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April 11, 2025


Dear Lower School Families,


We enter the final, and often the fastest, quarter of the school year! There are many grade- and classroom-specific events that will be occurring. In addition, please refer to this calendar for important lower school events.


Quarter 3 Report Cards

Report Cards were distributed electronically on April 10. If you have not reviewed them, you are encouraged to do so. Instructions on accessing your child’s report can be found using this link.

All Day 4 CA LS Team photo

All Day 4 CA

Please mark your calendar to join in All Day 4 CA beginning April 16 at 10:00 a.m. The Lower School is grateful for everyone’s contributions that provide critical support for our daily work with students including: curricular enhancements like advanced word study and math journals; Responsive Classroom and outdoor education teacher training; teaching materials and library books; maintenance of our playgrounds, gyms, theatre and pool; visits from experts like author-illustrator Don Tate and singer-songwriter Justin Roberts; community-building buddy activities and family events like the Campout and the Art Show; and tuition assistance for one in four students. We will have a special spiritwear day on April 16 in honor of All Day 4 CA. All students, faculty, staff and families are encouraged to go “All In” with spiritwear on top, bottom and even accessories like scarves, hats, socks, temporary tattoos, etc. Maroon or gray items may be worn in lieu of CA-logo apparel as long as there isn’t another logo on them, but no jeans or yoga pants.


Cell Phone Support Group for Parents

We had a large showing at our meeting before spring break to discuss waiting to provide your child with a smartphone. If you would like to read the materials shared and are interested in being part of a lower school group of parents that would like to be in contact with other like-minded Academy parents, please complete this Google Form. Here is the information packet that was shared at the meeting. In addition, we will have a follow-up meeting/discussion on Tuesday, May 6, at 8:15 am in the dining hall (fireside).


Carline Reminders

  • Never pull around a car that is stopped/parked in the car lane while letting students out. Please be patient and wait for the car to move away before pulling forward.
  • All students need to be ready to exit when your car stops in the lane or when your door is opened.
  • Please refrain from honking when leaving the car lane. A honk in a school setting is for emergencies only.


Message from LS Counselor Danielle Gibbs

As the weather begins to warm this spring, this month’s Let Grow Project theme encourages students to connect with nature and take in all there is to notice, experience, and enjoy. Whether they are searching for caterpillars at the playground or exploring into the woods, it’s a powerful way for them to grow love for our planet and strengthen their sense of responsibility for our planet. Please continue to send in completed project leaves to your children’s teachers so we can celebrate successes as well as challenges!


Carnival

This year, students will experience the carnival alongside their grade-level peers on Wednesday, May 28, during the school day, with similar grades paired together for an hour of fun. They will enjoy inflatables, games and special treats – just as they have in the past. We will need volunteers to help this event run smoothly. If you would like to help, look for upcoming communications from the Parents’ Association of Columbus Academy (PACA) about how to become involved.


Parent Coffees This Spring

Please join us for the upcoming Lower School Parent Coffees, which offer insights into our programs in the Lower School and allow you to meet other parents.

  • Tuesday, April 22: “Signs of Spring Hike” with Grace Gordon at 8:15 a.m. (meet on the fireside of the dining hall)
  • Rising Grade-Level Coffees (see following schedule)
LS Parent Coffee schedule

Parenting Article

This week’s article is from TIME and is entitled “16 Experts for Every Parenting Problem.” It can be found following this link. Several of the book titles on this list have been selections for our Lower School Parent Book Club through the years.


Enjoy your weekend!


Mark L. Hansen

Head of Lower School


Brelle Farrenkopf

Associate Head of Lower School, Director of Early Childhood


Vanessa Taglia

Lower School Director of Academic Programs