COA Times

Volume 3, Issue 1

The following students earned honor roll for quarter one for achieving a 3.0 or higher GPA.

By D'Kyra L. Johnson

In the spirit of camaraderie and community, I am delighted to recount the enchanting tale of a gastronomic adventure that unfolded on the illustrious Monday, October 30. Under the deft guidance of our maestro of community service, Internship Coordinator Steve Baker, 23 students from Columbus Online Academy, 15 lively minds from Walnut Ridge, and six dedicated staff members embarked on an extraordinary journey at the Kitchen of Life, a non-profit haven nestled in the heart of Bexley, Ohio.

The scene was set at 2525 E Main St, Bexley, OH 43209, where eager hearts gathered, and the air was charged with the promise of unity and discovery.

Culinary Alchemy Unveiled:

Within the sacred walls of the Kitchen of Life, our students weren't just culinary apprentices; they were artists, sculpting memories out of dough and infusing their creations with a touch of mathematical finesse. Imagine the symphony of laughter and learning as measuring cups and spoons met the canvas of culinary delights!

A Slice of Belonging:

Beyond the sizzle of pans and the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked treats, this expedition was a profound exploration of belonging. Stereotypes crumbled like dough under the skilled hands of our students, and negative beliefs melted away like cheese on a perfectly crafted pizza. In the Kitchen of Life, they discovered that, indeed, we all belong.

In the Rearview Mirror:

This is no ordinary newsletter; it's a tapestry of unity, a saga of belonging, and a salute to the transformative magic of community service. The Kitchen of Life ceased to be merely a culinary arena; it transformed into a stage where friendships were born, and understanding triumphed.

A Dash of Humor:

And now, a school-friendly joke to add a sprinkle of humor to our culinary narrative: Why did the tomato turn red? Because it saw the salad dressing!

Awaiting the Culinary Sequel:

As we eagerly await the unfolding of the next chapter in this culinary saga, let this narrative be a beacon, inspiring you to embark on your own journey of giving, learning, and savoring the beauty of belonging.

By Xenia Broadnax

COA holds a few mixers each year to allow students to socialize in person and participate in hands-on activities. The next mixer will be held Jan. 19, 2024.

Students should RSVP through this Google Form for the January 19 Mixer.

Who: All COA students are invited.

What: In-person ice-breakers, crafts, games, and some school work.

When: January 19, 2024, from 9:00 am to 1:00 p.m.

Where: The COA space at Walnut Ridge High School, 4841 E Livingston Avenue Columbus, OH 43227. The space is located under the library. Go down the outside stairs at the front of the school (by the bushes) and the door will be at the bottom of the stairs to the left.

Why: To have fun, see teachers and classmates in person, get some free snacks and food, and maybe win some prizes! Students also earn 10 internship hours for attending.

How: Students need to find their own transportation to and from the school. Remember, a student ID is a COTA bus pass.

Bring (optional) a water bottle and any snacks if you have special dietary needs. Bring your computer, iPad, or other electronic device for help with school work.

Schedule:

8:30-9:00 Arrival (sign in, nametag)

9:00-9:30 Session 1

9:30-10:00 Icebreaker 1 and drawing

10:00-10:30 Session 2

10:30-11:00 Icebreaker 2 and drawing

11:00-11:30 Session 3
11:30-12:30 LUNCH (Pizza and salad)
12:30-1:00 Session 4

1:00-2:00 (Optional for students) Clean up or Apex/missing work

The October 13 mixer, attended by 48 students, offered the following opportunities:

• Cupcake decorations led by Parent Consultant Cassandra Lewis
• Science fun led by teacher Lindsay Santen
• Acrylic painting led by teachers Charlene McChesney and Christiana Willis
• String art led by teachers Anita Lindsay and Tysha Crump
• Apex help led by teachers Michelle Jeffries and Danielle Mungin
• Pumpkin decorating led by teachers Rachel Narra and Lisa Hess
• Corn hole and disc golf led by teachers Caleb Martin and Mary Young
• Games and movies led by teachers Amanda Khosraviani and Marcus Edwards
• Puzzle competition led by teacher Byrd Prilleman
• Bingo and ice breaker led by teacher Monique Patrick

Teachers John Siemer and Donna Robinson-Fort led the welcome station and teacher Lisa Ciminillo was the master of ceremonies. For lunch, the school ordered pizza from a local pizzeria with drinks and small bags of chips on the side.

The January mixer will have different stations than the October mixer, but the schedule will remain the same. The mixer is funded by donations from COA staff and families.

By Trinity Forbes

What: In-person support at COA

Where: COA space at Walnut Ridge High School

When: Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Jan. 9, 23

Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27

Apex is a program that allows students to take classes asynchronously. Most Columbus Online Academy (COA) students have at least two Apex classes and at least four Canvas classes to complete. Since students are completing Apex classes independently, COA staff members have created Apex days to assist students.

Generally, those days are on Tuesdays, but they can be held any day. Staff members Michelle Jeffries and Mary Young organize the dates with support from other staff members. Jeffries said, "Teachers wanted to focus more on the short responses because that's where the kids got overwhelmed and intimidated."

Starting on January 9, Apex days will be held almost every Tuesday. Students can attend morning meetings for an updated schedule. Apex days are held at Walnut Ridge High School: 4841 E Livingston Ave, Columbus, OH 43227. COA is located under the Walnut Ridge High School library.

Students who pass all of their Apex classes will not have to retake them the following year. Young said, "Students should call their teachers if they need help. They might not get back to you on the weekends, but they will respond within the first day or two." Young added, "Apex days are also a great opportunity to meet with teachers and friends."

