Changing Colors of Fall!

The other day one of my friends told me about an experience with his son.  They were out in the woods doing some hiking and hunting.  As the sun rose and lit the trees with its rays, his son said about the vibrant fall colors practically leaping off of the leaves, “This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in nature.”  This ten-year-old was focused on the incredible beautiful ever changing colors of the leaves. 

 As I rush out the door every morning, I take a minute to focus on the beautiful colors of the changing leaves and the rays of the warming sun.  Recently as I gazed up at the bright oranges, yellows, reds and greens of the trees, it made me think about how education has changed over the past several years. 

Technology is one of the most brightest and colorful ever changing areas of education, much like the changing colors of the leaves on the trees.  These days we hear a lot of changing ideas about educating our children.  One phrase we have heard a lot about is “Blended Learning.”  What exactly is blended learning and does it have positive results for our students? 

Blended learning uses both digital learning strategies through online media and traditional classroom instruction.  Students are able to complete the online portion of the learning, decide on the place they access the online content and set an appropriate pace.  Columbia Central High School students use blended learning strategies in quite a few of their classrooms.  In Advanced Placement Biology, Mr. Dickens uses blended learning techniques to enhance the time the students have in their classroom.  He uses a strategy called “Flipped Classroom.”  In this strategy students choose the time and place that they review the material in the lesson before coming to class.  This material may include research, specific online sites or a Podcast.  Once the students arrive in class they begin with activities based upon the material they covered online and may follow up with an assessment covering their assignment and activities.

Blended learning activities also are taking place at Columbia Upper Elementary School.  Many teachers are using strategies that integrate technology both at home and during school.  Recently I spoke to several students who were working on a blended learning technique that included doing online research, creating a graphic organizer and translating that into a multipage website.  This strategy gave the students an opportunity to work in their own time, at their own pace, using a learning-path they chose and a place that worked for them. 

In some of our Columbia Elementary School classrooms teachers are having students write in their blogs online and then classmates, parents, and other relatives, in addition to the teacher, read and write reviews.  This partnership between parents, students and the teacher is made possible through the online techniques of blended learning.

At Columbia Options High School students use online applications during their traditional classes as well as during their virtual classes.  We support students as they complete their virtual classes with a drop-in center and a resource teacher.  Many students find the virtual portion to be better suited to their learning needs, but they also find the resource teacher very important to assist them with questions.

By integrating technology and blended learning into the curriculum teachers must reinvent their teaching techniques.  To adapt the learning activities into this innovative way of teaching and learning, teachers collaborate together and experience a sustainable, transformation that results in meaningful student growth.

At Columbia as we have worked to integrate technology into the curriculum and use blended learning strategies to enhance students’ ability to acquire new knowledge, we have seen a progressive improvement of student retention by using these techniques.  Students enjoy completing online research activities such as in the example in Mr. Dickens’ Advanced Placement course and seem to experience a greater level of retention.  As we continue to use blended learning activities, strategies and techniques with our students we anticipate that they will increase their performance on post activity assessments.  When you look up at the beautiful changing fall leaves, remember to think about the changing look of technology in education. If you would like to learn more about Columbia School District or our programs, call me at 5175926641 or email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org .

Anytime, Anywhere, Anyhow Learning at Columbia!

Learning can happen anytime, anywhere, anyhow.  This philosophy gives today’s students the opportunity to experience a different type of learning environment to help them be college and career ready.  Columbia School District is committed to giving students the optimal learning activities to gain the knowledge they need to be successful in the 21^st Century. 

We not only have great teachers and learning opportunities at Columbia, but we offer a virtual educational experience for many of our students.  This virtual experience underscores the change in the conventional school experience including when and where students learn, what information they need to be confident and who they are as learners.

In addition to virtual classes our students have an opportunity to learn in flipped classrooms.  Flipped classrooms exist when a teacher gives his or her lesson on a short video.  This video lecture is viewed at home, then the in classroom work is focused on projects, completing exercises and discussions.

Our Columbia students may also take college level classes while they are in high school.  The Advanced Placement courses at Columbia Central High School give our students an intense college level experience.  Our incredible teachers used focused strategies and an increased level of educational learning activities to give our students the best chance to succeed.  Students may also earn the opportunity to take courses at the local community college.

Students who are in their junior year of high school and have an interest in a manufacturing career may participate in the early middle college program through JAC3, which is a unique program creating a concurrent opportunity to earn college credit, earn a high school diploma and a technical or career credential.  This program gives students skills through hands-on training, the opportunity to earn a career placement and an associate’s degree while still in high school.

These programs and opportunities are a result the impact of our new economy and its greater emphasis on technology.  Our emphasis on project based learning and integrated technology helps to weave complex thinking skills into each area of the curriculum.  If you are interested in learning more about the opportunities at Columbia School District email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Columbia School District Teachers Are Dedicated To Their Students!

This weekend I watched several college football games on Saturday and a couple of professional football games on Sunday.  As I watched the players battle for the ball, run in to the in zone for a touchdown or sack the quarterback, I thought about how many hours they practice to get to the collegiate or professional level. 

