Columbus Teacher is Keynote Speaker at University of Taipei

 
When the University of Taipei was looking for top international educators in STEM for its annual symposium, it turned to Columbus Elementary School’s Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn to deliver the keynote address.
Taiwan is looking to Finland, Japan and the United States to learn more about “cross-curricular” education and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). That’s where Barrett-Zahn came in. As the science coordinator at Columbus – and as editor of the journal Science and Children – she was invited by the university’s Association for Research and Development to be a highlight of its symposium International Exchange: Cross-Curricular Core Competencies.    
It took place last weekend. While in Taipei, Barrett-Zahn also spoke on the same topic at Kang Chiao International School. There, her speech was titled Creating a Collaborative STEM Curriculum.
 
“The teachers, administrators and government representatives wanted to hear more about how we have integrated science with language arts and math in a way to support the learning of the whole child,” she said. “Taiwan is taking a careful look at some of the most successful global trends in education, including in Finland, Singapore, Japan and the United States. My view on teaching and learning with a strong science foundation was the key element of my speech and follow-up panel discussions.”
 
While her visit was brief, she did manage to take tours of Elephant Mountain, Daan Forest Park, Longshan Temple and Taipei’s busy market streets.
 
“It was a whirlwind trip, yet so satisfying because I've extended my global colleague pool,” she said. “I will surely continue to share ideas and collaborate with a wonderful group of science educators from Taiwan.”
 
News from Our Schools 11/27/19
 
 

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From the Principal

 Michael Galland 

Michael Galland

Columbus Families:

We are well into our school year and nearly all our programs and core instructional initiatives are well underway. Thank you all so much for partnering with us to support your children each day. As we move through October, I wish to provide a few updates and reminders in this letter today.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 23rd, is a half-day of school. Students will dismiss at 11:10 a.m. Kindergarten students will leave at 11:00 a.m. from the cafeteria. AFTER SCHOOL clubs are cancelled tomorrow at Columbus and the BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB is closed as well tomorrow.
Heritage Month Celebration at the Mascaro Boys and Girls Club tomorrow night as well! Bring your whole family to the clubhouse from 6-9:00 p.m. and enjoy lots of games, Loteria, y una Tamalada! (Wednesday night that is).
Columbus Mom’s/Dad’s Meetings take place EVERY Friday at 9:15 a.m. Please come by if you can and join a great group of neighbors. Our social worker, Ms. Alycia DaLoia-Moore, works with parents and many different community partners and groups are scheduled to provide helpful information about job certifications, our schools, healthcare, technology, and more.
Next week, Wednesday, November 5th, there is no school for your kids. Elections will take place next Wednesday, and Columbus is a polling location. Make sure to vote in all our local elections.
On Thursday, October 31st, New Rochelle schools will conduct a rapid dismissal at 3:00 pm. Before the end of the school day we will practice a few safety drills. Then, kindergarten classes will leave at 2:50 pm, followed by the rest of the school at 3:00 pm.
Your children use three great computer programs at school—please make a plan for your kids to do Dreambox, Lexia Core5, and RAZkids at home each night as well! 

Please continue to communicate regularly with your child’s teacher. Please email Ms. Owens or Mr. Galland as well if we can ever assist your family in our partnership to support your children. You can always email us easily at: michaelgalland@nredlearn.org and sowens@nredlearn.org.

Respectfully,

Michael Galland and Shelli Owens

 

Mensaje del director

Familias de Columbus:

Estamos bien metidos en el nuevo año escolar, y casi todos nuestros programas e iniciativas básicas de instrucción están en marcha. Muchas gracias a todos por asociarse con nosotros para apoyar a sus hijos cada día. A medida que avanzamos en octubre, deseo comunicar algunas actualizaciones y recordatorios en esta carta hoy.

