Weekly update for Sept. 18, 2026

Dear Columbia Friends and Families,

It has been a fantastic, full week of learning and growth here at Columbia! As a quick reminder, there will be no school this upcoming Monday. We are looking forward to an excellent four-day week when our students return on Tuesday of next week.

Looking ahead, I am thrilled to invite you to our annual Fall Picnic on September 25th, next Friday from 5pm -7 pm, behind the school. I hope to see many of our wonderful families there to connect and celebrate our school community.

Finally, we are looking for volunteers to help spruce up the main entrance mulch, flower, and tree beds. Email Ms. Berthelsen at egberthelsen@fcps.edu to pitch in and help beautify the entrance to our small school, with a big heart, on Saturday, September 26th.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Take care,

Mike

Mike Astudillo

Proud Principal

Columbia Elementary School

PTA News & Notes

Fall Picnic (9/25, 5 - 7 pm)

Join us for Columbia's Annual Fall Picnic on Friday, September 25 at 5 pm. Chick fil-A and concessions will be available or feel free to bring a picnic and enjoy an evening with friends!

Please consider helping us get ready for this fun event:

Sign-Up Genius: https://tinyurl.com/44vumccz

Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/4tddh5mf

Still haven't joined the PTA? There is still time!

Registration to join the CES PTA for the 2026-2027 school year is open! The CES PTA helps support the school by covering costs for field trips, hosting teacher appreciation events, and organizing events such as the Fall Picnic, Bingoween, and Field Day. We look forward to seeing you soon! Join online HERE!

Follow us on Instagram!

The Columbia PTA is now on Instagram. Search ColumbiaPTA and follow us!

Upcoming events

Fall Picnic (9/25, 5 - 7 pm)
Spirit Day at Honeygrow - use code GIVE171. Available all day (10/6)
Next PTA Meeting (10/14, 7 pm, in person and virtual)
Bingoween (10/23, 5 pm)
Annandale Parade (10/24, 9 am)

Congratulations to the students pictured above for successfully completing our Summer Reading Challenge! We are incredibly proud of your dedication to continuing your learning during the break. We encourage all our students to make reading a daily habit, as growth happens even when we are beyond the classroom walls. A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Uzl, Ms. Ames, and all the families who partner with us to foster a lifelong love of reading!

Advanced Academic Programs Information and Deadlines

Columbia Families: a reminder that any new to state/county families of students in grades 3-5 may submit a full-time AAP referral by October 15, 2026. This is a county deadline, and referrals cannot be accepted after that date. Referral forms are available online or reach out to Michelle Sansone, AART for information at mfsansone@fcps.edu. Parents may submit two work samples from home as part of the referral packet.

For current families of students in grades 2-5, a full-time AAP referral can be submitted by December 15, 2026. This is a county deadline, and referrals cannot be accepted after that date. Referral forms are available online or reach out to Michelle Sansone, AART, for information. Parents may submit two work samples from home as part of the referral packet.

There will be a virtual information meeting on October 7, 2026, at 6:00 PM to inform families about the full-time screening and identification process. This is most applicable to families of students in grades 2-5. Please reach out to Michelle Sansone (mfsansone@fcps.edu) for the link to the meeting.

For further information and support with this process, please feel free to reach out to Michelle Sansone at mfsansone@fcps.edu anytime. Thank you for partnering with us to support your children.

School Pictures Ordering Information

If you still need to order your student's school pictures, click on the graphic above. There is a New Code Lookup Tool linked there to assist you.

Twice Exceptional Students

Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are both gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities.

Families can learn more about 2e learners, how to support them, and how to partner with schools on the 2e webpage, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook.

New information, including printable flyers, has been added under the heading Supporting 2e Learners in FCPS.

Superintendent Community Conversations

Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:

Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.

Conversaciones Comunitarias Directamente con la Dra. Reid

Acompáñenos en una serie de Conversaciones Comunitarias que se llevarán a cabo en diferentes lugares de la división escolar. Estas reuniones están abiertas a todos, incluyendo familias, estudiantes, y miembros de la comunidad. Puede asistir al evento que le resulte más conveniente, aunque no se lleve a cabo en su escuela o comunidad. Esta es una oportunidad para compartir sus opiniones, conversar directamente con la Dra. Reid y hacerle preguntas sobre temas importantes para nuestra comunidad de FCPS.

No es necesario inscribirse, pero hacerlo nos ayuda con la planificación.

Save the Date!

Monday, Sept 21st - No School

Friday, Sept 25th - Annual Fall Picnic at 5pm

Wednesday, Sept 30th - 3-Hour Early Release Day, dismissal at 1:05pm

Monday, Oct 12 - School Planning Day, no school for students

Friday, October 23 - Bingoween at 5pm

Saturday, October 24 - Annandale Chamber of Commerce Parade at 9:30am

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