The Family Connector

Dear CCS Community,

Investing in the overall well-being of our students and staff is a critical priority for our district. Ensuring that everyone who walks through the doors of our school buildings feels safe and secure is the foundation of a strong learning environment.

This is why we have launched a multi-million-dollar package of safety investments, including the recently installed high-tech scanner and detection system in our high schools.

This week, we began rolling out this process, implementing daily screenings of students and visitors using new state-of-the-art safety detection systems. These detection systems provide safe and more accurate threat detection using artificial intelligence and sensor technology.

The new safety detection system used by Columbus City Schools is the same system that has scanned more than 350 million people in the U.S., including in locations such as hospitals, schools, theme parks, workplaces, and concerts. Families can view this video to see how the detection systems work.

Safety is something that we continue to monitor, and we continue to look at our school safety plans every day. As we move forward, we will continue to gather additional input, discuss pressing safety and security concerns, research best practices, and have a proactive approach.

Additionally, I want to thank our students, families, and staff for their patience and support through this process. I also ask families for your help in having conversations at home about the importance of school safety. Remind them that safety is everyone’s responsibility and, together, we can make a difference.

Our top goal continues to be the safety of our students and staff. Safety is something we continue to take very seriously. An investment in safety is an investment in well-being, learning, and student success.

Sincerely,

Dr. Angela Chapman

Interim Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools

Mark your calendars, and get ready! The District’s annual Summer Experience returns June 20, and registration opens March 15.

Last year, thousands of PreK-12 students joined us for a summer of outside-of-the-box learning experiences and exciting field trips, and this summer, we have even more excitement in store. The 2023 Summer Experience features unique program themes at all elementary and middle school sites, and high school students will once again have a chance to enroll in specialty courses at Spruce Run or take advantage of credit advancement and recovery opportunities.

Along with the free fun and academic enrichment, we’re providing transportation, breakfast, and lunch for students.

To learn more about the 2023 Summer Experience, visit CCSSummer.org.

The Columbus Board of Education listened to a proposal for academic calendars for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years at its regular business meeting on Tuesday, February 7.

Use these links to view each of the proposed calendars:

• Draft 2023-24 Traditional School Year Calendar
• Draft 2023-24 Year-Round School Year Calendar (Woodcrest Elementary)
• Draft 2024-25 Traditional School Year Calendar
• Draft 2024-25 Year-Round School Year Calendar (Woodcrest Elementary)

Per Ohio law, there must be a 30-day period for public comment before the calendars can be officially approved by the Board of Education. Columbus City Schools community members can submit any comments or feedback via our Academic Calendars Survey or by email to engage@columbus.k12.oh.us.

Approval of the calendar proposals will be placed on the agenda for an upcoming Board of Education business meeting.

The District’s academic calendars are created in collaboration with the Columbus Education Association (CEA) and in consultation with principals, district administrators, and parent representation.

Now through April 6, students and counselors are mapping out class schedules for the 2023-2024 school year in SchooLinks. The transition to the new online platform streamlines the course planning process for students and counselors. SchooLinks also lets students and families get a deeper understanding of how potential courses align with plans beyond high school.

When creating your course plans & course requests for next year, remember:

• Graduation requirements for each subject

• Do not change a required course that your counselor has already selected for you on your plan for next year. If you want to make a change, please meet with your school counselor to make the change together!

• The progression/next level of each subject

• How to choose the most appropriate course (regular, Honors, AP)

• Ask your school counselor & teachers for recommendations

• Potential Career-Technical Education pathways

For additional questions about course planning or SchoolLinks, families are encouraged to contact your student's school.

Communication is one of six attributes in our Portrait of Graduate that we envision for every CCS student to embody, and our latest #TogetherWeReadCCS storytime we learn just how important communication is when it comes to building relationships.

Welcome to another episode of our #TogetherWeReadCCS storytime! We’re joined by two incredible student leaders at both the school and district levels - Joshua Goshay, Beechcroft HS, and Malcolm Beasley, Columbus Downtown HS.

As Superintendent Student Ambassadors, Joshua and Malcolm are well aware of the importance of effective communication and listening. These are two skills many of us strive to improve - just like the characters in our story Yo? Yes!

Yo? Yes!, by author Chris Raschka, is a simple yet powerful story that shows how easy it is to overcome fears and make new friends with only a few words.

Stay tuned for more new #TogetherWeReadCCS stories!

The 2023 Columbus City Schools JazzFest, in partnership with the Jazz Arts Group, will take place at the Lincoln Theatre Ballroom. The all-day event features ten CCS middle and high school Jazz related ensembles. The event is FREE and open to the public and will be streamed on the Columbus City Schools' YouTube Channel and on Jag.TV.

Event Details:

2023 CCS JazzFest

March 4, 2023 | 10AM – 4PM

Lincoln Theater Complex

769 E. Long St. Columbus, OH 43203

Fort Hayes student musicians have partnered with Music Loves Ohio to plan a fundraiser dinner on Thursday, March 9 from 6-8 p.m. in conjunction with an online giving campaign. Taking place at Fort Hayes, The Columbus Downtown High School Culinary Arts program will cater the event. There will be student musicians, a panel of speakers, video testimonials, and much more! Learn more about what they are raising money for by visiting https://bit.ly/3lFKyfW.

