📣 Welcome back, Columbus Wildcats! 🐾
We kicked off the 2025–2026 school year with our Welcome Back Breakfast and remarks from our superintendent. It was a great start to a week full of learning, collaboration, and preparation!
We’re excited to be back in the buildings and getting ready to welcome students on Monday, August 25th. Today was just the beginning of what’s sure to be an amazing school year. Let’s go, Wildcats! 💙📚✨
We kicked off the 2025–2026 school year with our Welcome Back Breakfast and remarks from our superintendent. It was a great start to a week full of learning, collaboration, and preparation!
We’re excited to be back in the buildings and getting ready to welcome students on Monday, August 25th. Today was just the beginning of what’s sure to be an amazing school year. Let’s go, Wildcats! 💙📚✨
Please welcome Katie Anderson to Columbus!
Katie is happy to be back and serving the community she was raised in. She is beginning her 12th year in education and is excited to return to the elementary building. As the At-Risk Counselor, Katie hopes to support students in achieving their academic goals while fostering a sense of belonging for all. She’s grateful to be back "home" and working with such a strong, dedicated community.
Katie is happy to be back and serving the community she was raised in. She is beginning her 12th year in education and is excited to return to the elementary building. As the At-Risk Counselor, Katie hopes to support students in achieving their academic goals while fostering a sense of belonging for all. She’s grateful to be back "home" and working with such a strong, dedicated community.
Please welcome Tara Utter to Columbus!
Tara is originally from Iowa and attended college in Illinois. She previously taught elementary and junior high PE in the Chicago area. She is excited to get to know the students and connect with their families in a smaller community setting.
Tara enjoys traveling, camping, and spending time with her two young boys!
Tara is originally from Iowa and attended college in Illinois. She previously taught elementary and junior high PE in the Chicago area. She is excited to get to know the students and connect with their families in a smaller community setting.
Tara enjoys traveling, camping, and spending time with her two young boys!
This is a reminder that IF you registered for school supplies by Friday, August 8, you MUST plan to go to the United Presbyterian Church between 4pm-7pm to pick those supplies up on Tuesday, August 19. The United Presbyterian Church is located at 702 Second Street in Columbus Junction.
🥳 A huge THANK YOU to Tyson for partnering with us and supporting our new teachers!
We truly appreciate the thoughtful welcome bags and the meaningful conversation about how we’ll continue working together throughout the school year. Partnerships like this make a big difference, and we’re so grateful for the ongoing support.
We love our Tyson partnership. Thank you for investing in our educators and community! 💙🍎📚
We truly appreciate the thoughtful welcome bags and the meaningful conversation about how we’ll continue working together throughout the school year. Partnerships like this make a big difference, and we’re so grateful for the ongoing support.
We love our Tyson partnership. Thank you for investing in our educators and community! 💙🍎📚
✨ First day back with our new teachers and mentors! ✨
We had a fantastic day filled with learning, connecting, and preparing for a great year ahead. The day included professional learning, a campus tour to get familiar with our school community, and a fun lunch out in town to build relationships.
We’re so excited to welcome our new staff and can’t wait to see the amazing things they'll do this year! 💙
We had a fantastic day filled with learning, connecting, and preparing for a great year ahead. The day included professional learning, a campus tour to get familiar with our school community, and a fun lunch out in town to build relationships.
We’re so excited to welcome our new staff and can’t wait to see the amazing things they'll do this year! 💙
🚨 LOCATION CHANGE 🚨
Our first game vs. BGM will now be played at Muscatine High School!
📅 Friday, August 29
⏰ 7:00 PM Kickoff
ℹ️ More info to follow.
Spread the word and let’s pack the stands to support our Wildcats!
Our first game vs. BGM will now be played at Muscatine High School!
📅 Friday, August 29
⏰ 7:00 PM Kickoff
ℹ️ More info to follow.
Spread the word and let’s pack the stands to support our Wildcats!
🏈 JH Football practice begins Wednesday, August 20 at 3:30 p.m.
📄 Players must turn in their physicals and concussion forms.
