Information for Parents
Dear Columbia Families,
We are excited for another school year here at Columbia! We are very proud of our students, staff, and parents for a productive and supportive school year. Our school scored 601 points, a school grade of an A, based on the Florida Department of Education system during the 2013/14 school year. The students and staff at all grade levels focused on the academic needs of our students. Way to go!
As we approach the new school year, we will be continuing many of the same systems to keep our focus on academic achievement. PTA , SAC, and ADDitions volunteers are a key to our success. We would like to encourage all of our parents to get involved in our school. Being a volunteer; whether classroom, PTA, or SAC, can make a difference for our students.
We will be sending out lots of information the first week of school. In addition to the information, we will be using email lists, Connect ED phone system, quarterly newsletters, and agenda’s throughout the year. Consistent and frequent communication between educators and parents is a formula for success. You can also visit our website at: Columbia Elementary School.
Thank you for being supportive and engaged in the learning process. We are looking forward to another great year.
Sincerely,
Matthew C. Pritts
Principal
ARRIVAL/ DISMISSAL
SCHOOL HOURS: 8:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY EARLY DISMISSAL: 8:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Office - 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Staff - 7:50 am - 3:20 pm
Students should arrive at school no earlier than 8:15 am and no later than 8:40 am. Students arriving after the second bell at 8:45 am are considered tardy and must report to the office for a tardy slip before going to class. Pursuant to Fla. Stat. Section 232.25:
(1). Orange County Public Schools employees are not responsible for supervising students not authorized to participate in school sponsored activities.
(2). Orange County Public Schools employees are not responsible for supervising students arriving on these premises more than 30 minutes before school sponsored activities begin or students remaining on these premises more than 30 minutes after the end of school sponsored activities.
(3). Under no circumstances should parents or guardians rely upon Orange County Public Schools employees to supervise students outside the scope of this statute.
Student safety is a priority at Columbia Elementary. It is important that the following procedures are followed.
- No adult supervision is available for students arriving earlier than 8:15 a.m. or remaining at school later than 3:30 p.m.
- If it becomes necessary to CHECK OUT YOUR CHILD EARLY, YOU MUST DO SO BEFORE 2:15 p.m. No child will be checked out between 2:15 and 3:00 p.m. (1:15 - 2:00 p.m. Wednesdays) for safety reasons.
- Teachers must know how your child will go home from school each day.
- CHANGES IN TRANSPORTATION require a WRITTEN or FAXED NOTICE to the school and must be submitted to the school no later than 12:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m. on Wednesday). Telephone calls will not be accepted.
- If your child needs to be on campus prior to 8:15 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m., he/she must be enrolled in our Extended Day program.
- If an unforeseen emergency arises during the day resulting in a late pick up, please notify the office immediately so that proper arrangements can be made for the student.
- All students must ride their assigned bus. No bus changes or stop changes will be honored.
- Please discuss with your child in advance if there is to be any change in their standard dismissal plan on a rainy day. The classroom teacher will need a copy of the plan.
- Parents of students remaining on campus for additional help or disciplinary reasons will be notified.
Helpful Links
Internet Safety
My Checklist as a Parent for My Child's School Success (multiple translations)
A Parent's Guide to Facebook from ConnectSafely