Dear Columbine Families,
October was a month full of energy, learning, and celebration! From our Parent-Teacher Conferences to the joyful Halloween Parade, students truly showed their Cougar pride. We also loved watching our first through third graders shine during Celebrate the Beat—their final performance was a wonderful reminder of how creativity and teamwork bring our community together. Thank you for your ongoing support and participation in every event!
As we move into November, we are filled with gratitude for our students, families, and staff. Below are some important dates and happenings to keep on your radar:
Looking Ahead in November & Beyond
Daylight Savings Time
🕘 Sunday, November 2
Don’t forget to set your clocks BACK an hour before bed on Sunday (daylight savings time ends at 2:00AM on Sunday)
Fall Picture Retakes
📸 Tuesday, November 4
If your child missed Picture Day or would like a retake, this is the day!
Cougar of the Trimester Assemblies
🎉 Wednesday, November 5
- PreK–2: 2:00 p.m.
- Grades 3–5: 2:35 p.m.
We’ll celebrate students who exemplify our Cougar values and show excellence in both academics and character.
Late Start Day
🕘 Wednesday, November 5
School begins at 11am.
Cafecito with Student Presentation on Technology & Accessibility
☕ Friday, November 7 | 8:45–10:00 a.m.
Join us for a special Cafecito where students will share how technology supports learning and teach parents all the cool accessibility tools they’ve learned how to do at Columbine. We will also have a presentation from Cecelia Pelacios on attendance.
Construction on parking lot entrance (LOT CLOSED)
🚘 Friday, November 7-Monday, November 10
The entrance to our parking lot is getting repaved. In order to complete the work, our lot will be closed from 8:15am Friday, Nov. 7th through Monday, Nov. 10th. If you need to park, please use street parking. All sidewalks will still be accessible.
Report Cards Posted on IC
📝 Wednesday, November 12
Trimester 1 report cards will be posted on IC for you to view this day. If you want a paper copy, please let your classroom teacher, or the office, know and we will get you one.
Robotics Tournament
🤖 Saturday, November 15
Help us cheer on our Robotics team at their Tournament!
Chick-fil-A Fundraiser Night
🍗 Tuesday, November 18 | 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Come enjoy dinner with other Columbine families and help support our school!
STEM/Literacy Night / Open House
🤖📚 Wednesday, November 19 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Join us for an exciting evening celebrating student innovation and creativity. Explore STEM and literacy activities to experience the amazing learning happening at Columbine!
- 4:00–4:30 PM: 🎵 Enjoy a music performance in the cafeteria.
- 4:30–6:00 PM: 🎧 Dance and have fun with a live DJ in the cafeteria.
- 4:00–6:00 PM: 🔬 Experience hands-on STEM activities with St. Vrain Valley Schools’ Mobile Lab.
- 4:00–6:00 PM: 🤖 Join Skyline High School STEM Academy students for interactive STEM activities.
- 4:00–6:00 PM: 📚 Participate in fun literacy stations in the library and enter a drawing to win prizes.
- 4:00–6:00 PM: 🧩 Take on family-friendly STEM challenges in the gym.
- 5:00–6:00 PM: 🍽️ Enjoy free food from Smokin’ Dave’s, served in the cafeteria.
Thanksgiving Break – No School
🦃 November 24–28
We wish all our families a restful and gratitude-filled week.
Looking Ahead to December
Open Enrollment Grades K-12
🚌 December 1-15
Be sure to get your open-enrollment applications in this week, if you currently do not have a student here. You also DO have to open enroll into your middle school of preference if your child is going into 6th grade.
4th and 5th grade Specials Showcase
🎨🎶 Monday, December 1 | 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Celebrate our students’ creativity in art, music, and PE during this fun after-school event.
Late Start Day
🕘 Tuesday, December 3
School begins at 11am
Cafecito
☕ Friday, December 5 | 8:45–10:00 a.m.
