Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the school site located?  North Columbus Elementary School (NCES) is located adjacent to the Northside High School campus and in front of Veterans Memorial Middle School, located off of Veterans Parkway.  You can access all three campuses at the traffic light at Veterans Parkway and Old Guard Road. The address for the school is 2006 Old Guard Road, Columbus, GA 31909.
 

What is the attendance zone for NCES?  The boundaries are:  Beginning at the Harris County line and Veterans Pkwy, south on and including Veterans Pkwy to Hancock Rd; south along but excluding Veterans Pkwy to Cooper Creek Rd; south on and including Veterans Pkwy to Moon Rd; southeast on and including Moon Rd and Walden Chase Ln to JR Allen Pkwy; west on and including JR Allen Pkwy to Veterans Pkwy at Double Churches Rd; west along but excluding Double Churches Rd to Lloyd Rd; northwest around and including Lloyd Rd, Birchwood Ln, crossing 1-85 to Whitesville Rd at Maplebrook Dr; northwest around and including Maplebrook Ct, and Dr, Lantern Ln, Edent St, continuing northwest to the intersection of River Rod and Old River Rd; west on and including Old River Rd to the Harris County line; east along the county line to Veterans Pkwy.  
 

What is the projected enrollment?  Projected enrollment for the 2009-2010 school year is 700; building capacity is 856.  There are 39 classrooms. 
 

How do I get in touch with NCES personnel?  You can reach NCES' principal, Mrs. Dawn Upshaw, at 706-748-3183 or via email: dupshaw@mcsdga.net.  The school's fax # is 706-748-3189.

 

May visitors tour the building?  Yes, we love visitors.  Please schedule an appointment for a tour of the North Columbus Elementary School campus by calling the school office at 706-748-3183.

What is SCOPE?  SCOPE, an acronym for Student-Centered Opportunities that Provide Enrichment, is an after-school program sponsored by NCES teachers, who share their personal interests or hobbies with NCES students in an attempt to develop more peer and student-adult relationships and encourage students to explore interests outside of the classroom.  SCOPE clubs meet throughout the year.  Examples of SCOPE are:  intramurals, scrapbooking, studying a foreign language, arts and crafts, cup stacking, and music lessons.  Always, parents are welcome to participate in or sponsor a SCOPE program.  Click here to open a  SCOPE PROPOSAL form.
 

What are the school colors; what is the school mascot?  In keeping with the patriotic themes established by Northside High school in 2002, the interior colors of the school are: red, light gray, blue and yellow.  The school colors are red, white and blue, and the school mascot is the Stars.  School t-shirts, sweatshirts, and caps are on sale in the school office.
 

What is looping?  Looping is the practice of advancing a teacher from one grade level to the next along with his or her class.  At the end of a "loop" of two or more years, the teacher begins the cycle again with a new group of students.  The benefits of looping include:

the development of student-teacher, student-student, and parent-teacher relationships

a reduction in retention referrals at the end of each school year

a reduction of time spent on diagnosis which allows for more effective instruction

a familiarity with names, personalities and establishing classroom rules and expectations
 

What are houses?  Within the structure of the school building, there are three academic wings called “houses”.  The wings, which are labeled by the colored floor tiles and accent walls contained in each, will accommodate two grade levels of students.
 

May parents request a specific teacher to teach their child?  There is not a process in place for parents to request a classroom teacher at NCES.  In keeping within the vision for the school, classes will be balanced according to gender, race, demographics, and academic ability.  If a personality conflict arises, parents can request a meeting with the House Review Committee, made up of teachers and chaired by the school counselor.
     
Does NCES have a pre-K program?  Yes, one pre-K class is housed at NCES.  The assignment of students to the pre-K class is done so through a lottery system designed by the State.  For more information about the pre-K program, contact Karon Greyer at 706-748-2112.

What is CLASS?  CLASS, an acronym for Connecting Learning Assures Successful Students, is a comprehensive curriculum model and philosophy founded by Barbara Pedersen.  It provides a philosophy of teaching and learning, standard-based curriculum development, and research-based teaching strategies based upon the constructs of brain-based learning.  For more information, visit the CLASS web site: http://www.indianaclass.com/doc.cfm?docid=122
 

On what research is CLASS founded?  The CLASS concept is based on several contributors, some of which are:

Howard Gardner, an educational psychologist, most highly recognized for his contribution in the area of intellectual development with his theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI). Gardner's research revolved around his desire to get away from tests and correlations among tests and look instead at more naturalistic sources of information about how people around the world develop skills important to their way of life.

