Dear CCS Community,

I am thrilled to spotlight the exceptional students of Columbus City Schools who recently showcased their remarkable talents during the 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Breakfast on January 15.

Introducing and witnessing the impactful orations of three outstanding students—Adonia Balqis from Whetstone High School, Kavion Hill from Columbus Gifted Academy, and Patience Ogundare from Northland High School—left me profoundly proud.

Every year, CCS carefully selects student speakers for this event, and this year's theme, "The Moral Compass of Dr. King's Dream Continues to Point Toward Justice, Unity, Peace, and Love," resonates deeply. Through their powerful voices and actions, these students embody the essence of Dr. King's influence, actively contributing to shaping a better world for us all.

Adonia, Kavion, and Patience electrified the room with speeches that reflected Dr. King's vision and commanded attention with awe-inspiring confidence and power.

In their orations, these students artfully illustrated the significance of global empathy and engagement with diverse cultures and ideas. The attributes of our Portrait of a Graduate came to life as they actively contributed to creating a more just, united, peaceful, and loving society—mirroring the impactful legacy of Dr. King.

Their messages convey a profound responsibility for each generation to uphold the values championed by Dr. King.

I encourage you to watch their orations and listen intently to their words. Adonia, Kavion, and Patience's eloquence and passion serve as a testament to the enduring impact of Dr. King's teachings on our CCS community. I am genuinely proud of our students who continue to uphold the values championed by Dr. King and carry his torch forward.

Adonia Balqis: A sophomore at Whetstone High School and the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest winner. Adonia's dedication to justice and unity shines through her accomplishments, reflecting the core values of Dr. King's teachings.

Kavion Hill: An eighth-grade student at Columbus Gifted Academy, Kavion placed first in the Junior Division of the regional Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest. He is set to compete at the state level this coming April, showcasing his commitment to Dr. King's dream at a young age.

Patience Ogundare: A senior at Northland High School, Patience not only serves as the high school speaker but is a full-time College Credit Plus student at The Ohio State University. Her involvement in the Superintendent Student Ambassador program reflects her dedication to positively impacting her community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Angela Chapman

Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools

We're thrilled to announce Columbus City Schools Winter Graduation is rescheduled for Friday, February 2 at 1:00 p.m.! Join us as we celebrate the achievements of 15 outstanding CCS students.

Whether you prefer to participate through Facebook Live or in person at our Southland Center location, 3700 South High Street, your presence will make this occasion truly special. Let's come together to applaud these graduates' hard work and success. Your support is invaluable, and we look forward to creating lasting memories on this joyous day!

Elementary School Lottery Applications:

Elementary School Choice Lottery Applications are now available on the Parent Portal through Friday, March 29, 2024.

Lottery information:

• Families must first enroll a new student using the online enrollment information and proper documents.
• Families may (but are not required to) select up to 3 schools to apply for in the lottery. All 3 schools are entered into a school's lottery draw separately. No one school has a higher priority than another.
• Applying for a lottery school does not guarantee a spot is available or that your child will be selected.
• Students placed on a waitlist for a school will remain there until another option is selected, or December 31st.
• Families wishing to accept an offer to a school should do so quickly, before the offer expires.
• Late applications are added to the bottom of the waitlist in the date/time order of receipt. The last date for the acceptance of late lottery applications for students who completed the 2023-24 school year with CCS is August 16, 2024.
• New students enrolling into Columbus City Schools can submit a lottery application for two weeks after their enrollment date until December 6, 2024.

Winter weather is here, and Columbus City Schools is ready to help you plan ahead should the District be forced to cancel classes due to inclement weather.

Our goal is to announce a school cancellation as soon as we can. We are constantly monitoring weather forecasts and road conditions 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.

STAY CONNECTED: news about cancellations of classes or the cancellation of extracurricular activities, field trips, and/or student-athletic events due to inclement weather are shared in several ways.

• Make sure the contact information on file at your child’s school is accurate. If you need to update this information, contact the main office in your child’s school or update online in the Parent Portal. (This includes emergency contacts, phone numbers, and email addresses).
• All families and staff will be alerted through an automated call, email, and text message from the District’s phone system. It is important to have your updated contact information on file in order to receive this notification.
• Follow Columbus City Schools on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or check our website. As soon as the decision is made to cancel school, we’ll share news and other schedule updates on the District website and on our social media pages.
• Monitor the news on local television and radio stations.

Click here for more information and frequently asked questions.

