The Family Connector

Dear CCS Community,

Next week, we celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose dedication to the education and well-being of the nation has left an unforgettable mark on the American story.

Dr. King’s principles of equality and his demand for the dignity of all people, especially people of color, left out of the American promise and dream, live on today.

Just over a year before his assassination, Dr. King said:

“Now let me say finally that we have difficulties ahead, but I haven’t despaired. Somehow I maintain hope in spite of hope. And I’ve talked about the difficulties and how hard the problems will be as we tackle them. But I want to close by saying that I still have faith in the future. And I still believe that these problems can be solved. And so I will not join anyone who will say that we still can’t develop a coalition of conscience.” – “The Other America,” Dr. Martin Luther King, 1967

I had the privilege to attend the 42nd Annual CEA MLK Jr. Awards Dinner alongside students, teachers, union leaders, and community partners on Thursday evening. Our very own Tyree Rivers was honored as the Helen Jenkins Davis Award recipient. She currently serves as Culture and Climate Coordinator and is the originator and chair of CCS "Relationship Week." Thank you to CEA leadership for inviting me to this important and inspiring event!

On Monday, I will also have the pleasure of joining several city and community leaders at the 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Breakfast. This signature event, the largest celebration of its kind, commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. King.

Each year, student speakers are invited to present tributes during The Breakfast. I am honored to give remarks and introduce two CCS students, Northland High School senior Hafsa Musa and Beechcroft High School senior Joshua Goshay, as Superintendent Student Ambassador representatives.

Making their MLK Jr. oratory debut, Hafsa and Joshua will share their unique message about each generation's responsibility and commitment to "Passing the Mantle," carrying on Dr. King's Dream. I am so proud of their leadership!

I am amazed by how well our CCS students bring our Portrait of a Graduate attributes to life. With a focus on global empathy, our students are creating spaces to engage with diverse cultures and ideas.

They are taking action at their schools and within their communities to make the world better for us all.

Embodying the Portrait of a Graduate attributes goes hand in hand with those ideals championed by Dr. King. I know you will join us in focusing on our common humanity and desire for our students to continue Leading the Way!

Sincerely,

Angela Chapman

Interim Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools

The Columbus Board of Education convened for the first time this New Year on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, by holding its annual organizational meeting.

The Board voted to retain Jennifer Adair as Board president. Adair is in her third term on the Board of Education, which will expire on December 31, 2023. Board member Christina Vera, in her second year on the Board, was elected to serve as Vice President.

The Martin Luther King Breakfast Committee, Inc. invites the public to the 38th Annual MLK Breakfast held on Monday, January 16, 2023, at the Columbus Convention Center in Exhibit Hall B, 400 N. High Street. The Columbus community proudly gathers to celebrate and honor the man who transformed us into a more caring nation.

Event theme: "Honoring the Man, Preserving His Legacy, Sustaining His Dream"

Interim Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman will join city and community leaders at this signature celebration.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click the link below.

REMINDER: It is required that parents or guardians of CCS students in the second grade and younger be present at their student's bus stop as they exit the bus. For more information, contact your child's school.

Hello CCS Families,

A FRIENDLY REMINDER - As we return from Winter Break, please ensure that your student(s) continue to wear their Student Success Cards throughout the school day, including on the bus.

The goal of these cards is to increase efficiency and enhance student safety. Students can also use their Success Cards to serve as ID during the school day and athletic events. Students can also use their cards to access multiple benefits, including online learning, and checking out books and other age-appropriate materials at any Columbus Metropolitan Library branch.

Students in grades 9-12 only can use their cards to access the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) at no charge. COTA passes are supplemental and do not replace the District’s yellow bus services provided to students who qualify for CCS transportation to and from school.

If your child does not have a Success Card, please have them stop by the office to obtain one.

As winter weather approaches, Columbus City Schools is ready to help you plan ahead should the District be forced to cancel classes or shift to remote learning due to inclement weather or staffing challenges.

