Overview:
Students at Columbian Elementary participated in a fun celebration ahead of its permanent closure this school year.
On a hot Friday morning at Columbian Elementary School in the Sunnyside neighborhood students were laughing and chatting with their friends, who were full of excitement and energy as they prepared to go outside and play all day.
Columbian’s annual Field Day, allows each child to throw away their homework, compete against their classmates in fun games in the schoolyard, and have their parents come watch them have fun. Kids were playing a variety of games in the schoolyard, including soccer, bubble-blowing competitions and going through a mobile obstacle course similar to the one in American Ninja Warriors.
However, this particular Friday wasn’t just another normal field day at Columbian Elementary—it was the last Field Day ever before the school closes permanently.
“It’s bittersweet, it really is,” said Cheryl Martinez in a soft tone, looking over at the kids playing in the field. She has been a paraprofessional/paraeducator at Columbian Elementary for 23 years, providing extra help to the teachers and students.
“There’s new beginnings for adults and for kids too, but I am not ready [to say goodbye]. It’s been really sad. I’ve seen a lot of kids and a lot of parents come through here, and I am just trying to enjoy it while it lasts.”
Martinez started volunteering at Columbian Elementary before working there full-time while her daughter attended the school. She enjoyed her job and watching all the kids move on in their lives.
“I work in the special ed department, and watching them grow and learning to read better has been fantastic,” Martinez said. “That has been my main reason for working here.”
Last November, the DPS Board of Education made a unanimous decision to permanently close down seven schools in the district and one of those schools set for closure is Columbian Elementary at 41st and Federal. The decision to close Columbian was made due to low enrollment over time, as the number of live births in Denver has decreased since 2002. Another reason is the building’s low utilization rate of 38%.
Tova Sarow, senior team lead at Columbian Elementary, has been with the school for two years and says the last few days have been challenging.
“I think it’s been difficult because it’s like you’re experiencing a loss,” Sarow said.
I thought I was going to be here for the rest of my career; I wanted that. This is out of our control, and it’s difficult to [process] that the way you saw yourself [continuing] forward here is now not going to happen.”
Sarow is most sad about knowing that her peers are going in different directions. She liked working at Columbian because of how heavily involved her coworkers and the community have been at the school.
“I love our community, our teachers, our administration, our families and the larger community,” Sarow said. “It’s been difficult to have a school close in a community. We’ve focused on really supporting each other through whatever transition we’re going forward with. We’re trying to be joyful and keep our commitment to the students.”
Leslie Hillen, the assistant principal at Columbian, says that although the decision to permanently close seven schools was made early in the school year, it hasn’t stopped the rest of the staff from doing their jobs.
“We want the [kids] to go to their new schools believing and knowing that they learned something [here],” Hillen said. “[The tone] has been, enjoy it while it lasts, and we’re still in it till the end with the kids. We are doing the best we can for the time we have. We’re still teaching till the end.”
Many parents’ feelings about leaving Columbian are mutual, and they appreciate how helpful the staff has been in navigating the transition.
“It’s definitely been a [big] change; it just makes things a lot harder having to figure out what school they’re going to go to,” said Ibeth Alvarez, originally from Mexico City, who has two kids who attend Columbian. “But on the flip side of that, I’m excited for them to grow themselves and continue to focus on the education.”
“They loved it here,” Alvarez’s husband chimes in. “This is where they started, grew their roots and made friends that hopefully will last for a lifetime. The teachers have definitely been doing their part in getting the kids ready for the transition. The principal has been great; she has made a good impact in the short amount of time that she was here.”
Even though Hillen has been the assistant principal for just one year at Columbian, it was still enough time to make connections with her teachers, staff and students. She states that she will miss working with them and loved the sense of community Columbian brought to her daily workday.
“We all know each other,” Hillen said. “There’s something really beautiful about having a small school where you can know every kid’s name and they all know you and they feel connected to every person that works here. I know many parents by first name as well as they know mine; there’s just a lot of connection and respect. It is really beautiful to have an environment like that.”
To say the least, saying goodbye to Columbian has been a bittersweet experience for both parents and staff. But one question remains: what will happen to the vacant school building?
“I would really hope that the building would become a community hub sort of like they have in Place Bridge [Academy], where they have resources, food, supplies and training for the members of the community who need it,” Hillen said. “We don’t really have one like that in this region. I think [Columbian] would be a great place for it. It’s centrally located in the northern part of Denver, and there is plenty in need of it. I think that would be the best use for it.”
Other staff members agree with Hillen and hope to see it serve the community. Martinez suggested that they should use the building as a recreational center.
The Denver Schools Thrive Initiative (DSTI) has held discussion meetings for people to share their input on what they want to see the building used for. Community members were also advised to take a survey if they wanted to share their input on the usage of the building starting next school year. As of now, there hasn’t been any final decision on what they plan to do with the building.
“I think the district will make the right decision on what to do with the facility,” Sarow said. “I hope that it’s a building that continues to serve the community in whichever way they deem right.”
As midday approached and students were exhausted from all of the excitement at the Field Day, it was time to enjoy some cold refreshments and receive their participation award ribbons. Parents, students, and teachers were smiling and laughing, taking it all in one last time.
“I don’t think I’ll ever come to the acceptance [that it is over].” Martinez said. “Like I say, when you’ve been here for so long, it’s hard to see something go.”
For more information about future plans for Columbian Elementary, visit the DSTI website or email facehelpline@dpsk12.net for additional information/help.
