Mr. Luppo: CCJHS Teacher of the Year!!

“My son’s favorite teacher!” “He makes social studies interesting and fun.”  These statements are in praise of Dennis Luppo, a popular Columbia Central Junior High School social studies teacher.  This past year, he was nominated and voted “Teacher of the Year” by his fellow junior high school teachers.

Columbia School District has a great group of teachers and Mr. Luppo is just one of many positive hardworking academic instructions.  Mr. Luppo recently received the Superintendent’s Award of Excellence which recognized Dennis Luppo for his outstanding performance, hard work, and dedication to Columbia School District.  His dedication to our students, family and staff is greatly appreciated.

Mr. Luppo is consistently working to advance his students to higher levels of academic achievement through careful planning and focus on increasing his student’s educational excellence.  He works to motivate his students by encouraging them to exceed their expectations and their past social studies performance.  His caring and nurturing spirit supports students both academically and socially.

Mr. Luppo said that, “There are endless reasons why I love teaching and love Columbia. What I love most about teaching middle school students is that they challenge me daily to be a better educator. Their needs change on a daily basis, and I love the challenge of figuring out how to empower them to become successful learners. The people at Columbia are wonderful to work with and they really care about the school, staff, students, sports, and our image. I wouldn’t trade being here for anything in the world.” 

Columbia teachers recognize Mr. Luppo for his leadership in the classroom and as an important part of the school improvement efforts.  For several years he has coached the junior high school football and basketball teams.  His enthusiasm for learning in various settings is illustrated by his ability to demonstrate creativity and innovation in his lesson plans and using teaching methods that inspire students to learn.

Columbia School District appreciates the hard work and excellence in education provided to our students in Mr. Luppo’s classes.  The students benefit from his tenacity, educational enthusiasm, and positive ethical spirit.  Mr. Luppo is an extraordinary dedicated teacher, blessed by his various teaching gifts. He is an exemplary teacher who fosters a collaborative environment for his students through his deep passion for learning.  If you are interested in attending Columbia School District, please email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Columbia: Focused on Kids!

Recently I saw an informational graphic that indicates that every 60 seconds there are 3.8 million searches on Google!  Everything happens so fast!  The informational age presses us to complete many tasks with the assistance of technology.  Technology is present in every facet of our lives: from the time we get up and turn on the light, to the last minute text we send out before we go to sleep.  Imagine the world without the high tech influences, such as when years ago before there were light bulbs and people used candle light.  It is incredible that it would take 765 candles to equal a 60 watt bulb.  It is amazing how much technology has change our lives.

In education we often speak about the importance of STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Part of that importance is because the technology permeates every facet of our lives.  No longer do we use maps, we use GPS technology to search out and give us directions at every turn. At the Columbia School District we appreciate and focus on all areas of the curriculum, the STEM areas, foreign language, art, and music.  Students in our elementary may take advantage of after school and summer enhancement programs in Spanish language.  Our formal foreign language program begins in junior high school with an introduction to both French and Spanish.  As students learn and progress, they may continue to build their expertise in French or Spanish. 

Art!  Just the word conjures up visions of famous art pieces, hanging alongside of an inventive piece of kindergarten art.  Recently while speaking with a classroom full of sixth grade students I mentioned that I had a piece of art on my wall from one of the artists in the classroom.  Our students benefit from the opportunity to take art all throughout their educational pathway at Columbia.  Our elementary students love art because it generates creativity and gives them a basis for future academic success in all areas of their curriculum through the enhancement of their motor skills, visual acuity, and decision making.

Columbia School District has a focus on music beginning with our kindergartners!   General music is offered to all of our students.  Our students learn various areas of music, including choral music, and instrumental music.  One of the high lights for our elementary students is the Annual Second Grade musical.  Each year Mr. Cryderman spends hours and hours with our second graders learning, practicing and performing the musical.  The students learn many things through this experience.  Our music program enhances the natural creativity of our students.  They have the opportunity to learn camaraderie, gain self-confidence, and increase academic success.  Studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between music and mathematics.

Our music program gives students an opportunity to experience instrumental music through recorders in fourth grade, and band beginning in fifth grade.  The Columbia School District music teachers, Mr. Cryderman, Mr. Folts, and Mr. Akers combine to give our students a chance to learn how to play various types of musical instruments, including woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments. 

The junior and senior high school musicals allow students to extend their love of music by combining dancing, singing and instrumental music.  The various musicals that our talented students have performed have given them insight into enhanced group interactions, increased self-confidence, and a positive academic correlation.  Giving our students the best opportunities in all areas of the curriculum including technology, art, foreign language, and music, will provide an enhanced level of success for all of our children and give them memories, skills, and experiences that will last a lifetime.  If you are interested in learning more about our programs at Columbia School District, email me at Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Integrating Technology into our Lives

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.  Some of our teachers use 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 multi-page 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 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.  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 .

Columbia Students: Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow

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.

The Columbia School District is participating in the Jackson County Early College (JCEC) program through a partnership with Jackson College.  This new early college program paves the way for Columbia students to move from a traditional k-12 approach to a more vigorous k-14 conduit that will be personalized for our students.

The Jackson County Early College program assists students gain a post-secondary education while still in high school  They may take courses along a path to earn an Associate’s degree, certification, credential, or skillset.  The early college program is deliberately designed to guarantee transferability of credits to four year universities. Our program is designed so students may begin their college education as early as their freshman year and remain in the program through their 13th year to a maximum of 60 credits.

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.

Tune In for Success!