Mañana, miércoles 23 de octubre, es medio día de clases. Los estudiantes saldrán a las 11:10 a.m. Los estudiantes de jardín de infantes saldrán a las 11:00 a.m. de la cafetería. CLUBES de AFTER SCHOOL se cancelan mañana en Columbus y el CLUB DE BOYS AND GIRLS también está cerrado mañana.
¡Celebración del Mes la Herencia en el Mascaro Boys and Girls Club mañana por la noche también! Traiga a toda su familia a la casa club de 6-9: 00 p.m. y disfruta de muchos juegos, ¡Lotería, y una Tamalada! (miércoles por la noche, eso es).
Las reuniones de mamá y papá de Columbus se llevan a cabo CADA viernes a las 9:15 a.m. Nuestra trabajadora social, la Sra. Alycia DaLoia-Moore, trabaja con los padres y muchos socios y grupos comunitarios diferentes están programados para proporcionar información útil sobre certificaciones laborales, nuestras escuelas, atención médica, tecnología y más.
La próxima semana, miércoles 5 de noviembre, no hay escuela para sus hijos. Las elecciones se llevarán a cabo el próximo miércoles, y Columbus es un lugar de votación. Asegúrese de votar en todas nuestras elecciones locales.
El jueves 31 de octubre, las escuelas de New Rochelle realizarán un despido rápido a las 3:00 pm. Antes del final del día escolar practicaremos algunos simulacros de seguridad. Luego, las clases de jardín de infantes saldrán a las 2:50 pm, seguidas por el resto de la escuela a las 3:00 pm.
Sus hijos usan tres excelentes programas de computadora en la escuela: ¡haga un plan para que sus hijos hagan Dreambox, Lexia Core5 y RAZkids en casa también todas las noches!

Continúe comunicándose regularmente con el maestro de su hijo. Envíe un correo electrónico a la Sra. Owens o al Sr. Galland también si alguna vez podemos ayudar a su familia en nuestra asociación para apoyar a sus hijos. Siempre nos pueden comunicar por email fácilmente: michaelgalland@nredlearn.org y sowens@nredlearn.org.

Respetuosamente

National Chess Champions

  

Columbus Families and Visitors

In order to preserve an orderly and safe arrival and dismissal for all students each day, please note the following:

  • In the morning, parents, guardians, and visitors are not permitted to enter the school or the main office until 8:45 a.m.
  • In the afternoon, the main office and school entrance are closed between 2:45 p.m. and 3:20 p.m. as school staff manage dismissal procedures.
  • If you need to pick up a student early, you must do so BEFORE 2:45 p.m. each afternoon.

Con el fin de preservar una llegada y salida ordenada y segura para todos los estudiantes cada día, tenga en cuenta lo siguiente:

  • Por la mañana, a los padres, tutores y visitantes no se les permite entrar a la escuela ni a la oficina principal hasta las 8:45 a.m.
  • Por la tarde, la oficina principal y la entrada de la escuela están cerradas entre las 2:45 p.m. y 3:20 p.m. mientras el personal de la escuela maneja los procedimientos de despido.
  • Si necesita recoger a un estudiante temprano, debe hacerlo ANTES de las 2:45 p.m. cada tarde.

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"We promote interdisciplinary studies and encourage authentic, problem-based learning by doing.
We recognize that High Expectations result in High Achievement.
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Today's Tip for Parents

En español

The Columbus Chess Club sent 11 students to compete in the National Scholastic K-6 Chess Champions in Nashville, Tennessee on May 9-12, 2019.  There were 2252 chess players representing 46 states competing on 700 teams in 16 sections. The Columbus Chess Team won six National Awards.

In the first event, on Thursday May 9, 2019, the chess students competed in 11 rounds of Blitz (speed chess). Constantine won 1st place for chess players rated under 1000 and Dylan Minchez came in 1st place for chess players rated under 800. The Columbus team placed 7th place in the nation for Blitz chess.

Five students competed in the K-6U1000 section. These students are now National Champions, coming in 1st place after playing seven rounds of chess over three days.

