The Core Report
September 2023
Dear CCS Community,
It was an exciting day for Columbus City Schools (CCS) and the Columbus region with a special visit from First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden.
Friday’s visit to the Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center was part of the Biden Administration’s Investing in America Tour. Columbus City Schools is one of five school districts that are part of the White House Workforce Hub, supporting Central Ohio for advanced technologies and high-growth industries.
The two key outcomes are to quadruple the engineering tech workforce in key sectors in the next five years and to prepare 10,000 construction workers, giving students the skills they need to work in those sectors and fill demand in these expanding industries.
During her visit, Dr. Biden visited the Fort Hayes Career Center’s bricklaying and concrete systems and carpentry programs, joining several Columbus leaders who talked to her about the programs and the ongoing work of the Columbus Workforce Hub. She then joined a panel discussion with CCS alums and several current Columbus State Community College students, who discussed a variety of topics including their experience, how they got to where they are now, and education and training pathways to in-demand jobs in Central Ohio.
Chance England, a 2023 graduate of Northland High School shared his experience with the Columbus Promise. Julian Kelley, a 2018 graduate of Linden-McKinley, was another panelist who discussed how his experience at the Fort Hayes Career Center led him to a union apprenticeship and become a journeyman. Panelists encouraged students in attendance to go after their dreams, take risks, and not worry about making mistakes and also shared an inspirational message that there are many opportunities available to them right here in Columbus.
As Dr. Biden told students Friday, the Columbus of tomorrow is being built today. This is why preparing students for these critical in-demand jobs starts early and why Columbus City Schools is committed to increasing career exploration, specifically for middle schoolers. Part of that goal includes a new Career Advising Pilot for all eighth-grade students. Students will have the opportunity to participate in lessons using virtual reality equipment and attend college and industry visits, where they get exposure to these careers.
It’s also critical to lean into the industry and get feedback, which is what CCS is doing right now as part of the CCS Workforce Strategy. In partnership with One Columbus, 50 businesses in the Columbus Region convened in August to provide feedback on this strategy. The purpose is to engage CEOs of these top businesses through quarterly roundtables about meeting the needs of workforce demand, engaging with students, and providing many future opportunities.
Kelley is an example of how CTE students can use their skills to change the infrastructure around them. Some of his current projects included building sidewalks at The Ohio State University to pouring concrete at the new Intel Facility. These are the experiences our students can build upon to change the course of their lives and just another example of how students are not just seeing developments, they are taking an active part in shaping the infrastructure around them.
Sincerely,
Dr. Angela Chapman
Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools
Columbus Board of Education School Site Meetings
The next BOE meeting at a school location is 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17.
Cleveland Cavaliers Teacher Appreciation Night
Discounted game tickets: Saturday, October 28, and Friday, March 8.
Columbus City Schools Game Night: Wednesday, November 22.
More to the Score
Login at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, October 19 for a CCS State Report Card Overview. RSVP here.
30 Miles, 30 Days
Join the CCS Wellness Fall Fling Walking Challenge from October 14 to November 13.
Get ready to provide your feedback on the Panorama Survey. There will be two survey administrations, fall and spring. The fall administration is Monday, October 16 - Monday, October 30. The survey topics are Professional Development, Belonging, Well-being and Workplace. You are an important member of our community, and your feedback are critical levers for promoting student and school-wide success.
For an introduction to Panorama Surveys, click HERE.
Meet Terri Davis - Bus Aide
Q: What is your current job title and what type of work does that entail and how long have you been with the District?
A: I am an Intervention Aide and I have been with the CCS almost 30 years.
Q: What are you currently binge-watching?
A: I watch HGTV and Home Makeover.
Q: What are you most proud of in your career so far?
A: I am most proud of the number of years I stayed with Columbus City Schools. I've been here since 1994.
Q: What would you like people to know about your job?
A: We supervise the children while they're on the bus, and ensure their safety above all. I get students to stay in their seat and keep their hands to themselves. I enforce bus rules such no fighting, and no eating and drinking on the bus because it is a safety hazard.Q: What is the last song you listened to?
A: Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You".
Q: Anything else that you'd like to share about yourself?
A: I'm a sports fan and I watch a lot of football on the weekends - mainly Ohio State. I'm 73 years old and a great-grandmother as well as a great-great-grandmother. I have two daughters and 12 great-grandchildren. I love my job. I like working with the children and trying to get them on a clear path, especially with their homework and making sure they follow the bus rules.Look for information about CCS bus aides and drivers during National School Bus Safety Week October 16-20!
- ESL INTERPRETER/TRANSLATOR (24-6180-C1)
- HEARING OFFICER (2400124197)
- NPSS FEDERAL/STATE PROGRAM TUTORS (2400103652)
- PHYSICAL THERAPIST (2400116519)
- PRIMARY ENRICHMENT SPECIALIST ( 2400124657)
SAFETY & SECURITY COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATOR (24-7130-NC1)
TREE TRIMMER (24-6533-NC1)
Life and people can be unpredictable. We might find ourselves in challenging positions, especially when working with students who have not developed self-regulatory skills. We know it takes a regulated adult to help a dysregulated child.
Below are a couple of suggestions that may help you in navigating the unpredictable nature of our work.
Did you know you can use breathing to cultivate a calm state of mind? Research shows that one of the most calming breathing exercises is taking a deep breath, holding it in, to a count of four and then breathing out for a count of six or eight.
Our jobs are hard, and it is important to have self-compassion. Part of practicing self-compassion is the ability to speak to yourself the way you would speak to a friend or loved one, warmly and kindly.
Click here to practice a technique called the motto breath, designed to support cultivating self-compassion. Lastly, if you are injured at work, don’t forget to complete an injury report online through Public School Works.
Congratulations to J. Allen Oakum Scholarship Award Recipient Allison Volz!
Congratulations to OELMA Intellectual Freedom Award Recipient Hannah Green!
Watkins Psychologist is Doing Wonderful Things
Dr. Amy Bremer is the school psychologist at Watkins elementary and is implementing a program called PAX that helps teachers enhance behavior outcomes in their classroom. This aligns with PBIS and trauma informed care.
"She is incredible at her job and keeps getting better and is a very dedicated individual," said School Psychologist Supervisor John Cook.
Hats off to you, Dr. Bremer. Keep up the excellent work!
If you're looking for a way to make a difference and give back to the community this holiday season, you may be interested in the NBC4i Turkey Drive. The Turkey Drive assists CCS families and local residents by providing them with turkeys for Thanksgiving.