Dear CCS Community,

Yesterday was a joyous day across Columbus City Schools as we welcomed over 2,200 of our youngest scholars to pre-kindergarten! As the sun rose and alarm clocks rang, these future classes of 2038 and 2039 were filled with excitement for a new adventure.

There were hugs, smiles, and a few tears, but the energy in the air was full of excitement as our teachers and staff greeted each student with open arms.

Our Early Childhood Education program is designed to spark curiosity, nurture imagination, and help our youngest learners set ambitious goals for themselves. These early experiences lay the foundation for a lifetime of academic and personal success.

This school year, we are proud to open six new Pre-K sites, bringing us to more than 60 Pre-K locations across the district! Thanks to the support of our community and the passage of the November 2023 levy, we can serve over 100 additional students, ensuring more families have access to high-quality, tuition-free early childhood education.

This year, several Pre-K sites have expanded, and now include:

• Forest Park Elementary School

• Valley Forge Elementary School

• Fairmoor Elementary School

• Ohio Avenue Elementary School

• South Mifflin Elementary School

• North Linden Elementary School

This expansion increases our capacity and reinforces our commitment to equity and excellence. It will allow every child to Dream Big and Achieve More as they begin their educational journey to success.

As we watch our young scholars take their first steps in school, we know they are building the skills and confidence to carry them through kindergarten and beyond. Every smile, every new word learned, and every milestone reached brings them closer to realizing their potential.

To our community, thank you for believing in early education's power and supporting our students, staff, and schools. We build the foundation for a brighter future, one Pre-K classroom at a time. The success of this program is a direct reflection of your dedication to our scholar's futures; we couldn't have done it without you.

Please join us at our Pre-K Kickoff event this evening, which kicks off the new school year for our scholars! Hosted at the Grange Audubon Center from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., help us celebrate and welcome our Pre-K families as they embark on this exciting new chapter.

The first 100 Pre-K families to arrive and register will receive a special Scholastic "Ready for School" kit designed just for our young learners. We look forward to seeing you there!

Let's continue to inspire our youngest learners as they begin their academic path with CCS. We are excited to see all they will accomplish this year and in the future!

Sincerely,

Dr. Angela Chapman
Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools

As CCS opens its doors for the 2024-2025 school year, we are thrilled to welcome our youngest learners to their new pre-kindergarten classrooms! The air was filled with excitement and anticipation as our new pre-K scholars embarked on this wonderful journey. From making new friends to the warm welcomes from our dedicated teachers and staff, the first day is a celebration of new beginnings. Join us in experiencing how CCS is bringing our Dream Big, Achieve More theme to life right from day one!

Does your child have an IEP or 504 plan? Are you in need of support? Want to learn how to support your child through Pre-K and beyond? We can help! The CCS Transition Fair seeks to help caregivers who have children with learning exceptionalities create a pathway for life-long student success. Families interested in attending the Transition Fair can register at bit.ly/CCSTransitionFair2024

Learn from over 50 community organizations and workshops on:

• Tools to help plan an IEP

• Medicaid waiver services, and

• Strategies to support students throughout the school year.

Family fun includes FREE Cleveland Cavaliers 30-minute basketball clinics and Touch-a-Truck.

Event Details:

CCS Transition Fair

Date: Saturday, September 14

Location: East High School, 1500 East Broad Street

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Get ready for an incredible new school year packed with adventure aboard the Pathway Express!

This year’s Pathway Express will kick off at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum on Saturday, September 14.

The Pathway Express experience includes activities and resources to expose students to service-learning outside the classroom. Students and their families will enjoy FREE admission from September 1 through November 30 as they explore and honor stories of courage and sacrifice.

But the fun doesn’t stop there!

On September 14, Family Learning Experiences include:

• Meet and Greet with Author and Illustrator of the best-selling Arthur series, Marc Brown

• Author and Veteran, Rogelio Cervantes

• Interactive presentation on the Tuskegee Airmen's participation in World War II

• Rock concert on the rooftop featuring 122nd Army Band

• Military Vehicle Touch-a-Truck

• FREE parking at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum parking lot

• Learning experiences, service projects, free books, giveaways, and more!

Save the date for our next two destinations:

• December 14, 2024 - The Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo

• April 12, 2025 - Champions Golf Course

Don't miss out on these unforgettable stops. Education is a journey, so hop on the Pathway Express!

We’re excited to invite Columbus City Schools students, teachers, staff, District leaders, community partners, and our entire network of friends, family, and alumni to celebrate Latino Heritage Month by participating in the vibrant 2024 Latino Heritage Month Parade through Downtown Columbus!

This is a fantastic opportunity to show our school spirit and engage with the community in a meaningful celebration of Latino culture and heritage. We encourage everyone to come out and join the festivities!

Important: If you are under 18, please ensure you have parent or guardian permission and are accompanied by an adult.

For any questions, please contact the Department of Engagement at 614.365.8868 or email us at engage@columbus.k12.oh.us.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, September 14

Meet-up Location: 270 E. State St
Meet-up Time: 9:30 a.m.
Parade Time: 11:00 a.m.
Parade Location: Downtown Columbus

As we kick off this new school year, it's the perfect time to spotlight the importance of daily attendance. Addressing chronic absence plays a crucial role in improving graduation rates, boosting academic achievement, and giving our students the best chance to succeed in their future endeavors.

