Safe, Warm, Dry & Smart: Renovations at Columbia!

Two years ago early in June, I wrote a detailed account of our Facility Improvement Team and their work collecting data, information and their task of formulating a strategic facility improvement plan.  I began my column by writing about a big red barn that I passed by each day on the way to school.  This barn was warn and dirty, areas of the façade were crooked and in need of assistance.  As I look at the barn two years later, I notice that it has continued to deteriorate.  The red paint has continued to chip and peel.  It is in need of renovation.  

Much like the red barn, schools in the Columbia District needed renovating and if something wasn’t done, they would have continued to disintegrate due to age.  During our planning phase there were approximately forty community members who created a Facilities Master plan which is focused on the needs of our current and future students.  During the past year we have been able to put our extensive planning into action. 

As you drive by the schools this summer you will find an immense amount of improvements taking place.  At Columbia Central the front drive area contains increased safety in the form of a bus drop-off area in front of the gymnasium and a parent loop directly in front of the office and band area.  During the day parents and visitors to Columbia Central Junior –Senior High School will enter through the north set of doors on the west side of the building.  Parents and visitors will enter through a secure vestibule into the office.  In the morning during student arrival, entry will be through the visitors’ entrance at the front of the building along with an entrance on the north side of the building from the student parking lot.  Similarly, there will be a secure entry vestibule at both the K-2 and the 3-6 building to provide an increased degree of safety for our students. 

Also part of the facility plan is the increased integration of technology.  Each classroom will have SMART Technology.  At Columbia Elementary K-2, each room will have a SMART Board and at Columbia Elementary 3-6 and Columbia Central Jr. - Sr. High School, each classroom will have a SMART Interactive Projector and a whiteboard.  The increased technology integration also includes additional Chromebooks and iPads for use with all curricular areas.

In addition, all buildings are receiving a facelift including: new windows, doors, flooring, heating and air conditioning and updated paint.  The updating of the tennis courts and track at Columbia Central will provide years of physical activity for area residents.  A new playground at the 3-6 building has delighted students this year and we were able add a new playground structure at the PreK-2 building for the preschool and kindergarten students.  If you have questions regarding programs at Columbia School District email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Control/Alt/Delete; each time I turn on my computer I tap on these three keys to gain entrance to the world of technology.  In much the same way, Columbia School District teachers, parents and students had to move furniture out of the buildings to gain entry to the amazing world of renovation.  Over the course of the past year we have updated our schools with new roofs, new parking areas, upgraded technology and a newly renovated junior high wing at Columbia Central.  The current phase of renovations began with a lot of effort.  All of the furniture was moved from the inside of the school to the outside of the school.  The furniture went into trailers, over to Miller for storage and to the “give-away” areas.  Through all of the difficult and tedious work it was easy to see why our Columbia students excel!  Not only did the teachers work diligently to make sure all of their items were packed away for safe keeping, but we had parents, teachers’ families, students and graduates carrying, lugging and organizing educational items for next year. 

Now that all of the work emptying the buildings is complete, our contractors are deep into the demolition of removing old duct-work, ceiling tiles, windows, doors, outdated electrical wiring and panels, technology wiring and switches, and the Columbia Central Junior/Senior High School bus drive and parent drop-off loops.  Over the next several weeks the contractors will begin work on the tennis courts and the track surfacing at Columbia Central. 

It is exciting to see all of the renovations and upgrades at our schools!  The diligent work to prepare and carry out the renovations, collaboration of various community groups, parents, teachers, board members, and administrators will give our students the optimal areas in which to learn and develop their intellect to facilitate success as they grow and mature.  We anticipate a great finish to the renovations late in August.  Please consider donating some time during our “Back-to-School Move In” which will take place sometime around August 31^st.  As the move in date gets closer, I will keep you informed.  If you would like more information on Columbia School District, our renovated facilities or great programs, please email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Day One for Our Graduates!

Recently a new song was released by Matthew West entitled “Day One”.  He begins lamenting that instead of looking forward, he dwells on was has happened in the past and that he is always trying to measure up to perfection.  He goes on to say that no one is keeping score so he will begin anew, because today is “day one of the rest of his life”!

As we focus on our students who are graduating, we encourage them to begin their new life with gusto, to take risks, and to reach out and make a positive impact on their surroundings.  In the same way as West sang, it is “Day One,” it is imperative that our seniors go on to the next stage; their future. 

It was such a pleasure and honor to take part in the Columbia School District graduation ceremonies for all of our graduates.  On Thursday Columbia School District had 19 Adult Education and Options High School students enjoy commencement, and then on Friday we had the pleasure of seeing 107 Columbia Central High School seniors graduate.  

Our seniors have grown together, laughed together and learned together.  Our young people are full of potential.  They have the opportunity to meet and defeat the challenges they face.  They are the promise of tomorrow.  Their past learning experiences give them the platform for their future success!

