The Family Connector

Dear CCS Community,

There are so many people who guide our students along their many different paths and have a long-lasting impact on their lives. Whether that is getting students to and from school every day, serving healthy meals, helping cultivate student well-being, or seeing to their academic success, we all touch students’ lives in some way and want to see them succeed.

The first two weeks of May have many opportunities to recognize some of the amazing staff who serve in Columbus City Schools, including our principals, teachers, food services workers, bus drivers, school nurses, and receptionists.

We all know that appreciation for the work our staff does is more than a day, a week, or a month. However, I want to take this opportunity to let you know that I appreciate you and value the contributions that you make each and every day to support our learning community. All of you play a vital role in helping our students succeed in the classroom and community.

Additionally, next week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. As a former teacher myself, I know how the work of an educator never stops. The job can be difficult and also rewarding, especially when you see a student really grasp a concept or when a former student greets you long after you had them in class.

When I think about my life, there have been so many mentors and educators along the way who believed in me and saw in me what I did not see in myself at the time. I know this is a common thread too. So many people I have met have told me they remembered at least one teacher or mentor in school who believed in them and saw their potential– those who motivated them to be the people they are today.

Next week, we will have content highlighting some of our teachers in the District. There are so many stories of the amazing and inspiring teachers we have in Columbus City Schools. I think of Jane Butler at Colerain Elementary, who donated her kidney to help a complete stranger and continues to inspire her students inside and outside of the classroom.

I think of the story about the forgotten Emmy for Best Educational School Program. Fort Hayes teacher Eric East and a historian worked together to create a classroom assignment that featured Milo Grogan, where students researched and learned about its people, businesses, and how the area developed. WOSU filmed the students as they conducted their research and after seeing its potential, submitted the episode to be nominated for an Emmy.

I also think of the many students who have come up to me and told me that a teacher inspired them that day or continue to cheer them on as they pursue their dreams.

I invite you to join me in recognizing our dedicated staff as well. Each day, there are so many people working to shape the next generation. Thank you for all that you do!

Sincerely,

Dr. Angela Chapman

Interim Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools

Our District values feedback from families, and we would like to learn more about your child’s school experience this year. CCS is collecting responses for a Spring 2023 Family-School Relationships Survey to learn how we can better support our community during the rest of the school year and beyond.

Parents and guardians, please take a few minutes to complete the Family-School Relationships Survey. You can complete the spring survey now through May 10! Families with children at more than one school should complete one survey for their oldest child in each school.

To access the survey, families can visit surveys.panoramaed.com/ccsoh/spring23family/surveys and select their child’s school from the dropdown menu and click “take this survey.”

All responses are completely anonymous and will help us to plan programs, resources, and services for the remainder of this school year.

The Columbus City Schools Board of Education has named the finalists who will advance to the next round of interviews for the position of superintendent.

The Board is committed to an inclusive and transparent search process. As the Board shared on Monday, May 1, 2023, thirty-one (31) candidates submitted complete applications to its search consultant, Ray & Associates. Each application was screened based on the candidate’s experience, background, and the input from the community and the Board. Ray & Associates investigated each candidate, contacted references and others familiar with each candidate, and assessed each candidate’s professional strengths and weaknesses.

The search consultant identified the nine (9) candidates who best aligned with the Board’s and the community’s criteria and presented them to the Columbus City Schools Board of Education. Ray & Associates facilitated detailed presentations on each of the nine candidates. Following these in-depth reviews, the Board of Education discussed the merits of each candidate and reached a consensus on six (6) candidates to be interviewed for the superintendent position.

Learn About the Three Finalist Here

Columbus Board of Education will hold regular office hours before all regular business meetings from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. The office hours will allow the community members to meet with Board members one-on-one, ask questions, and share their thoughts and concerns.

Additionally, the Board will take its business meetings to school sites across the District once a month to be more accessible to the community and encourage authentic engagement.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16; the meeting is slated to be held at Mifflin High School. Future school sites will be announced.

Over the last 150 years, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens has grown and evolved into one of the most beautiful landmarks in Columbus. It’s home to world-class exhibitions and thousands of exotic plants, and Franklin Park Conservatory is easily one of the favorite field trip destinations for CCS students.

We’re excited to partner with Franklin Park Conservatory to kick off the spring season at our final Pathway Express of the school year. Students and families are invited to explore the more than 40 acres of flowers and greenery, art and nature-based exhibits, and seasonal events where they can create memories that last a lifetime.

Advanced tickets required. Click here to reserve your passes!

In addition to weekend visits, CCS families are also encouraged to join us for our Family & Community Resource Day on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Summer and warm weather will be here soon, and that means the return of the District’s annual Summer Experience. The 2023 Summer Experience kicks off on June 20, and online registration is open NOW!

This year’s Summer Experience features immersive, outside-of-the-box learning experiences and exciting field trips, and it’s free for all PreK-12 Columbus City Schools students. From STEM to performing arts to urban agriculture - just to name a few - we can’t wait for students and families to see what teachers and community partners have in store.

To learn more about the exciting opportunities waiting for your student this summer, visit CCSSummer.org.

