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Principal's Message

Dear Parents,

 

On behalf of the Red Hawks staff of Columbia Middle School, we are happy to welcome you to the 2023-24 school year. We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential. We recognize that in order to be successful in school, our children need support from both the home and school. We ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she:

  • Attends school daily, arriving on time, and ready for the day’s learning experience. On this page, you will find the Tardy Policy
  • Arrives to school with a fully charged chromebook
 

As with each year we look at areas for improvement. One area we are wanting to work with parents on is the student pick up and drop off area at Columbia Middle School. All students that are being dropped off and picked up from school should use the parking lot located on the east side of the building near the cafeteria, and is labeled East Lot. Please do not use the parking lot labeled West Lot. If you are dropping off or picking up your student on Nelson Road, please be aware of students and staff in the crosswalk area.

The safety of your children is our top priority and we ask that when adults pick up students during the school day they be prepared to show their identification to office staff. It is important that contacts are up to date in Skyward as those are the only people who will be allowed to pick up your child.

Please welcome the following new staff members to Columbia Middle School:

Elena Bewick: Academic Intervention Teacher 6th/7th/8th
Grade Nicole Wallace: 7th Grade Math Megan Washburn: 8th Grade Math
Amanda Corona: Para Educator
Desiree Schmidt: Assistant Principal
Liz Crowell: 6 Grade Social Studies/Science
 

As we approach the beginning of the new school year, we’ve put together a few informational items, as well as some important dates for you.

 

FRONT OFFICE

The Front Office will be open daily beginning August 16th. from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please feel free to contact the front office/counseling office if you have any questions.

 

REGISTRATION

Please join us for registration on the following dates and times in the cafeteria
 
  • August 17th. from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
  • August 21st. from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
 
In the cafeteria, you will be able to update your student’s Skyward profile and make any necessary changes. Cafeteria staff will be available for you to put money on student lunch accounts. Free and reduced lunch forms will also be available. Computers will be set up for your convenience to sign your student up for sports on Final Forms (the online sports eligibility website); which is mandatory for all students participating in sports in the Moses Lake School District. In the cafeteria, a register will be set up for you to pay for an ASB Card ($25) as well as purchase a yearbook ($30). We accept cash, check, or debit cards.
 
In the front office you will be able to pay for your student’s PE Uniforms ($18) and Chromebook insurance ($20). If your student is newly registered, or turned in his/her chromebook last spring, they will receive their chromebook for this year during the first week of school.
 

 

SPORTS/ INTRAMURALS

All interscholastic sports for fall are currently open for registration in Final Forms and intramural sports will be available soon. If your student is planning on playing any sport, you will need to fill out Final Forms for them. You may do so prior to registration! This must be done before your student can participate in practices.
Once the forms are filled out and updated for this school year, as new sports become available you will just have to go into your account and add your student to the roster.
 

Don’t forget, sports physicals must be uploaded to final forms as well. These are required before athletes can participate!

 

CHROMEBOOKS

The Moses Lake School District provides students with a Chromebook for use during the school year. All users are required to complete the MLSD Chromebook Agreement. Included in the agreement is the opportunity to purchase insurance for damage, vandalism, or loss. Please use the following link to complete the electronic form.

mlsd161.org/apps/pages/1to1insuranceinfo

 

FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL FOR OUR STUDENTS

The first day of school is exciting but often brings extra stress and anxiety for our students. We recognize the additional challenge for 6th graders as they navigate the move to a new school building and multiple classes in their schedule. For these reasons the first day of school is dedicated to our incoming 6th grade students. 7th and 8th grade students join us on the second day of school.

Day 1 - (WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023) 6TH GRADE ONLY
Day 2 - (THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2023) 6th / 7th / 8th GRADE (ALL GRADES)

 

COUNSELING CORNER

The following information will help you identify which counselor will be assigned to your child:

Mr. Mason – last name beginning with letters A – G
Ms. Trammell – last name beginning with letters H – N
Mr. Gassman – last name beginning with letters O – Z
Mrs. Shatame Moeller - Counseling Registrar

 

PICTURE INFORMATION

Pictures will be taken on September 19th with retakes on October 20th. Pictures will NOT be taken at Registration this year.

 

We are looking forward to a very productive and fun year for everyone. It is our goal to create an environment where all students feel a sense of security and belonging. We realize that a partnership between school and home is essential, so please do not hesitate to call (509) 766-2661 if you have any questions or concerns.

See you soon and enjoy your last few weeks of summer break.

Kindest regards,

Vicki Swisher | Principal 
Desiree Schmidt | Assist. Principal
Mike Nordsten | Assist. Principal
Jeremy Quilter | Assist. Principal