April 2026
Dear Columbine Families,
Spring is here, and our students continue to work hard as we move into the final stretch of the school year. April will be a busy month filled with learning, celebrations, and opportunities to connect as a community. Thank you for your continued support in helping our Cougars grow and succeed.
We also would like to share some very exciting news!
Columbine Elementary School has been designated an Apple Distinguished School
Recognized for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence using technology
March 2026— Columbine is pleased to announce it has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for the 2026-2029 program term. Schools apply and are selected for this distinction based on their commitment to continuous innovation in education and using Apple products to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning. Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of leadership and educational excellence, with a clear vision for how technology-rich environments support learning goals. In Apple Distinguished Schools, forward-thinking leaders and their communities work to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning, and they have documented results of academic accomplishments. Schools all over the world are using iPad and Mac to transform learning. As teachers incorporate technology into their lessons, they empower students to lead, learn, and thrive, to discover new opportunities, and to make their world a better place.
Looking Back on March
March was full of wonderful events and learning opportunities at Columbine. Families enjoyed the Specials Showcase featuring our talented 1st and 3rd grade students, and it was great to see so many families connect at Cafecito and the district’s Future-Ready Festival. Students also captured smiles during Spring Pictures before heading into a well-deserved Spring Break. We appreciate your support in keeping students engaged and excited about learning as we move into the final months of the year.
Looking Ahead in April
AAA Session 3 Begins
📚 March 31
Late Start Day
🕘 Wednesday, April 1
School begins at 11am.
Cafecito
☕ Friday, April 3
Join us for coffee, conversation, and community connection.
CMAS Testing (Grades 3–5)
📝 April 6–17
Students in grades 3–5 will participate in state testing during this window. Please help students do their best by ensuring they get a good night’s sleep and arrive at school on time each day.
Teacher of Excellence Event
🎉 April 10
5th Grade Field Day at Longmont High
🏃 Tuesday, April 28
Our 5th-grade Cougars will head to Longmont High School for a day of teamwork, sportsmanship, and outdoor fun! Please ensure your student wears comfortable athletic clothing and sneakers, and remember to pack a water bottle and plenty of sunscreen for this exciting event.
Looking Ahead to May
Teacher Appreciation Week
🍎 May 4–8
Career Day: Inspiring Our Future Leaders
Wednesday, May 6 | 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. We are excited to host Career Day for our 3rd–5th grade students! This is a wonderful opportunity for our Cougars to explore various career paths and hear firsthand from professionals in our community.
We need your expertise! If you are interested in sharing your professional journey and daily activities with our students, please consider joining us as a speaker.
- Sign Up: Volunteer to Speak at Career Day
- Questions? Reach out to our school counselor, Allyse Mullen, at [email protected].
Multilingual Excellence Awards
🌎 May 8
Skyline Feeder Musical Festival
🎵 May 9
Cougar of the Trimester Assemblies
🐾 May 13
Preschool Continuation Ceremony
🎓 May 14 | 11:30 a.m.
Columbine Field Day
🏃 May 15
5th Grade Continuation Ceremony
🎓 May 20 | 2:30 p.m.
Kindergarten Continuation Ceremony
🎓 May 21 | 10:30 a.m.
Full School Picnic
🧺 May 21 | 11:00 a.m.
As we move through the final months of the school year, we are proud of the progress our students have made and grateful for the strong partnership we share with our families. Thank you for helping our Cougars continue to climb to excellence every day!
With Cougar Pride,
Julia Cooper
Principal, Columbine Elementary
Cougars Climb to Excellence—Every Student, Every Day!
ParentSquare: Our New District Communication Tool
St. Vrain Valley Schools will begin using ParentSquare, a new district communication tool that allows families to receive notifications based on their preferences. St. Vrain’s communications team will pilot ParentSquare for the remainder of the school year with the plan to expand access to schools at the start of the 2026-27 school year. We’re excited about the opportunities ParentSquare offers to streamline communication and will be working towards consolidating several of the tools families currently use into one convenient platform.
After spring break, parents and guardians will receive an email invitation to activate their ParentSquare account. This will allow families to download the mobile app, set language preferences, and choose how and when they receive notifications.
