SAT/ACT DIAGNOSTIC TEST | 12/13

There's still time to register for our FREE SAT vs ACT Diagnostic Comparison Test this Saturday! The test is designed to help determine three key factors: whether students are better suited to the SAT or ACT, baseline scores on both tests, and strengths and weaknesses in all content areas.

Saturday 12/13, 9:00am-12:30pm
CHS Cafeteria
► Register here

Questions? presidents@columbiahsa.com

*Registration required. Arrive at CHS by 8:45am and bring a fully charged laptop or tablet. Extended-time accommodations are available.

DONATE | WINTER ESSENTIALS

Our next Giving Closet event is on December 22nd.
Cold weather is already here! Can you help us stock up with cozy winter essentials to keep students warm (and moisturized!) over Winter Break and beyond? Hats and gloves (new, please), hand warmers, pjs, fuzzy socks, and hot cocoa are great for warmth on-the-go and at home, while lip balm, small tubes of hand lotion, and hydrating facial masks help soothe dry winter skin.

Three easy ways to help:

SHIP Direct to CHS! Order from the Cougar Cares Wish List.

DONATE We're happy to do the shopping for you! Help fund Cougar Cares' work.

SHOP Purchase locally and email cougarcares@columbiahsa.com for drop-off locations.

Thank you for supporting CHS students!

HOLIDAY BRUNCH | 12/19

This holiday season, the CHS HSA will celebrate our amazing 250+ Columbia staff members with a festive holiday brunch on Friday 12/19. Our annual brunch is a lovely way to show our teachers, administrators, and staff that we appreciate everything they do for our kids.

Here's how you can help:
• Bake, cook, heat up, or purchase food. Food can be dropped off that morning 7-8am, or in advance at a home in South Orange. (Details in the Sign Up Genius.)
• Volunteer your time. Early morning for set up or after lunch to clean up.
• Donate. If you cannot cook, shop, or drop off but wish to contribute towards the brunch with a small donation, see the Sign Up Genius for how to donate funds.

► Sign up to provide food or help out

Please consider donating food—last year, they truly appreciated all the variety, including hot sweet/savory breakfast casseroles, fresh bacon and sausage, gluten-free pastries, and more. Your weekend brunch favorites will make it extra special!

Questions? leslie.kerner@columbiahsa.com

HOLIDAY COOKIES | 12/19

Seeking cookie bakers and packaging volunteers for our 11th Annual Holiday Cookie Gifting for CHS teachers and staff! The CHS HSA will distribute homemade Holiday Cookies to ALL teachers and staff and we need your help!

Here is how you can participate:
• Provide 2, 3, or 4 dozen cookies (fresh baked preferred) on 12/19, 7:30-8:30am. More info in the Sign Up Genius!
• Volunteer to package and distribute cookies on 12/19, 8:30-10:30am.

Friday 12/19, CHS Auditorium
► Sign up to bake and/or package

Teachers and staff love this gift every year! This is a simple way to lend your support and do something special for the people who give so much to our children throughout the school year. We will be packaging approximately 300 boxes of homemade cookies so we need a lot of help. Please volunteer!

Questions? bac2@nyu.edu

HOLIDAY GIFTS @ COUGAR SHOP

CHS Cougar Shop has new merchandise just in time for the holidays! Start your shopping early by visiting CHS Cougar Shop. The shop has new hoodies and long-sleeve t-shirts, and all the favorites have been restocked.

• Order by Friday 12/12 for delivery by 12/16
• Order by Tuesday 12/16 for delivery by 12/19

Free delivery to South Orange and Maplewood addresses. All proceeds support Midnight Madness for the Class of 2026. Go Cougars!

Questions? cougarshop@columbiahsa.com

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED | NOW & LATER

Whether you have a few hours, a day here and there, or time on a regular basis, there are so many ways to pitch in to support our CHS community right now and in 2026—holiday celebrations, teacher & staff appreciation events, Cougar Cares, Prom Shop, and more—please consider volunteering in a way that works for YOU.

Fill out our Volunteer Interest Form to learn more. (We promise that submitting the form doesn't commit you to anything!)

GRADS RETURN! | 12/22

Calling all 2022-2025 Alumni! Grads Return is looking for recent CHS graduates to share their post-high school experiences and advice with current Seniors and Juniors at this virtual event on December 22nd.

Please share the interest form with any CHS alumni you know!

Questions? chsgradsreturn@gmail.com

Your HSA in Action!

Huge thanks to everyone who shopped, ordered, and donated to Cougar Cares’ Giving Closet event ahead of the early-November break. Snacks, personal care, period products, coats and jackets, clothes, shoes … we had such a great selection for students to take what they need, thanks to our amazing CHS families. Available to all students and all FREE. ❤️

We’ll do it all again soon, so keep an eye out for an updated needs list, or donate anytime to Cougar Cares.

Questions? cougarcares@columbiahsa.com

Daily Canvas Emails

One of the best ways to stay up-to-the-minute about CHS info is Mr. Sanchez's daily Canvas announcements delivered straight to your inbox. Not getting those emails? Follow our handy guide to update notification settings in your Canvas account.

SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER!

Everything our CHS families need to know for the week ahead (and beyond)! Delivered straight to your inbox every Monday morning.

You will be prompted to log in. If you already have a Membership Toolkit account with an SOMSD school or another organization, you can use the same log-in here.