Jeffries and Young both shared advice on how to be successful with Apex classes. Jeffries said, "Take one step at a time. Spend at least an hour working on it, and do your best." Young said, "Use teachers. Help, call, or text so that we can help you get it done. We can help you fit Apex into your schedule."

Columbus Online Academy students attended a field trip on Aug. 31 to learn about historically Black colleges and universities. Teacher Byrd Prillerman organizes a few field trips each year so students can learn about educational opportunities beyond high school.

On Nov. 11, students visited Kent State University and Akron University. They learned about each university through an orientation and campus tour. One student commented that Akron was better "because they fed us."

D'Laveance Bert-Sims, a travel trainer for Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), taught students how to use the transit app and ride the COTA bus through two training sessions. The first training started at the Parsons branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library on Dec. 12. The second trip, on Dec. 18, started at the Linden branch. Each COA student's school ID is a COTA pass and a Columbus Metropolitan Library card.

In both training sessions, Bert-Sims provided instruction at the library before accompanying COA students and staff members on a trip to Walnut Ridge High School and then back to the library. Teacher Kathy McQuate initiated a stop at Resch's Bakery on the way back so that students could taste what she called "the best donuts in Ohio." Each field trip took about four hours. McQuate contacted COTA regarding the training after many students had expressed a problem finding transportation to COA's Apex days. Coach Ferguson and teacher Marcus Edwards assisted with the field trips.

By Trinity Forbes

There are many winter holidays celebrated by COA students and staff members. Two are winter solstice and Christmas.

Winter Solstice

Earth’s four seasons are spring, summer, fall, and winter. Seasons are caused by earth’s changing position as it revolves around the sun. Some people think that the seasons occur because of earth’s distance from the sun. However, earth is closer to the sun in December and January and farther away from the sun in July and August.

This year the winter solstice was on Dec. 21, 2023 at 10:27 p.m.

The winter solstice is when there is the least amount of daylight of any time of the year. The sun appears low in the sky with the least angle to the earth and we receive less sunlight and warmth. This is also when the days are shorter and the nights are longer.

Winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year (a mere 7 hours and 50 minutes), and it's almost nine hours shorter than the longest day of the year.

Christmas

Early celebrations of Christmas are thought to have derived from Roman and other European festivals that marked the end of the harvest and the winter solstice. Some customs from those celebrations that have endured include decorating homes with greenery, giving gifts, singing songs, and eating special foods. The holiday developed further with the legend of St. Nicholas. Although much of his history is unconfirmed, the man who became St. Nicholas lived in the 4th century and is believed to have been a bishop in Asia Minor. It is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside devoting his life to helping the poor by giving them gifts such as toys and gold. One of the St. Nicholas's stories is the time he saved three poor sisters from being sold into slavery or prostitution by their father by providing them with a dowry so that they could be married. After his death, the tradition for Santa Claus began in memory of him.

Click here to learn more about winter holidays.

By Lindsay Santen

Any COA students or staff members may join the Nature Club. To participate, join the Remind group @coanature. Next, show up on any of the dates listed below. Highlights of the first four hikes can be found here: Homestead 12/1 video, Highbanks 12/3 video, Battelle Darby Creek 12/10, Inniswood 12/17

• Prairie Oaks 1/6 @ 11:00 (3225 Plain City-Georgesville Rd., West Jefferson)

• Sharon Woods 1/13 @ 11:00 (6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus )

• Scioto Audubon 1/20 @ 11:00 Meet at Grange Insurance Audubon Center (505 West Whittier St., Columbus OH 43215)

• Pickerington Ponds 2/4 @ 11:00 Meet at Glacier Knoll Picnic Area (4071 Bowen Rd., Canal Winchester, OH 45110)

• Glacier Ridge 2/10 @ 11:00 (9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH 43064)

12/20-1/2 Winter Break: No Zoom meetings or new assignments. Students should complete any missing assignments and catch up on Apex.

1/3 - Students should attend Morning Meeting Zoom. All other classes are asynchronous. Please complete your timesheets and check each Canvas class for work.

1/11 - All late work (with teacher approval) must be submitted.

1/12 - End of quarter 2. End of semester 1.

1/19 - Winter Mixer: RSVP here https://forms.gle/Zf27nkV9rMP6fu7B9

For future dates, check the district calendar.

CLICK HERE for the internship hours application form. Students need 120 hours to meet their graduation requirement. Contact Internship Coordinator Steve Baker at sbaker5930@columbus.k12.oh.us.

CLICK HERE to submit announcements or story ideas. Any student or staff member may submit an announcement, column, or article. Our volunteer publications staff meets every Tuesday and Friday during period 7. Contact McQuate for the Zoom link if you are interested in joining our team. Articles without a byline were written collaboratively.

Looking for another issue?

October 2022

November 2022

December 2022

January 2023

February 2023

March 2023

April 2023

May & June 2023

Click below for Volume 1.

December Newsletter 2021

January Newsletter 2022

February Newsletter 2022

March Newsletter 2022

April Newsletter 2022

May Newsletter 2022

Staff: Justin Adams, Samantha Burk, Xenia Broadnax, Trinity Forbes, D'Kyra Johnson, Anita Lindsay, Kathy McQuate

Email: kmcquate@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/domain/4199

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusOnlineAcademy912
Location: 4841 E Livingston Ave, Columbus, OH 43227, USA
Phone: (614) 365-8472