Quick takes – March 3rd

Special history lesson

For the 22nd time, Columbus East social studies department chair Greg Lewis took on the character of a U.S. president for his annual Presidents Day program.

This year, on Feb. 19, it was Gerald Ford, the 38th president, who holds the distinction of serving in, but never having been elected to, the jobs of vice president and president of the United States.

Lewis has a knack for taking history and making it come alive — right down to the hair styles, clothes and mannerisms of the presidents he portrays for students at East, Central Middle School and Southside Elementary. That’s outside-the-box teaching and a great way to get the attention of students in a fun and creative way.

Terrific ratings

The Indiana Department of Education’s highest academic honor for schools is a four-star rating. Two local schools have set themselves apart by earning that designation.

St. Bartholomew Catholic in Columbus earned it for the fourth straight year, and Trinity Lutheran in Seymour earned it for the fourth time in five years.

That’s a tremendous accomplishment for both. No other schools come close in this category of educational excellence. The honors reflect the hard work and dedication of the faculty, administration and the students, and support of the parents.

Accomplishment worth touting

Columbus North senior C4 student Hussain Saifuddin is pursuing two scientific pathways in his high school studies, biomedical science and engineering — perhaps a first in Indiana.

He’s been enrolled in the two pathways through the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.’s C4 program since his freshman year. Saifuddin completed both pathways earlier this year.

His accomplishment is a great example of desire and self-motivation, and an indication to other students that it’s possible for them to do what he did.