Welcome to Columbus Elementary!

​We're so glad you're here!

Welcome students, families, friends, and neighbors. Columbus Elementary is a high performing school with high quality teachers. We are small in comparison to other CPS schools, but we are big when it comes to success, caring, and belonging. 

News & Announcements

Happy Summer, Everyone!
While you're enjoying the warm weather and family fun, keep in mind that school supply sales start in July. You can find your child's classroom supply list under the PARENTS & STUDENTS tab at the top of this page. 

Be an Earth Explorer This Summer with Rahm’s ReadersHave you ever noticed something amazing about the Earth? If so, you're already on your way to becoming an Earth Explorer this summer at your neighborhood library!
Kids 0 to 13, join the drop-in Rahm's Readers Summer Learning Challenge from June 18 to September 1. Throughout the summer, you'll explore our planet and discover the role you play in the environment. CPL locations are offering hundreds of family programs, including STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities, live animal shows and story times, as well as new books to keep kids' brains active.
Complete the ChallengeStart by printing your very own Summer Learning Challenge Log or by registering at any CPL location. Then complete the challenge:

• READ 500 minutes or more over the summer. Read books, magazines, comics, eBooks, audiobooks or anything else you want, for at least 20 minutes a day—all reading counts!
• DISCOVER: Complete at least one hands-on activity. Attend a library program, try a Museum of Science and Industry Brain Game or other STEAM activity, visit a museum or zoo or explore something new.
• CREATE: Make at least one creation. Make art, write a story or design something new.

Prizes and GiveawaysShare what you read and learn to earn your book bag. Keep coming back for more chances to win prizes! Every kid who registers for the program receives a certificate for a free savings account from Wintrust bank. Kids 0 to 5 who register receive a free book from KPMG (while supplies last). School-age kids can enter our Story in a Bottle contest to win a backpack full of books and more or send us a video reflection of what you read or learned for a chance to win a laptop. All kids can enter weekly giveaways to win books or other prizes.
Win a Trip for Your CPS Class to Shedd AquariumThis summer the Chicago Public Schools student who reads and reports on the highest number of minutes in their neighborhood library will earn a field trip for their class, teacher and chaperones to Shedd Aquarium. The field trip includes free admission to Shedd Aquarium for your class and a school bus. This is only open to CPS students who will be entering kindergarten through eighth grade in September. Students must be enrolled in a CPS school (does not include charter schools) in fall 2018 for their class to be eligible. Students must register in person for the Summer Learning Challenge at a CPL location. This offer is not available to non-CPS students and not available to those participating through a group or camp. Students are required to complete a reading log and report on what they read at the library. All reading must be documented and reported on to CPL staff. Offer not available for children whose parents work for CPL, CPS or Shedd Aquarium.
Parents and CaregiversParents and caregivers who read, discover and create along with their children receive a special package of seeds (while supplies last) and will have a chance to win a tech package.
About Rahm's ReadersRahm’s Readers is in partnership with the Museum of Science and Industry, the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools, Art Institute of Chicago, David L. Hoyt Educational Foundation, Lincoln Park Zoo, Shedd Aquarium and Bernie's Book Bank.
The 2018 Summer Learning Challenge is made possible in great part by Lead Corporate Sponsor Wintrust; the Helen M. Harrison Foundation; the Walter E. Heller Foundation; Peoples Gas; PNC Bank; Macy’s; Paul M. Angell Foundation; Boeing; Cubs Care; a McCormick Foundation Fund; Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation; Westinghouse Electric Company; and other generous donors to the Chicago Public Library Foundation.

Chicago Public Schools - Calendar - Details

Please click on the Calendar tab at the top for upcoming events such as field trips, parent meetings, jeans day, and more! 

Columbus Teachers Share Classroom News via Social Media

Did you know that Ms. Blochowiak and Mrs. Gibbs have started Instagram pages for their classrooms? If you want to see what's going on in first and fourth grade, like their pages:

Mrs. Gibb's Account: mrsgibbs305
Ms. Blochowiak's Account: 1st.grade.with.ms.blochowiak

Mrs. Oleksy also has a facebook page you can like. She shares homework, teaching, and parenting tips, along with pertinent information about Columbus. Be sure to like her page: Principal Oleksy.
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Classroom Highlights

Kindergarten, Room 101, Ms. Pema
Kindergarten has just completed their All about winter, weather and winter animals unit.

Now we are in the beginning of our Dr. Seuss Author Study. This is a very exciting adventure into the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss. During this unit we will be learning about nonsense words, rhyming words, word families and fostering a love or reading in our students. Not only do Dr. Seuss’s imaginative stories make reading and learning fun, they also spark lively discussions about subjects as varied as conservation, racism, greed, perseverance, and self-discovery.