📄 Players must turn in their physicals and concussion forms.
🏈 HS Football Parents — join us Friday for our Parent Meeting to meet the coaches, learn expectations, and get ready for a great season! 💪
💙 The Columbus Board of Education is seeking to appoint a director to fill a vacancy caused by a resignation, with the appointment lasting until the November, 2025 election.
📅 Interested candidates must submit their applications by 12:00 pm on August 22, 2025; late submissions will not be accepted.
📧 To request an application, email board@columbuscsd.org. Completed applications should also be sent to the same email address.
📅 Interested candidates must submit their applications by 12:00 pm on August 22, 2025; late submissions will not be accepted.
📧 To request an application, email board@columbuscsd.org. Completed applications should also be sent to the same email address.
Please welcome Mackenzie Duncan to the Columbus Community School District!
Mackenzie began working full-time as a Special Education Paraeducator and Building Substitute Teacher in 2018, spending two years in the Clear Creek Amana School District and continuing at Louisa-Muscatine Elementary School until May 2024.
She enrolled at William Penn University in the fall of 2021 and graduated in December 2024 with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Reading Endorsement. In January 2024, Mackenzie joined Roundy Elementary as the TAG teacher, and she will now be serving as the Junior High Science Teacher at the secondary level.
Since moving to Columbus Junction in 2021, Mackenzie has enjoyed the town’s strong sense of community. She has experience working with students of all grade levels but has especially enjoyed working with upper elementary students. She is excited to move up with the incoming 7th graders and looks forward to getting to know the 8th graders as well. A lifelong science enthusiast, Mackenzie is eager to provide her students with an engaging and memorable science experience this year.
Mackenzie began working full-time as a Special Education Paraeducator and Building Substitute Teacher in 2018, spending two years in the Clear Creek Amana School District and continuing at Louisa-Muscatine Elementary School until May 2024.
She enrolled at William Penn University in the fall of 2021 and graduated in December 2024 with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Reading Endorsement. In January 2024, Mackenzie joined Roundy Elementary as the TAG teacher, and she will now be serving as the Junior High Science Teacher at the secondary level.
Since moving to Columbus Junction in 2021, Mackenzie has enjoyed the town’s strong sense of community. She has experience working with students of all grade levels but has especially enjoyed working with upper elementary students. She is excited to move up with the incoming 7th graders and looks forward to getting to know the 8th graders as well. A lifelong science enthusiast, Mackenzie is eager to provide her students with an engaging and memorable science experience this year.
Please welcome Joy Craun to Columbus!
Joy grew up in central Iowa and brings 14 years of experience in education. She enjoys gardening, canning, making jam, and reading books during the summer.
Joy grew up in central Iowa and brings 14 years of experience in education. She enjoys gardening, canning, making jam, and reading books during the summer.
A few more shots from last week’s Pella camp 🏐
In just two days, this team made huge strides — learning new roles, improving on-court communication, and lifting each other up. Proud of their growth as players and as teammates. 💪
Can’t wait to see our Wildcats take the court this season! 🔥
In just two days, this team made huge strides — learning new roles, improving on-court communication, and lifting each other up. Proud of their growth as players and as teammates. 💪
Can’t wait to see our Wildcats take the court this season! 🔥
Please welcome John Kerr to Columbus!
With 33 years of experience in education, he has served as a math teacher, administrator, and coach. Drawn by Columbus CSD’s reputation as a great place to work with outstanding staff and students, he pursued the opportunity to join the district. Committed to supporting students on their educational journey, he is excited to be part of the team and looks forward to the new school year.
With 33 years of experience in education, he has served as a math teacher, administrator, and coach. Drawn by Columbus CSD’s reputation as a great place to work with outstanding staff and students, he pursued the opportunity to join the district. Committed to supporting students on their educational journey, he is excited to be part of the team and looks forward to the new school year.
🏃♂️💨 Columbus Cross Country RUN-A-THON!
The 2025 Columbus Cross Country Team is chasing BIG goals this season, including conference champs 🏆 and STATE qualifiers 🥇!
