Global Families,

School will be closed from December 23rd to January 3rd 2025.

Many families will be celebrating different holidays with family and friends during this time.

Some holidays that are celebrated in December are Christmas, Hannukkah and Kwanzaa to name few. Is there anything that you and your family celebrate in December?

We wish all of our Global students and families a very healthy, safe and fun winter break!

As we welcome in a new year, I want to say thank you Global Parents and Caregivers for your continued support of Global students and making Global the best school in CCS!

Sullivant Gardens Community Center – Winter Dinner
Friday, Dec. 20, 5-7PM
755 Renick Street, Columbus, OH 43223
(614) 645-8171
Enjoy a free dinner, cookie decoration, and toy giveaway. Call for details.

cap4kids.org/columbus/files/2024/12/Sullivant-Gardens-Winter-Dinner-2025.pdf

Driving Park Community Center – Hot Meal Giveaway
Friday, Dec. 20, 5-7PM
1100 Rhoads Avenue, Columbus, OH 43206
(614) 724-4702
Enjoy a free hot meal on a first come, first served basis. Contact the center for additional details.

columbusrecparks.com/calendar/driving-park-hot-meal-giveaway

Feddersen Community Center – Holiday Meal
Friday, Dec. 20, 5-7PM
3911 Dresden Street, Columbus, OH 43224
(614) 645-3083
Enjoy a free holiday meal on a first come, first served basis. Contact the center for additional details.

columbusrecparks.com/calendar/feddersen-holiday-meals

Holton Community Center – Holiday Meal

Friday, Dec. 20, 5:30-7PM
303 North Eureka Avenue, Columbus, OH 43204
(614) 645-3208
Enjoy a free holiday meal on a first come, first served basis. Contact the center for additional details.

columbusrecparks.com/calendar/holton-holiday-meals

Brentnell Community Center – Community Dinner
Friday, Dec. 20, 6-8PM
1280 Brentnell Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219
(614) 645-7640
Enjoy a free community dinner on a first come, first served basis. Contact the center for additional details.

columbusrecparks.com/calendar/community-dinner

Lazelle Woods Community Center – Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, Dec. 21, 9-10:30AM
8140 Sancus Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43081
(614) 645-5330
Enjoy breakfast, holiday crafts and activities, and a free gift from Santa. Registration is $5. Contact the center to register and for additional details.
columbusrecparks.com/calendar/breakfast-with-santa-5

St. Stephen’s – Christmas Cares Food Box
Registration is Open NOW thru Saturday, Dec. 14
Franklin County families can visit the website to register for a Christmas Food Box or attend in person. Families must arrive and pick up their boxes during their assigned time. Visit the links below for registration details.
Flyer: facebook.com/photo/?fbid=973480974816887&set=pcb.973476428150675
Website: saintstephensch.org/christmas-cares

YMCA Central Ohio – Food & Produce Giveaways
Free, fresh produce are distributed on a first come, first served basis for income-eligible Franklin County residents at the locations listed below. Eligibility waiver and photo ID are required.
ymcacolumbus.org/food-produce-giveaway

• Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA: 130 Woodland Avenue, Columbus, OH 43203
  (614) 389-4643
  First Tuesday of each month, 3-5PM
• Hilltop YMCA: 2879 Valleyview Drive, Columbus, OH 43204
  (614) 389-4565
  Third Wednesday of each month, 4PM
• North YMCA: 1640 Sandalwood Place, Columbus, OH 43229
  

  (614) 389-4707

Daily Sack Lunch 10 a.m. – 4: 00 p.m.

Thursday Lunch & Learn 1:00 p.m.

Friday Fellowship 6:00 p.m.

Jordan’s Closet

Thursday and Friday after meals

342 N.Hague Ave.,

Columbus, Ohio 43204

380-219-8950

Firefighters 4 Kids is still accepting applications for holiday gifts for children ages 0-12. Sign-ups are always done at agencies throughout the Columbus area. When signing up at an agency, please be sure to check what documents are required for signing up. Most agencies require at a minimum, a picture id for the adult and proof of age for the children that are being signed up. To find a location near you to sign up for toys, please review the list below. You may contact the agency to find out what days and hours they are doing signup’s at their location. All signups for toys must be done through an agency. No sign-ups will be permitted after December 20th.

