Columbus Elementary School September 2014 Newsletter

Principal’s Corner
Welcome back to a brand new year! I hope
that you took advantage of the beautiful
weather we had this summer and have lots
of exciting stories to share with us on the first
day. I also hope that you are ready for an
exciting year of learning. Please be sure to
reach out in any way you can to be involved
in our community. Join the PTO, the Enrich-
ment Group, our Garden Club, become a
classroom volunteer, or work in some other
activity that interests you. Exciting things
happen when you become involved!
Please be sure to read this newsletter, check
out the Columbus website, and our calendar
for the monthly list of events planned for the
year ahead!
Our new staff, along with our returning staff
look forward to an exciting year here at the
Columbus Elementary School. Therefore, l’d
like to introduce you to the new faces in our
Columbus crowd.
Ms. Ginelle Gaulin-Mckenzie is our new
grade 2/3 TLP teacher. She graduated from
Lasell College with a degree in Early Child-
hood Education and recently completed her
Masters in Special Education: Moderate Disa-
bilities. She has worked with students from a
wide variety of backgrounds, abilities and age
groups, from early childhood to college. She
spent two years serving as an AmeriCorps
VISTA, running an Early College Awareness
Program for Boston youth. She also orga-
nized volunteer projects with a variety of non
-profits. Before coming to Medford, she
worked as an inclusion aide in Newton. Her
prior teaching experience, along with serving
in different communities, have helped her
better understand how to teach students to
love learning, as well as encourage leadership
and growth. Her interests include spending
time outdoors, volunteering, traveling and
exploring new cultures.
Mrs. Beth Ferrante joins the Columbus
community from the Roberts Elementary
School. There she taught fifth grade for five
years while earning her Master’s degree in
Reading from Salem State University. Mrs.
Ferrante is very excited to begin this new
chapter in her career. She grew up in Stone-
ham and now lives in Wakefield. In her
spare time, Mrs. Ferrante enjoys reading,
shopping, going to the beach, and most
importantly spending time with her family.

Ms. Lila Karanja will be our new computer
teacher. She discovered that she loved the
ease that came from having vast sources of
information easily accessible, along with the
multitude of educational games that enhance
diversity in student learning when using com-
puters. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Com-
puter Science, and certificates in Graphic and
Web Design. While teaching summer camps
“how to create video games,” she realized that
she loved teaching and working with children.
Ms. Karanja worked as a substitute at several
schools gaining more experience and passion
for the profession. She also gained the insight
that to be a successful teacher, she would
have to personalize her teaching as much as
possible to accommodate for the diverse stu-
dents based on their learning styles. While at
the Columbus she aims to keep her classes at
the appropriate levels and will strive to assist
all students uniformly.
Ms. Ashley Sullivan will be teaching 5th
grade this year . She is very excited about
joining our wonderful community. Ms. Sullivan
has a Masters degree in Elementary Education
and has always wanted to be a teacher. She
joins us from St. Joseph Elementary School in
Needham, where she taught Kindergarten.
Now she looks forward to working with our 5th
grade role models. She loves to travel and is a
true Cape Codder who enjoys spending as
much time as possible on the beach with a
good book.
Ms. Laura Vincent returns to the Columbus!
This year she will be our new 4
th
grade teach-
er. She graduated from Northeastern Universi-
ty in 2013 with a degree in Psychology/
Education and a Teaching License in Elemen-
tary & Early Childhood Education. She was
fortunate enough to spend last year working in
the Medford Public Schools. She covered two
maternity leaves, a third grade at the Roberts
and Kindergarten with us at the Columbus!
Anyone lucky enough to work with Ms. Vincent
last year knows what wonderful things she will
continue to bring to our students.
Have a SUPER year! ~ Kathleen Kay
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
* TELEPHONE : 781.393.2177
* FAX : 781.393.2187
* NURSE : 781.393.2175
* ABSENCE LINE: 781.393.3503
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SEPTEMBER
2014
School Council ~ The Columbus Elementary School needs
new parent and community members for our School Council.
If you know anyone interested in either position please send
them my way. School Council is a representative, school-
based committee composed of the principal, parents, teachers,
and community members. School Councils expand the partic-
ipation of the school community in its schools’ decision making. Interested people can send a short
biographical sketch to me by September 12th at my email address: [email protected]. This
sketch will be used to create a voting ballot, if a vote is necessary. Such a vote will be conducted
with the help of the PTO and will take place at the Ice Cream Social on September 29th.
SEPTEMBER 2013 Page 2
September 2 Open House for
NEW Columbus Families, 5:30pm
-7:30pm. Tour your new school
& our beautiful garden.
September 3 First Day of
School for Grades1-12. This is an
Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal
September 5 Introduction to Kindergarten - 9:00am - 10:30am
September 9 Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL
September 10 First Day of School for KINDERGARTEN.
This is an Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal
September 17 Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal
Back to School/Curriculum Night, 5:30pm-7:00pm
September 24 Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal
September 29 PTO - Ice Cream Social - 6:00pm - 8:00pm,
Cafetorium
September 30 & October 1 School Photos Day - As assigned
MEDFORD COMMUNITY DAY IS SEPTEMBER 21, 2014 FROM 1:00PM-4:00PM.
JOIN IN THE FUN BY VOLUNTEERING AND/OR ATTENDING! READ NEXT PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
I am Amelia Earhart by Brad Meltzer. Ages 5-8.

