Columbia High/Middle School Hill Campus

Staff Spotlight: Today's staff spotlight is Will Kiefer, who is the Founder and Executive Director of the The Bench Mark Program. Bench Mark Program is a weightlifting and mentoring program that uses exercise, academic support, and career counseling to propel at-risk youth toward successful futures. It has been an amazing partnership that we hope to continue! 1. How long have you been at Columbia High School and what is your role? a. I’m the Executive Director of Bench Mark Program, and we’ve only been active at Columbia High School since the Spring of 2019. I’m pretty new to the High School Campus. Really, I spend all of my time with the Bench Mark guys down in the field house gym and that monster hill by the track. 2. What hobbies and interests do you have outside of school? a. I love to work on my business, and everything that comes with growing a company. I love reading and learning about how other successful leaders have grown their businesses. I also love to workout (of course), and hangout with my wife and our dog Snoopy. 3. What is your favorite vacation spot? a. Every single year of my life (without missing a year) I have spent a week with my family at Bethany Beach, DE. It might not be the prettiest beach in the world, but it is my absolute favorite place to vacation. 4. Do you have any pets? a. Yes! In 2016 my wife and I rescued a pit bull/lab mix named Snoopy. He was just a puppy then, but he’s grown now and needs to be walked at least 3-4 miles/day so that he’s calm. 5. What is your favorite food? a. My favorite healthy food is a huge kale salad all decked out with toppings and ranch all over it. My favorite unhealthy food is donuts (specifically from Beilers in Lancaster) 6. Do you have any hidden talents? a. Ping pong. I’m not just your regular play-for-fun kind of player. I seriously love ping pong and play at least once/week with a good friend of mine. I challenge just about everyone who “says” they’re good at the game. 7. What is your ultimate dream job? a. To be honest, I’m living my ultimate dream job in a lot of ways right now. Sure, it would be nice to make more money someday, but that will come eventually. For now, I get to wake up everyday and do what I love to do, with a ton of people who I respect and admire immensely. 8. What three traits best define you? a. Big heart, hard working, and charismatic 9. What is your favorite quote? a. “If you want to make everyone happy, don’t be a leader - go sell ice cream” 10. What is your favorite thing about working at Columbia High School? a. The absolute best part of working with my Bench Mark crew at Columbia High School is their indomitable spirit. There is resilience at Columbia High School, and there is nothing like it elsewhere. All of my guys are incredible hard workers and they’re determined to put up a fight to become better. I think it’s because everyone has to walk up that huge hill everyday just to get to class. That builds character.

A final message from Dr. Gregg McGough, Director of Curriculum, and Mr. Tom Strickler, Superintendent - We thank you, our Teachers and Staff of CBSD. #PAThanksTeachers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r0dxwby2FQ

Dr. Jodi Parkinson, Middle School Principal gives a special shout out to CBSD Teachers and wants to thank them for giving value to our student's lives. Watch her video here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ1eTxdTR_s

SENIORS! Your last day will be Wednesday, May 27th (unless you have outstanding assignments). On Thursday, May 28th we will have a computer drop off, locker content pick-up, and cap and gown distribution (more info to follow).

Liz Landis, Park Elementary Principal, and Eloy Rodriguez, Assistant Principal are privileged to work with such dedicated and passionate educators, watch their video here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTCXGp00Ofs

VANS CONTEST: This was the first year we entered the Vans Shoe Design contest. Although we did not get selected to go on to the next round, I am EXTREMELY PROUD of our students: - Cassidy Cook - Off the Wall Shoes - Parker Ohrel - Local Flavor Shoes - Tristan Anderson - Essay Creation The shoes will be on display in the high school cabinets until next year's contest. Congratulations, Cassidy, Parker and Tristan!

We are excited to share our first student video announcements during Covid-19. Please watch at the link provided. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl4tjaWWaE8 Great job to our students who created these announcements! I hope all is well with everyone! Dr. Smith

Teachers are real-life heroes in the lives of many kids. Our students are giving their gratitude in this cute video! https://youtu.be/ulUnO0Nvolc #PAThanksTeachers Remember to post a picture of your student with a thank you note with the hashtag #PAThanksTeachers

SENIOR Announcements: If you ordered senior announcements for graduation, you can pick them up at the high school on Friday, May 8 from 11:30am-12:30pm. You will report to the front of the high school where you will find me and our representative handing out announcements. You do not need to get out of the car, we will simply hand them to you and you can be on your way! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Dr. Smith *** Caps and gowns have not arrived and will NOT be handed out at this time ***

A special thank you to our teachers from Dr. Mike Smith and Mr. Rob Kedney. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7xE2Fwhf18 #PAThanksTeachers

TIDE PRIDE! This is a special class for me as it is the first class that I have been the principal for all four years! Dr. Smith

Attention all 10th, 11th and 12th grade students: Please check your school email for the link to complete voting for May Day! Thank you!