At Columbia School District our teachers also spend many hours working to hone their teaching skills through professional development and advanced classes.  Each teacher must earn the equivalent of six credits every five years and spend at least thirty hours in school based professional development each year.  Teachers read educational articles and books in order to continue to learn best practices in teaching and learning.  Many teachers scour the internet reading teacher blogs and articles about what activities are included at schools across the country. 

As we prepared for school this fall our teachers spent several days working together, analyzing data and planning positive learning interventions.  During their collaborative learning opportunities they discussed and cooperated on many activities that will provide success oriented activities

for their students.  Many of our teachers spent the summer taking courses, reading educational books or attending seminars to help them prepare for their students.

We had several teachers attend seminars focused on the curriculum for Advanced Placement courses.  Some of our teachers spent time this summer joining almost 1,000 other educators at Nerd Camp focusing on literacy, technology integration and innovative educational activities.  Still other Columbia educators connected with colleagues to participate in book studies.  In addition, some of our teachers and administrators participated in leadership focused activities this summer.

As you watch the various sporting events this fall and admire the proficiency of the athletes, think about all of the effort our great Columbia School District educators put into improving their ability to teach our children and preparing our students to be successful learners.  These fine Columbia instructors are truly life-long learners.  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia educational opportunities, email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Columbia School District Says Thank You to Our Community!

In 2012 we began meeting as a community interested in improving school safety, increasing our ability to keep our students warm and dry, and enhancing our technology.  Our Facility Improvement Team worked together with Granger Construction and Kingscott Architects to put together the right combination of improvements to provide an excellent learning environment for our students.  In November of 2013, the community voted to approve the two proposals totaling $30.5 million. 

Thank you to the Columbia Board of Education for their commitment and positivity through the Bond Campaign and construction process.   Thank you to Mr. Robert Wahr, Board President for his leadership and continual support.  Thank you to Mr. Garry Applegate, Board vice president, for his construction expertise, enthusiasm and time commitment, attending hundreds of meetings and putting in thousands of hours over the past three years.  Thank you to Mr. Mark Fish for his knowledge of the inner working of electrical projects and attendance to committee meetings.  Thank you to Mrs. Jodi Collins for her ability to motivate fellow committee members and her ability to organize people to canvas the entire community, going door to door educating our friends and neighbors and helping to plan and carryout this ceremony.  Thank you to Mr. Dave Slusher for his support through this process, first as the high school principal and for the past two years as a board member.  Thank you to Mr. Michael Moore for his enthusiasm for the project and his steadfast belief in the importance of creating a positive technological learning environment for our students.  Thank you to Mrs. Bev Fish for her assistance in organizing this ceremony and support throughout the bond campaign.  Thank you also to former school board members Dan Fulara and Doug Schedler for their support and expertise throughout the bond passage and construction process.

I want to recognize our principals Daniel Hyliard, Nick Rulewicz, Christi O’Neil, Deb Powell, Ralph Piepkow, and Lisa Klink for their time commitment attending countless committee meetings, walking door to door, even in the rain, and answering questions from our community members regarding the project.

I want to recognize our teachers and aides for their enthusiasm and positive attitude as they canvassed the community door to door, attended committee meetings, and moved countless boxes and furnishings out of the building and back into the buildings, even over this holiday weekend.  Thank you to one of our retired teachers, Willow Jeffreys, who has been involved in every phase of the process from the bond campaign all the way through until today.

Thank you to our secretarial and clerical staff members for their intense optimism as they answered questions, guided the moving process, packed boxes and still maintained their positive attitudes.

Thank you to our hard working diligent custodial and maintenance staff led by Mr. Bill Bradley for their immense time commitment working to make this transition happen by moving thousands of boxes, chairs and desks, as well as joining in the bond campaign by encouraging their friends and neighbors to vote yes.

Thank you to our positive and enthusiastic Columbia students who never complained as they worked to pass the bond issue and helped to move our teaching staff out, then back in to the buildings.  We couldn’t have done this without you.

Thank you to our Granger construction management team, Glenn Granger for your leadership, Barry Rooney for your support throughout the bond campaign and construction process, Matt Lerg for his leadership and detail oriented tenacity during the construction, Bronson Clayton for his kind way of reminding our construction team of our high standards for the final project, Ken Heinz and Jason for their countless hours working, supervising and sweating with our construction crew.

Thank you to Kingscott Architects, David Martin lead architect, Sarah Haselschwardt lead designer, Dana McClellan designer and John Noteware project architect.

Thank you to our contractors for all of your hard work throughout the two years of construction.  You made the aggressive timeline possible.  Let’s give a round of applause for all those involved in the construction process.

Thank you to our community for your support and enthusiasm through this improvement process!  It was a blessing the way that our great Columbia community members came together to make these extensive renovations possible.

Seeing Education from Various Vantage Points at Columbia School District

Each summer my husband and I take a group of teens and preteens to Cedar Point.  The experience is enjoyable and educational.  One of the things I find fascinating is that depending on your vantage point, you see the park differently.  When you are on a fast ride you see the area as a blur, both right-side up and upside down.  If you are on the Sky Ride or the giant Ferris Wheel you are able to see a lot of the park and a bit more of the detail.  However, if you tour the park on the ground by walking around, you see details you miss from a speedy or an elevated ride. 