When we commit to learning every day, we embrace our theme of "Dream Big, Achieve More." Together, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Stay tuned for our "Stay in the Game" initiatives throughout the year, designed to support and encourage consistent attendance. Let’s work together to make every school day count!

The 2024-2025 Student Guide to Success is now available. The publication contains important documents that must be filled out and returned to your student's school of attendance OR completed as part of the Parent Portal Annual Update (preferred method) in Infinite Campus.

The Annual Update can be accessed in the Parent Portal by clicking “More” and then “Annual Update." If your scholar has a form on file and remains at the same school this year, a new form will not have to be submitted. A new form must be submitted if your scholar has changed schools or matriculated to a new school. Separate forms must be on file for each individual student.

Is Your Parent Portal Account Activated? Stay engaged in your child’s education by setting up and signing into the Columbus City Schools Parent Portal. Through the Parent Portal, you’ll be able to securely access valuable information on your student(s):

• Teacher Contact Information
• Grades and Course Schedules
• Daily Attendance
• Missed Assignments
• Update Contact Information

If you have not yet created your portal account, click the button below to activate your account.

First Time User Activation

In order to activate your account, you must have an Activation Key. If you do not have an Activation Key, please contact your child’s school. You will be asked to provide proper identification before receiving the key. NOTE: Each parent/guardian has their own Activation Key to create their account, which can be used to access all of their children enrolled in Columbus City Schools.

Existing users can log in here

Calling all young soccer enthusiasts! The Fall R.E.E.L.L. Soccer League is open to boys and girls in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades for the 2024-2025 season. Whether you're new to soccer or have some experience, this league is the perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills, have fun, and make new friends!

All games will be held at Cedarwood Elementary School. Registration kicks off on Monday, September 9, so don't miss your chance to sign up!

Contact Mr. Lawson at dlawson6622@columbus.k12.oh.us, for additional questions and to register your child. Parents who are interested in volunteering to support the league can email admin@finalthirdfoundation.org.

Get ready for a season of excitement, teamwork, and soccer fun—register soon!

Dress for Success Columbus is bringing their Mobile Career Center to Marion-Franklin High School to offer valuable resources for women seeking to enhance their professional appearance and job readiness. Attendees will have the opportunity to receive:

• Interview-Ready Outfits: Choose from a selection of professional attire to help you make a strong impression in job interviews.
• Accessories and Shoes: Complete your look with the right accessories and shoes to boost your confidence.
• Job Readiness Assistance: Get expert guidance on resume building, interview skills, and career development.

Everything you need will be available inside the Mobile Career Center, making it easy and convenient to prepare for your next career opportunity. Click the link below for more information.

Event Details:

Dress for Success Columbus Mobile Career Center

Location: Columbus Metropolitan Library - Marion-Franklin Branch

2750 Lockbourne Rd., Columbus OH, 43207

Date: Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Hosted by Male Behavioral Health, this essential discussion will address how Black parents can effectively talk to their children about suicide and mental health, and explore the unique challenges faced by Black families in navigating these issues. The conversation is part of Black Suicide Prevention Week, which runs from September 9 to September 15, 2024.

Why This Matters:

• Suicide attempts among high school-aged Black youth increased by 73% from 1991 to 2017.
• Black youth under 13 are twice as likely to die by suicide compared to their white peers.

For More Information: Contact info@mbhinc.com

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and support during this critical week of awareness and prevention. Click the link below to register. Tickets are FREE!

Event Details:

Black Parents Confront Black Suicide

Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom

IMPACT Community Action invites area students who are interested in starting a business to participate in an engaging youth entrepreneurship program, BOSS UP. Students will learn the tools and steps to take to launch your business.

Students are guided on how to write a business plan, understand market dynamics & measure competition, analyze cost benefit and production cost, as well as how to pitch their idea to potential funders, to market their business effectively.

The program concludes with a Shark Tank competition in which the top 3 participants will be given seed funding for their business! Even those who do not place in the competition will get their business registration fee paid for to make their business legitimate!

Eligibility requirements for BOSS UP:

• High School Ages 14-18* (*under 18, guardian approval needed)
• Resident of Franklin County
• 200% Poverty Income Guidelines or receiving Food, Cash, or Medical Assistance

For more information contact: afterschool@impactca.org or scan the QR Code below.

Calling all fathers and father figures! Save the date for Cooking with Dads, an exciting event designed to promote health, wellness, and strengthen the bond between fathers and their children. Hosted by the African American Male Wellness Agency as part of their Fatherhood Program, this event invites dads and their kids (ages 3 and up) for an unforgettable day of fun and learning.

Fathers will participate in interactive cooking demonstrations led by local and national celebrity chefs, while also enjoying wellness exercises and receiving a swag bag filled with goodies. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn valuable cooking skills that can be shared at home, creating meaningful connections and lasting memories.

Don’t miss out on this educational and fun experience! Tickets are FREE!

Event Details:

Cooking With Dads
Location: Columbus Africentric Early College High School
3223 Allegheny Avenue, Columbus, OH 43209

Date: Saturday, November 9

Time: Noon to 4:00 p.m.