In any environment there are right and left-brained
individuals. This combination of the two
types of people helps to make school a rich learning environment. The so called “right-brained” thinkers are
said to be creative, thoughtful and intuitive.
“Left-brained” thinkers give us the logical, analytical and sequential
way of approaching a problem or a concern.
Strengths of right-brained and left-brained combine to make the school
environment rich during learning activities.
Classrooms in the Columbia School District often use grouping to solicit
various solutions and problem-solving approaches by complementing right-brained
people with students who are left-brained.
As we have worked with our construction projects we also
have included right and left-brained individuals in the process. Some of us look at things in square boxes,
very sequentially, while others view the area in question with a creative
approach. Some of our contributors use
charts, graphs and organizational utilitarian strategies, while other
participants go by their experience and feelings. As we have proceeded through the process we
have discussed, designed, and redesigned areas, then kept, delayed or deleted
individual items.
This summer our projects included new roofs at all four
schools. The roofing projects included
new metal trim around the edge, upgraded and improved soffits and soffit
lighting and new downspouts. The roofs
received new insulation and are warrantied.
So far we have had very few leaks throughout this process. Unfortunately, one leak emerged after the
antenna on the Columbia Central High School was placed directly above the CC
logo in center court in the gymnasium.
The slight rip in the seam of the roof during a short down pour,
resulted in some damage at center court.
The roofing contractor is paying for the damage to the court.
One of the important safety items we tackled this summer has
been the separation of the parent drop-off and
bus loop at the Columbia Middle and Elementary School Campus. Parents will find it convenient to drive east on School Street straight into the parent drop-off loop. The loop goes to the right, so parents may drop their middle school students off first, then proceed around to the elementary school drop off area. There will be two lanes: the right one for dropping your child off and the left one for passing. Children should exit from the passenger side of their vehicle. Parents may not drop their child off from the left lane or they may be in peril of getting hit by a car. To keep the drop-off lanes working to peak efficiency, please ask your child to have their shoes or boots on and their school supplies in hand when you pull up to the drop-off area. There will be a small parking area in the center of the drop-off loop for preschool parents. This area is reserved for preschool parents because they have to bring their little ones into the school to sign them in.
bus loop at the Columbia Middle and Elementary School Campus. Parents will find it convenient to drive east on School Street straight into the parent drop-off loop. The loop goes to the right, so parents may drop their middle school students off first, then proceed around to the elementary school drop off area. There will be two lanes: the right one for dropping your child off and the left one for passing. Children should exit from the passenger side of their vehicle. Parents may not drop their child off from the left lane or they may be in peril of getting hit by a car. To keep the drop-off lanes working to peak efficiency, please ask your child to have their shoes or boots on and their school supplies in hand when you pull up to the drop-off area. There will be a small parking area in the center of the drop-off loop for preschool parents. This area is reserved for preschool parents because they have to bring their little ones into the school to sign them in.
For parents who desire to park and bring their child into
the building, they will find it convenient to park immediately west of either
the elementary or middle school. Parents
with elementary aged children are asked to park in the “Parent/Staff” lot on
the west end of the elementary school.
This lot is designed for parking only, not for drop-off. All drop-offs must be made in the drop-off
loop between the buildings. Middle
school parents who must accompany their children into the building are asked to
park in the “Parent/Staff” lot immediately west of the middle school. This lot is being transformed from a drop-off
loop into a regular parking lot. The
formerly dirt and gravel lot may be used by either elementary or middle school
parents.
A second safety element is the bus loop. Children arriving by school bus will be
dropped off in a separate area from the parent drop-off loop. This area is accessed by the new bus driveway
off of Monroe Street. This drive may not
be accessed by any automobile traffic.
It is exciting to see this summer’s renovations coming to a
close just in time for the next phase to go out for bid in October. A heart felt “Thank You” goes out to all of
you left or right-brained community members who have participated in the
Facility Improvement Team or any of our other committees. The improvements to our schools are a
testament to your hard work and tenacity!
If you have questions regarding the traffic flow at the
middle or elementary schools, please attend the Back-to-School Bash for
Columbia Elementary students on Wednesday, August 27th from 5:00 pm
to 6:30 pm or the Open House for Columbia Middle School students also on
Wednesday, August 27th from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. If you have questions regarding registering
your child for Columbia Schools, please email me at Pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or
call me at 5175926641.