COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
37 HICKS AVENUE
MEDFORD, MA 02155
(781) 393-2177 TDD (781) 393-2374
___________________________________________________
Mrs. Joan M. Yaeger, Principal

We celebrate so many family cultures at the Columbus school. Please consider helping your child design a project (poster, collage, photograph etc..) that describes what is important to your family or perhaps describes your families origins. This may be a fun way to spend a summer day! I would love to be able to display these projects in the foyer of the school during the month of September as we all get reacquainted.

Unity

I dreamed I stood in a studio
And watched two sculptors there,
The clay they used was a young child’s mind
And they fashioned it with care.
One was a teacher:
the tools she used were books and music and art;
One was a parent
With a guiding hand and gentle loving heart.
And when at last their work was done,
They were proud of what they had wrought.
For the things they had worked into the child
Could never be sold or bought!
And each agreed she would have failed
if she had worked alone.
For behind the parent stood the school,
and behind the teacher stood the home.

Ray A. Lingenfelter, Author

COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
37 HICKS AVENUE
MEDFORD, MA 02155
(781) 393-2177 TDD (781) 393-2374
___________________________________________________
Mrs. Joan M. Yaeger, Principal

Update on the Columbus School Food Pantry Project

It is with great pride that I update you about our Community Service Project with the Community Cupboard Food Pantry in Medford.

During the 2009-2010 school year families donated non-perishable food items to the “food table” in the school foyer. Once a month students weighed the food and with the help of parent volunteers the food was packed and delivered to the food pantry at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 147 High Street Medford. Our goal for the school year was to collect and donate ONE TON of food!

Our last collection in June 2010 brought us easily over our goal! We collected and donated 2,213 pounds of food!

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU! It feels so good to do for others!

COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
37 HICKS AVENUE
MEDFORD, MA 02155
(781) 393-2177 TDD (781) 393-2374
___________________________________________________
Mrs. Joan M. Yaeger, Principal

Suggested Back To School Supplies for September 2010

Dear Families,

The most important school supply is a happy rested child! Please dress your child comfortably and ready for school. Sneakers are encouraged. Flip-flops and open toe/backless sandals are not allowed in school because they are unsafe on the stairs and in the schoolyard.

The supplies listed here are recommendations, not requirements. If possible please bring them on the first day of school. Please call or email me with any questions.

Kindergarten Supply List

• Backpack
• Lunchbox
• Crayons
• Glue Stick
• Pencil Case
• Box of Tissues
• Big Shirt or Smock for Art

Grade One Supply List

• Big Pink Erasers
• Box Of Tissues
• Glue Sticks
• Fiskar Safety Scissors (rounded point)
• One Sturdy Two Pocket Folder (no binders)
• Flexible Pencil Pouch

Grade Two Supply List

• Glue Sticks
• Crayons
• Pencils
• Erasers
• Box of Tissues
• Colored Pencils or Markers
• Fiskar Safety Scissors (rounded point)
• Pencil Case
• 2-Two Pocket Homework Folders
• 2-One subject notebooks, wide ruled

Grade Three Supply List

• Highlighter
• Glue Stick
• Fiskar Safety Scissors (rounded point)
• 2 – 1 Subject Notebooks
• 1 Set Colored Pencils (12 pack)
• 2 Boxes of Tissues

Grade Four Supply List

• Fiskar Safety Scissors (rounded point)
• 1 plastic pencil box
• 2 – Red Pens
• 2 – Highlighters – yellow preferred
• 1 Set Colored Pencils (12 pack)
• 2 – Spiral, one-subject notebooks (wide-ruled)
• 2 – Two Pocket Folders
• 4- #2 pencils
• 1 eraser
• 1 glue stick
• Tissues

Grade Five Supply List

• 1-Two Inch 3 Ring Binder (please no zippered, Velcro, or cloth binders)
• 1- Set of dividers for binder (You will need six dividers)
• 1- Zippered pencil pouch with holes to fit in binder
• 2- Two pocket folders
• 1- Set of colored pencils
• 1- Package of lined paper
• 2- Boxes of tissues
• 1- Container of disinfecting wipes (Lysol or Clorox)
• 1- Good eraser
• Extra pencils

• Click here to view our Events and Meetings for 2010-2011

COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
37 HICKS AVENUE
MEDFORD, MA 02155
(781) 393-2177 TDD (781) 393-2374
___________________________________________________
Mrs. Joan M. Yaeger, Principal

A Note from Mrs. Yaeger about Attendance

When a student is absent, or frequently late, he/she misses out on important instructional lessons where key concepts or skills are introduced. This puts the child at a disadvantage upon returning to school because of gaps in learning and the need to play catch-up to lessons that have already been taught in the class. The child also misses the opportunity to further develop the social skills so important to young adolescents. It is also important to know that when the Department of Education determines the progress of a school (ANNUAL YEARLY PROGRESS) student attendance is weighed very heavily.