Tuned in.  There are radio waves all around us 24 hours per day, for seven days per week.  There are approximately 44,000 radio stations broadcasting on various frequencies in local areas around the world.  Although we are awash in a sea of radio waves, we are not aware of them.    In order to hear what is being transmitted over the radio waves we have to tune in! 

In the Columbia School District our teachers are tuned in to assisting our students and giving them the best academic foundation for a successful future.  Recently, a group of community members, teachers, students, administrators and school board members updated our strategic plan.  The Columbia School District Strategic Planning process began through the visualization and goal setting process by the Board of Education. The theory of the board was to focus and guide the district over the next three to five years.

The Board of Education identified four goal areas important to the success of the district, and the District School Improvement Team identified an improvement goal, based on curricular areas important to student success, which has been included in the district’s plan.  The committees ensured stakeholders were heard through various surveys and verbal feedback.  Surveys were available online and at parent teacher conferences.

The Columbia School District Strategic Plan was approved and has been guiding the work of the district.  It has been revised and adjusted annually to keep us tuned in to the goals that were set. The Board of Education, the Administrative Team and the School Improvement Committee has worked together to provide guidance to ensure the district maintains its emphasis and achieves its goals.

In much the same way as the radio waves are a pervasive and ubiquitous force around us that we cannot see, the Columbia School District Strategic Plan is there broadcasting information to the teachers and administrators as they daily tune in to the success oriented goals for our students.  The Columbia School District has used the plan to guide us as we have updated our reading curriculum, added new resources and curriculum elements in mathematics, and increased our academic focus as our students learn today, so they will become the leaders of tomorrow.  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia School District, email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Join in the Fun at Columbia Elementary Kindergarten!

Now it is time for your child to attend Kindergarten, what is your next step?  Starting kindergarten is a new adventure, it is part of growing up!  You can help prepare your child and yourself to make the move to kindergarten a smooth one.  Being a kindergartner means that there are changes to their daily routine.  It is important to set up a new routine prior to school beginning and to begin to build new relationships with other children, their teachers and parents.

Many of your children will be excited!  They have heard about attending school from their siblings or neighbors.  It is important for your child to get off to a good beginning!  Help you child build their confidence because it is natural for them to have concerns about the change in their daily routine.  Discuss the activities and fun they will have at school and give him or her a chance to talk about their feelings.  Your conversations with your kindergartner will help both of you feel more at ease regarding their move to school. 

How can you describe kindergarten to your child?  Your new kindergartner will have the opportunity to experience music, art, physical education and technology class in addition to their normal school day.  They will get to use the school library, eat in the cafeteria and ride the school bus.  Your child will participate in recess on the elementary playground and have fun playing with their friends.

Your child will be in a class with other children and they will have the opportunity to develop independent work habits, learn to participate in group work, move to various learning stations and make new friends.  Your kindergartner will have the opportunity to be part of a classroom with a daily routine.  They will experience math, science, reading and writing activities in their classroom. 

If you are still looking for a positive innovative kindergarten for your child, Columbia Elementary School has caring teachers who are having a Kindergarten Roundup time for you to visit and learn more about our program on August 14, 2019 from 5 pm to 7 pm at 320 School Street in Brooklyn.  If you have questions about the kindergarten program or how your child may benefit from attending Columbia, call me at 5175926641 or email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org, or email the Columbia Elementary principal at Trudy.Wright@myeagles.org . 

One of the important areas of emphasis at Columbia School District is STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).  Science is very important in society today.   Science impacts every facet of our lives, from the pavement we drive on; to the medicines we take; to the alarm clocks that wake us up each day.  Science has provided us with new plastics that make up our water bottles, bullet proof vests for our law enforcement professionals and parts for our automobiles.  Our students have the opportunity to take chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, physics, sports medicine and forensics.  Columbia Central High School offers the opportunity for our students to earn take college level science courses through our Early College and Advanced Placement programs. 

Globally, one of the things that science has provided is the basis for technological advancements, which paved the way for cell phones, computers and an impressive array of electronics.  Technology has given students new avenue for learning.  At the schools in Columbia we focus on integrating technology into every area: Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.  Our students use iPads, Chromebooks, desk top computers and graphing calculators.  Technology allows our students to increasing their learning potential by performing research anywhere and anytime.  Some of the lessons our students perform are flipped lessons.  In a flipped lesson technology allows teachers to provide basic learning opportunities through technology, and then the students work together with their peers and teacher to put their learning into practice the next day. 

Engineering is of increasing importance and is directly connected with the other elements of STEM.  Our students have the opportunity to learn basic engineering principles through our science lessons.  Engineering principles are also taught in our robotics course, through our robotics teams and the high school principles of engineering course.  This week our elementary students are enjoying Robotics Camp.  Even the first and second grade students have the opportunity to experience hands-on robotics learning activities.  In August, third through sixth graders will enjoy learning about underwater robotics through our summer camp programs.  Columbia Central offers robotics teams to our students in junior and senior high school.  As a bonus to our elementary students we will offer robotics teams for first through sixth grade students.

As the final letter in STEM, M stands for mathematics, which offers a platform for technology and engineering, and is directly tied to science.  Math is in our everyday lives, from shopping for bargains, to driving our cars, to figuring out how much tax we owe on a purchase.  Math is not only used in the science, technology and engineering, it is used by artists and musician in their daily work.

At Columbia, we offer our students an opportunity to play in our Academic Games after school where mathematics, language arts, social studies are combined to provide an extensive learning program for participants. Our Columbia Central High School students are able to take Early College or Advanced Placement Calculus course.  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia’s many STEM opportunities, email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.  You may sign up your child for underwater robotics or one of our other fabulous summer programs at our myeagles.org website, click on All News and scroll down to Summer Camp 2019.