Visit the district website to learn more about ParentSquare.
April Events
Community Schools: Enrichment Classes
Late Starts
Upcoming Late Starts
Late starts occur on the first Wednesday of each month, with school beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, April 1st
Wednesday, May 6th
Upcoming Early Childhood Education Events
Little Voices, Big Music, April 6
St. Vrain Valley Schools invites families to Little Voices, Big Music, a free interactive musical experience for young children and their caregivers on Monday, April 6 from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Innovation Center in Longmont. Guided by experienced music educators, children will explore rhythm, melody, and creative expression through singing, movement, and hands-on musical activities. The evening celebrates early learning through music and provides families with fun ideas to continue musical exploration at home.
Free Developmental Screenings for Young Children, April 10
The Early Childhood Education Department is offering free developmental screenings for children ages 2–5 on April 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Early Childhood Education Office in Longmont. Families will meet with early childhood specialists while children participate in fun activities that support a simple screening designed to help identify early learning needs and connect families with helpful resources. Walk-ins are welcome, though families are encouraged to sign up in advance to support planning.
Ready, Set, Let’s Grow Family Resource Fair, April 16
St. Vrain’s Department of Early Childhood Education invites families to a fun-filled Family Resource Fair celebrating the Week of the Young Child. Families with young children are invited to enjoy hands-on activities, explore local programs, and connect with community resources on Thursday, April 16 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the St. Vrain Innovation Center, 33 Quail Road, Longmont.
SAVE THE DATE: Skyline Music Festival
Registration Open for Elementary Project Launch
Academic proficiency is an important district goal for elementary students. Research shows that extended school year learning opportunities positively impact student success.
Project Launch Program Includes:
- Targeted literacy practice daily
- Content literacy in science and social studies
- Focused math study and exploration
- Transportation provided for those who qualify from predetermined bus stops
- Breakfast and lunch provided
- Exiting Kindergarten – 4th Grade Students
- Available at no cost to families
Date & Times
June 1 – June 25, 2026
Monday-Thursday
8:30-3:30 PM
Attendance all 16 days is critical
We will close individual grade levels when full. Space is limited! To register, please contact your school or teacher for a registration form, and return your completed form to either your child’s teacher, or the school office. There is no online registration format. You will be notified if your child is placed on a waitlist for this program.
Request for Speakers at Career Day: May 6th
Columbine will be hosting a Career Day on May 6th from 11-2:30 for our 3rd-5th graders! We are looking for professionals within our community to share with our students the daily activities in your line of work and expose them to various career paths and opportunities. Here is the form if you want to participate in our career day and share what you do with our students!Please reach out to Allyse Mullen, our school counselor, with any questions! Email: [email protected]
Our Family Liaison is Here to Help!
He can help you with:
- Access community resources (including help with medicare, food, housing, jobs, etc)
- Free and Reduced Lunch Application
- Submitting school fees
- Getting materials and supplies for school
- Needed technology (internet and student iPads)
988 Colorado Mental Health Line
A new state law requires schools to share information about the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line. The service provides free, confidential support 24/7 from trained specialists through calls, texts, or live chats. Families can learn more by visiting 988Colorado.com.
Preschool Registration 2026-2027
Registration for St. Vrain Valley Schools’ 2026-27 preschool programs is NOW. Families can choose from high-quality, five-day programs, including half-day and select full-day options at schools across St. Vrain. The Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) application is included in St. Vrain’s form, and families are encouraged to apply early for the best chance of placement at their preferred school.
2026-2027 Preschool Program Locations
2026-2027 Preschool Registration Information
Learn More About Preschool Programming
Free and Reduced Lunch Forms
*Please note that breakfast and lunch are FREE for ALL students
Each year, our community participates in completing the district Free and Reduced Lunch form paperwork. We ask that EVERY family completes the form, even if you do not believe that you will qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch Status.
It is easiest to complete this form online: Free & Reduced Meal Application LINK. You can also call Kari Jacobs, Nutrition Services Coordinator, for assistance (303-702-7793). We do have computers in the Main Office for parents to utilize to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch form. Please set up an appointment with the Main Office staff to use the computer or to get assistance with completing the form.
