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The Columbia School District looks similar and dissimilar to other school districts, just as we humans share common and uncommon traits of DNA that lend to the similarities and uniqueness of each of us as individuals. To begin to clarify Columbia School District’s DNA, staff members, the board, and community members attending a recent board meeting discussed a draft model that tests, or filters our six core beliefs that form our District’s DNA—what makes our district unique. The beliefs include (1) employing and maintaining exceptional staff, (2) fostering a supportive community, (3) sustaining solid finances, (4) obtaining relevant curriculum, (5) using focused instruction, and (6) securing quality supplies and materials. All of which leads to our core mission of meaningfully engaging students to reach their potential in their journey of education.

This draft model, which may not be earth shaking per se, is fundamental if we first want to understand what makes us uniquely Columbia School District. Once adopted, the model will help to (1) anchor our district’s past and current history, and (2) allow our district to grow and change. Once embraced, the model will help new staff better understand who we are; parents will recognize our differences from other school districts; other community members will appreciate our uniqueness; most new programs or initiatives will be considered in light of our core beliefs; and we will better understand and live our contribution to our mission of engaging our students in their learning.

Stated differently, it is important that we know who we are as a school district and that we understand what makes us unique. Knowing this, we can use the knowledge of the DNA of our schools to help us in our decisions, from the selection of new employees to the adoption of new programs or initiatives as we reach to our ultimate mission of meaningfully engaging our students. I encourage you to study this model and to share your thoughts about the model with me at lou.gates@csd400.org.

Finally, I extend a special thank you for being a supportive community for our school children over the past many years! And, with the opening of the second decade of this century (ALREADY!), my hope for you, your family and friends is to make a great New Year.

Dr. Louis Gates, Superintendent of Columbia Schools