Congratulations to all 126 Columbia School District graduates as they discover their bright future, because as Matthew West said, It is Day One of the rest of your life.  The Columbia School District Family is cheering them on to success.  We will always be here for our graduates!  If you are interested in joining the Columbia School District Family, email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Columbia School District: Positive Learning Environments For Our Students!

Over the past year the Columbia School District has been diligently working on the renovation of our school buildings and campus grounds.  The renovation projects have been focused on ensuring our students have an educational learning environment that is Safe, Warm, Dry and Smart.

 "Safe" refers to a safe and secure learning environment for students, staff and community with many updated areas to meet current code requirements.  Planned safety upgrades will include secure entries at each building, doors that will properly lock and do not need to be chained shut, drop off and pickup traffic patterns that separate parent and bus traffic to ensure the safety of students and staff, security cameras that are installed to increase security and facilities upgrades to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

"Warm" refers to creating a more energy efficient learning environment for our children so more money may be spent on educational needs and the installation of items that will convert operational dollar savings into educational funds.  To create the energy efficient learning environment, the 1950's and 60's era boilers will be replaced with new energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, increase the R value of our buildings by installing additional insulation and new roofs, and install new windows and doors with energy-efficient glass and insulation.

"Dry" encompasses facilities that are easy to maintain, reflect a positive image and enhance community spirit and update facilities to attract students, parents, staff and community members so the Columbia School District may grow.  To create a dry environment for our students the 40 plus year old roofs will be replaced with highly insulated roofing systems, the 40 to 60 year old original leaking piping systems will be replaced, and install heating systems without water leaking into the duct work.

"Smart" includes a strong educational technology infrastructure that supports current technology needs and allows for future technology growth.  This element includes the expansion of wireless technology infrastructure, the addition of classroom computers for students and staff, and the provision of 21st Century job skill development tools.

So far the project has included the completion of new roofs at all buildings, the parking and drives at Columbia Elementary and the renovation of Columbia Central Junior High area, including the updating of the district administration offices.  The completion of the Junior High area allowed

student grade distribution to be updated to enable Columbia to feature an early elementary building for prekindergarten through second grade students, an upper elementary building especially for third through sixth graders, and the dedicated junior high wing at Columbia Central. 

This spring the construction workers have focused on renovating the former third and fourth grade wing at the early elementary building, the south side of the north wing at the upper elementary building, work in the band, choir, psychology rooms and former counseling office area at Columbia Central, and the building of new locker rooms for the seventh and eighth grade students at the south end of the gymnasium complex at Columbia Central.  Photos of the renovations are available on our Columbia School District Facebook page or the Restore the Soar Facebook page.

This summer you will notice many projects under way on our Columbia School District campuses in order to provide an excellent positive learning environment for our students.  In order to complete our projects the district will move classroom furnishings out of our buildings and into storage trailers for the summer.   In August, we will move back into the completed buildings.  This is an exciting time to be part of the Columbia School District Family!  Our students, teachers and administrators are very thankful for the generosity of our wonderful community!  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia Schools, our programs and our extensive renovations, please email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

A Teacher's Silent Impact!

As I read through a publication I saw a column regarding movies.  While I would often skip over this type of information, I noted that the reviewer was considering the impact of famous actors and actresses on the viewers.  The reviewer was none other than Joe Morgenstern who is a famous movie reviewer for the Wall Street Journal.  His observation was that even when the actor was not really doing anything on screen, for instance in a close up or when he or she was listening to a speech from another actor, there was still a profound impact on the movie goers. 

As I reflected on his thoughts my mind traveled back home to the Columbia School District and how our teachers, staff members and principals make a tremendous impact on our students even when they are silent.  Sometimes, especially when they are silent!  

Teachers provide a listening ear to students who may have had a difficult morning at home, sometimes arguing with their sister or parents.  Our Columbia staff members, especially our transportation employees and food service workers, may be the first person to smile at a child that day.  That smile, often in silence, impacts our students on a daily basis.

As educational employees, our staff members, watch over, nurture and listen to children each day as they struggle to read a paragraph, learn how to solve a quadratic equation or perform a chemistry experiment for the first time.  These truly dedicated individuals who are teaching our youngsters are making an impact, even through their silence. 

Though movie actresses and actors are often put on a pedestal, adored and lauded, we have many treasured teachers and staff members who make a profound impact on our students to a larger degree than any movie personality could ever formulate.  Although I am not a famous movie reviewer or Wall Street Journal columnist, I know that everyday our teachers help to put forth the mission of Columbia School District, providing a solid foundation for a bright future, even through their silence.  If you would like to learn how your child could benefit from the programs at Columbia School District, please email me at Pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

This Week the Spotlight Shines on Columbia Teachers and Staff!

This past week has been packed with athletic events, televised on multiple stations focusing on every detail.  If you were to listen and watch, you could have become acquainted with all of the Kentucky Derby horses, their owners and jockeys.  Although only slightly more than 170,000 attended the Derby, millions more watched from the comfort of their homes.  In addition, over the past week there was immense attention paid to the Mayweather  versus Pacquao fight, the NBA finals and the NFL draft.