CAP City Athletics
639 Whitethorne Ave.
Email : capcityfalcons@gmail.com

Community Development for All People
946 Parsons Ave
614-445-7342

Community Youth and Young Adult Empowerment

454 North 20th

614-517-2002

East Columbus Development Company
1774 E Main St
614-372-0884

Far East Development/Barnett
614-724-0100
http://www.fareastac.org/

Destiny Center
1561 Old Leonard Ave
614-569-4958 x1507

St Stephens Community House
1500 E 17th Avenue
614-294-6347

Triumphant Christian Center
904 Thomas Ave
614-805-3936

Worthington Food Pantry
6700 Huntley Rd
614-985-1766

Essential Resources for Winter

Click the links below for helpful resource lists and tools:

• Columbus Winter Warming Centers – Interactive Map
• Columbus Winter Warming Centers – PDF
• Clothing, Hygiene Items, and Home Goods Resource List
• Utility & Housing Payment Assistance Programs
• Best Gas Prices in Columbus
• Free Home Weatherization for Income-Eligible Franklin County Residents
• Grief Support, Support Groups, Substance Use Help, and More
• Emergency Food Help
• Emergency Housing Help
• Helpful Hotlines
• Columbus Street Card
• How to Prepare Your Home for Winter Weather

Barber Shop Books mission is to inspire Black boys and other vulnerable children to read for fun through child-centered, culturally responsive, and community-based programming and content.

The Columbus Metropolitan Library has partnered with several area barber shops to provide free hair cuts and books to students. Please see the list for locations and visit the link below for more information.

Attendance

In U.S. schools, being on time for school and having good attendance is valued and expected. It is important that students attend each day to get the most out of their education. When a student misses a school day, the parent has to call the school to let them know of the absence. When the student returns to school, they must also bring a note signed by the parent explaining the absence.

Attention to Time

If you would like to speak with a teacher or principal at the school about your child, it is important to call ahead and make an appointment. Teachers and principals are happy to meet with parents/guardians but they cannot be pulled away from the children to do so. When making an appointment with someone in the school, it is important to be on time.

Collaboration

Collaboration is a very strong cultural value in U.S. schools. Classrooms are centered around the students, and you will see many students working together in groups. All students are expected to participate in group projects and to do their equal share of the work.

Directness and Openness

Students are encouraged to say exactly what they think during class discussions. In some cultures it may be considered rude to disagree or question a teacher. However, teachers encourage students to think, ask, and state their opinions in respectful ways.

Discipline

Student's handbooks outline the expectations for behavior in each school. If a student breaks a rule in the student handbook, the parent will be notified and discipline such as detention, suspension, or expulsion could result.

Dress-code

Newcomers to the U.S. are often shocked by the informality of Americans. People dress very casually at school. To view the dress-code, please refer to the student handbooks: https://www.ccsoh.us/Page/2411

Independence

Independence is a very strong cultural value in U.S. schools and households. Teachers and parents believe teaching their child independence is an important part of their upbringing and is a positive thing.

Self-Sufficiency

In the schools, it is expected that the students practice self-sufficiency. If students need to use the restroom, or need a supply to complete school work, they will need to ask the teacher. It will rarely be assumed that a student needs help if they don’t ask for it.

Participation

U.S. schools encourage parent participation at school events or activities. Teachers and principals value discussing the academic progress of the student with the parents at parent teacher conferences. U.S. schools believe that students receive a better education when school staff and parents work together to educate the children.

Did you know the ESL Department of Columbus City Schools has a special call center in over seven foreign languages? If you need assistance in a language - follow the directions below.

• Someone who helps connect families with the school.
• Someone who makes sure families feel welcome.
• Someone who helps families feel supported.
• Someone who let's families know important dates and events.
• Someone who helps families to get what they need to make sure students are successful! For example, a Family Ambassador can share information on where to find coats for cold weather, food.
• ...and more!