The Family Connector

Dear CCS Community,

February is a busy month at Columbus City Schools, and for me, it has been a great time to reflect on the love and compassion that we share with those closest to us and our community.

This month, we can look at ways to go beyond ourselves and share kindness with the world as we celebrate the achievements through Black History Month and cultivate supportive relationships through Relationship Week.

Last week kicked off Black History Month. Although we celebrate the achievements of African Americans throughout the year, February is a great time to honor the history and vital contributions to our communities. Throughout this month, I am eager to see students gain valuable knowledge and that their appreciation continues to grow for African American history. Many schools throughout the district will be hosting assemblies and events to honor this month. I am looking forward to celebrating this month with our CCS family.

This week, staff and students participated in our seventh annual Relationship Week, and celebrated our school counselors for National School Counselors Week. Throughout the week, students learned ways to cultivate relationships with themes of offering simple greetings, giving one act of kindness, forgiveness, celebrating diversity, and making sure no one eats alone. Supportive relationships are critical to students’ learning, well-being, and success. These efforts are also critical to support our first priority in our strategic plan of a whole child focus, while teaching ways to embody all Portrait of a Graduate attributes.

We dedicate the month of February to remembering significant people and events in Black history. This dedicated time marks a special moment in which historical lessons and events focus on the greatness of the African-American community.

Mark your calendars, and get ready! The District’s annual Summer Experience returns June 20, and registration opens March 15.

Last year, thousands of PreK-12 students joined us for a summer of outside-of-the-box learning experiences and exciting field trips, and this summer, we have even more excitement in store. The 2023 Summer Experience features unique program themes at all elementary and middle school sites, and high school students will once again have a chance to enroll in specialty courses at Spruce Run or take advantage of credit advancement and recovery opportunities.

Along with the free fun and academic enrichment, we’re providing transportation, breakfast, and lunch for students.

To learn more about the 2023 Summer Experience, visit CCSSummer.org.

The Columbus Board of Education listened to a proposal for academic calendars for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years at its regular business meeting on Tuesday, February 7.

Use these links to view each of the proposed calendars:

• Draft 2023-24 Traditional School Year Calendar
• Draft 2023-24 Year-Round School Year Calendar (Woodcrest Elementary)
• Draft 2024-25 Traditional School Year Calendar
• Draft 2024-25 Year-Round School Year Calendar (Woodcrest Elementary)

Per Ohio law, there must be a 30-day period for public comment before the calendars can be officially approved by the Board of Education. Columbus City Schools community members can submit any comments or feedback via our Academic Calendars Survey or by email to engage@columbus.k12.oh.us.

Approval of the calendar proposals will be placed on the agenda for an upcoming Board of Education business meeting.

The District’s academic calendars are created in collaboration with the Columbus Education Association (CEA) and in consultation with principals, district administrators, and parent representation.

Don’t miss this critical chance to share your feedback with Columbus City Schools. Your input is critical as we work to make our schools and district as good as they can be. It only takes

15-minutes to complete the CCS Family-School Relationships Survey.

The window closes Friday, February 17th.

To access the survey log onto: https://surveys.panoramaed.com/ccsoh/winter23family/surveys

• Select your student’s school from the dropdown menu and click “Take this survey.”
• If you have children enrolled in multiple schools, you have the option to complete a survey for each school.

Thank you for your partnership in this important effort.

Join Interim Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman for Chat & Chew on Thursday, February 23! Chat over lunch from 11 a.m. to noon at Community Grounds Coffee and Meeting House. We hope to see you there!

Pathway Express has allowed us to create fun, memorable experiences across the city for CCS students and families, and we can’t to bring three more exciting Pathway Express events throughout the school year. We're excited to partner with The Ohio Statehouse for February's Pathway Express destination!

Since opening to legislators and the public in 1857, the Statehouse has witnessed Ohio’s most historic voting decisions. In addition to state leaders, more than 500,000 visitors tour Capitol Square each year. Throughout February, CCS students and families are invited to add their names to the growing guestbook.

In addition to weekend tours all month long, CCS families are also encouraged to join us for our Family & Community Resource Day on Saturday, February 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will feature:

• Guided Statehouse Tours, including the House of Representatives and Original Supreme Courtroom;

• Special Statehouse Souvenir Gift Bags;

• Scholastic Book Giveaways;

• And More!

CCS families and students participating in Pathway Express will gain many benefits, including experiential learning opportunities, a glimpse into work students are doing throughout the year, fun activities, giveaways, prizes, and more!

TRANSPORTATION - FEBRUARY 11TH ONLY

Transportation is available from the following locations on February 11 (Departing 10:30 am and 12:00 pm)

NORTH: Northland High School

1919 Northcliff Drive, Columbus, 43229

SOUTH: South High School

1160 Ann Street, Columbus, 43206

EAST: Walnut Ridge High School

4841 E. Livingston Avenue, Columbus, 43227

WEST: West High School

179 S. Powell Avenue, Columbus, 43204

If you have questions or need further assistance, please call the Extended Learning office at 614-365-5010.

