Hello Families, Caregivers, and Students,
Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! This year Columbus City School (CCS) has selected the theme "Dream Big, Achieve More" to set the tone for everything we do. Dreams are more than just ideas of what we might do someday if things work out. Dreams are goals we set for ourselves. Big dreams and big goals will take time and several smaller steps are necessary to achieve them. Along the way, our dreams and goals may change direction, grow, or we might need to be sidetracked for a little while because of other things that happen in life. But with the dream and goal remaining in front of us we always know what we are striving for. That reminder and the effort to always take the next step toward the dream are what lead us to achieve more than we thought we might at the beginning of the journey.
In all of our work to help develop students we hope to be partners with you, the families and caregivers. This year we are continuing to expand our efforts to be in good communication with families, offer meaningful events and information, and encourage families to be engaged with their student's schooling as much as you are able. We have some exciting announcements planned for the first few months of school. Keep watching for what we do!
Here is to a great year and all we will accomplish!
Mr. Taylor
Please stay with your child prior to 8:30 a.m. and/or when there is no adult supervision. For the safety of your child, please wait until a staff member is outside. Children should not be dropped off before 8:30.
If you drive your student to school, please enter the parking lot area and drive beside the sidewalk. Pull forward, as much as possible, until just past the open cafeteria doors.
Breakfast is served starting at 8:30 and is free for any child who chooses to eat.
September 15 - October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month
Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period.
Today, the Latino population in the United States today is over 60 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This makes up 18.9% of the total population and is the largest racial or ethnic group. Latinos continue to help fuel our economy and enrich our nation as entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, entertainers, scientists, public servants, and much more.
(Information taken from National Museum of the American Latino website and hispanicheritagemonth.gov)
Vaccinations:
If you have received a letter about documenting your student's vaccinations with the school nurse, please follow the instructions in that communication. It is important that the full series of vaccinations be given. Some vaccines require administration more than once. For instance, polio requires 4 vaccinations and measles/mumps/rubella requires 2 vaccinations. To check your student's vaccination status contact their pediatrician or Columbus Public Health. You can get many vaccinations for free at Columbus Public Health. Call 614-645-8180 to schedule. The Columbus Public Health location is at 240 Parsons Ave. **If you have not received a letter, it means that your student(s) is up to date on all documentation required school.**
School Smiles:
The date for for School Smiles at Northtowne is yet to be announced. However, this program was successful last year for our families and it will be returning. Watch for additional communications when the date has been confirmed.
What is School Smiles? The School Smiles on-site dental program provides comprehensive on-site dental care at our school for students that sign-up to participate. The dental team will set up inside our school to see students for dental cleanings. They accept Medicaid, private insurance, offer self-pay rates and grants through their foundation. Registration is now open online at https://schoolsmiles.com/student-signup/ with over 100 languages to choose from when completing the online form. As a reminder, School Smiles requires a new registration form be filled out each school year.
If your student is in the 4th or 5th grade they can join Mr. Douglas' instrumental music classes! 4th Graders may learn to play an Orchestra Instrument (Violin, Viola, Cello or Bass). 5th Graders may continue on in Orchestra or learn a Brass, Woodwind, or Percussion Instrument. For more information please go to Mr. Douglas' Instrumental Music website. https://sites.google.com/columbus.k12.oh.us/mr-douglas-24-25classes/home
We are thrilled that the Final Third Foundation is once again partnering with our school to provide an after school soccer and literacy program. 3rd, 4th, or 5th graders interested in soccer are eligible to sign up. The after school meetings will be held on Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. Caregivers must pick up their student promptly at 5:00pm. The program will run September 25-December 11. Registration will be open to the first 25 students who turn in the registration form. Flyers with the registration form have been sent home. If you need another copy contact your student's teacher or the Family Ambassador, Sarah Bowman.
Final Third Foundation (F3 Foundation) is in the business of leveling the playing field on and off the pitch. Founder and Executive Director Benjamin Levey believes that “soccer can be an equalizer across communities and a catalyst to build a better generation.”
Led by F3 Program Managers, the F3 Soccer & Literacy program seeks to generate excitement for reading and writing outside of the classroom. In addition, the students are taught the fundamentals of the sport through drills and scrimmage play.
Did you delete a Northtowne News email and then realize there was a resource you still wanted to check out? Do you remember seeing a newsletter announcement about a community resource but now you can't remember the name of the organization and you can't find the email from the newsletter? Don't worry! The information you need is not lost! All prior Newsletters and mid-month updates are available on the Northtowne Elementary web site. The button below will take you directly to the newsletter archive.