
This weekend has Trunk or Treat Options both Saturday and Sunday! Norvell Township is hosting a Trunk or Treat on Saturday from 1-3 pm at Athens Park and Columbia School District's Trunk or Treat is on Sunday, October 25th from 3-5 pm!




Work has officially begun on our very first project funded by the bond you passed! Earthwork is underway to make our baseball and softball complex ADA-compliant, starting with brand-new accessible sidewalks and dedicated parking spaces.
Thank you for investing in our community and helping us make our facilities welcoming and accessible for everyone. Stay tuned for more progress updates as work continues!



National School Bus Safety Week is October 19–23!
As our buses head out this week, let's all work together to keep Michigan’s students safe on their way to and from school!
Here’s a quick refresher for when you're following or approaching a school bus:
🟡 Yellow overhead lights flashing? Slow down and prepare to stop.
🔴 Red overhead lights flashing? Stop and wait! Students are entering or exiting the bus.
Remember: When the REDS are flashing, there’s no passing! Taking just a few seconds to be patient could save a child's life.
Check out MAPT’s School Bus Safety PSA featuring former Detroit Lions player Lomas Brown at www.mapt.org!
For more safety tips, resources, and campaign details, visit Michigan.gov/SchoolBusSafety.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our children safe!

With JV Football and Soccer Districts hosted at home TONIGHT, we are still critically short on concession workers.
A HUGE thank you to everyone who has already stepped up and worked multiple times this fall! As a reminder, the Athletic Boosters rely on every family covering just 1 shift per sport played each season. It takes all of us working together to make gamedays great for our athletes—that’s how we EARN IT as a community!
We only have a few weeks left in the fall season, and we still need helpers to finish strong:
🏈 Monday, Oct 19 (Tonight): 2 Volunteers needed (JV Football)
🏐 Thursday, Oct 22: 3 Volunteers needed (Volleyball)
🏈 Monday, Oct 26: 3 Volunteers needed (JV Football)
If you haven't worked your shift yet, please grab a spot today!
Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040D4DAAAE22A4FD0-65053064-cchs
Thank you for supporting Columbia Athletics! 💙💛


Wamplers Lake Rd. (south of Monroe), Hillanlake Dr., Darby, Wildwood, Knapp Rd, Pink St./Person Hwy, Cowboy Creek (Stagecoach Stop) Wellwood, Beech, Horning, Ladd, Waterman, Hardcastle & Lawrence Rd. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Reminder that Monday October 19th is a scheduled day off of school.

Students will compete in two divisions (grades 4–6 and 7–9), with prizes for the top finishers and an opportunity to advance to the diocesan competition. Word Lists are available at the following site:
https://mikofc.org/resources/state-spelling-bee

Reminder: Wednesday, 10/14 is a half-day for all Columbia School District students. Students attending childcare in the afteroon need to bring lunch from home. Dismissal is at 10:57 am for the high school campus and 11:20 am for the elementary campus.

Mark your calendars for our 10th annual Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 25th, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Columbia Central High School! Bring the whole family out for an afternoon of community fun, delicious food trucks, free cider and donuts, and 150 free pumpkins for the kids. We can't wait to see you there for treats, smiles, and spooky season fun!


This October, we want to show our appreciation for our exceptional administrators who show up every day with dedication, energy, and a commitment to helping our students succeed: Mr. Holtz, Mrs. Walters, Mr. Jackson, and Mr. Timmerman. From early morning drop-offs to late-night games and events, thank you for leading our schools with passion and heart. We are so lucky to have you on our team!

Columbia Elementary is looking for Substitute Crossing Guards to help keep our students safe on their way to and from school! Make a difference in our school community and help protect our students! Crossing Times: 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM & 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM. Please call 517-592-6641 to apply.

This is a very important reminder for all Columbia School District families: Tomorrow, October 7th, is Count Day!
Count Day is a vital part of our school funding, and accurate attendance is crucial for securing the resources that support every student's education. Your child's presence helps fund programs, staff, and opportunities across our district.


Upon assuming the role of Superintendent, an ambitious set of short-term and long-term goals was established to strengthen district operations and enhance opportunities for students. Reflecting on his tenure, the district has achieved several major operational and academic milestones:
*Bond Initiative Success: Successfully passed a major district bond initiative to fund facility improvements and modernization.
*Curriculum Alignment: Spearheaded the overhaul and alignment of core K-12 curriculum standards.
*Financial Stability: Built a robust fund balance supported by a stable sinking fund to protect the district's fiscal future.
*Community Partnerships: Strengthened collaborative relationships with local leaders, businesses, and civic organizations across Jackson County.
As he steps down as Superintendent, Mr. Baker noted that his primary inspiration is family. With four adult children, five wonderful grandchildren, and a sixth grandbaby arriving this December, his retirement goal is simple: to be fully present with his family every day.
The Board of Education will soon initiate the search process to identify a successor who will build upon this strong foundation. On behalf of the entire Columbia School District staff, students, and Golden Eagle community, we express our deepest gratitude for his service and wish him all the best in a well-deserved retirement!