During our recent Virtual Family Engagement Session, we previewed this month’s Pathway Express events and shared how your family can get special guided tours, Statehouse souvenir gift bags, Scholastic book giveaways, and more.

Please click here to RSVP for upcoming Virtual Family Engagement Sessions.

Our sessions are recorded and posted in our Virtual Family Engagement Session Library in case you are unable to attend.

Is your 10th or 11th grader on track to have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher by the end of the year? Are you looking for a program that offers extra support while taking college courses?

Consider applying to our district's Junior JumpStart and Seniors to Sophomores program.

Applications are available, and students are encouraged to complete all requirements by March 6, 2023.

SENIORS-TO-SOPHOMORES (S2S) is a highly selective, dual enrollment program for seniors that enables them to earn high school and college credit simultaneously. The program will allow students to be challenged academically, gain valuable life skills and enter college as a sophomore. Student participants are chosen through a selection process after applying and meeting the program’s eligibility requirements.

JUNIOR JUMPSTART (JJS) is a dual enrollment program for juniors that enables students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously. Participating juniors will spend a portion of their day at their high school and a portion of their day at Columbus State Community College completing their high school requirements and earning 10 semester hours. Students must apply and be accepted into the program as 10th graders.

Whether you have previous teaching experience or are just beginning to consider becoming a classroom teacher, CCS will support you in joining our team. Explore here how teaching at CCS will change your career. Columbus City Schools is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce. Scan the QR code below or visit ccsjobs.org to apply today!

Food Services is serving the next Ohio Day lunch in all school cafeterias on Thursday, February 16, consisting of chicken patty on bun, steamed carrots, apples, and milk.

The goal of the Ohio Day Menu to provide increased awareness to those school lunches that are grown and processed in the State of Ohio. ENJOY LOCAL!

Named for the first African American to walk in space, CGCS - Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarships are available to 2023 graduating high school senior in school districts represented by the Council of the Great City Schools.

About the Scholarship

Four scholarships for two males and two females, with a value of $5,000 each, will be awarded to two African American and two Hispanic students currently completing their senior year of high school in a interested in STEM. The scholarships, named in recognition of the former NASA astronaut, physician and businessman, Dr. Bernard Harris. Deadline to apply is April 10, 2023. To apply, visit the link below.

Cheryl’s Cookies for A’s Report Card Rewards Program

Bring your kids to a Cheryl’s retail store with their current grading period report card and they will receive a cookie for each grade A that they receive, up to 3 total. Student must be present for the Cookies for A’s program at Cheryl’s Cookies and bring a current report card. Find the store location near you.

Columbus Metropolitan Library is kicking off their sesquicentennial celebration with fun birthday parties at area library locations.

• Enjoy activities, refreshments and chances to win fun prizes.

• Enter to win a $150 Target Gift Card!

One winner at each of Columbus Metropolitan Library’s participating locations will be selected at random to win a $150 Target Gift Card. All winners will be notified the week of March 6. One entry per person. No purchase necessary. Columbus Metropolitan Library employees and their immediate families are not eligible.

• Get a limited edition 150th Birthday library card – Be sure to ask staff for details.

Capital Kids is an after-school enrichment program for children in grades K–5. Our trained staff take a comprehensive approach, leveraging state-of-the-art technology, field trips and high performance standards to bolster your child’s academic achievement. The program is currently offered at four community centers:

Feddersen Community Center
Beatty Community Center
Sullivant Gardens Community Center
Marion Franklin Community Center

Fee: $100 for eight-week camp

Financial assistance is also available to qualified applicants through our PLAY Scholarship Fund.

Campers enjoy a summer of fun, creativity and learning in a safe environment. Days are filled with a variety of activities including computer lab, reading, academic assistance, research projects, gardening, swimming, presentation, field trips and recreational activities. Meals and snacks are provided daily.

Applications will be available online or at any of our community centers. Priority is given to youth who are currently enrolled in the Capital Kids school year program.

Do you know of any Black boys in grades 6-9 interested in learning more about the field of medicine? We want to inspire Black boys to become physicians and community leaders as well! Made for Medicine have assembled another remarkable group of panelists - this time, Black male physicians who also include the core and affiliated Made for Medicine faculty. Register at the link below. Spots are limited to the first 40 boys in grades 6-9

IRS will hold special Saturday hours starting at many Taxpayer Assistance Centers to help people during this filing season.

Several #IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers will provide in-person help on certain Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

People can receive walk-in tax help at several #IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers open on certain Saturdays. No appointments are required. Visit www.irs.gov/saturdayhours for more details.