Playing in this division were Constantine Zalatis, Dylan Minchez, Ignacio Valencia, Dylan Solovyev, and Aiden Rodriguez. Constantine won a second individual award coming in 5th place winning 6 of the seven rounds and Dylan Minchez won a second individual award coming in 25th place winning 5 of the seven rounds. All of the Columbus students on this section of the team were awarded wall plaques for coming in first place, in addition to their team trophy.

Four students competed in the K-5U900 section. They were Naolin Concha, Joel Salick, Giovanna Murgia and Gianna Murgia. These students came in 29th place in their section.

Guilianna Murgia and Ashley Corazao competed in the K-3U700 section.

The chess club wants to thank all of the parents, teachers, administrators, the Columbus community and the National Scholastic Chess Foundation for their essential support throughout the 2018-2019 school year.

                                                                                                               “Never underestimate the heart of a champion.” - LeBron James

By Mark Hegenauer

 

Columbus Chess Team National Champions K-6 Division

The Columbus Elementary School Chess team won first place as a team this weekend at the 2019 US National Elementary (k-6) Championship in Nashville, Tennessee.  The Columbus Chess Team are National Champions for the k-6 division for chess players rated under 1000 points.  

Under the direction of their devoted coach and teacher, Mr. Mark Hegenauer, 11 Columbus students traveled with their families to Nashville to once again compete with the best elementary chess players in the country -- and this year, finally -- we WON!

So much time and patient efforts have gone into this moment.  Congratulations to ALL Columbus students who make our chess team so special.  Congratulations to Mr. Hegenauer and his partners from the National Scholastic Chess Foundation, who always find creative ways to keep Columbus involved in tournaments and lessons, no matter the cost.  And congratulations to the Columbus PTA Chess Committee and Ms. Owens for their collaborations all year -- raising money to send so many kids to the Nationals was not easy.  Together, we did it!  

At this incredible juncture it is also critical that we honor and remember all the former parents of Columbus Chess Team Players from the last 20 years!  For years, caring, selfless families of the Columbus Chess community have devoted time and love to ensure that any Columbus student that had an interest in chess, had a place to play and an opportunity to learn and compete -- with ANYONE!  This moment is shared not only with our new champions, but with years and years of former Columbus students and their families.  

Much gratitude and thanks to all our sponsors and supporters--thank you to all the local stores and business, and generous families and neighbors, who have donated food and money toward our team's fundraising efforts all year!

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Family STEM

Family Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Night

On Thursday evening, nearly one hundred 2nd grade students and parents gathered in the Columbus School cafeteria to learn about STEM and problem-solve together as a family STEM team!  Antoinette Koehler, Kelly Kalinowski, Rana Rabadi, Vanessa Guzman-Cruz, and Fran DelFico, part of the Columbus’ 2nd Grade Team, prepared an overview of STEM and three separate challenges for all to grapple with.  Ms. Koehler addressed the families and kids by reminding them that STEM investigations are at the heart of every Columbus STR2EAMing into Learning Convention (Science, Technology, Reading/Research, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics).  Ms. Koehler introduced the work this way: “STEM is hands-on problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity and innovation; this is about working collaboratively and building resilience and persistence in the face of frustration or failure.”  She added that most important, “STEM is just ton of fun!”

The teachers challenged students and their parents to build paper airplanes that were quickly submitted to grueling flight tests.  Teams were then asked to build the tallest structure possible with a limited number of index cards. Last, using marshmallows and toothpicks, parents and kids designed stable, solid structures.   

Dr. Parvey and Mr. Galland were present, and Dr. Parvey rolled up her sleeves and assisted many families and kids in their constructions.  The Columbus STR2EAMing into Learning Convention will take place this year over three days and two evenings, from January 22 to 24th.  The Columbus PTA will also hold a STEM-oriented book sale throughout the convention days.