The safety and well-being of our entire CCS family is one of our highest priorities, and to remain proactive in addressing potential concerns, the District is reminding everyone about our security measures for all middle and high school athletic events.

Please review the game-day safety protocols for all middle and high school athletic events as we gear up for winter sports seasons. Visit https://bit.ly/3Mw0Liw to learn more.

This Saturday, prepare to rally for the Columbus Africentric Lady Nubians Basketball team at the highly anticipated Lady Nubian Classic! The excitement kicks off with the tip-off at 1:00 p.m.

Support our talented athletes by joining us for an action-packed day of basketball. Your presence means the world to the team! Tickets are available now Secure your spot and be part of the cheering crowd.

Let's make this event memorable for the Columbus Africentric Lady Nubians. See you there!

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, January 27, 2024
• Time: 1:00 p.m.
• Location: Columbus Africentric Early College PreK-12, 3223 Allegheny Avenue, Columbus, OH 43209

• Admission: $10

We're thrilled to announce the upcoming 8th Annual Relationship Week, scheduled to take place from February 5 to February 9, 2024. This year's theme is "Cultivating Hope," emphasizing that meaningful relationships are nurtured through daily care and positive interactions.

As we prepare for this special week, we encourage parents to engage their children actively in the festivities. The K-5 Start with Hello curriculum focuses on fostering a sense of belonging, empathy, and social awareness, while the grade 6-12 curriculum empowers students to end social isolation and contribute to a culture of inclusion.

We appreciate your ongoing support in prioritizing the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families in the CCS Community. Stay tuned for more suggested activities that you and your child can participate in during Relationship Week.

Let's come together to celebrate and strengthen the bonds that make our community so special.

Curriculum Quick Links

• The grades K-5 Start With Hello curriculum teaches students how to develop a sense of belonging, empathy, and social awareness. Resources: K-3 & 4-5

• The grade 6-12 Start With Hello curriculum teaches empathy to empower students to end social isolation to help schools build and reinforce a culture of inclusion. Resources: 6-12

Our upcoming Pre-K event promises a world of FREE family fun! Dive into the joy of learning with books and educational resources to take home. Plus, gear up for thrilling STEM adventures at COSI – it's an event like no other!

As part of our Columbus City Schools Pre-K family engagement series, this STEM extravaganza guarantees Pre-K specific activities, complimentary admission for CCS ECE families, and a chance to win fantastic prizes. The first 50 families will receive exclusive COSI Connect Kits, and everyone can embark on a scavenger hunt for a special reward.

Don't miss out on the fun – be there with your family! Your attendance automatically enters you into an exciting raffle. Let's make learning an unforgettable experience for your little ones together!

Event Details

Shooting for the Stars with STEM at COSI

Saturday, February 3, 2023

333 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215

10:00 a.m. to Noon

Dive in and explore what Columbus has to offer this summer for kids and teens at the 2024 Summer Opportunities and Engagement Fair on Saturday, February 10, at the Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Branch, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Over 50 community organizations, partners, and Columbus City Schools departments will gather to share information on camps, academic enrichment, STEM, arts, and overall summer fun.

This year's festivities also feature workshops to guide families through the graduation requirements, college financial aid updates, special needs opportunities, and more.

Get the resources you need to plan your summer!!

Columbus City Schools proudly presents FACES, the online Family and Community Engagement Series program created to inform and connect families, the community, and schools. You can find FACES, the Family and Community Engagement series, exclusively on CCS's Facebook and YouTube channels.

In next Tuesday's episode, FACES, takes viewers inside the District's efforts to support the Summer fun, activities, camps, internships, and more. Highlights include conversations with the District's Summer Opportunities and Engagement Fair, Special Olympics, and Columbus Recreation and Parks.

Tune in every second and fourth Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. for FACES, and let's build a stronger CCS community together!

The official start of the filing season is January 29, 2024! The Internal Revenue Service would like to reach out to America’s public school districts this filing season to help us spread the word to eligible families on the important Child Tax Credits that many taxpayers are missing.

Child Tax Credit (CTC): The CTC is a credit that may reduce your tax by as much as $2,000 for each child who qualifies you for the credit. To qualify, the child must be a U.S. citizen under age 17, have a Social Security number, be claimed as a dependent on the taxpayer's tax return, and more. Use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant tool to determine eligibility: Does My Child/Dependent Qualify for the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents? For more information, please see: Child Tax Credit | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

Other Dependent Credit (ODC): The ODC is a credit that may reduce your tax by as much as $500 for each eligible dependent. The person is claimed as a dependent on your return; the person can’t be used by you to claim the CTC or Additional CTC; the person was a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident alien. Again, use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant tool to determine eligibility: Does My Child/Dependent Qualify for the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents?