Your student’s teacher will be posted on the front doors of Columbine on Friday, August 8th at 3:00pm. (Note: While we will make every effort not to make changes, this information is subject to change if movement is needed to balance classroom numbers.)
Volunteering
We would love to have you (your adult family members and friends!) volunteer at Columbine. This year, all that is needed to volunteer is the below application. Students will be bringing home copies of these on August 15th but you can also access them below. Thank you for considering!
English Volunteer Application Link
Spanish Volunteer Application Link
Take the First Step Toward College Savings with 529 Jump!
We are thrilled to share that all St. Vrain Valley students in preschool through 5th grade are eligible for a $50 scholarship through the 529 Jump program! This St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation program, in partnership with the City of Longmont, is designed to help families start saving for future college expenses through a 529 College Savings Account.
By participating in the 529 Jump program, you can take advantage of compound interest and reduce the need for costly student loans. To get started, simply open a qualified 529 account at www.collegeinvest.org, then visit www.529jump.org to request your $50 scholarship. No deposit is required!
For more information, visit www.529jump.org or contact us at [email protected].
Start saving today for a bright future!
iPad Insurance
FEES
Student iPad Insurance: $25 – Pay in Infinite Campus
- The iPad insurance fee will be reduced or waived for students eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the federal poverty income guidelines and homeless students as defined by McKinney-Vento.
- Read more about the LTP Student iPad Insurance Program
MATERIALS FEE OF $10 FOR GRADES K-5
•This fee will be maintained by your child’s school to purchase the following: school-specific and/or hard to find consumable and nonstandard classroom materials such as school planners and project-based three ring binders.
•By utilizing a fee, individual or specific school needs can be honored, costs are reduced by bulk purchase, and efficiency is met for items some schools may use and some may not.
Parents Involved in Education 2026
Reference
Standard Response Protocol
Parent Guidebook:
Registration for the 25-26 School Year
If you will have a preschooler, kindergartner, or will be open enrolling at Columbine for the 2025-2026 school year, you will need to complete an enrollment application online. Please contact the Main Office if you have any questions.
***It is important to complete your child’s immunization paperwork and to turn this form in to the office. The state requires that schools have this completed paperwork on file for each student.***
Reminders for Families
- Please remind your students they are not allowed to use electronic devices to call you during school hours. We would like them to come to the office to call parents, if necessary. This will help us to provide the right amount of support for your student. All cell phones need to be kept off or on silent during school hours and be in their backpacks.
- If at any time you need to get a hold of your student, please call the front office and we will contact your student during school hours.
- If you are picking up your student during school hours, you must present a photo ID. Please remember to report your child’s absence or tardiness to 303-776-2840 or email: floresmiranda_ana @svvsd.org
- Our office staff is always available to answer your questions- 303-776-2840
- Yvonne Lopez, Principal’s Secretary, [email protected]
- Karen Flores Miranda, Registrar/Attendance Clerk, [email protected]
- Lupe Aguilera, Health Clerk, [email protected]
- Luis Montes, Family Liaison, [email protected]
Columbine Social Media
Contact Us
Email: [email protected]
Website: columbinees.svvsd.org/
Location: 111 Longs Peak Avenue, Longmont, CO, USA
Phone: 303-776-2840
Recent Updates
View our latest news and announcements.
ParentSquare: Our New District Communication Tool
St. Vrain Valley Schools will begin using ParentSquare, a new district communication tool that allows families to receive notifications based on their preferences. St. Vrain’s communications team will pilot ParentSquare for the remainder of the school year with the plan to expand access to schools at the start of the new school year. We’re excited […]
Read full story
Spirit week
To our school families, don’t forget that next week is Spirit Week at school. We can’t wait to see the fun our students and staff have with this!
Read full story
Golden Cougar
This week we announced our school’s monthly winner of the Golden Cougar. Congratulations to Ms. Schafer’s fifth grade class for winning the Golden Cougar! We’ll find out the next winner of the Golden Cougar in April.
Read full story