Similarly, Columbia School District teachers, administrators and staff members focus on working closely with your child to ensure the important details are covered.  Whether your child is a preschooler enjoying learning about career choices, a sixth grade student learning about the parts of a cell or a Columbia Central High School senior learning the intricacies’ of solving a crime in the Forensic Science class, our teachers give their students the information they need to be successful. 

Our caring administrators work diligently to craft schedules, programs and educational learning opportunities to give students a firm foundation for a bright future.  The Columbia emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) includes engineering and robotics classes and after school programs, hands-on activities through the MLAG program (Michigan League of Academic Games) and opportunities to earn college credit through our STEM electives: AP Chemistry, AP Biology and AP Calculus.  New this year will be the Upper Elementary Genius Hour project.  During this activity period students will use project based learning techniques to successfully complete hands-on activities.

One of the new programs for our students in kindergarten through sixth grade is the technology exploratory.  This class will give students the opportunity to learn more about educational technology including Chromebooks, iPads and applications that focus on learning strategies.  At Columbia Central high school students will also have new technology options as the result of the addition of our business foundations and Microsoft IT Academy.  These classes will give our high school students the opportunity to build their skills and abilities to provide a pathway to higher education and the work-force. 

In each of the areas of our district our teachers are dedicated to providing our students both a birds-eye view of their subject area, similar to the outlook from Sky Ride at Cedar Point, and the ground-level detail that will give our students a foundation for a successful future.  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia School District, our programs and opportunities for success, email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call me at 5175926641.

Accumulating Knowledge Bit By Bit!

The other day I was rearranging items in my bag when I noticed how heavy it was.  When I pulled my wallet out I realized that it was the culprit.  Upon further investigation I noticed that I had accumulated several dollars' worth of change in the coin purse side.  Who would think that in this small compartment I could have almost a pound of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters?  

Over the years we accumulate many things, some boring and useless, and some items that are precious and priceless.   In much the same way, children accumulate bits of knowledge through their experiences and the learning opportunities that come their way.  At Columbia School District our teachers use various techniques to assist our children as they learn and build their knowledge base. 

This fall our students will be able to take advantage of the use of new iPads and Chromebooks.  Their experiences using these devices will enhance their accumulation of knowledge and skills.  Our students will also be exposed to SMART technology through the interactive projectors and SMART boards.  As our children move forward in their lives they will most certainly use technology in everything they do.  Their use of technology in their Columbia School District classroom will benefit them throughout their lives.

Our students will also have the opportunity to gain insight through the academic focus of their classroom teacher.  Our dedicated Columbia School District teachers passionately focus on helping our students learn and grow, accumulating bits of knowledge, throughout their school careers.  Their accumulation of knowledge and insight will further them down the path to success.  Just like all of the various coins I had accumulated in my wallet, our children will find that the daily, weekly and yearly accumulation of knowledge and skills will give them a firm foundation that is valuable.  If you are interested in registering your child for Columbia School District, please email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Ribbon Cutting at Columbia School District!

Symbolically, a ribbon cutting ceremony is conducted to celebrate a grand opening or renewal of a business, government building or school.  The ribbon cutting ceremony gives the entity an opportunity to celebrate the hard work of the owners, the community, the construction crews, the architects and governmental partners.  The ribbon cutting allows folks from the surrounding area, including the media, an opportunity to participate in the festivities. 

This year school begins on Tuesday, September 8^th and to celebrate the immense work that went into the Columbia School District renovations, you are invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony!  Because the project was spread across the district to all four schools we are having multiple ribbon cuttings.  The times and dates are as follows: Columbia Central High School will have a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 8:30 am on Tuesday, September 8^th.  Columbia Elementary and Upper Elementary Schools will have a joint Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for their students in grades PK through 6^th on Tuesday, September 8^th at 10 am.  Columbia Options High School and Columbia Virtual School (for sixth through twelfth grade) will have their Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Wednesday, September 9^th at 10 am.

At the Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies Columbia School District will celebrate our teachers, students, administrators, board members and community members who worked diligently to pass the bond issue in November of 2013 that concentrated on making our schools Safe, Warm, Dry and Smart.  We will also focus our appreciation on our many contractors, Granger Construction Management, and Kingscott Architects.

The work on our buildings is almost finished!  There are many great contractors from the local area who are putting their heart and soul into our project to make it a positive learning environment for our students.  Most of our new exterior windows and doors have been installed.  A lot of the classroom doors have been replaced, SMART projectors and new white boards are being installed in the high school and Upper Elementary, SMART boards are being installed in the Elementary, the new heating and cooling systems are almost fully installed across the district, fresh paint has applied to the walls, new tile and carpet is are going in to the classrooms and hallways, and the updated electrical lines and technology wiring is close to being complete.   Many of the new computers, laptops and iPads have been delivered and the furniture is scheduled to arrive on September 1^st.   It is exciting to see all of the improvements coming to fulfillment.   If you have questions or want to know how your child can attend Columbia School District and take advantage of our great teachers and terrific facilities, email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.