Columbia Heights Public Schools

09/12/2026

This week’s Hylander Saturday Staff Spotlight is Tina Schaefer, English Teacher at Columbia Heights High School! Tina has been a Hylander for 9 years! She started as a Literary Coach at Columbia Academy before joining the English team at CHHS. She is also the English Department Chair, Building Union Representative, has taught Summer School and has been the Prom Advisor.

Some fun things to know about Tina are that her son, Felix, just graduated from CHHS this spring and her two nephews attend Valley View Elementary! She attended Metropolitan State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree from the Urban Teachers Program and she also got her Masters degree in Literacy from Hamline University. She has lived in Columbia Heights since she started working for CHPS and loves living in the community with family.

“I love my students and my colleagues here at CHPS! Heights is the best, the community is strong, I love the diversity and how we all support each other when we need it. I just really love teaching and working with my students. Heights students are amazing! I also really love that we have been able to give free books to students every year through our Book of the Month program.” - Tina Schaefer

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

We love our partnership with Ready Set Smile 🦷💙💛

RSS had a fantastic time hosting our dental clinic at Highland Elementary School of Columbia Heights Public Schools today! 🦷✨

It was a joy bringing preventative care, cleanings, and bright smiles directly to our students. A huge thank you to the Highland Elementary staff, our incredible dental team, and all the wonderful students who came out to make today such a success!

We love supporting our school community and keeping our kids healthy and confident. See you at the next event!

09/10/2026

Retirement should be about freedom—not financial stress. In this free "The 5 Biggest Expenses in Retirement and How to Reduce Them" class, we’ll break down the 5 biggest expenses most retirees face and share practical strategies to help reduce or better manage them. From housing and healthcare to transportation and unexpected costs, you’ll walk away with simple, actionable ideas to help protect your income and make your money last.

This class will be on Wednesday, September 23rd from 2:00-3:00 p.m. in the CHPS Family Center. Registration is required, even though the class is free.

Register here: https://colheights.arux.app/course/76/fall-2026/the-5-biggest-expenses-in-retirement-and-how-to-reduce-them

Call 763-528-4517 if you have any questions!

09/09/2026

The Minnesota Truth Council Public Meeting is live. CHPS Superintendent Zena Stenvik is a member of the council and tonight around 7:00 p.m., CHPS staff members Leslee Sherk and Kevin Centeno are speaking at the meeting. Tune into the link below to watch.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

09/09/2026

This free Community Ed class is happening next week! Register now!

Are you an obituary reader? What draws you to them? Do you think you will have to write one in the future? How will you do that? Are you curious about the idea of writing your own obituary? What might that sound like?

Come for a free conversation and education about all things obituary--tools, hints, costs, examples--, with Marilaurice Hemlock. Marilaurice is a funeral celebrant, death educator, retired liturgist and pastoral minister, lover of words, writer of obituaries, and active member of the Land Conservation Natural Burial Project.

Register here: https://colheights.arux.app/course/75/fall-2026/the-art-of-the-obituary or call 763-528-4517.

09/09/2026

Our CHHS Centennial Celebration is this Saturday and we’ve come across a lot of cool history getting ready for you all to come home!

Guess that decade! We’re going to share some pictures from different decades leading up Saturday to celebrate 100 Years of Hylanders!

💙💛

09/05/2026

This week’s Hylander Saturday Staff Spotlight is Jenny Linderholm, 1st Grade Teacher at Highland Elementary! This is Jenny’s third year as a Hylander. She has been a teacher for 14 years and has been educating Minnesota’s youngest learners since she began.

Some fun things to know about Jenny are that she grew up in St. Louis Park and attended Normandale Community College where she earned her Associate’s Degree, and then attended Metropolitan State University where she got her Bachelor’s Degree and Urban Teaching License. Jenny’s brother has four children who she loves to spend time with and they make her the proud aunt of two nieces and two nephews.

“What I love most about Columbia Heights Public Schools is the strong sense of community. It truly feels like a close-knit family where staff work together to support and care for students and their families. CHPS values community connections and creates an environment where everyone feels welcomed and supported. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a young child, and after 13 (starting 14) years in education, I still love what I do. I enjoy working in a district that genuinely values its students, staff, and community. Over the past few years at CHPS, I have built many meaningful relationships and have cherished getting to know my colleagues, students, and families. I look forward to continuing to strengthen those connections and growing alongside this wonderful community.” - Jenny Linderholm