned to her former high school to give an inspiring keynote speech.
She shared how her past experiences shaped her decision to become a special education teacher.
Educators like Ms. Martin help Columbia students develop the confidence and skills they need to become successful students. Congratulations to Ms. Martin for being selected to serve as a keynote speaker and for her inspiration!
Specials Spotlight!
Hey families,
What a year it’s been in PE! I’m proud of how much effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship your kids brought to every single class. Here’s a quick look back and what’s coming up next.
This year in PE we tackled:
- Fitness Foundations: We built stamina with the shuttle run, relay laps, and circuit stations. Our Cougars beat their own personal bests from this fall to spring!
- Ball Skills & Team Sports: Soccer, basketball, volleyball, and floor hockey. Focus was on passing, spacing, and calling for the ball without bulldozing teammates.
- Net & Racket Units: Volleyball and pickleball were huge hits!
- Cooperation & Problem Solving: Capture the flag, parachute games, and “lava floor” challenges. The goal wasn’t just winning, it was listening and adjusting as a team. We also made time for yoga and dance units!
Field Day is almost here!
When: 6/12/26Where: Fields next to the school! More information from your teachers coming soon!
How to prep:
- Send your student with sneakers they can run in, water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat.
- Dress for the weather and get a little wet/messy. Wearing Columbia gear is encouraged!
- Most important: bring a good attitude. It’s about effort and cheering each other on, not being the fastest and having FUN!
Thanks for supporting PE all year. Whether your child loved every minute or just pushed through the shuttle run, they showed growth and had so much fun with their classmates! I can’t wait to see them go all-out one more time for Field Day!
See you on the field,
Miss. A
 Shining a Light on Success at Columbia ES
At Columbia Elementary School, educators are embracing innovation through the thoughtful integration of artificial intelligence to support teaching and learning. Teachers are working together to explore practical classroom applications, from streamlining lesson planning to developing targeted intervention resources. Teachers share how AI-generated lessons, customized to student interests, have increased engagement and made small-group instruction more effective and efficient. Through ongoing collaboration, reflection, and refinement, Columbia’s educators are leveraging AI as a powerful tool to save time, personalize learning, and enhance student outcomes.
Summer Resources Help Students Stay Curious, Healthy, and Busy
FCPS’ Summer Resource Guide has activities and tips on a variety of subjects and interests, from camps and activities to health and safety resources.
Be sure to check back over the summer, as more resources may be added.
Learning Doesn’t Take a Vacation and Neither Does Fun!The FCPS Summer Learning webpage offers ideas and strategies for families to keep students curious until August. Summer is the perfect time to help your student explore new interests, reinforce concepts, and stay engaged!
Spanish:Los Recursos para el Verano Ayudan a que los Estudiantes se Mantengan Curiosos, Sanos y Ocupados
- La Guía de FCPS de Recursos para el Verano contiene actividades y consejos sobre una variedad de temas e intereses que van desde, campamentos y actividades, hasta recursos sobre salud y seguridad.
Asegúrese de revisarla otra vez más adelante en el verano puesto que podrían agregarse nuevos recursos.
¡Aprender no Toma Vacaciones, y la Diversión Tampoco!
La página web Aprendiendo en el Verano de FCPS ofrece ideas y estrategias para que las familias mantengan viva la curiosidad de los estudiantes hasta agosto. El verano es el momento perfecto para que ayude a su estudiante a explorar nuevos intereses, reforzar conceptos aprendidos y mantenerse interesado en aprender.Click to edit this placeholder text.
Save the Date!
June 12 - Field Day
June 15 - Kindergarten Promotion at 10am
June 16 - 5th Grade Promotion at 9:30am
June 17 - Last Day of School with Dismissal at 2:05pm
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