Middle School Construction

Check out the weekly photos and follow the middle school construction progress on the Columbus School District website.

Cook Volunteers

What a wonderful front page story about Maria Rincon, a parent volunteer at Cook. Congratulations Maria for being honored by the Governor and winner of the Jefferson Award. And thank you to Lynda and Mike Meharg working to enhance the landscaping at Cook. I know we have outstanding parent volunteers all around the district. There is something for everyone interested in helping. Good Job !!

Elementary School Lottery has run

The lottery for elementary magnet schools was run on Friday, April 17th and letters to parents went out this week.

CMSD is awarded E2T2 - Year 7 Grant

Columbus School District's Enhancing Education through Technology (E2T2) - Year 7 Proposal was approved by the State Board of Education on April 17, 2009. CMSD was one of nine districts awarded this grant from a competitive field of about 30 applicants.The grant was awarded for $180, 113.85. The grant funds will be used to bring state of the art technology to the Freshman Academy at Columbus High School.

Dr. Phillips will speak to Sale parents today at 6:00 p.m. on the proposed Success Academy Calendar.

Obama's education plan

Please listen to President Obama's speech on education and notice his 5 pillars of reform. Assessments, higher standards, innovation, charter schools, and more -- are just part of the future of education. Change and innovation are part of the landscape. These are all simply facts we face. Change is coming faster than ever to public education. President Obama proposed the following five pillars of reform: (but please -- listen to the speech and read more at the web site)

1) "Investing in early childhood initiatives" like Head Start;

2) "Encouraging better standards and assessments" by focusing on testing itineraries that better fit our kids and the world they live in;

3) "Recruiting, preparing, and rewarding outstanding teachers" by giving incentives for a new generation of teachers and for new levels of excellence from all of our teachers.

4) "Promoting innovation and excellence in America’s schools" by supporting charter schools, reforming the school calendar and the structure of the school day.

5) "Providing every American with a quality higher education--whether it's college or technical training."

more on 11 month calendar

Meetings are scheduled for parents (and anyone) to attend and learn more about the 11 month calendar. Here is the schedule. Parent meetings will be held April 20 at 6 p.m. at Sale Elementary International Studies Magnet School, April 21 at 8 a.m. at Fairview Elementary Aerospace and Science Magnet School, April 21 at 12:30 p.m. at Franklin Elementary Medical Sciences and Wellness Magnet School and April 30 at 6 p.m. at Cook Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School.

And, the "public" should know that every school board meeting is a public forum. Anyone is welcome to come and request to appear before the board in "open forum" at the beginning of each meeting. If you need longer than 4-5 minutes, just send a written request to the school district office and you can have a longer time to speak. The idea that the "public" doesn't have a chance to make comments, simple isn't a fact. All meetings are open for public comment as long as that comment isn't directed at a specific employee or student.

CHS Spanish Honor Society

Last night I attend a wonderful event at CHS. Spanish students were inducted into the Spanish Honor Society. The best part -- the program was conducted in Spanish and translated for the rest of us. (unfortunately, i've never learned a language) My son was one of seventeen new menbers last night. It is very important in our global world that students learn something about a language but more important, they must learn about other cultures. In American, we are THE melting pot of cultures and the more we learn the better our future.

Mrs. Courtney Stanback did an awesome job. As she honored the seniors who were part of the first AP Spanish course it was clear she loves and cares for her students. Everything we know about successful schools tells us we need teachers and administrators who really care for kids. We've got that at CHS. Thanks to all those who participated.

11 Month Calendar

Several comments on the blog have been about the 11 month calendar. We were planning to discuss at the board meeting on April 13, but we will wait.

There has been so much happening lately with the new building projects that the administrators have had their focus on getting the projects started. So, Dr. Phillips is planning some more surveys and meetings with parents about the 11 month calendar. Check with the elementary principals for more information. Many of the parents who attended the recent parent-teacher day had a chance to complete a survey.

Also, if you check at http://www.columbuscityschools.org/ there is a link about the calendar on the home page and an email address for submitting your comments about the proposed calendar. Please ask your questions so you can get answers and understand the new calendar -- what it is and what it isn't -- and understand the advantages for students.

Building Projects

Yesterday, the Board approved the low bid for the new middle school. So, as soon as the contractor provides the bond and insurance certificate (maybe 10 days or so) we should see work begining -- fast and furious -- at the new middle school site.

The Board also approved to advertise for bid the additions for Cook, Sale, and Stokes-Beard. We need additions to these buildings so there is room for the 5th graders in 2010.

Stokes-Beard Tech News

Parent-Teacher Conference Day is set for April 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Tech Lab will be open for parents to complete the annual online survey.

Dual Credit Opportunities

Counselors at Columbus High School and McKellar Technology Center are currently recruiting students to take advantage of the dual credit opportunities that will be available for rising seniors. Both academic and vocational courses will be offered. Students will be transported from the high school to the Golden Triangle campus of EMCC to take courses. They will be away from school for about three hours, then return to take afternoon classes. Students will receive not only college credit, but high school Carnegie units as well. This is a great opportunity to get a jump start on postsecondary work, and to get acclimated to the college scene. Best of all - it's free! Limited slots are available, so contact a counselor at 241-7290 or 241-7200 to get more information.

Sale Happenings

We have a Parent Teacher Conference Day scheduled for Thursday, April 9th from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. We use this time to update parents on their child's progress as well as school updates. We always look for 100% participation from our parents on Parent Teacher Conference Day.

On Thursday, April 16th, our second grade students will be performing the play, "Rumpus in the Rainforest", at 6:00 p.m. Visitors are welcome to attend.

Lee Middle School Open House

Lee Middle School will have Open House May 5 from 5:00 to 7:00. Our award winning band will play as well as team presentations and a tour of the school. The Open House is open to all students and parents and we would like to extend a special invitation to new students who will be attending in the fall.

Dispatch Article on Graduation Rates

Great article in today's Commercial Dispatch about the improvement in graduation rates in CMSD. It's never good enough until it's 100%, but seeing progress is excellent.

http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=932

Board to award bid for new middle school

The Board will meet this week to approve the bid on the new middle school and work will begin. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday morning at 7:30 am. At the same time, the Board will consider releasing bids for additions at Cook, Sale, and Stokes Beard. Attendance is up this year and these buildings require additional space to prepare for 2010 when the elementary buildings become K-5.