Dear CCS Community,

Spring has arrived! The world is becoming reborn with a fresh sense of possibility and renewal. This awakening in nature echoes the spirit of National Women's History Month, dedicated to recognizing and empowering women who, like the new buds of spring, bring fresh perspectives and life to our world.

Keilah Brewster stands out in this season of renewal as she cultivates young minds at Columbus Africentric Early College, embodying the transformative power of education and leadership.

Ms. Brewster, a proud alumna of Africentric, embodies what it means to come full circle—from student to teacher, influencing the same halls that once nurtured her dreams. Her education journey is sparked by a lifelong desire to help others, coupled with the inspiration she drew from her English teachers at Africentric. These educators showed her the boundless possibilities of teaching, igniting a fire within her to pursue a career where she could impact lives through literature and discussion.

In her classroom, Ms. Brewster ensures the voices and stories of women are front and center, particularly highlighting female authors like Jacqueline Woodson and Angela Johnson. Her approach to teaching is profoundly personal and reflective of her experiences, enabling her to forge meaningful connections with her students. She navigates discussions on race, gender, and identity easily and intentionally, encouraging an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and understood.

Ms. Brewster's influence extends beyond the academic; she serves as a mentor and safe space for young women, guiding them through life's challenges and encouraging them to pursue their passions relentlessly. Her message to her students is clear: stay true to yourself, embrace your identity, and never underestimate the power of resilience and self-expression.

As we celebrate National Women's History Month, let us draw inspiration from Ms. Brewster's journey and commitment to uplifting the next generation. Her story confirms the impact one individual can have on many lives, reminding us of our role in shaping a more inclusive and empowering future.

Sincerely,

Dr. Angela Chapman

Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools

History Made. The Columbus Africentric Early College Lady Nubians basketball team clinched the 2024 Division III State Championship, securing its second consecutive title and ninth overall, setting a new record in OHSAA girls' basketball history! Congratulations, ladies!

Great news for all current PreK-12th-grade students enrolled in Columbus City Schools! We're thrilled to announce that our Summer Experience program is back and completely FREE, exclusively for you. This unique program offers many learning opportunities, including off-site hands-on experiences, partnerships with the community, and exciting guests.

We're excited to introduce project-based learning similar to what you've enjoyed through Pathway Express. Students can explore various pathways such as Entrepreneurship, Culinary Arts, Health and Fitness, Performing Arts, and more! Additionally, we provide daily literacy and math instruction to reinforce essential skills for the upcoming school year.

For elementary and middle school students, the Summer Experience will run from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, starting from June 17 to July 12.

Registration is OFFICIALLY OPEN! Parents/guardians can easily register their child through the Parent Portal. For further details, visit the Summer Experience Hub at ccssummer.org.

All aboard! Pathway Express arrives at its final destination for the 2023-2024 school year. Students and their families will enjoy FREE admission to Grange Insurance Audubon Center.

Join Columbus City Schools’ Pathway Express on Saturday, April 13, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Grange Insurance Audubon Center, 505 W. Whittier St., Columbus, OH 43215.

Click here to register for a fun-filled day with Pathway Express at Grange Insurance Audubon Center.

Fun Family Learning Experience includes:

• Urban agricultural experiences include seed planting, wildlife exploration, learning how to Bee Waggle, and more!

• Enjoy a meet and greet with American novelist, short story writer, and television producer R.L. Stine. Stine is known for his children’s literature and horror fiction novels, including Goosebumps.

• Free books and giveaways while supplies last!

FREE PARKING is available at Grange Insurance Audubon Center.

FREE TRANSPORTATION IS ALSO AVAILABLE - APRIL 13TH ONLY.

Transportation is available from the following locations on April 13, 2024, and will be departing CCS sites at 10:00 a.m.

• Northland High School (1919 Northcliff Drive, Columbus, 43229)

• South High School (1160 Ann Street, Columbus, 43206)

• Walnut Ridge High School (4841 E. Livingston Avenue, Columbus, 43227)

• West High School (179 S. Powell Avenue, Columbus, 43204)

Reserve your spot by completing the registration form

Get ready for an exciting journey as Family University (FAMU) sets its course for college exploration! The Office of Engagement invites parents and students in grades 8-12 to join us for an immersive learning adventure.

