At Columbia School District our students have a sense of belonging that flows directly out of our Mission Statement.  Our teachers, community members, administration and board members believe that our students will be stronger adults if we follow our Mission: Nurture Dreams. Empower All. Create a Better World. 

Gabriella Tackett

Our Mission gives our educational community sense of direction to make our students a priority, to help them to be empowered learners, and have a feeling of purpose.  The nurturing environment at Columbia gives our students an advantage over their peers.  The empowerment that students feel when they participate in leadership activities, special programs and extra-curricular events will lead them on a pathway to success.  

As our students leave Columbia Central and move on to their future, they are making a positive impact in the world around them.  Recently Columbia Central Alumnus, Gabriella Tackett was recognized by the Jackson Magazine as a leader in our community in the “under 30” group.  Her work at the Countryside Grand Assisted Living and Atrium Independent Plus has distinguished her in her field.  In the recent article, she was quoted as saying, "We all say it, but do we really mean it? Treat others the way we want to be treated, especially later in life."


Ariel Miller, Columbia Central High School Alumnus, Class of 2015 and former college soccer player at Indiana University East was honored with the Red Wolf Award last year for her tenacity and teamwork.  She was also honored with academic honors for doing so well while playing soccer.   Prior to her playing soccer for Indiana University East, she had an outstanding soccer career at Jackson College, playing for her high school coach Andy Hosmer.  While at Jackson College she spent time working for the Columbia School District transportation and maintenance departments.  The leadership skills she acquired while at Columbia Central High School have given her the ability to excel in all areas of her life.

Lexi with her Championship ring

Lexi Hall, a recent graduate (2018) from Columbia Central High School has continued saving lives by organizing blood drives in the Brooklyn area.  This past summer she held a blood drive, coordinated with the American Red Cross at Columbia Central High School.  Her desire to become a nurse has led her to value the lives of those around her.  Her leadership of American Red Cross Blood Drives began when she was in high school and directed the blood drive for the CCHS Leadership Class.  Lexi's college experience has been augmented by building on her experience as a CCHS varsity cheerleader for four years.  She recently earned a Championship ring as a member of the Concordia University NAIA First Place Cheerleading Team. 

Maria Cook a 2017 graduate from Columbia Central High School planned and ran her Seventh Annual Toy Drive for Mott Children’s Hospital.  Over the past six years she has collected over 3,000 toy for Motts to be given to children who will be spending the holiday season in the hospital.  The program provides toys to the children who are ill, as well as their siblings who are spending many days and nights with their brothers or sisters at Mott Children's Hospital.  Maria is currently a student in Elementary Education at Central Michigan University.  During her summers in the Brooklyn area, she works for the Columbia School District assisting with the educational summer camps.  Last year she created a new program called Princess Camp.  She worked to design the program so that it incorporated STEM activities in to the Princess Camp theme.

In her first year at Western Michigan University, Alissa Fish (Class of 2019) has dominated the fall golf league.  Her experience at Columbia Central High School learning to be a leader and winning the State Championship in golf, has given her the confidence and tenacity to take on older more experienced golfers.  Her competitive spirit was an asset at Columbia Central High School as she not only was an excellent golfer, but played basketball and was a top student academically.

These, and many more Columbia School District students are fulfilling the Columbia Vision: Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow as they experience college, the work place and the community.  Our students are flourishing during their school career and as they leave the empowering, nurturing academic environment of Columbia!

Get Your Ticket To The Cash Bash!

Get a great gift for the person who has everything!  Purchase a ticket to the Columbia School District Sixth Annual Golden Cash Bash on Saturday, February 22, 2020!  

The Cash Bash began in 2015, as a fun-filled celebration of the fabulous programs and activities offered at Columbia!  The Cash Bash has raised almost $90,000 over the past five years.  Last year the Columbia Community came together to raise more than $18,000! 

The funds raised are focused on two main areas: Scholarships for Columbia Central High School Seniors and 3A’s Mini Grants.  Many area individuals and businesses donated items, services, and vacation spots to the Cash Bash Silent Auction.  In 2019 the Silent Auction raised $6,000 for Senior Scholarships.  The funds raised for the 3A’s Mini Grants, which stands for Academics, Arts, and Athletics, flow directly from the Cash Bash ticket sales and raffles held during the event.  Last spring, more than $12,000 was raised for the 3A’s Mini Grants.

