Play Ball!

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

Softball 2Girls softball and boys baseball season is open.  Everyone is invited to join us on the fields after schoolSoftball.  Each of the players take their roles very seriously.  Mr. Boff and Mr. Healey have great talent and motivated teams.  Good luck and have fun!

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Grade 6 Bowling Trip

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

DSC_0173DSC_0177DSC_0204A regular event we look forward to each year is the sixth grade bowling trip.  We look at it as an opportunity to see our students in a new way, but it really is about FUN.  It’s terrific to see how these young people have adjusted to middle school.  Special thanks to Mrs. Tracey, Mr. Sullivan and Mrs. Ringwood for making this happen, and so much help from some 8th graders reliving their memories.  Mrs. Hedges, Mrs. Holzmann, and I were along as guests.   I’m guessing the students enjoyed seeing us in a new way as well.  Did I mention how well behaved they were?

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Rachel Simmons

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

rachelsimmonsSimmonsBook2SimmonsBookBy now many of you should be aware that the Berkeley Heights School District will soon welcome author Rachel Simmons for both a day program for girls, as well as an evening program for parents and child.  The program is funded by the Berkeley Heights Education Foundation.

Rachel Simmons is the author of the NY Times best seller Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls, the first book to explore the phenomenon of bullying among girls.  A national expert on girls, Simmons began studying female aggression at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.

On April 19th, girls in the 7th and 8th grade will join the girls at the high school to meet Rachel for the day program.  In anticipation of that talk, Mrs. Holzmann and volunteers from the staff here at Columbia have scheduled several gatherings during lunch to introduce and discuss some of the topics from Ms. Simmons’ books.  We look forward to April 19th and would appreciate any feedback you or your daughter may wish to share about the activities leading up to the date.

As we get closer to the 19th, we will be sending home one more invitation for you to join us in the auditorium at Governor Livingston, but it would be a good idea to mark your calendars now.  We will begin at 7:30 p.m.

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County Teen Arts & Artists

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

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The students from Columbia Middle School were recent participants at the Union County Teen Arts program held each year at Union County College in Cranford, NJ.  Each year, students are asked to submit works of fine art, music, or writing, which is then displayed, played, or read for professional critics who share comments and offer suggestions for improvement. 

The students get to spend a day sharing their good work with other county middle schools and take advantage of some of the classes and activities offered during the day.  This year Columbia sent musicians from the orchestra and steel pan group, painters, and poets.  Since this is a “teen” arts program, students must be in 7th or 8th grade to participate.

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15 Hours = 15 Seconds

Friday, March 12th, 2010

15 Sec Film Club15 Sec Film Club (3)The students in the 15 second film club are well on their way to wrapping things up and heading off to awards night on April 13th.  If you are not familiar with this club, then let me explain.  The 15 second film club members somehow manage to tell their entire story (in film) in just 15 seconds.  After working hours on their ideas, each of the films is shown (twice, actually) during an evening celebration in true Oscar fashion; red carpet and all.

When I recently visited this group, editors were still busy trying to figure out how to shrink their films even more.   The films are so short that the title screen and credits are not counted in the 15 seconds.  In fact, sometimes the credits run longer than the film.  I will tell you that the collection of ideas that do end up as final cuts are always fun, surprising, and very creative.

I can’t wait for this years festival.  Good luck to all, and many thanks to advisers Mr. Riley, Mr. Lanni, and Mr. Skara.

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Last Marble Wins The Race

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

During a recent Science Club meeting students were given the task of creating marble races.  Using a piece of cardboard as the main structure, the various ramps and raceways were applied to the background making up the “track.”

Sci ClubSci Club2In order to challenge their creativity and skills, the teams creating the races would compete to see whose race was the slowest.  As one student pointed out, “slow is tough, because I could just drop a marble.” 

The students of the Science Club meet on a regular basis and explore all the relevant sciences as well as “CSI” investigations.  The  Science Club is open to all boys and girls from the middle school.

The Science Club advisor is Mrs. McLaughlin.

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A New Form of Art

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

cmsetc (4)Students in Mr. Lanni’s classrooms this cycle are in for a treat.  Thanks to a grant from the Berkeley Heights Ed Foundation, Mr. Lanni’s “Art Lab” now includes a printing press.  The press was first demonstrated earlier this year when students had an opportunity to experiment with various designs and collages.  As the day progressed, students were also able to carve their own blocks and run them through the press.

All of the art-work on the bulletin board by the main office were produced on a press identical to the one we now house in the art room.   I look forward to seeing how our students can take advantage of this newest technology.  We of course thank the BHEF for providing the press. 

It can be argued that perhaps Gutenberg was not the first person to use a printing press.  It cannot be argued that your children will enjoy working with Mr. Lanni and this exciting new tool.

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American Sign Language

Monday, March 1st, 2010

cmsetc (1)Did you know that each week after school we welcome Courtney McGovern to the A-wing?  Courtney is a student at Governor Livingston High School who volunteers to teach ASL to all students (and even teachers) who are interested in this fascinating skill. ASL Club

While not an “official” club here at the middle school, Courtney is providing her time while earning credit and time for completion of a scouting requirement.  All students are welcome to join her each Wednesday for the duration of the program.  It’s not only fun, but does give students a glimpse into the world of sign language; which as Courtney will share, is an available elective at GL.

If your child has an interest, please talk to them about joining us in room A-4 this Wednesday.

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School Play: The Skin of Our Teeth

Monday, March 1st, 2010

cmsetc (2)Those of you who have students in our drama performance this Spring are aware of how serious these young people are taking their roles.  Many nights of after school practicing (and some doing homework during “off” times) will once again provide our audience with an evening to remember.  As always, Mrs. Corley and Mrs. Paskow are guiding the group as co-directors.

The drama club begins in the Fall giving all members an opportunity to learn, share, and perform skits.  From that group the cast is chosen.  The dates for the play are March 17 and 18.  The 18th is the evening performance.

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Last Home Game

Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Tiger Mascot

The CMS Tiger

Both boys and girls had home games last evening against visiting Linden.  The girls had a rather easy win and the boys were defeated in a very tough contest.  The boy’s game began with a small ceremony that has become traditional here at Columbia Middle School.  Prior to the start the coach introduced the players, the coach of cheerleaders introduced the cheer squad and a student sang the National Anthem.

I wanted to share my conversation with the referee at half time.  After asking me to step out into the hall, he introduced himself and said he wanted to let me know how much he enjoys coming to our building to ref.  He shared that the spirit and energy that our players, fans and coaches add to the game is always refreshing and makes it such a nice experience.  He compared our school spirit as more than he sees in some high schools and he thought I would be interested to hear that.

And I thought you would be interested to hear as well.  I know the girls are disappointed that their ceremony, scheduled for Friday (which may be snowed out) won’t be rescheduled, but we will try to make it up to them during our pep rally.

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