Event Details:

Center for Work Development

315 Cleveland Ave.
Time: 11:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

What to Expect:

• Explore the beautiful campus: Discover the vibrant atmosphere and facilities of Columbus State Community College.
• Admission Process Insights: Gain valuable information about the college admission process, including application tips and deadlines.
• Course Offerings Overview: Learn about the various courses available and how they can shape your academic journey.
• Interactive Sessions: Engage in interactive sessions designed to answer your questions and guide you toward college readiness.
• Campus Tour: Take a guided tour of the campus to experience college life firsthand.

This event is your gateway to unlocking the possibilities of higher education. Don't miss this opportunity to start your college journey on the right foot! We look forward to welcoming you to Family University!

Join I Know I Can for Blueprint: College to help your student finish high school strong and plan for life after graduation. I Know I Can will host family information sessions and presentations focused on post-secondary planning, including the college application process, financial aid, career exploration, and more.

Two sessions are being offered. Please select from one of the following sessions:

• Thursday, April 4th, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Ohio State University
• Saturday, May 4th, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Capital University.

For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/blueprintcollegehs.

Get ready for an exciting reading adventure during Spring Break with the Scholastic LitPro Spring Reading Challenge from March 29 to April 7! Open to all CCS students from kindergarten to 8th grade, this challenge invites you to dive into thousands of e-books and track your reading minutes in your Scholastic LitPro account on Clever.

Prizes await the top readers in each grade who log the most minutes, and a special prize is awarded to the school with the most participating readers. It's a fantastic opportunity to discover new stories, enhance your reading skills, and win amazing rewards!

For more information and to get started, visit ccsoh.us/read. Let's make this Spring Break a memorable journey through the world of books!

Columbus City Schools' Department of Early Childhood Education is thrilled to announce the upcoming "Countdown to Kindergarten" event at Fort Hayes on May 4! This is a special invitation to all incoming CCS Kindergarteners, whether or not they attended CCS PreK.

This event is our way of welcoming and preparing your child for their exciting journey into kindergarten. It's a fantastic opportunity to glimpse what's to come and meet fellow students and teachers.

We encourage all incoming Kindergarteners to join us for this huge event. Let's make the transition to kindergarten a memorable and smooth experience for everyone! We look forward to seeing you there!

Event Details:

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.

A safer Columbus starts with us. City Council President Shannon Hardin and CCS students come together to discuss our community. Tune in to next Tuesday's episode of FACES, where we dive deep into a conversation about community, violence, and pathways toward wholeness.

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

Exciting news for CCS class of 2024 graduates! The I Know I Can Grant has been boosted from $1,200 to $2,500 this year! If you've received a postcard in the mail, you're already aware of this fantastic opportunity. Don't miss out on this free money that could significantly support your college journey. APPLY NOW and lighten the financial load of your senior year! All CCS class of 2024 graduates with at least a 2.25 GPA qualify for the grant!

During the past five weekends, high school students from CCS participated in workshops where they gained hands-on experience in journalism from industry professionals at The Dispatch, NBC4, Columbus Business First, and other news outlets. They created and published their own articles, podcasts, and videos on the Columbus Dispatch's website. Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/bdcrffdb

📷 Photos courtesy of the Columbus Dispatch 📷

This week, the Columbus City Schools communication team collaborated with several excellent students at Stewart Elementary School to create this edition of trivia. These students have big aspirations! Let's learn a bit more about our fifth grade trivia writers and what their plans are for the future.

• Jackson: Jackson aspires to be a lawyer. But that's not all! He wants to become proficient in the Russian language so that he can translate legal documents between the two languages.
• Amari: Amari plans to one day create her own books, and she won't just be doing the writing. Amari wants to both write and illustrate her own books.
• Marvin: Marvin wants to be a chef when he grows up, and he already knows what his focus will be. Marvin loves spicy foods and wants to focus on cooking spicy creations.
• Evie: Evie plans to take an artistic path in her future. She wants to move to Salem, Massachusetts, and pursue a career in embroidery.

These stellar students are learning about coordinate planes in their math class, and they came up with questions to test your knowledge. Want to see if you can go head-to-head with our fifth graders? Click the link below to play!

Join us at Whetstone High School for the final performances of Little Shop of Horrors, a theatrical marvel showcasing our students' dedication and talent. Under the guidance of Christopher Ray and with the support of the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA), our cast and crew have transformed countless hours of rehearsal into a captivating experience filled with the magic of live theatre.

