Grant Elementary School
| Type | Elementary School |
|---|---|
| Year Opened | 1910 |
| Principal | Beverly Borduin |
| Address | 10 East Broadway |
| Phone Number | 573-214-3250 |
| Website | N/A |
| Student Capacity | 341 |
| Students Enrolled | 338 |
| Number of Teachers | N/A |
| Number of Trailers | 116 |
| Enrolled in Lunch Program | N/A |
| White Population | 206 |
| Black Population | 81 |
| Hispanic Population | 19 |
| Asian Population | 35 |
| American Indian Population | 0 |
| MAP Score Math | N/A |
| MAP Score Communication Arts | N/A |
By KIMBERLY REISHUS
news@columbiamissourian.com
Every Thursday morning from January to April, 18 second- through fifth-grade students gather before school to play chess at Grant Elementary School’s chess club. This year, the interest for chess club has prompted two seven-week sessions rather than just one 12-week session.
Fifth-grader Tanner Cooper enjoys attending chess club simply because he likes to play chess. “They also give you some instructions so you get to play better,” he said.
Charles Ward, a Columbia resident and chess enthusiast who volunteers with the Grant chess club, begins each morning with a strategy lesson to help students practice.
“It’s a quiet time that kids come in, and they get a chess board and set up,” said Gail Underwood, a second-grade teacher who helps run the club. “It’s a time for me as a teacher to get to know a lot of children. And I’m becoming a better chess player, although the kids usually win.”
Teachers Cathy Hughes and Judi Schoonover also assist in running the club.
The skill levels differ among the participants, but the more experienced players help the beginners learn the game.
“It’s a lot like checkers, except you just move the pieces differently,” Tanner said.
For Tanner, chess can sometimes be difficult, especially when he plays an opponent his own age.
“Chess is a wonderful game,” Ward said. “It’s very good for kids. Study after study has shown that for kids active in chess, their performance in school improves, and there is positive feedback from teachers.”
Like many Grant activities, the chess club, which began 10 years ago, is rooted in tradition. Grant’s other clubs include bridge club, book club, yoga club and language club.
The clubs allow teachers and students to do “something that is a little beyond the classroom curriculum,” Underwood said. “As teachers, we’re always instructing, so it’s a time to be just game-mates and relax.”
