Using Cooking to Enhance Your Child's Reading Skills!

Cooking may not be your forte or you may be a person that is so good in the kitchen that you could win a baking competition.  Years ago as a young wife I did not have a long list of items I could prepare.  In fact my husband and I have many funny stories about the craziness that happened in the kitchen while I was learning to cook.  After years of practicing and experimenting, along with learning from others, I can cook for a small family or even up to 400 people in a commercial kitchen. 

Without instructions in the form of recipes or information off a website, it would be difficult to turnout a great meal for our family and friends.  In a similar way, we follow instructions or a recipe for student success.  Reading is a key to a successful tenure as a student, no matter what grade your child is currently in.  As a parent or grandparent you may be wondering how to support your child as they learn to read or improve their reading skills. 

One way to keep your child interested in reading while you are reading to them, or they are reading a book, is to identify options from the story for your work in the kitchen.  Teaming up with your child in the kitchen is a good way to support not only their cooking skills, but reading, mixed in with a bit of mathematics!   For example, the book “Dragons Love Tacos” talks about why Dragons eat tacos and how hot sauce makes them snort smoke.  Your cooking lesson could begin with tacos and spread to the condiments and other supporting items for the meal.  When your child helps you search for and read recipes, they will learn so much about various types of food and how to measure the items.  You can even sneak in a bit of math when talking about ½ cup or ¼ teaspoon.

If you are interested in reading Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham to your child, it is a fun time to make eggs, whether they are green or regular.  Even if you did not make green scrambled eggs, you could talk about adding green food coloring to other recipes like cupcakes, tropical fruit punch or pancakes.  It will be so much fun working with your child and helping them to learn how to read the recipe, cook and bake.

Each March Columbia School District celebrates Reading Month!  Our students will be focusing on reading this month and will be bringing home interesting ideas of how to make reading more fun.  Give your child the gift of reading by creating extraordinary ways of encouraging them.  Remember: Reading if the key to success!  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia School District email me at Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Math Can Be Fun! Let's Try Fractions!

Math can be fun!  Columbia School District teachers use mathematics each day and help acquaint their students to information that will provide connections to everyday occurrences.  Sometimes students have a difficult time when they first learn about fractions.  You can make your child’s understanding of fractions deeper and more common sense.  Being able to see and experience fractions and their use through examples will help your child gain confidence. 

Each day we use fractions in many ways.  When we go to the grocery store, we experience fractions.  When we split a candy bar in half with our child, we are using fractions.  As the parent or grandparent, we can keep a list of how we use fractions in our daily duties and experiences.  Help your child keep a list of the fractions he or she uses in their daily activities.  Your child may list that he or she had an extra half hour of recess, or he or she only drank one-third of his or her milk at lunch.  In addition to a list or tabulation of how they use fractions, they may want to illustrate the examples.

To help your child learn more about fractions, you may play a game.  Gather ten pennies.  Put out three of the pennies on a piece of paper.  Ask your child to draw a circle around 1/3 of the pennies.  Try various combinations, such as 2/5 or 3/7. 

Another game can be played with paper where you draw various fractions.  Begin by drawing a circle and split the circle into thirds.  Ask your child to color in 2/3 of the circle.  Draw a rectangle and split it into five equal parts.  Ask your child to fill in 1/5 or 3/5 of the drawing.  You may continue by experimenting with various fractions.

For the next game you will create a set of cards with fractions written on them.  You and your child will put one fraction on each card, ¼, ½, ¾, 1, 1 ¼, 1 ½, 1 ¾, 2.  Mix up the cards and challenge your child to put them into order. 

By practicing, playing games, and connecting the use of fractions with everyday activities and experiences, your child will learn that fractions are ordinary and help us explain various relationships and interactions in everyday life.  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia School District or any of our programs, call 5175926641 or email me at Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org .

Columbia Cardiac Emergency Response

 The Columbia School District vision is “Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow”.  An encouraging, positive and safe learning environment is pertinent to the success of our children.  Columbia has focused our efforts on providing a safe, secure environment for our students and staff members to properly deliver a positive beneficial learning environment for our school family.

This past week the Columbia teachers, staff members and administrators learned about our Cardiac Emergency Response Plan and how it benefits our students.  The Cardiac Emergency Response Plan was created with a partnership with the Columbia Township Fire Department and Project ADAM.  Since 1999, Project ADAM has provided schools with the resources necessary for planning and implementing school cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) programs.

The orientation to the Cardiac Emergency Response Plan included an overview of the plan and an example of an emergency scenario to help guide and direct responders, teachers and staff members.  The plan includes the creation of a Cardiac Emergency Response Team.  The teams are made up of five to 10 people in each building who are designated to respond in the event of a cardiac emergency.  The team members are located in various areas of each school building to ensure adequate coverage.

Sudden cardiac arrest events can vary greatly.  Faculty, staff and Cardiac Emergency Response Team (CERT) members must be prepared to perform the duties necessary in an emergency.   Immediate action is crucial in order to successfully respond to a cardiac emergency.  The Cardiac Emergency Response Plan orientation was led by Dr. Campbell who is a certified American Red Cross CPR and AED instructor. 

Over the next month the students in each building will become more acquainted to the Cardiac Emergency Response Plan and how to support the effort to increase the safe environment in our district.  In addition, the groups who are using the Columbia School District facilities will be able to access the plan and instructions.  The idea is to provide an increased level of safety for our students and community members while using our buildings.  If you are interested in learning more about the program or any other Columbia School District initiative, please email Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

January is School Board appreciation month.  Our dedicated Columbia School District board members share a common goal to provide a positive learning environment for our children.  With deep care and compassion our board members put in hundreds of hours focusing on the well-being of each student. Their time is well spent attending extracurricular activities, joining professional development sessions, and volunteering at school community events.  Continually advocating for children, they work diligently alongside parents and community members to set policy and create a vision to help our students experience educational success.

Education is very important in the history of the United States and the volunteer members of local school boards have been essential in the progress towards excellent learning environments for our children.  Complex challenges and serious issues, along with financial ambiguities face our board members as they collaborate with community members and parents. 

Our citizen school board leaders, President Robert Wahr, Vice-President Mark Fish, Treasurer Garrick Zuver, Secretary Jodi Collins, Trustee Brian Knapp, Trustee Dave Slusher and Trustee Chris Holbert, consistently rise to the occasion in their challenging duties with extraordinary dedication.  Their concerted efforts are the key to establish policies that will prepare our children to become future leaders.

I congratulate the Columbia School District board members for their success in providing an excellent educational experience for all of our children.  During this month of appreciation, join with me to applaud our school board members who provide enthusiastic support and caring for our students, teachers and administrators. 

There are many ways in which you may express your gratitude and support for our school board members: Email them a note of appreciation, send them a letter of support, express your thanks in a phone call, or make a donation to your favorite school program in their name.  Your positive feedback to these unselfish leaders will be greatly appreciated.  If you are interested in learning more about the Columbia School District, please contact me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 517-592-6641.

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.