Last year 18 seniors received scholarship funds from the funds raised from the Silent Auction.  With scholarship awards ranging from $100 to $500.  The students used their scholarships for books, tuition payments, and fees.  The generosity of the Columbia community has made a positive impact on more than 90 seniors over the past five years. 

The 3A’s Mini Grants have benefited our students by providing STEM activities, robotics parts, software programs to enhance learning opportunities, athletic items, field trips, and extra educational strategies.  The funds raised for the mini grants helped to extend the ability of our teachers and coaches to make a difference in the lives of Columbia children.

If you are interested in purchasing a ticket to this fun event or wish to donate to the Columbia School District Cash Bash, contact us at: 11775 Hewitt Rd, Brooklyn, MI 49230 or call 5175926641.  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia Schools, call 5175926641 or email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org.

Time To Celebrate!!

It is time for us to celebrate a wonderful first four months of the 2019-20 school year!  Working closely together with our community has helped to offer our students improved learning opportunities at Columbia Schools.  Many of our positive improvements reside under the umbrella of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).  Teachers have increased their hands-on science teaching by using activities and strategies gained from work with the Battle Creek Math and Science Center curriculum.  

Our students from third through sixth grade have benefited by these STEM strategies and techniques.  One of the opportunities to engage students through innovative strategies is the Michigan League of Academic Games program (MLAG).  Columbia students have been working with Ms. Weidenbach and Miss Wing learning math games that focus on computation, problem solving and set theory.  During March some of the participants will represent Columbia in the annual Michigan League of Academic Games State Tournament where they will gain positive experience competing against students from across the state! 

Aligning with the STEM focus at Columbia School District, Columbia Elementary and Columbia Upper Elementary has Robotics Teams and our Junior and Senior High School has teams that provide our students with an opportunity to use the engineering and math concepts they learn in the classroom and apply it to building a functioning robot.  The students in robotics are given a challenge, so they build, program and operate their robot to complete the challenge.  In their technology class, students in Kindergarten through sixth grade have the opportunity to learn coding with Mr. Moore.  Students across the district have also enjoyed the STEM applications through our partnership with the Shop Rat Foundation and Consumers Energy. 

To support our students in this very important area of STEM, our teachers have participated in after-school programs: Columbia Central High School teachers support their students by providing expert assistance after-school.  Last year Ms. Samson received a grant from Lowes for two 3-D printers to assist in STEM.

This is an exciting time at Columbia School District!  Our terrific teachers and staff members have partnered with our parents and community to provide all of these and many more excellent educational opportunities for our students.  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia School District and our positive STEM programs, email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Reading and Writing at Columbia Schools

Columbia School District teachers and principals work diligently to partner with parents.  They feel that when children are learning about reading and writing in school, they will be a more successful learner if they complete fun skill building activities at home.  It is important to work with your children to write along with practicing reading.

Parents will want to encourage their children to write even if the end results appear to be a mess.  One of the secrets to interpreting their early writing attempts is to have them draw a picture then write a caption underneath.  As the parent or caring adult, you will simply ask them to read the caption and then you will write the correct spelling beneath their caption.  You can also suggest that they write a letter to a friend or relative, complete with pictures, and you can interpret the words that may be illegible. 

In addition to drawing a picture and having your child write a caption, you could ask your child to tell you what the picture shows.  Ask him or her to tell you a story describing the picture, then write down the story and read it back to him or her. 

To help reinforce your child’s writing skills you may want to talk about what you are writing, even something as mundane as a shopping list.  Talk about the list and the reason to make a list. Your child will have a deeper understanding of the use of the written language if you model the reasons to write. 

To further encourage your child to build his or her skills in writing, you may read your child a short book or a chapter of a longer book, then have him or her draw a picture of the next adventure of the characters in the book.  You could suggest that your child write a sentence or two depicting the exciting adventures for the characters in the story.

These writing strategies and tips will assist you as you work with your young learner at home.  The time you spend with your child reading and writing will lead to success as he or she learns today and becomes a leader tomorrow.  If you have questions regarding Columbia School District, call 5175926641 or email Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org.

Mission Impossible: Accomplished!

Mission Impossible!  Sometimes as we work with our children, it seems that it is an impossible task to get them to do small chores such as put the dishes away and clean their rooms.  Recently I spoke with a mother of two high school children.  She mentioned that she has worked diligently to prepare her children for college and beyond by making sure that they have the life skills necessary to survive.  Many parents do not want to burden their children with chores and tasks.  However, it is important to give your children age-appropriate assignments to teach them responsibility.