Note: The credit amount for the family’s CTC or ODC may be reduced if their modified adjusted gross income (AGI) is more than $400,000 for married filing jointly filing status or $200,000 for all other filing statuses.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): One refundable tax credit for moderate- and low-income families is the Earned Income Tax Credit. The IRS estimates there are millions of workers who qualify but don't claim the EITC - missing out on thousands of dollars every year. The EITC is as much as $3,995 for one child, $6,604 for two children, and $7,430 for three or more children. Use the EITC Assistant to learn if you're eligible for the tax credit. For more detailed information, see Publication 596, Earned Income Credit.

Note: Adjusted gross income limits are used to qualify families for EITC.

Child and Dependent Care Credit: Taxpayers who paid someone to care for their child, spouse, or dependent so they can work, be a full-time student, or look for work may be able to reduce their tax by claiming the Child and Dependent Care Credit. The total expenses that you may use to calculate the credit may not be more than $3,000 (for one qualifying individual) or $6,000 (for two or more qualifying individuals). Use the IRS interactive tax assistant tool: Am I Eligible to Claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit? For more information please see: Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses or Topic no. 602, Child and dependent care credit | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov).

Attention Black graduating families and seniors of Columbus City Schools! 2024 Helen Jenkins Davis scholarship applications are now available! There are six scholarships available in the amount of $3,000 each. The deadline is Friday, March 1, 2024.

Sponsored by the Lunch Bunch, Helen Jenkins Davis Scholarships are presented each year, in memory of Mrs. Helen Jenkins Davis, to outstanding Black/African American Columbus City Schools’ graduating seniors demonstrating a financial need. In 37 years of giving, the Lunch Bunch has recognized over 139 deserving Columbus City Schools’ graduating senior scholars, with awards exceeding $180,000.00.

Mrs. Davis was a strong, intelligent, and outspoken Black woman who fought for the rights of minority teachers and students. She loved children and always encouraged her students to complete their education. Mrs. Davis believed all children were capable of achieving their goals and dreams.

Click the link below for more information and application details.

Give your family the gift of science learning with free year-round visits to COSI! Thanks to the generosity of the Robert Weiler Company, COSI is proud to offer a complimentary one-year COSI Membership to Columbus City Schools 5th Grade students and their families.

It’s simple! Sign up for your FREE membership: Visit cosi.org/CCS5 to complete the application form. COSI looks forward to welcoming you!

Made for Medicine serves as a pipeline initiative to attract Black youth to the medical profession. The mission held at Made for Medicine is to increase the number of Black doctors, advance health equity, and promote racial justice. Therefore, we are excited to invite families to join their online community so that any Black youth in grades K-12 who are interested in medicine can attend Made for Medicine's virtual MedChats and have access to their educational resources and future Med School career fair!

Please visit this link to join and sign up today to take advantage of our upcoming virtual sessions and educational resources: https://madeformedicine.circle.so/home

Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is looking for basketball scorekeepers to join their team. As a scorekeeper, your role is to record scores, fouls, and statistics, ensuring real-time updates on the score clock. Earn $14 per game for showcasing your math skills on the court!

Ready to take your place courtside? Express your interest by filling out the form: bit.ly/3TUoT2z. Let your passion for numbers shine in the exciting world of basketball!

Calling all fathers and father figures! Get ready for a special day of bonding and memories. On February 13, we're celebrating "Take Your Daughter to School Day." Join us in creating lasting moments as you walk hand in hand with your daughter through the school doors.

This day is about more than just a drop-off; it's a chance to be a part of your daughter's world, share in her excitement, and be a positive presence in her school day. Embrace the opportunity to connect with her teachers, see her classroom, and witness the wonderful moments that make up her school life.

For more information and tips on fun ideas surrounding the day, visit blackgirldadweek.com or blackfatherdaughterdance.com

Exciting news for homeowners and renters! Free weatherization services are available thanks to the generous support of Columbia Gas of Central Ohio, AEP Ohio, and the Ohio Development Agency. Elevate your living space with upgrades, including improved insulation and draft sealing, to enhance comfort and reduce energy costs.

This program is your ticket to a more sustainable, energy-efficient home. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity.

To sign up or learn more, contact the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Committee at 614.621.1171.