It was one month ago a student in the Columbus Community School District passed away unexpectedly.
Superintendent Jeff Maeder says dealing with the death of a student is never easy, but they had a crisis plan ready to address the situation. He says first and foremost was support and condolences to the student’s family while making sure fellow students had access to counselors to discuss their feelings. Maeder says the Area Education Agency (AEA) played a key role in helping students cope, “We utilized our AEA social worker and we got a ton of support from AEA. They sent people that were assigned in other school districts for a couple days following and for however long we would’ve needed them, and just be available for students and staff.”
The Columbus Community School District is reviewing the results of a parent survey on the possible makeup of the school calendar for 2021-2022.
Superintendent Jeff Maeder says they received responses representing almost 90 families, which is a return rate of about 25 percent from the district as a whole, “The parent survey, I wanted to find out from parents to make sure they had an opportunity to weigh in because they’re a pretty important group to consider. We put some things out we thought would be important. What is your preferred first day of school? What day of the week (to start)? If you could start a certain date? When do you prefer to be done? And then Christmas break, how long of a Christmas break do you want?.”
Darin Mapel joins Columbus School Board, replacing Jayme Storm muscatinejournal.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from muscatinejournal.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Elementary students in need of winter clothing and boots in the Columbus Community School District are getting some help from Louisa County Ambulance Service.
LCA Public Relations Chair Aimee Buol says they’re collecting winter coats, hats, mittens, gloves, snow boots and snow pants through this Friday, “Kids are at a greater risk for frostnip and frostbite than adults are. The best way to prevent that is to help keep them warm and dressed warm and dress appropriately for the weather.”
Buol says donated items can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. through Friday (Dec 11) at the LCA base in Columbus Junction or at the Grandview Fire Department in Grandview. She says the winter clothing items will be delivered next week to elementary students in Columbus Community and Louisa-Muscatine Community Schools.