Columbia Borough School District and North Museum of Nature and Science joined as online partners. North Museum's innovative experts are designing interactive STEM activities. Access the materials at: www.columbiabsd.org OR https://sites.google.com/view/cbsdlearnfromhome/home

It is pouring today and we are in one heck of a storm! What are you doing to GROW during this time? I am focusing on small wins each day to stay motivated and positive. I look at three areas or buckets of my life and if I get a small win in each of them, then I consider it a great day! The three buckets are school/business, friends and family, and wellness. For example, today I had a successful meeting with a parent, I worked out, and I connected with an old friend to ensure they were safe! I would love to hear what you are doing to GROW during this storm?

HAVE YOU COMPLETED YOUR SCHEDULE FOR NEXT YEAR? If you have not, this is your last chance before we create a schedule for you. Course selection will close Friday, May 1 at 10pm. If you have not created a schedule by this time, we will have to create a schedule for you so that we can progress in our scheduling process. Students and parents can find information and videos on how to select courses for next year by going to our high school website, clicking on departments and then scheduling. You will also see a course selection guide in this area as well. If you have questions, you can reach out to one of our counselors: cmundy@columbiabsd.org mjones@columbiabsd.org

No need for a cape when you have an apron! How are we celebrating our School Lunch Heroes? With Ice Cream of course! Tomorrow, Friday, May 1st, stop by Park Elementary, on Cherry Street, between 9:45 and 11a to get your breakfast, lunch and your FREE Ice Cream!

Crimson Couch Potatoes- Quarantine Survival Group Remember when it was so hard to wake up and walk to school? Now you may be having a hard time being stuck at home, focusing on distance learning, or even getting out of bed in the morning…before 1:00pm. If you are, you are not alone! Join us for a virtual support group where you will be able to connect with other students and share your thoughts, experiences and frustrations. The group will also teach you skills to help you survive and THRIVE during this unexpected situation. Topics include: - Time Management - Self- Care - Healthy Choices - Social Connection - Stress Management - Coping Skills - Overcoming Boredom Remember, support groups require both parent and student permission and are ALWAYS confidential. Contact your School Counselor today if you are interested in signing up! Middle School (5th-8th) – email Ms. Ware at eware@columbiabsd.org High School (9th-12th) – email Mr. Mundy at cmundy@columbiabsd.org or Ms. Jones at mjones@columbiabsd.org

Columbia Borough is getting in on the action as they are supporting our Class of 2020, Thank you! #TIDELightsSupportSeniors2020

Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Eckman Wissler 1. How long have you been at Columbia High School and what is your role? This is my 16th year at CHS. Currently I teach 12th grade English, Film as Literature, Classic Mythology and Speech. I am the ELA Curriculum leader and co-advisor for the National Honor Societies 2. What hobbies and interests do you have outside of school? I love to be outside with my dogs- hiking or just hanging out in the yard or on the deck. College football is one of my passions, especially SEC football and my Georgia Bulldogs! I love watching movies, especially horror, reading Stephen King and being with friends. 3. What is your favorite vacation spot? I love going to the Outer Banks but really any where warm, sunny and with an ocean view! 4. Do you have any pets? I have 2 Yellow Labs- an 8 month old female named Savannah Belle and an almost 8 yr old male named Jasper Jax 5. What is your favorite food? That one is tough- I really don’t discriminate! I especially love the type that I don’t have to cook or do the dishes for! The easier thing to ask is what don’t I like- EGGS! 6. Do you have any hidden talents? I write and am working on revisiting a novel I started a long time ago. 7. What is your ultimate dream job? Beach Bum…lol! I don’t know- something involving travel, writing, nature. I originally wanted to be a journalist working for a magazine or writing for the AP (Associated Press) which is why my original degree is in Journalism. 8. What three traits best define you? Caring, tireless, supportive 9. What is your favorite quote? This is a new one I found…Stephen King said, “ Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” 10. What is your favorite thing about working at Columbia High School? Another tough question; there are so many things! The staff I work with is amazing- you won’t find more dedicated teachers than those of us who teach here. I also love the students; they challenge me both in and out of the classroom and I love this town and community!

Important video message to Parents and Caregivers from Superintendent, Mr. Strickler: Please click on the link and half way down the screen is the video. https://www.columbiabsd.org/o/cbsd/page/continuity-of-education-plan--4