Saturday, May 4, 2013
Facebook is out; iPhones are in
Columbia High School students told radio program Marketplace reporters what technology and devices are in for teens. Ana Lascari, Basil Bryant, Brianna Hoyrd, Timothy Gray, Ellie Williams, and Max Gould made a list of what's hot and what's cool in technology and some of the results are surprising. Emoticons or Emoji: Cool Selfie pics: "Not cool, but everyone does it anyway." - Ana Lascari Being friends with parents or teachers on Facebook: "Parents: cool. Teachers? Not cool. Kind of weird." - Ellie Williams Declaring your relationship status on Facebook:"Cool, back in middle school." - Ana Lascari Taking a screenshot of a Snapchat you receive: "It is so not cool to screenshot a Snapchat because that person only wanted your eyes to see …
Friday, April 26, 2013
An annual all-school event.
Shakespeare took center stage on Friday at Columbia High School, as the entire school participated in the eleventh annual Shakespeare Festival. Master of Revels, teacher Steve MacPherson runs the event, which takes a year's planning and rehearsal. The event was free and open to the public. Enjoy Patch's photos!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
US News and World Reports released state and national rankings: CHS earned a silver medal
Columbia High School was awarded a Silver Medal as one of the Best High Schools in the Country, according to U.S. News and World Reports. In their annual Best High Schools edition, Columbia High School ranked 36th in New Jersey (out of 395), and 757th nationally (out of more than 21,000). This puts CHS in the top 10% of high schools in the State, and the top 4% of public high schools in the nation. To be included in the national rankings, schools had to pass three steps which “ensured that the schools serve all of their students well, using performance on state proficiency tests as the benchmark” and also “assessed the degree to which schools prepare students for college-level work.” Superintendent Brian Osborne said: “We are very proud…
It's a week of costumes, culminating in Friday performances, all open to the public
Editor's Note: In light of CHS's new ranking by US News and World Reports, a number of readers have asked if I know how they can take another look at our local high school. The timing is perfect; this is a free, public event. “How many things by season season'd are, To their right praise and true perfection!” In other words, it's time again for Columbia High School's annual Shakespeare Festival, organized by teacher Steve MacPherson. This year's theme is "Hookwinked," or, "I am not what I am." A logo designed by Sophie Fisher represents the two (or more) sides to everyone. As part of what MacPherson calls "Shakes-spirit Week," students, staff and faculty are invited to dress up throughout the week. This is NOT limited to performers, notes…
Allan Tumolillo, CHS teacher and Robotics coach, live tweets the events
Columbia High School's Robotics Team is in St. Louis this week. Led by Allan Tumolillo, CHS's beloved "Mr. T," the team is competing among the best for a world championship. Mr. T is tweeting the action. Follow him here or https://twitter.com/AllanTumolillo As of about 2 p.m. today, tweets Tumolillo, CHS was in first place.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
U.S. News and World Reports Best High Schools is released: Columbia received a silver medal
Columbia High School is ranked number 36 in New Jersey in this year's U.S. News and World Report’s Best High Schools ranking released Tuesday. In the fifth edition of the ranking, Columbia's national ranking on the list was 757th out of 21,000. The school did receive a silver medal from the publication for how it compared to other schools based on U.S. News ranking criteria. The AP participation rate at Columbia High School is 43 percent. The student body makeup is 51 percent male and 49 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 62 percent. CHS has a student body of 1,797. Nearby, Summit High School was ranked 18th in the state and Chatham High School was 13th. In Essex County, Millburn High ranked 15th in New Jersey, 225th in …
Sunday, April 21, 2013
It's Shakespeare's week at Columbia HS, but he has wisdom for parents, too.
It’s not an obvious tear-jerker, and the play’s not even a tragedy. Still, I can’t make it though Act V of The Tempest without welling up, no matter how many times I read it, teach it, or even direct reluctant seventh graders to perform it. When Miranda, who has been raised on an island with only her father, Prospero, and Caliban for mortal company, sees a company of shipwrecked nobles in front of her, she says O, wonder How many goodly creatures are there here How beauteous mankind is!/ O brave new world,/That has such people in't! And in a world-weary voice, speaking for parents everywhere, her father says simply, “’Tis new to thee.” Once, exhausted by the efforts of directing a middle school production, and relieved that …
Sunday, March 17, 2013
One performance left: today, Sunday at 2 p.m.
If you have an interest in smart blondes, goofy dogs, fun-spirited, toe-tapping musicals, or incredible talent, the news is good. You can still see Legally Blonde - The Musical Sunday afternoon at Columbia High School. The last performance is today at 2 p.m. General admission tickets will be available on the day of the performance and at the door for $15.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
South Orange - Maplewood students will fill the auditorium
Legally Blonde will be presented in the high school’s auditorium – 17 Parker Avenue, Maplewood on March 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. as well as two matinee performances on March 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $10 each (general admission) at one of the four following establishments: Advance tickets may also be purchased in the main office of the high school during school hours. General admission tickets will be available on the day of the performance and at the door for $15.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
March 13 will see an information fair at the high school for kids from South Orange and Maplewood
Mark the calendar for March 13. The district's College and Career Fair will take place on Weds., March 13, from 7 until 9 p.m. at Columbia High School. Sponsored by the Department of Guidance and Counseling, the event will see some 150 colleges, universities, professional schools and armed forces representatives on campus, all there to share what they know with the students. The event is free, and no pre-registration is required. Bring questions!
JoeF
12:08 pm on Thursday, April 25, 2013
VERY HAPPY to 'hear' the news! A a retiree from the place, I always hold it with high regard and am glad to see it being recognized as such. Of course, come next time, I (as well as everyone in SOMSD) want it to be # 1; but am pleased to see the current ranking. Just hope everyone in both towns recognize the wonderful staff and the great jobs they do for making the students achieve as well as is … more ›