Even young children can help set the table, sweep the floors and clean their own rooms.  By the time a child enters upper elementary or junior high school they can take on more chores that teach them helpfulness and gives them a greater sense of responsibility.  They may be able to take on more accountability, and independence like helping prepare meals, making his or her own lunch, getting up in the morning, and managing his or her own money.  These life lessons will help support your child as they gain more accountability at school.

As you assist your child to make a smooth transition into a greater level of responsibility, you will want to make sure they know that you are solidly behind them and show that you love them.  Some ways you may support them as they become more accountable are to continue to make sure your child leaves the house on time and goes to school ready to learn.  He or she needs to have a good breakfast and an appropriate night’s sleep. 

In addition, you will want to be aware of his or her teacher’s expectations.  Although your child should do his or her own homework, you will want to know about the assignments in case your student needs assistance.  Make sure you meet your child’s teachers.  If you missed parent teacher conferences in October, take an opportunity to drop by the school and check in with them.  If you can’t stop by, make sure you call or email them to get the inside track on their expectations.

As your child takes on new challenges, be sensitive and understanding as you support them to reach for the stars.  Talk to your child about real life opportunities that tie into what your child is learning.  The newspaper is a good source of information to acquaint your student with the applications and ties to why they are taking math or science.  As you work on this impossible mission to assist your child as they grow into wonderful adults, remember you will be able to celebrate as you say, “Mission Impossible accomplished!”  If you are interested in learning about Columbia School programs, call 5175926641 or email pamela.campbell@myeagles.org.

Columbia School District Salutes Our Veterans!

Columbia School District staff members and students are forever indebted to our veterans for their service to our Country.  On Veterans Day, Columbia School District students and staff members greeted our local veterans with breakfast and a thunderous applause.  

We believe that from the beginning of our nation, many brave young men and women have stepped forward to defend our freedom. Nearly 50 million men and women have worn the uniform of the United States, and nearly 20 million veterans are living and working among us today.  At this time, many young adults are currently serving our country and becoming a new generation of American veterans.  

Our nation owes a debt to our veterans, and it’s a debt we can never fully repay.  Thank you Veterans for your service!

Welcome to Officer Breijak!

Columbia School District is pleased to announce that we have a new police liaison officer to work with our students and staff to continue to increase safety within the district.  Officer Theodore (Ted) Breijak grew up in the Jackson area and graduated from Michigan Center High School in 2014.  Following high school he attended college at Ferris State University. 

During college Officer Breijak played saxophone and oboe in the Ferris State University athletic pep band.  He used his skills in music as a student conductor trainee for a year with the pep band.  He received a small partial scholarship for his participation and leadership in the band.  While at Ferris State University he was also an assistant manager for the fast food restaurant, Kentucky Fried Chicken.

While at Ferris State University, Officer Breijak enjoyed the law enforcement prerequisites and entered in to the Ferris State Law Enforcement Academy his senior year of college, during which he took 20 credit hours each semester to prepare him for a position as a police officer.  Officer Breijak graduated from Ferris State University with a degree in Criminal Justice in 2018. 

Officer Breijak became a police officer because he likes working with the community.  Coming from Michigan Center, he enjoys participating in community activities and getting to know the people in town.  His first position following his graduation from Ferris State University was at the Jackson City Police Department.  Although he learned a lot about being on a police force and enjoyed working in Jackson, he missed being in a rural community.  He worked last summer for the Mackinaw island Police Department.  Officer Breijak found his summer experience on Makinaw Island interesting.  Officer Breijak said that he enjoyed his time immensely with the Mackinaw Island Police Department during the summer of 2019.  He was able to take the position as the Columbia Township Police Department Columbia School District liaison because his time at Mackinaw Island was only a summer job.

Officer Breijak said that he became a police liaison, “because I enjoy working with kids.  I am not that much older than the students so I relate to them.”  He continued by saying that he is interested in working to “develop my skills in juvenile relations, through his work at the Columbia School District.”

Officer Breijak has enjoyed his time so far with the Columbia Township Police Department because people are friendly.  He sees the community as a small world scale and where neighbors look out for one another.  He called the Columbia Township community, “Refreshing.”  His long range plans are to continue working in Columbia keeping the community safe and getting to know more of the residents in the area.