ALL preschool registration begins
🚌 December 9
Community Caroling
🎵 Wednesday, December 17 | 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Join us for a heartwarming evening of music and community spirit!
Winter Break – No School
❄️ December 22–January 5
School resumes Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
🥶As the weather gets colder be be sure to send your child to school with a warm jacket, gloves, warm headwear and boots (if necessary).
As we head into this season of gratitude, we want to thank you for your partnership in helping every Cougar climb to excellence. Your involvement—whether through volunteering, attending events, or supporting learning at home—makes a lasting difference in our students’ success.
With Cougar Pride,
Julia Cooper
Principal, Columbine Elementary
Cougars Climb to Excellence—Every Student, Every Day!
Quick Safety Reminders
For everyone’s safety:
- Please use the entrance on Longs Peak Avenue when driving into the parking lot. The Baker Street exit is for exiting only.
- Pets are not permitted on school grounds. If you bring a dog with you, please wait on the sidewalk rather than entering the blacktops.
Thank you for helping us keep our school safe and welcoming for all!
Thank you to our Families!
Late Starts
Late starts occur on the first Wednesday of each month, with school beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Upcoming Late Starts
Wednesday, November 5th
Wednesday, December 3rd
–no late start in January–
Wednesday, February 4th
Wednesday, March 4th
Wednesday, April 1st
Wednesday, May 6th
Community Schools
Late Start Care Available–limit 30 students (grades K-5)
Staff Spotlight
Each month, we’ll be highlighting staff members so you can recognize who is who on campus.
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)
Cafecito: November 7
November 18: 5-8pm Chick-fil-a spirit night
SNAP Benefit Update from CDE
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has asked us to share this information with our community: Due to the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits for November may be delayed. School meals are still available. If you need additional food before your SNAP benefits are available, there are local resources that can help:
- Colorado 211: Call 2-1-1- or 866-760-6489 or visit www.211colorado.org
- Feeding Colorado: Visit www.feedingcolorado.org/find-food or email [email protected]
- Hunger Free Colorado Food Resource Hotline: 855-855-4626
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
December 9, 2025: Pre-registration window starts (ONLY returning students turning 4 on or before Oct. 1st, families with siblings enrolled in our schools, and parents of 4 yr olds who work in the district)
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 2025 Calendar
Optional Survey Regarding CO READ Act
We would like to hear from parents about your child’s experience with the Colorado READ Act and its observed impact.
As you may know, the Colorado READ (Reading to Ensure Academic Development) Act provides funding and a framework for improving literacy outcomes for kindergartners through third graders, particularly those with “Significant Reading Deficiencies” (SRDs) who are at risk to not read at grade level by third grade. The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has been working with WestEd and its partners to conduct a legislatively mandated evaluation of the READ Act since March 2020.
The survey should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete, and all responses will be kept confidential.
- We are only asking you to complete the survey if your child has ever been identified as having a significant reading deficiency (SRD) and/or has ever been given a READ plan.
Thank you in advance for your participation in this parent survey. We greatly appreciate your time and willingness to share your experience.
Please click on the link below to participate in the survey: https://westedk12enterprise.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Vg7ME5659uoRLg
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.
Open House Dates 2025: Explore Programming Across St. Vrain Valley Schools Featured
Across St. Vrain Valley Schools, the upcoming open houses offer families a chance to step inside classrooms, meet dedicated teachers, and discover the unique opportunities available in each school. From advanced academic pathways and innovative STEM programs to arts, athletics, and career-focused courses, these events provide parents and students an inside look at the possibilities […]
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Innovation Center
Fifth grade students had a wonderful field trip to our district’s Innovation Center this week. It was a field trip that was filled with designing, creating, and hands-on learning!
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Wonderful Volunteers
We are so fortunate to have wonderful volunteers work with our students during the school day! Check out our fourth graders hard at work with some of these fabulous volunteers.
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