The holidays have come and gone, and the New Year is upon us. Very soon we will start what seems to be an endless round of state tests, for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students, in English language arts, math and science. This year the tests come right after Spring Recess (i.e., the Easter and Passover Holidays). To add to the difficulty of the exams, students will have to be tested for longer periods of time with many more questions to answer. As in the past, even students who just arrived in this country after one year must take and pass the English language arts tests. But we at Columbus School recognize that a child is more than a test score.

We will make certain that, from now to the end of the school year, we engage in activities that inspire our students to dare to try, dare to ask questions, dare to make mistakes, and dare to succeed.  We will make certain they learn to dream of doing great things and learn to believe that what appears to be impossible can truly be possible. Towards that end, we will have our Literacy Fair and our Math, Science, Technology EXPO; we will have trips to the Materials Recovery Facility in Yonkers where our county recyclables are sorted and baled, as well as to the Museum Village in Monroe, NY, a place where the History of 19th Century America comes alive; we will have PTA assemblies celebrating African American culture, Spring concerts, plays and field days.

Yet, underlying all the inspired teaching and learning, which will be on display at Columbus School, is a fundamental theme that we aspire to bring to light each and every day: "What we want is to love and know we are loved and to imagine a world that lives up to the purity of that feeling." (NY Times Editorial, 12/25/06)

In creating such a world, we at Columbus School agree with, and demonstrate in our practice, the truth behind the words of Dr. Todd Whitaker, Professor of Educational Leadership at Indiana State University:

"Good teachers prepare students for the test.
Great teachers prepare students for their life. . . .

Average teachers teach because they love their subject.

Good teachers teach because they love to teach.
Great teachers teach because they love students."