Rock Bridge Elementary to participate in Partner in Education parade

By CHRISTIANA NIELSON
neighborhoods@ColumbiaMissourian.com

Columbia Public Schools is hosting its Partner in Education parade at 6 p.m. May 6 downtown to kick off Partner in Education week.

Rock Bridge Elementary School is one of the schools participating in the Partner in Education program.

According to Rock Bridge Elementary Principal Sally Phillips, the parade ceremony is an outdoor event downtown with flags that represent the partnerships. The procession will begin in the area by the courthouse.

Rock Bridge Elementary is partnered with Meals on Wheels, Missouri Conservation Department, Missouri Credit Union and Hy-Vee.

“We have monthly meetings where representatives from the partnerships come together and discuss events,” Phillips said. “In some cases they provide things such as job shadowing at the Missouri Credit Union for fifth-graders.”

Phillips said the partnerships also care for some of the needs of the school building.

“They are awesome about being involved,” she said.

School calendar: May

Find out what’s going on this month at Rock Bridge Elementary, Mill Creek Elementary, Gentry Middle School and Rock Bridge High School.

Sally Phillips becomes principal at New Haven Elementary

Sally Phillips, now principal at Rock Bridge Elementary School, has been hired to head New Haven Elementary School.

ERIN HENDRY
neighborhoods@ColumbiaMissourian.com
With New Haven Principal Cindy Giovanini preparing for retirement in June, the principal of Rock Bridge Elementary School has been hired to take her place.

Sally Phillips moved to Columbia in 1987 after teaching in Illinois and Louisiana, and became a fifth-grade teacher at Shepard Elementary.

In Columbia, she worked on her master’s and specialist degrees and became more passionate about the administration side of education.

Rock Bridge Elementary teacher is named finalist in contest

By CHRISTIANA NIELSON
neighborhoods@ColumbiaMissourian.com

Rock Bridge Elementary School kindergarten teacher Karla Yung is one of 10 finalists in the 101.5 KPLA Apples for Teachers contest.

According to Principal Sally Phillips, the KPLA Apples for Teachers banquet will be April 13, and the winner for the community will be announced.

“We are hopeful that Mrs. Yung will be the Golden Apple Award winner,” Phillips said in an e-mail.

Through this contest, the radio station honors school teachers in the mid-Missouri region, according to its Web site. There are 10 finalists from the Columbia area and 10 finalists from the Jefferson City/Fulton area.

Reminder about kindergarten registration

By CHRISTIANA NIELSON
neighborhoods@ColumbiaMissourian.com

Parents who have an incoming kindergartner can still register their child at the school in their attendance area or at the Administration Building at 1818 W. Worley.

According to Rock Bridge Elementary Principal Sally Phillips, this will help elementary schools have a more accurate number of incoming kindergarten students for planning purposes.

Phillips also wants to remind parents that incoming kindergartners are encouraged to come to summer school.  The necessary forms are available at the schools.

April calendar events for schools

By CHRISTIANA NIELSON             neighborhoods@ColumbiaMissourian.com

Rock Bridge Elementary School:

• Monday, April 5:  Parents & Principals, 9 a.m.
• Monday, April 5 – Tuesday, April 20:  MAP Testing Week (Grades 3-5)
• Thursday, April 22:  First Grade Fairy Tales Program, 6 p.m.
• Friday, April 30:  Fifth Grade Sock Hop

Mill Creek Elementary School:

• Tuesday, April 6:  PTA Night
• 5:30 p.m. Officers

Countdown to kindergarten registration

By CHRISTIANA NIELSON
neighborhoods@ColumbiaMissourian.com

From Sally Phillips, Rock Bridge Elementary principal:

Countdown to Kindergarten!

Wednesday, March 17: 4:30-6:30 p.m.

What? Kindergarten Registration … A time to talk to teachers, visit a classroom and register your child for Kindergarten.

Who? All parents of students entering kindergarten in 2010 are urged to participate in Countdown to Kindergarten! Parents should bring the child entering kindergarten. A child must be 5 years old before Aug. 1, 2010 to be eligible to enroll in kindergarten.

What do parents bring? Bring your child and completed registration forms. Registration forms are availaible online at www.columbia.k12.mo.us or at any elementary school. Parents also need to bring the following: a copy of the child’s birth record, a copy of child’s immunization record and proof of residence.

Where? Each child must enroll at the school that presently serves his/her residential area. To determine the school that serves your home’s area, visit the Columbia Public Schools Web site or call 214-3400.

Rock Bridge Elementary news

By CHRISTIANA NIELSON
neighborhoods@ColumbiaMissourian.com

• Feb. 19 — End of second trimester; no school (elementary teacher workday)
• Feb. 24 — Progress reports sent home
• Feb. 25 — Parent-teacher conferences/Book Fair (4-8 p.m.)
• Feb. 26 — No school. Parent-teacher conferences/Book Fair (8 a.m. – noon)
• March 1 — Special Friends and Family Day/Book Fair
• March 9 — PTA meeting 6 p.m. in the Media Center. There will be the presentation and voting on a slate of officers.