Hundreds of families joined us at the third destination of this year's Pathway Express at the Ohio Statehouse. We had so much fun diving into our state's history and learning about the impact we can have on the future of Ohio.

While there are still more than 100 days until the official start of the Summer Season, now is the time to start planning for your child’s Summer Break. Over the next several weeks, the Columbus City Schools Engagement team will share a wide variety of summer opportunities.

We begin with the summer camps provided by Columbus Recreation & Parks. Community centers offer themed, week-long camps for kids ages 6-12. During our Tuesday Virtual Family Engagement Session, our friends from CRPD shared information about activities coming this summer, including arts, crafts, sports, games, science experiments and nature exploration… and they’ll share how CCS families can be among the first in line to sign up for these popular camps.

Please click here to RSVP for upcoming Virtual Family Engagement Sessions.

Our sessions are recorded and posted in our Virtual Family Engagement Session Library in case you are unable to attend.

Is your 10th or 11th grader on track to have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher by the end of the year? Are you looking for a program that offers extra support while taking college courses?

Consider applying to our district's Junior JumpStart and Seniors to Sophomores program.

Applications are available, and students are encouraged to complete all requirements by March 6, 2023.

SENIORS-TO-SOPHOMORES (S2S) is a highly selective, dual enrollment program for seniors that enables them to earn high school and college credit simultaneously. The program will allow students to be challenged academically, gain valuable life skills and enter college as a sophomore. Student participants are chosen through a selection process after applying and meeting the program’s eligibility requirements.

JUNIOR JUMPSTART (JJS) is a dual enrollment program for juniors that enables students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously. Participating juniors will spend a portion of their day at their high school and a portion of their day at Columbus State Community College completing their high school requirements and earning 10 semester hours. Students must apply and be accepted into the program as 10th graders.

Do you have experience as a principal or an assistant principal? Are you a retired administrator interested in providing substitute services? CCS will support you in joining our team. CCS is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce. Scan the QR code below or visit ccsjobs.org to apply today!

Named for the first African American to walk in space, the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarships are available to 2023 graduating high school seniors.

About the Scholarship

Four scholarships for two males and two females, with a value of $5,000 each, will be awarded to two African American and two Hispanic students currently completing their senior year of high school in a interested in STEM. The scholarships, named in recognition of the former NASA astronaut, physician and businessman, Dr. Bernard Harris. Deadline to apply is April 10, 2023. To apply, visit the link below.

In honor of Black History Month, Pointdexter Village Museum & Cultural Center invites Central Ohio youth, ages 13-19 years old, to participate in Community Through Our Lens: Youth Photography Exhibition. This effort aims to share youth photography related to the black experience in Central Ohio.

This is a juried competition. Eighteen pictures will be selected for this exhibition and community calendar. The exhibition will be hosted summer 2023 at Broad Street Presbyterian Church, and an 18-month calendar will be created for the 2023-2024 school year. A $100 cash award will be presented to the student winners. One student winner will be selected as the cover photograph winner and will receive the inaugural Kojo Photo Excellence Award named after the legendary Columbus photographer, Kojo Kamau.

Photographs should be original and taken in 2023. Your photo will need a name and artist statement. All participants will need to select one of the following themes:

Around the Corner Home

Community Street Scenes

Historic Moments

Deadline to submit is March 31, 2023.

The award ceremony will be held on May 4, 2023, at Broad Street Presbyterian Church.

Please send any additional questions that you may have to poindextervillage@ohiohistory.org.

The APPS Job Readiness Program (AJRP) is a year around comprehensive workforce development program that provides practical work experience, training and career pathways with the City of Columbus and the business community. Job coaches provide linkage to support services, mentorship and site visits 3-5 times per week to ensure the success of participants. AJRP serves young people 14-23 years old and their families who live in the City of Columbus or pay Columbus taxes.

The Franklin County Auditor's office is proud to present the upcoming Affordable Housing Resource Fair at Southwood Elementary School, (1500 S. 4th Street, 43205) on Saturday March 11 from

11 a.m. -2 p.m. Learn everything you need to know about affordable, accessible, and high-quality housing and social services.

Columbus Metropolitan Library is kicking off their sesquicentennial celebration with fun birthday parties at area library locations.

• Enjoy activities, refreshments and chances to win fun prizes.

• Enter to win a $150 Target Gift Card!

One winner at each of Columbus Metropolitan Library’s participating locations will be selected at random to win a $150 Target Gift Card. All winners will be notified the week of March 6. One entry per person. No purchase necessary. Columbus Metropolitan Library employees and their immediate families are not eligible.

• Get a limited edition 150th Birthday library card – Be sure to ask staff for details.

IRS will hold special Saturday hours starting at many Taxpayer Assistance Centers to help people during this filing season.

Several #IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers will provide in-person help on certain Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

People can receive walk-in tax help at several #IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers open on certain Saturdays. No appointments are required. Visit www.irs.gov/saturdayhours for more details.