These superstars of sports are in the spotlight and we can’t seem to get enough of them.  In the Columbia School District this week our spotlight is shining on our superstar staff members this week!  May 4^th – May 8^th is Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week!  This is the week for us to honor and appreciate our teachers for all they do each and every day for our students.

Our Columbia teachers work and plan terrific educational learning activities for our students.  In her

anatomy class Mrs. VanWagnen offers her students incredible opportunities to delve into their subject through dissection of various animal parts.  Recently she introduced her students to the anatomy of an eye by dissecting a cow’s eye, then last week they experienced dissecting a fetal pig.  The students were not only very interested in comparing the anatomy of a pig to that of a human, but it gave them an experience they will never forget!

Mrs. Dagenais is the new counselor for our junior high students in their new area at Columbia Central.  In her role as counselor, she is also teaching a leadership class.  Her enthusiasm for increasing self-esteem and building leadership skills has motivated her students to not only learn more about themselves, but produce posters with positive quotes for all the students to view. 

Our sixth grade teachers, Ms. White, Mr. Williams, Mr. Luppo, Mr. Meschke, Mr. Moore and elementary counselor Mrs. Schatzle gave our students the opportunity to learn in an experiential hands-on way at Kimball Camp last week.  The students learned about physics through the Pendulum Physics activity on the Giant’s Swing, experienced the aging of a lake during their canoe explorers class and found the courage and tenacity to take one more step as they conquered Goliath, the forty-foot climbing tower. 

Our Columbia Central Elementary kindergarten teachers, Ms. Uhl, Mrs. Hotchkins, Mrs. Sexton and Mrs. Bernstein work together with their students to take our youngsters from their A, B, C’s to reading a book!  Their patience and nurturing spirits supports their students as they become acquainted with school and the awesome learning opportunities we offer.

As I visit each school there are many opportunities for me to applaud the great things teachers are accomplishing on a daily basis.  Please take some time this week to email, snail mail or stop by and thank one of our great teachers or staff members for all they do each and every day for the children of our Columbia School District Family!

If you are interested in learning more about Columbia School District or our programs, call me at 5175926641 or email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org .

Columbia's Rainbow of Learning Opportunities!

During the soggy wet afternoon, the drizzling rain kept coming.  My drive around the country side was on a road surrounded by a green lush valley that seemed to stretch upward towards the sky.  As the sun began to peak out from between the clouds, there was a small rainbow visible between the trees.  The further I drove the more brilliant the rainbow became until it stretched across the valley from side to side.  It was an amazing sight and I wondered just which end held the pot of gold?

 Seeing the beautiful rainbow shining through the gray drizzly sky made me think about how fortunate we are to have such great educational programs supporting our students’ learning environment.  The brilliant rainbow of programs includes many learning activities at all levels.  Recently our students and parents have had the chance to enjoy some of the extended learning opportunities. 

The Science Fair was amazing!  Students used their knowledge of the scientific process to research a topic, perform an experiment, gather data, and present the results to their teachers, parents, community members and peers.  One especially interesting experiment had some of our students making what Mr. Hamilton referred to as “Elephant’s Toothpaste.”  It was an amazing mix of ingredients, topped off with hydrogen peroxide to make a foaming batch of foaming colored paste.  Another fascinating experiment spotlighted the “5 Second Rule.”  The students completing this experiment investigated various locations that one might drop a piece of candy or potato chip and grew various bacterial cultures from those areas. 

Another ray of our science curriculum rainbow of learning activities was the elementary science night.  Our students had a terrific time interacting with teachers, high school students and Principal Powell over scientific experiments and interesting activities.  Mrs. Powell even let the children and their parents hold giant cockroaches!  The hard work and dedication of our teaching staff resulted in an unparalleled opportunity for our students to not only learn academically, but stretch themselves and their understanding and knowledge in science.

As we work closely with the teachers in our child’s school, we find ourselves in an educational rainbow of opportunities for our children that extend far beyond fun science experiments and activities.  This expanding rainbow of learning opportunities will lead our children to develop their talents in art, music, math, reading, social studies and physical education.  By providing the full spectrum of learning to our children, teachers lead them to develop into the leaders of tomorrow.

The rainbow of learning opportunities available to our children in the Columbia School District through our highly qualified teachers will give our children the tenacity to become a jet pilot, the ingenuity to become an automobile designer, or the enthusiasm to become a kindergarten teacher.  Each day I have the opportunity to see children learning at all different levels in our Columbia School District classrooms. 

Each and every day the teachers and members of the Columbia School District family come together to provide educational activities and learning opportunities for our students to brighten our children’s day, just like the rainbow in the valley brightened my day.  If you are interested in learning more about how your child could benefit from the awesome learning environment at the Columbia School District, would like a tour or to have your child shadow one of our terrific students please contact me by email at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call me at 5175926641.