Please respect the importance of scheduling family vacations during scheduled school vacations. It is also critical that your child not miss school due to sporting events. These absences are not excused and seriously impact your child’s progress as well as the momentum of the class. I’m certain that you understand our desire to cultivate a successful learning climate in the classroom. It is difficult for a student to succeed in school if he or she does not attend regularly. It is essential that students attend school on a consistent basis to ensure continuity of instruction.

Parents have the most influence over their children. Everyone knows this to be true. What a parent believes or values is also important to the child in that family. If you value education and believe it is important, so will your child. I am asking you to pay close attention to your child’s future by seeing that he/she is in school and on time each day. Your child’s education is our number one priority. In order for us to do our very best for your child, he/she must be in school every day.

Thank you for your support!

PLEASE NOTE:
If it is necessary for your child to be absent due to illness please call the school at 781-393-2177 ext. 3501 or 3502 to report the absence. You may leave a message on either of these lines at any time day or night. Thank you!

COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
37 HICKS AVENUE
MEDFORD, MA 02155
(781) 393-2177 TDD (781) 393-2374
___________________________________________________
Mrs. Joan M. Yaeger, Principal

August 2, 2010

Dear Columbus School Parents/Guardians,

I hope you and your families are enjoying a restful and enjoyable summer! When not spending time with my family I have been busy preparing for an exciting new school year. I am happy to tell you that you child’s new teacher is:

Assignments are made with input from your child’s previous teacher and with consideration of your child’s unique personality and learning style. Careful consideration is given to many factors in order to develop dynamic classrooms.

As you are aware many schools have experienced deep cuts due to the state budget. Happily we have not lost any teachers and our class sizes remain reasonable. We do have some changes:

Ms. Ronda Brenner has retired. While she will not be replaced the superintendent has appointed Mrs. Diane Guarino to provide support to the elementary Principals. You and your children will enjoy getting to know her.

Mrs. Natalie O’Connell will move from Grade three to Grade two.

Mr. Joseph Plati will move from Grade four to Grade 5.

Ms. Kerianne Driscoll will now be known as Mrs. Dowling! Congratulations on her marriage!

Mrs. JulieAnn Anderson will transfer from her position as a Learning Disabilities Specialist to a position as a Title One Reading Teacher. We are very lucky that she will stay here at the Columbus School!

Mrs. Shannon Handler will transfer from her position as a Therapeutic Learning Program Teacher to a position as a Learning Disabilities Teacher. At this time I am interviewing candidates to take Mrs. Handler’s place in the TLP.

Mrs. Wendy Anderson will return to her position as a Learning Disabilities Specialist after an extended medical leave. Welcome back! We missed you!

Please note several dates. The first day of school for grades one through five is Wednesday, September 8. On Tuesday, September 7, we will have an Open House from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for students new to the Columbus School as well as incoming Kindergarten children. We want them to have the opportunity to find their way around the school before school starts.

Arrival and dismissal procedures will be the same as last year. For the first week of school all classroom teachers will be holding name signs so that you can more easily spot them. Bus schedules may be found in the local newspapers and on the Medford Public Schools’ web site. Lunch will be served the first day of school. Arrival time is 8:30 a.m. Children should not arrive prior to 8:15 am. Please remind your child that children are not allowed in the playgrounds before school. Teachers will supervise children as they line up for arrival. I will continue to supervise drop off at the parent drop off area. I again encourage parents to pull as far up as possible in the drop off zone and remain in the vehicle while children exit on the curbside. When parents stop at the entrance to the drop off area traffic backs up significantly. This compromises safety and delays drop off for all. Students who arrive after 8:40 must be signed in at the main office by a parent or guardian. Please ring the doorbell to be let into the building. No one will be admitted through other doorways or kindergarten doors.

Children are dismissed through the schoolyard door at 2:35P.M. Dismissal on Wednesdays is at 1:30PM. Parents are not allowed to wait inside the school for children to be dismissed. This is for the safety and careful supervision of all.

Please feel free to call me at 781-393-2177 ext. 3506 or e-mail me at jyaeger@medford.k12.ma.us if you have any questions.

I look forward to a successful home-school partnership!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Joan M. Yaeger

COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
37 HICKS AVENUE
MEDFORD, MA 02155
(781) 393-2177 TDD (781) 393-2374
___________________________________________________
Mrs. Joan M. Yaeger, Principal

August 4, 2010

Welcome to Kindergarten!

Welcome to the Columbus School Family! Your child is standing on the threshold of one of the greatest adventures of life. Kindergarten is an important milestone in the life of a child. It is an exciting time for children; a whole new world opens up for them each day, bringing new experiences and developing skills as each child learns to live, work, and interact with others. This first year will have a lifetime effect on your child as kindergarten sets the foundation for school success and beyond.

When your child starts kindergarten you are entrusting the school with a great responsibility. We take that responsibility very seriously and will use a highly individualized approach to meet the particular needs of your child while making learning a positive and joyful experience. This is truly a cooperative effort, requiring the support and encouragement of both the parents and the school.