To help us get there, we’re hosting a Run-A-Thon Fundraiser in conjunction with Back to School Night! 🎉
📅 When: Thursday, August 21 from 4–6 PM
📍 Where: Columbus Community High School Track
🎯 Goal: 25 runners | 150 miles total 🏃♀️🏃♂️
💙 How to Donate: See a Columbus XC runner OR visit the Columbus Cross Country/Track & Field Facebook page and reply to the post!
Come cheer us on, support our athletes, and help us make STATE! 🚀💪
The 2025 Columbus Cross Country Team is chasing BIG goals this season, including conference champs 🏆 and STATE qualifiers 🥇!
To help us get there, we’re hosting a Run-A-Thon Fundraiser in conjunction with Back to School Night! 🎉
📅 When: Thursday, August 21 from 4–6 PM
📍 Where: Columbus Community High School Track
🎯 Goal: 25 runners | 150 miles total 🏃♀️🏃♂️
💙 How to Donate: See a Columbus XC runner OR visit the Columbus Cross Country/Track & Field Facebook page and reply to the post!
Come cheer us on, support our athletes, and help us make STATE! 🚀💪
Flash XC gear shop. Store will now close on Wednesday, August 13th (tomorrow)!
https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/COLWLDCTXC
https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/COLWLDCTXC
Please welcome Andrea Rhum to Columbus!
Andrea recently graduated from Buena Vista University in October 2024, making this her first year in her own classroom. Over the past five years, she has worked as a paraeducator at Mediapolis Elementary and has also served as a substitute teacher in several area districts.
She deeply values the strong sense of community that small districts offer. In a smaller district, the feeling of family is especially meaningful. Andrea is excited to get to know the students, families, and community members as she begins this new chapter at Columbus.
Andrea recently graduated from Buena Vista University in October 2024, making this her first year in her own classroom. Over the past five years, she has worked as a paraeducator at Mediapolis Elementary and has also served as a substitute teacher in several area districts.
She deeply values the strong sense of community that small districts offer. In a smaller district, the feeling of family is especially meaningful. Andrea is excited to get to know the students, families, and community members as she begins this new chapter at Columbus.
Please welcome Emilee Rooney to Columbus!
Emilee graduated from Iowa Wesleyan University and has spent the last two years teaching 7th–8th grade Science and TAG at Winfield-Mount Union. She is excited to join the CCSD family because of its strong sense of community, dedication to student success, and commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
Emilee graduated from Iowa Wesleyan University and has spent the last two years teaching 7th–8th grade Science and TAG at Winfield-Mount Union. She is excited to join the CCSD family because of its strong sense of community, dedication to student success, and commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
Welcome Annette Hoffer to Columbus!
Annette is thrilled to be starting her teaching career at Roundy Elementary. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Reading Endorsement. Over the past school year, Annette had the wonderful opportunity to complete both her practicum and student teaching at Roundy. She is grateful to now officially join the team. The staff and students have been incredibly welcoming, and she is excited to spend another year learning and growing alongside them.
Annette is thrilled to be starting her teaching career at Roundy Elementary. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Reading Endorsement. Over the past school year, Annette had the wonderful opportunity to complete both her practicum and student teaching at Roundy. She is grateful to now officially join the team. The staff and students have been incredibly welcoming, and she is excited to spend another year learning and growing alongside them.
Welcome Aron Kehoe to Columbus! Aron is passionate about teaching Talented and Gifted (TAG) students and is excited for the opportunity and challenge of coordinating a K–12 TAG program. He was impressed by the professional, welcoming interview process and the strong support shown by district leadership. Aron also values the relationship-centered environment of a smaller district where everyone knows one another.
The 2025–26 school year will be his 14th in education. His experience includes special education, at-risk/dropout prevention, and TAG. He looks forward to working with colleagues to grow passion projects and enrichment opportunities that engage and challenge students in meaningful ways.
The 2025–26 school year will be his 14th in education. His experience includes special education, at-risk/dropout prevention, and TAG. He looks forward to working with colleagues to grow passion projects and enrichment opportunities that engage and challenge students in meaningful ways.
