It is officially summer time! The temperature and student participation in summer camps signal summer is here. The beginning of summer also denotes the completion of another school year. As I look back on the 2018-2019 school year, the Columbia School District has much to celebrate.
Columbia School District started the year off with the announcement of two A-rated schools, Columbia Primary and Columbia Elementary!
We also completed our 1:1 computer initiative throughout the district. We are fortunate that every student in our district has accessibility to their own device.
In cooperation with the City of Columbia, we enhanced safety by adding two additional school resource officers. Advancing safety even further, we are completing the installation of electric door locks at every school. Safety and security for our students and staff is one of our top priorities.
Another top priority for the Columbia School District is to not only support academics, but experiences. Within our schools, we are elated that art is now taught at every level and foreign language is offered to our students at Jefferson Middle School and Columbia High School. Athletically, we welcomed the addition of soccer and cross country along with celebrating two state championships, band and cheer.
Columbia High School ranks in the top 10 of all Mississippi public school districts in (a) highest graduation rate and (b) lowest dropout rate. The 2019 graduating class was awarded scholarships in excess of $3 million, one of which was to an Ivy League school.
What a successful year! I am proud to reveal that as we celebrate these many accomplishments, we did so while increasing our fund balance and decreasing overall discipline infractions district-wide.
Looking on to next school year, we hope to build on our success and continue to advance both inside and outside of the classroom. As we expand our role in the community, we are proud to support the Marion County Development Partnership through our establishment of a Work Ready Community program.
We are also eager to continue our role in the Early Learning Collaborative. A benefit of this partnership is the tax credits available to members of our community that support our schools in Columbia and Marion County. This type of support is vital to the success of our classrooms. That is why 100 percent of the money collected from the sale of Columbia School District car tags is returned to the classrooms through teacher and whole-school grants.
Lastly, in an effort to streamline the registration process, Columbia School District will be conducting online registration this year. All forms and paperwork may be submitted online.
In addition to online registration, school supplies for preschool through eighth grade can be purchased online now. Please visit our website for more information.
As a reminder, our summer lunch program will continue through July 26.
Of all the great things that we have accomplished this past year, none of this would be possible without our great teachers! In closing, I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer break and get ready for a great upcoming year! Go Cats!
Jason Q. Harris, PhD, is superintendent of the Columbia School District. He may be reached at jharris@columbiaschools.org.