Our goal is to announce a class cancellation or transition to a remote learning model as soon as we can, so we are constantly monitoring weather forecasts and road conditions, and staff absences, and will make an announcement the night before whenever possible.

If weather conditions are such that a determination the night before is not possible, the Superintendent and her Operations team will make a decision no later than 5:30 a.m.

Once the decision has been made, the next step is to alert parents, teachers, and staff.

For more information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, visit www.ccsoh.us/weather.

REMINDER: The CCS Career Center application is open in the Student Infinite Campus Portal until January 13 at 11:59 pm. Students can select up to three programs from one or both of our Career-Technical Centers. Don't miss your chance to register TODAY!

Journalism Bootcamp is a free, multi-week journalism training program sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch designed for students attending CCS. Students will experience intensively interactive exercises while being coached by media professionals. Students will question experts, take notes and practice writing articles and broadcasting the news.

There are 30 slots available for CCS sophomores with representation from each high school. Students will be selected based on interest in English, journalism, creative writing, podcasting, broadcasting and similar topics.

For more information, scan the QR code below.

Join us Saturday, January 21 from 10 am-2 pm for our Spruce Run open house! Open to CCS staff, students, and families, visitors will have the opportunity to explore nature across the 50-acre property.

Each month, Spruce Run will host a different theme! The theme for January: "Animal Tracks, Scat, & Furs"

The following activities will be available to open house guest:

* The animal Tracks, Scat, & Furs will be inside.

* Weather permitting, the Nature Play area will be open for visitors to explore.

* Take a walk outdoor for some fresh air!

For more information, contact Heather Allen.

Calling all Black girls in grades 6-9! Join Made for Medicine Tuesday, January 24th from 7pm-8:15pm for an amazing panel discussion on what it means to be a Black woman in medicine. During this session, you'll hear from a number of core faculty members and affiliated faculty.

Each panelist will share their unique experiences and perspectives as well as what they share in common on the journey to becoming physicians. Spots are limited to the first 30 girls. Click the link below to RSVP TODAY!

Event Location

Columbus Medical Association

1390 Dublin Rd.

Columbus, OH 43215

Calling all ninth and tenth graders: Join Computing Career Corps today! The program helps students learn more about technology and explore possible career paths.

Students that successfully complete the program will:

• Earn a new laptop or $400.
• Priority placement in a 4-week, paid summer internship.
• Potential earning potential up to $1500.
• Earn digital badges and internship hours.

Please contact Rebecca Dillow for more information.

Present your Library Card or Student Success Card at any Columbus Library branch to check out a Culture Pass for the locations below.

BalletMet

• Pass admits two adults or children
  
  

Columbus Clippers

• Pass admits up to two adults and four children
• Valid for Sunday games only during the regular season
  
  

Columbus Museum of Art

• Pass admits eight people of any age
  
  

Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art

• Pass admits eight people of any age
  
  

Columbus Symphony

• Pass admits one adult; children under 16 are free
• Valid for Masterworks performances only

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

• Pass admits up to six people of any age
• Pass is not valid for Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Club or The Wilds
• Pass does not include parking fees

Franklin Park Conservatory

• Pass admits two adults and six children

Ohio History Center

• Pass admits up to eight adults and/or children
• Pass also valid to Ohio Village (seasonal)

National Veterans Memorial Museum

• Pass admits two adults and five children

Community Shelter Board of Columbus offers warming stations for those in need. All Warming Stations have the ability to contact further resources through Mount Carmel Outreach Program at any time. Other resources include follow‐up on shelter access, crisis assistance, and housing assistance with Street to Housing Outreach Collaborative (SHOC).

Homeless? Need shelter?

Call the homeless hotline, open 24 hours a day

614.274.7000

To get help or give help, call 2-1-1. Food line 614.341.2282, Monday–Friday 8 am – 4pm.