Spencer Kagan known for his approach to cooperative learning, a type of structured peer interaction emphasizing positive human relationships, collaboration between peers, active learning, academic achievement, equal participation, and equal status of students in the classroom.

Susan Kovalik, founder of the Integrated Thematic Instruction (ITI), a comprehensive school improvement model designed to increase student performance and teacher satisfaction has been implemented in thousands of schools across America, Europe and Asia. The ITI model is a brain-compatible instructional model grounded in the biology of effective instructional strategies, and the development of conceptual curriculum.

David Sousa, an international educational consultant, has conducted workshops on brain research and science education in hundreds of school districts and at several colleges and universities across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.                                         

Robert Marzano, of Marzano & Associates, is a Senior Scholar at Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL). His central theme of his work has been translating research and theory into practical programs and tools for K-12 teachers and administrators.

For more information on the research studies conducted in examining the CLASS Model and its effects on the school community, visit the web site:  http://www.indianaclass.com/doc.cfm?docid=142
 

What is brain-based learning?  Brain-based learning involves dynamic, multi-disciplinary approaches to learning that rely on recent brain research to support and develop improved teaching strategies.  Researchers believe that the human brain is constantly searching for meaning and seeking patterns and connections.  Therefore, authentic learning situations increase the brain's ability to make connections and retain new information.  When students have a personal and meaningful challenge, their minds are stimulated, and learning takes place.  In order to achieve this alertness in the brain, teachers, who use brain-based learning techniques, design instruction around student interests and make learning contextual; they provide opportunities for students to learn in teams; they structure learning around real problems, encouraging students to also learn in settings outside the classroom and the school building.  Because every brain is different, educators will allow learners to customize their own environments.  Students will discover their own learning styles and preferences so that they can monitor and enhance their own learning process.

Other educational concepts encompassed in brain-based learning are:

What type of technology will be used at the new school?  Aside from computers with Internet access, teachers and students will utilize scanners, digital cameras, specific academic software and programs, and projectors.  One production lab will serve the student population, and each classroom will have three computers for student use. Additional computers will be available in the media center.  A school technology team will create and frequently review NCES' technology plan to determine concerns and needs of students and teachers.
 

Is there a playground?  There are two playgrounds. One playground designed especially for students in pre-K through 1st grade is located across from the cafeteria; another playground for 2nd-5th grade students is located across from the gym. Students will be required to wear closed-toe shoes while at recess or enjoying the outdoor setting because the school grounds are not fully landscaped.

 

Is there a school uniform?  Not at this time.  Students are to abide by the dress code policy for elementary students set by the Muscogee County School Board of Education.
 

Will there be an Accelerated Reader (AR) program?  Yes, however, the program, will be used strictly for enrichment and motivational purposes.  North Columbus Elementary uses Renaissance
Learning's Accelerated Reader program called Enterprise. This is a web-based program which we
subscribe to which allows our students access to any quiz that is available.

What are "Celebrations of Learning"?  "Celebrations of Learning" are grade level recognitions of student
effort and academic progress held each 9 weeks.  Parents and visitors are invited to attend the celebrations, which generally take place during the school year and last about an hour.
 

How do I get in touch with the school's PTA?  You can contact PTA co-Presidents, Sheri and Keith Nicholson, at 706-568-3004.
 

Who is NCES' Partner in Education?  NCES is proud to partner with five local businesses:
B Merrell’s, Buffalo Rock, Vulcan Materials, Regional Rehabilitation Hospital and Premier Martial Arts.
 

What types of special education services will be offered?  The types of special education services offered depends upon the needs of the students who will attend NCES.  The Inclusion Model, in which a classroom teacher and an instructional strategist co-teach in the same classroom for all day or part of the day, will be implemented, and speech will be offered. 

How can I get a copy of the Student/Parent Handbook?  Click here for a direct link. 
 

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