• Category 1

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 26,206
    Student Enrollment: 257
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 17%
    White/Caucasian: 19%
    Hispanic: 51%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 2.5%
    Asian: 9.5%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:18
    % Reduced Lunch: 51.4%
    % ELL Learners: 12%
    Founded: 1917
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Robert Cannizzaro
  • CONTACT:
    370 Westervelt Place
    LODI, NJ 07644
    973-478-0514
    robert.cannizzaro@lodi.k12.nj.us
Columbus Elementary School
LODI, NJ
"Our PBIS program “PAWS” (Pride Attitude Wise choices Safety) has helped students make good decisions and model positive behaviors."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Columbus School teachers and staff have focused on accelerating student learning to mitigate the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic. Teachers have incorporated many varied strategies to differentiate instruction and meet the needs of each learner to master grade level standards, which has been reflected in our state test scores. A strong emphasis is also placed on social/emotional learning.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
Columbus Elementary school has worked hard over the past few years against the effects of Covid-19. We strengthened our supports through expansion of our I&RS/NJTSS procedures. Students are receiving targeted interventions to meet their specific learning needs. PD was provided to our teachers in the form of coaching and mentoring to help dive deeper into the curriculum and allow for teachers to have a better understanding of how to use student data to drive instructional practices.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funding has supported our school by allowing us to have a full time Title I LAL teacher as well as a full time Title I Mathematics teacher. Both of these teachers offer in class support for students and after school tutoring. These teachers have become our subject matter experts, introducing new strategies and resources into our classrooms school wide.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Teachers in the building have been receiving LAL and Mathematics professional development in the form of Coaching/Mentoring. The coaches and mentors have partnered with teachers to model and facilitate the use of intentional and reflective practices to develop a body of knowledge and skills aligned to their roles and responsibilities to meet the unique needs of all learners.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
Increased student success has been the result of many initiatives. There has been a shift in student expectations as well as positive behavioral supports put into place. We have focused on the overall wellbeing of each student. Specifically, providing teachers’ with resources and support to assist students in their social and emotional health. This was specifically important to help the students overcome challenges that arose from the pandemic.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Family engagement as well as community involvement has had many positive outcomes on student learning. At Columbus School we have seen a decrease in absenteeism, positive student achievement, and fewer discipline issues when the whole school community is involved. Our PBIS program “PAWS” (Pride Attitude Wise choices Safety) has helped students make good decisions and model positive behaviors.
Developing community-family-school alliances can foster partnerships and opportunities to support students throughout their school careers. Our PTO hosts new family socials, holiday events, and school dances to bring everyone together.
We further create a town community with our Peer Tutoring program where High School students come in and work with our most at need students. This gives the students a role model to look up to and assist them in their studies.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 26,206
    Student Enrollment: 257
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 17%
    White/Caucasian: 19%
    Hispanic: 51%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 2.5%
    Asian: 9.5%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:18
    % Reduced Lunch: 51.4%
    % ELL Learners: 12%
    Founded: 1917
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Robert Cannizzaro
  • CONTACT:
    370 Westervelt Place
    LODI, NJ 07644
    973-478-0514
    robert.cannizzaro@lodi.k12.nj.us