As we approach our CAPA debut, the excitement within the Whetstone Association of Performing Arts (WAPA) is palpable. Students have found a sense of community and fulfillment on stage, embodying roles that resonate with their passion for the performing arts.

Take advantage of the opportunity to witness this enchanting production. The final two shows will take place on March 22 and 23, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Join us to celebrate our students' artistic journey and experience the enchantment of Little Shop of Horrors at Whetstone High School.

For tickets and more information, please visit the Whetstone Academy of Performing Arts at www.wapa.net

We are excited to announce a special Spring Break 2024 Event hosted by Columbus Recreation and Parks and Columbus Public Health. This event is open to families in our community and promises fun-filled activities for everyone to enjoy!

Event Details:

• Dates & Locations:
• 3/29/2024 (Barnett Recreation); 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
• 4/1/2024 (Beatty Recreation); 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
• 4/3/2024 (Barack Recreation); 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
• 4/4/2024 (Douglas Recreation); 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
• 4/5/2024 (Glenwood Recreation); 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Activities Include:

• Food
• DJ Music
• Game Truck
• Bounce House
• Face Painting
• Balloon Twisting
• Artistic Stations
• Basketball
• Space for Violence Prevention Dialogue
• Space for Celebrate One Sexual Health Awareness

All families are invited to come and participate in these exciting activities. Feel free to bring youth along to have a great time together! We look forward to seeing you there!

Mark Your Calendar for a Special Event: Free Dogs Only Vaccination Clinic Hosted by Franklin County Dog Shelter on Friday, April 5, 2024!

This clinic, designed in a convenient "Drive-Thru" style, will be held at Scioto Darby Metro Park exclusively for our beloved canine community members residing within Franklin County. Preventative action is crucial to protecting our furry companions from various illnesses, many of which can be effectively prevented through vaccination.

All dog owners in Central Ohio are invited to participate in this FREE vaccination clinic if your furry friends are due for their vaccines. Let's ensure the health and well-being of our beloved pets together!

Join Black Girl Rising, Inc. on Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the Black Girl Summit: Girl Talk on Safety and Identity!

This empowering event will address critical issues such as dating, hair texture, relationship violence, colorism, self-confidence, community safety, body image, sexual assault, and social media challenges faced by Black girls.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the Black Girl Rising, Inc. Think Tank, contributing to discussions on safety and identity and sharing their ideas and opinions. Attendees will explore actionable steps to ensure the safety and celebration of Black girls.

Don't miss this chance to use your voice for change and make a difference! See you at the summit!

Project Alpha offers valuable education on relationships, mental health, social justice, and sexual health for young men aged 12-18.

To register and provide consent, please complete the registration form. After submission, a consent form will be sent to the parent/guardian's email address. Participants will receive further details, including the event schedule, via email. Note that participation requires completion of the consent form, either online or at the event.

Don't miss out on this enriching opportunity for young men in our community!

Event Details

Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location: The Ohio State University | Moritz College of Law

Drinko Hall, 55 W 12th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210

Registration ends Friday, April 12, at 11:59 p.m.!

Experience early college exposure and career awareness through the free CSCC Summer Exploration Academy. Rising 8th and 9th graders from Columbus City and Southwestern City Schools are eligible. The academy offers hands-on experiences and exploration of in-demand career/technical programs and specific majors. Don't miss this chance to kickstart your journey towards exciting careers! Register and find more information at the provided links.

Expand horizons and pave the way for future success with CSCC Summer Exploration Academy!

Key Details:

Dates: Session 1 (June 10-14, 2024) and Session 2 (June 24-28, 2024)

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Cost: Free of charge

The HumanKIND Scholarship, established in 2023, honors students who exemplify exceptional kindness and inspire others to act compassionately. Graduating high school seniors from Franklin County with a history of deep kindness are eligible. They must plan to attend a post-secondary institution or career program in the U.S.

Eligibility Criteria:

Graduating high school seniors in Franklin County

Demonstrated deep kindness

Enrollment in a U.S.-based post-secondary institution or career program

Deadline: April 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Award: Five scholarships of $20,000, distributed over four years ($5,000 per year)

To nominate a deserving student or for more information, contact The Columbus Foundation scholarships team at scholarshipmanager@columbusfoundation.org.

For inquiries, contact Pete Aubry, Scholarships Coordinator, at paubry@columbusfoundation.org.