City's newest school to open

Columbia Elementary set to welcome students through its doors Aug. 9

Wednesday, July 28, 2004

By GREGG L. PARKER

For the Madison Spirit writeone35758@yahoo.com

Madison residents now can boast about having a total of six elementary schools. The newest, Columbia Elementary School, will welcome its students on Aug. 9 and the staff is hurriedly taking care of the finishing touches.

Columbia has been under construction for the past 14 months and is on schedule for the Aug. 9 opening, Principal Dennis James said. The price tag for the school is $7.5 million.

"We still have a few details to finish before opening day," James said. "There's minor painting to be completed, some landscaping and detail work on the roof," he said.

James and assistant principal Julie Finley are filling empty slots in the school's staff.

Classroom furnishings are currently being delivered. "There's a lot of equipment that goes into a school," James said.

Columbia has 42 classrooms, including four special education classrooms, rooms for music and art lessons, labs for computer studies and science experiments, a gymnasium, cafeteria, media center and administrative offices. The school covers approximately 95,000 square feet.

Finley is especially proud of the science lab. "I understand our lab is a first for a Madison elementary school," she said.

Playground construction will continue until early September, he said. Columbia's PTA is raising money to help pay for playground equipment.

"Our playground committee is working very hard to make sure we have a quality area the students will enjoy," James said.

"When building a school, many people only focus on the building. This is an incredible facility and the community should be very proud," James said. "I think building a school, however, is all about building an effective staff, an active parent group and strong community support. It takes all of these combined to give our children what they deserve."

When Columbia opens its doors, the important phase begins, he said. "It's a lot like marriage. Too many people focus only on the wedding day instead of the more important things that last a lifetime."

Columbia's faculty includes 50 certified teachers. Of that number, 65 percent transferred from other Madison schools. "We also have about 30 support personnel. Together they make an incredible team, and I know the community will be proud of what they'll accomplish for our children," James said.

Columbia's current enrollment is 720. "We are the second largest elementary school according to student population," James said. "We're slightly behind Rainbow Elementary School, but we're quickly closing the gap."

Before accepting the job of principal at Columbia, he taught at Bob Jones High School for nine years and was an assistant principal at Liberty Middle School for six years.

Geographically, the school site at 667 Balch Road in Northwest Madison is an ideal location, James said. "We're in the center of our zone. Obviously, our growth numbers show the school needed to be here," he said.

Any location has its negative and positive aspects. "I like to look at the positives. I know there's much talk about (the condition of) Balch Road. We are working with the city to help the situation," James said.

To reduce traffic congestion, especially at the beginning of the school year, James recommends that students ride the bus. "We have a very compact zone so the bus routes will be short. The more students who ride the bus, the less traffic there will be on Balch Road," he said.

"I know it's tough on parents to put their child on the bus the first day of school, but we will have lots of help to make sure students feel comfortable and welcome from Day 1," James said.

If parents insist on driving their child to school, the car line drop-off uses the school's south entrance. "Talk to your child and have them ready to exit the car. You don't need to walk your child in the first day," he said. "Above all, please be patient."

"The school sits on 32 acres of land. Where else in this part of Madison can you find that size tract of land that someone is willing to sell for a school?" he said. "We're very lucky to be here."

James said he will feel a sense of excitement and pride on the first day of school as students arrive for class. "As a community, we are building something great here at Columbia," he said. "It's an honor to be part of it."




City's newest school to open Columbia Elementary set to welcome students through its doors Aug. 9 Wednesday, July 28, 2004 By GREGG L. PARKER For the Madison Spirit writeone35758@yahoo.com Madison residents now can boast about having a total of six elementary schools. The newest, Columbia Elementary School, will welcome its students on Aug. 9 and the staff is hurriedly taking care of the finishing touches. Columbia has been under construction for the past 14 months and is on schedule for the Aug. 9 opening, Principal Dennis James said. The price tag for the school is $7.5 million. "We still have a few details to finish before opening day," James said. "There's minor painting to be completed, some landscaping and detail work on the roof," he said. James and assistant principal Julie Finley are filling empty slots in the school's staff. Classroom furnishings are currently being delivered. "There's a lot of equipment that goes into a school," James said. Columbia has 42 classrooms, including four special education classrooms, rooms for music and art lessons, labs for computer studies and science experiments, a gymnasium, cafeteria, media center and administrative offices. The school covers approximately 95,000 square feet. Finley is especially proud of the science lab. "I understand our lab is a first for a Madison elementary school," she said. Playground construction will continue until early September, he said. Columbia's PTA is raising money to help pay for playground equipment. "Our playground committee is working very hard to make sure we have a quality area the students will enjoy," James said. "When building a school, many people only focus on the building. This is an incredible facility and the community should be very proud," James said. "I think building a school, however, is all about building an effective staff, an active parent group and strong community support. It takes all of these combined to give our children what they deserve." When Columbia opens its doors, the important phase begins, he said. "It's a lot like marriage. Too many people focus only on the wedding day instead of the more important things that last a lifetime." Columbia's faculty includes 50 certified teachers. Of that number, 65 percent transferred from other Madison schools. "We also have about 30 support personnel. Together they make an incredible team, and I know the community will be proud of what they'll accomplish for our children," James said. Columbia's current enrollment is 720. "We are the second largest elementary school according to student population," James said. "We're slightly behind Rainbow Elementary School, but we're quickly closing the gap." Before accepting the job of principal at Columbia, he taught at Bob Jones High School for nine years and was an assistant principal at Liberty Middle School for six years. Geographically, the school site at 667 Balch Road in Northwest Madison is an ideal location, James said. "We're in the center of our zone. Obviously, our growth numbers show the school needed to be here," he said. Any location has its negative and positive aspects. "I like to look at the positives. I know there's much talk about (the condition of) Balch Road. We are working with the city to help the situation," James said. To reduce traffic congestion, especially at the beginning of the school year, James recommends that students ride the bus. "We have a very compact zone so the bus routes will be short. The more students who ride the bus, the less traffic there will be on Balch Road," he said. "I know it's tough on parents to put their child on the bus the first day of school, but we will have lots of help to make sure students feel comfortable and welcome from Day 1," James said. If parents insist on driving their child to school, the car line drop-off uses the school's south entrance. "Talk to your child and have them ready to exit the car. You don't need to walk your child in the first day," he said. "Above all, please be patient." "The school sits on 32 acres of land. Where else in this part of Madison can you find that size tract of land that someone is willing to sell for a school?" he said. "We're very lucky to be here." James said he will feel a sense of excitement and pride on the first day of school as students arrive for class. "As a community, we are building something great here at Columbia," he said. "It's an honor to be part of it." Copyright 2004 al.com. All Rights Reserved.