Columbine Elementary Community Newsletter – First Week Back!!
Dear Columbine Families,
It was SO wonderful to see so many of you at our Meet and Greet Supply drop off. The first day of school is tomorrow and we are all overjoyed that the 25-26 school year is about to begin.
This year begins with something special: Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero has chosen Columbine Elementary as the host site for the DPS Back-to-School Kickoff Event. This celebration is a chance to showcase the joyful, inclusive, and high-expectations culture we’ve built together. Tomorrow morning, let’s fill our school with 
blue and yellow
, warm smiles, and the pride we feel for our students, staff, and community. Please plan to arrive between 7:50 and 8:00am for the start of the event! There will be media crews, members of the Board of Education, DPS leadership, and possibly some City Officials. Time for our Columbine Pride to Shine!
When you arrive, please find your child’s teacher using the map below. There will be cones along the edge of the field and blacktop labeled with teacher names and grade levels. 5th, 4th, and Kinder is on the blacktop. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd is on the field. Once we have our students and families in their designated line up locations, we will all walk together towards the pavilion on the blacktop where I will give our welcome remarks and then pass it over to our Superintendent to count us down to the new school year! Once remarks are done, we will walk back to our line up spots for our entry procedure. Organized, happy chaos is the goal!
The first day of school can come with jitters and nerves as well as excitement. We anticipate some tears and apprehensions, especially from our littles. Once we get ready to head inside, the faster families can say goodbye, the better. We promise they will settle once they are inside. All families will say goodbye outside! We do not have families come inside the building with us.
Below you’ll find all the key dates, reminders, and resources to help your family start the year confident and ready.
Don’t have time to read the whole thing? Read the Quick Hits!
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Key Dates
Reminders
Meals
After-School Care
Visitor Check-In = RAPTOR Safe App
SuppliesAction Items:
Download the DPS App (search ‘Denver Public Schools’ in your App store)
Do I have to? Yes! All of our communications will come through this app. More info to come.
PLEASE COMPLETE REGISTRATION! Registration can be done online by signing into Parent Portal, click on “See All Apps,” then click on “Online Registration” to verify or update your student’s information. Here are step-by-step instructions to complete the DPS registration.
Events:
August 18th – First Day of School (Kindergarten–5th Grade) 7:50-8:00
We’re excited to share that Columbine will host the Superintendent’s official back-to-school kickoff event this year!
August 19th – First Day of School for ECE (Half Day) 8:20 OR 12:20
Our youngest learners will begin with a gentle, staggered start. Your child will attend either the AM or PM session
August 20th – New Family Welcome Breakfast (7:45-8:45)
Hang out after drop off and meet new families, connect with current families, enjoy some coffee, and learn about how to get involved at Columbine!
August 20th – New Family Welcome Night (5:00–7:00 PM)
Join us for dinner, childcare, and a chance to connect with staff and other families. We'll share key info, answer questions, and build community together.
August 27th - Back=to-School Night (5:30-7:00) Come in for Back-to-School Night to meet your child’s teacher, learn about their learning journey for the school year, and connect to our shared language and agreements at Columbine. Stay at 7:00pm for our 1st PTA meeting of the year!
Interested in serving on the Columbine Collaborative School Committee (CSC) this Year??
Interest Form Here We have two open family positions on our CSC. To read more about our CSC and the upcoming election process, please visit the CSC page on our website!
Calendars & Non-Student Contact Days
You can view the 2025–2026 DPS District Calendar [linked here].
In addition to district-wide non-student contact days, Columbine students will also not attend school on:
January 6th – Columbine-specific professional learning day
March 5th – Columbine-specific family conference day
Discovery Link will provide full-day care options for ECE–5th grade on both days.
ECE-only additional closure dates:
October 10th
January 30th
April 24th
Discovery Link will provide full-day care for ECE students on these days if there are enough students signed up!
School Hours
Kindergarten–5th Grade
M, T, W, F: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Thursdays (early release): 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
ECE (3s & 4s)
M, T, W, F: 8:20 AM – 3:20 PM
Thursdays: 8:20 AM – 1:20 PM
We recognize the different start/end times for ECE may pose a challenge for families with siblings. This structure ensures we meet contractual planning time for ECE educators.
To support families:
ECE exterior doors will open at 8:10 AM for morning drop-off
ECE playground will be open for connection and play before school
During cold weather, we’ll open the cafeteria with books and games to start the day warmly
We strongly encourage families to arrive on time to help students begin their day with a sense of calm, connection, and readiness. If your child arrives late, families must walk them into the front office to sign them in and get a tardy pass.
Building Access & Afternoon Pick-Up Policy
To keep our school safe and running smoothly:
All visitors must schedule meetings with staff in advance. We are not able to accommodate unscheduled classroom visits during the school day, before or after school.
No student pick-ups between 3:00–3:30 PM. If your child has an afternoon appointment, please plan to pick them up before 3:00 PM. This helps us ensure all students transition safely during our dismissal routines and is less disruptive to our end of day crew circles.
Breakfast and Lunch
This year, we will not offer cafeteria breakfast. Instead, all students who need breakfast will receive a grab-and-go breakfast upon arrival and eat in their classrooms.
To ensure your child receives the appropriate meal benefits, please complete the district’s Lunch Application Form. This helps support access to free or reduced-price meals. ALL families must complete this form!
After-School Programming Update
We are sad to announce that our longtime partner, Heart & Hand, will not be offering after-school programming this year.
Discovery Link will be providing care for all ECE-5th grade students this year. We are currently exploring other potential after-school options that offer no-cost care. While no formal programs will be in place at the start of the year, we will communicate any new opportunities as soon as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please use this link to sign your children up for Discovery link!
10Four Afterschool Program - Neighborhood Youth Organization- Information Here Afterschool program FREE for children ages 7-18. Register using this link. Transportation provided from Columbine to 10Four everyday except Thursday.
Visitor Check-In: RAPTOR Safe App
We’ve updated our visitor sign-in system to enhance school safety:
Please download the RAPTOR Safe app before your first visit.
When you arrive, scan your QR code or digital badge and sign in. This process helps us keep an accurate record of all guests on campus and ensures every student is safe.
Supplies & Readiness
School Supply Lists are posted on our website and available at the front office. We appreciate families who are able to contribute!
Please be sure to complete all registration requirements (ECE and K-5). See a checklist from Claudia here!
Looking to get Involved? Join our PTA!
There are SO many ways to get involved at Columbine. Use this link to join the Columbine PTA for the 25-26 school year. You can learn more about our PTA committees and events on the PTA page of our website.
Read the PTA newsletter here!
We can’t wait to see you soon!
In Crew,
Corey Jenks
Principal, Columbine Elementary