Derby Ridge Elementary School
| Type | Elementary School |
|---|---|
| Year Opened | 1925 |
| Principal | Tina Windett |
| Address | 4000 Derby Ridge Dr. |
| Phone Number | 573-214-3270 |
| Website | Click Here |
| Student Capacity | 686 |
| Students Enrolled | 679 |
| Number of Teachers | N/A |
| Number of Trailers | N/A |
| Enrolled in Lunch Program | 334 |
| White Population | 486 |
| Black Population | 171 |
| Hispanic Population | 11 |
| Asian Population | 18 |
| American Indian Population | 0 |
| MAP Score Math | N/A |
| MAP Score Communication Arts | N/A |
By ANNE SHIFLEY
news@ColumbiaMissourian.com
A school without a parent-teacher association sounds about as disadvantageous as a backpack with a dysfunctional zipper, but Derby Ridge Elementary School offers another opportunity for involvement.
“We have FSP, our family-school partnership,” said principal Tina Windett. “Every person connected with Derby Ridge is automatically a member. There are no dues; it’s simply a way to connect families with the school and facilitate involvement.”
FSP sponsors several events throughout the year aimed at encouraging dialogue between home and school.
One such event has kids, families and teachers lining up to jump and jive around the circle drive in mid-September for a street dance. The open house features the Macarena as well as a limbo competition. Parents are encouraged to visit classrooms and learn about their child’s school day.
The fun continues in May when the Derby Daize Carnival draws kids, their families and alumni to celebrate the end of the year with dozens of games, balloon animals, a hula contest, a dunk booth, face painting and more.
As exciting as FSP events are for students, Windett said the group also finds ways to celebrate the adults who are part of Derby Ridge.
“FSP is supportive of our staff and organizes appreciation days and makes special dinners for teachers on (parent-teacher) conference nights, as well as the kitchen and janitorial staff,” Windett said.
Mornings with Mom and Donuts with Dad are two more days that get parents into the classroom and the educational process. FSP also organizes fundraising for playground equipment, the yearbook, in-classroom parties and school merchandise sales.
Derby Ridge hosts extracurricular subject nights that give parents another way to be involved at school. Instructors encourage parents and children to play together through music activities, art projects and physical games. Windett said the events are well attended.
By JAMES GIBBONS
news@columbiamissourian.com
Students at Derby Ridge Elementary School are learning how to give back to the community with a little help from the Golden K Kiwanis Club. Derby Ridge is the only school in Columbia to have its own K-Kids program, a student-led service organization sponsored by Kiwanis International for children ages 6 to 12. Many students have not had the opportunity to volunteer before, which is why Derby Ridge counselor Anne Cook said K-Kids is so important.
“It’s an opportunity for our kids to give back to the community,” she said.
The organization aims to foster student leadership and civic responsibility as more than 70 students meet once a month to volunteer. Students have made cat beds for Columbia Second Chance animal center, valentines for the Truman Veterans Hospital and have even helped clean school grounds.
“The activities we participate in are about learning to do things for others and not expect anything in return,” Cook said.
Any fourth- or fifth-grader can participate in K-Kids and may also run for officer positions.
The Golden K Kiwanis Club pays a registration fee to Kiwanis International, which gives every student the opportunity to join K-Kids.