“Kids always search for heroes, so we might as well have a say in it,” Brad Meltzer real-
ized, and so he envisioned this friendly, fun approach to biography for his own kids, and
for yours. Each book tells the story of one of America’s icons in an entertaining, conver-
satonal way that works well for the youngest nonfcton readers, those who aren’t quite
ready for the Who Was series. Each book focuses on a partcular character trait that
made that role model heroic. For example, Amelia Earhart refused to accept no for an
answer; she dared to do what no one had ever done before, and became the frst woman to fy a plane all
the way across the Atlantc Ocean. This book follows her from childhood to her frst fying lessons and on-
ward to her mult-record-breaking career as a pilot. ~ From BN.com (Did you also know that Amelia Earhart
lived in Medford?)
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea. Ages 8-12.
Seven 5th graders at Snow Hill School in Vermont learn a variety of life lessons, not neces-
sarily from their textbooks, when they start the school year of with their new teacher. Short
chapters are actually brief narratves by individual students and sectoned of by each month
of the school year, beginning with September. From the students' distnct voices readers
come to understand the diferent personalites and backgrounds that defne them. Peter,
the prankster; Danielle, who never stands up for herself; and Jessica, the new girl in town
who hides behind her favorite books, are just a few of the characters who shape readers' vision of the class-
room. Readers realize that each child has a story that only begins in school; it's the problems and conficts
that make up their home lives that come full circle because of a prank that results in tragedy. Mr. Terupt is
that one teacher who really understands them, who always seems to be on their side, and who teaches
them a valuable lesson no mater how much some of them try to shut him out. If the school year is a series
of events, then Mr. Terupt is the catalyst that starts the chain reacton. The characters are authentc and the
short chapters, some less than a page, are skillfully arranged to keep readers moving headlong toward the
satsfying conclusion.~ Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH. (c) Copyright 2010.
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BOOK REVIEWS
Sunday, September 21st from
1:00pm until 4:00pm, the City of
Medford invites you to celebrate
our diverse community, ethnicity,
and cultures. It is an opportunity
to become better acquainted with
one another, as well as meet new friends.
Community schools, religious organizations, City
Board and Commissions, Civic organizations, and
local restaurants have all been invited to partici-
pate in this event.
There will be music, entertainment, cultural and
ethnic foods, dress, activities, and flags.
Sign up sheets for how you can be involved will
come home shortly via backpacks and the PTO
email distribution. An exciting event to sign up for
is to participate as a flag carrier with your child
(ren). The Columbus will proudly carry the Haitian
flag.
Till then, discuss your heritage with your child
(ren), as the teachers will be discussing it in class.
MEDFORD COMMUNITY DAY—SEPTEMBER 21, 2014
VITAL BEGINNING OF THE YEAR EXPECTATIONS
Families, please carefully read the following important information. It is
vital to a child’s learning and to the development of good work habits that
families adhere to the school time schedule. Arrival begins at 8:30am. Stu-
dents should not arrive before 8:15am. We ask that all parents remain out-
side during BOTH arrival and dismissal, accompanying your child until the
doors open. Playing on the playground equipment and using sports equip-
ment during arrival and dismissal is not permitted for reasons of safety.
When the playground has cleared and parents are with their children, play
may take place.
The tardy bell rings at 8:40am. Please note that any child arriving after 8:40am must enter
through the front door with an adult to sign the child in. Dismissal begins at 2:35pm and children
will not be dismissed after 2:20pm. EVERY Wednesday, dismissal is at 1:30pm. Please help
us ensure the safety for all by waiting outside for your child at dismissal time.
If your child arrives by car each morning, please have him/her ready to leave your car once you are
in the arrival lane. Hugs and kisses should be completed before this time. Being ready to unload
quickly enables a smooth and safe arrival for all. Having your child sit on the side closest to the
curb helps keep the process moving as well and PLEASE move your car ALL the way to the sign. If
there are no cars in the loop when you arrive, PLEASE do not stop at the cross walk, as another car
is sure to arrive shortly. The adults on duty will help your child unload safely when not at the cross
walk. Thank you for your help in this regard as it keeps everyone moving and those who need to
be elsewhere are better able to leave the car loop quickly, safely, and anger free.
Children dismissed by car on a regular basis will receive a yellow card with a car imprint. Please
follow the instructions on its use and assist us by using it daily. It will aid in the assurance of a
smooth dismissal and that each child is returned to the car intended. When this card is passed to
another family member (or friend) who will pick your child up, it signals us that this new person has
your permission to take your child home on that day. Please remember that ONLY written notes
will allow a child to change his/her dismissal routine on any given day. If there is no note request-
ing a change to the normal schedule, the child will be asked to follow his/her normal dismissal rou-
tine. Please be sure to inform your child’s teacher about the daily dismissal routine for your child.
Thank you for helping us to keep all of Columbus’s children safe.
There will be many important documents coming home over the next few weeks. These will re-
quire your immediate attention, completion, and return to school. This year we tried to contain
most of the items to one bright card that your child will bring home on his/her
first day. Accurate information is needed at the beginning of each year so that
we can notify you whenever necessary.
On the back of this card you will be able to inform us about your wishes regard-
ing: The Columbus Family Handbook, Internet User Agreement, Photo Release,
Oldest/Only, Permission to Walk/Bike Home, Walking Field Trips, Library Check
Out Permission, and if you’d like your family information EXCLUDED from the
Columbus Family Directory.

Again, please complete and return this card to school as soon as possible. THANK YOU.
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