In this packet you will find your child’s kindergarten classroom assignment as well as an appointment for screening. If this appointment is not convenient please call 781-393-2177 ext. 3501 or 3502 and Mrs. Sullivan or Ms. Travers will be happy to reschedule it for you. I have also enclosed several forms that a need to be completed and returned to school with your child. I know you will have many many questions and I look forward to helping you answer them.

I have enjoyed meeting many of you at the spring orientation and the summer playgroups! I would like to invite you to our New Family Open House on Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 5:30-7:30PM to provide you with another opportunity to become familiar with the school. A scavenger hunt will guide your child throughout the school to locate various locations throughout the school.

I would also like to invite you to Kindergarten Parent Orientation on Friday September 10 from 9AM –10:30AM to provide you with the opportunity to hear an overview of the year’s plans. On the morning of Kindergarten Orientation please come to school with your child at 9AM. Once your child is in his or her classroom, parents are then invited to attend the Parent Orientation to be held in the school cafetorium. Please bring your questions, concerns, and ideas!

The first ‘official’ day of school for Kindergarten children will be Wednesday September 15. School starts at 8:30AM. Teachers will meet children in the schoolyard in front of the classroom doors. Dismissal on Wednesdays is always at 1PM. Dismissal on other days is at 2:35PM.

On the first day of school for your kindergarten child once the children enter school you are invited to “Coffee with the Principal” in the cafetorium to wipe your tears and share some conversation. Younger siblings are always welcome! The PTO hosts this monthly event.

Again, welcome to the Columbus School! I hope that the information in this packet will be of help, will lead to more questions, and will ease the transition of you and your child into our school community.

Suggested Kindergarten Supplies

• Backpack
• Fiscar blunt-tip scissors
• Glue stick
• Crayons
• Pocket folder
• Box of tissues
• Hand soap

Daily snack – bottle of water, fruit, graham crackers, pudding cup for example.

We encourage healthy snacks. Because of food allergies, sharing food is not permitted. Peanut butter is strongly discouraged. Children who do bring peanut butter or nut products are required to eat at the ‘peanut table’ that is cleaned differently and kept safe from children with allergies to these products.

Transportation

• Please state in writing how your child will travel to and from school. You will receive several forms to list this information and emergency contacts.
• If your drop-off or pick-up routine changes we ask you to notify us in writing.
• We require anyone we don’t recognize to provide the school with a picture ID before we permit them to dismiss a child.
• Children going home on the school bus will wear a badge stating the school name, bus route #, and the bus stop.

Orientation – Friday September 10, 2010 9-10:30AM

Open House Tour – Tuesday September 7, 2010 5:30-7:30pm

Kindergarten screening – Please see letter

If you have any questions or concerns please call me or email me at 781-393-2177 ext. 3506 or jyaeger@medford.k12.ma.us.

Sincerely,

Joan Yaeger
Principal

COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
37 Hicks Avenue
Medford, Massachusetts 02155
781-393-2177 TDD (781) 393-2374

Mrs. Joan Yaeger, Principal
Ms. Ronda Brenner, Assistant Principal

May 11, 2010

Dear Kindergarten Family,

Greetings from the Columbus School Welcoming Committee! We are delighted that you will be joining us this September. We are organizing events during the summer that we hope will help new children and families in their transition to a new school. Please join us. The events are as follows:

Play Dates at the Columbus School Playground. Please come for a series of play dates at the Columbus School playground! This is a great way for your child to meet classmates and for families to meet each other. Current Columbus School families will also be present, so new families will have a chance to ask questions informally.

• Wednesday, July 14, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
• Wednesday, August 11, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
• Monday, September 13, 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Your child can attend one or all of the play dates. The dates will also be published in the Medford Transcript and on the Columbus School website, which can be found at www.medfordpublicschools.org/schools/columbus-elementary-school/.

Dates to keep in mind for the beginning of the school year:

School Open House. Tuesday, September 7, 5:30 – 7:30. Come see the classrooms, library, gym and the rest of the school. There will be a scavenger hunt and a small prize for kids.

Introduction to Kindergarten: student visit to classroom. Friday, September 10, 9-10:30. Your child will have the opportunity to spend the morning in his/her actual classroom, and meet his/her teacher and classmates. Parents are invited to gather in the cafetorium during this time.

PTO Coffee with the Principal. Wednesday, September 15, 9:00. Come for the first of monthly coffees with Mrs. Yaeger. Meet members of the PTO executive board and learn about activities planned for the year and volunteer opportunities. This is the first day of school for Kindergarten students!

For questions, contact Emily Graves (781) 396-5970 or emilysg@aol.com; or Sonia Jorge (781) 306-1530 or sjorge@mac.com. Sonia is also available to answer questions for families who speak Portuguese and Spanish.

Warm regards,

The Columbus School Welcoming Committee

So fala Portugues? Tem preguntas sobre a escola ou os programas?

Contacte Sonia Jorge, 781-306-1530, sjorge@mac.com

• Click here to view the 2010-11 School Improvement Plan

• Click here to view our 2009-10 Report Card