We have some exciting news to share with you! Columbus City Schools is pleased to offer a tuition-free Pre-K program for the 2023-2024 school year. We believe every child should have access to quality education, and we're excited to provide this opportunity to families in our community.

Appointments for Pre-K enrollment are now available. To register, please visit our district website's enrollment page, where you can find a list of required documents.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us at 380.997.5192 or send us an email at eceenrollment@columbus.k12.oh.us. We look forward to welcoming your child to our program and supporting their learning journey!

That’s what these Columbus City Schools female first-year high school students proved when visiting COSI. The visit allowed them to interact with underrepresented workers in the STEM field and open their eyes to all the possibilities around them!

Greetings CCS Classes of 2025 and 2026 and family members! Check out the latest and final CCS Freshman/Sophomore update that features information on grades, summer opportunities, jobs, summer school, student support and more. As always, please check in with your students' school counselor if you have any questions.

CCS and the American Red Cross are ready to help west side families be prepared and safe for the summer by providing the community with life-saving training and resources on first aid, home safety, severe weather preparedness, outdoor, water, bike, and cooking safety, as well as health screenings including vaccinations, physicals, and more.

Westgate Elementary School (enter through the back of the building)

May 6, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

3080 Wicklow Rd, Columbus, OH 43204

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Please use the link to sign - up to help make this event a success (you will be paid for this event if you volunteer.)

Join COSI for a grand celebration of science! On May 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., immerse yourself in a unique experience with over 100 exhibitor stations featuring hands-on science activities hosted by STEM professionals, researchers, and experts from Central Ohio and beyond. This incredible opportunity to explore science is free of charge and conveniently located on the Scioto Peninsula, just outside of COSI. Don't miss out on the last day of the COSI Science Festival!

270 Hoops is hosting a free basketball skills camp and community block party at Livingston Park this Sunday, May 7. This event is open to all students in grades 3 - 8 and is guaranteed to be an afternoon of fun, community, and basketball.

The basketball skills session will run from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will be led by experienced coaches passionate about helping young players improve their game. Participants can learn new skills, develop techniques, and practice basketball moves.

After the skills session, the community block party will begin at 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This will be a great time for everyone to come together and enjoy music, food, games, and other activities. Families, friends, and community members are encouraged to attend for a day filled with fun and excitement.

Momentum dance classes have been in Columbus City Schools for 20 years! This year alone, nearly 600 CCS fourth grade boys and girls at 12 elementary schools receive weekly Momentum classes in their school gym during the school day. Classes are rigorous, joyful, and fast-paced and taught to live piano accompaniment.

The goal of each class is for children to practice life-skill of determination, discipline, teamwork, and striving for excellence while learning choreography for their culminating performances at the Jo Ann Davidson Theatre. The curricular theme this year, the importance of courage and honesty, will come to life on stage as all of these CCS students perform an original production of Truth Be Told!

Performances are May 10 and 12 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on both days. General admission tickets Are FREE! For more information, visit momentum-excellence.org.

Treat the moms or mom figures in your life this Mother’s Day by getting them a handmade present at the Golden Hobby Gift Shop, located at 549 Franklin Ave. This senior arts and consignment shop offers an array of handcrafted goods for sale, including quilts, ceramics, woodcrafts, paintings and more. Get a gift made with love for the motherly figures in your life today!

Receive free produce provided by Mid-Ohio Food Collective during Columbus Recreation and Parks Mobile Produce Markets. Select community centers open their doors to pass out free fruit, vegetables and more throughout the year. Check out the Mobile Produce Markets 2023 calendar here!

Join The City of Columbus for Cap City Experiences, a day of FREE food, live music, and entertainment. These events aim to bring families together and promote healthy community relationships. Take advantage of the Far East Community event on Saturday, May 20, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Far East Community Center, 1826 Lattimer Dr., Columbus, OH 43227. Enjoy performances by Live Your Dream featuring Yolanda and DJ BHB and food from Willowbeez SoulVeg, Hoyo's Kitchen, and Si Senor Mexican Grill. Come out and enjoy the festivities!

It's that time of year again! We are excited to announce our upcoming Countdown to Kindergarten

event at Fort Hayes High School on Saturday, May 20. This event is for families with incoming Kindergarten students and is designed to help parents and their children better understand what to expect this fall.

Last year's event was a huge success, and we hope to make this year's even better! We will have books, food trucks, resources available for families to enjoy, and fun activity bags for each child. Representatives from various community agencies will also be present.

Hope to see you there!

Say goodbye to summer boredom! Planet Fitness is offering The Free High School Summer Pass for teens ages 14 - 19. Starting May 15, teens can work out for free all summer long! Additionally, Planet Fitness is giving away $200,000 to high schools and students. Teens who register can help win a grant for their school and participate in a video contest for a chance to win a scholarship. Don't wait; pre-register today!

Encourage your student(s) to read and have fun this summer with Brutus' Summer Reading Challenge! From June 5 to August 13, 2023, students from Pre-K to eighth grade can track their reading progress with an official tracker and earn stickers for each reading session completed. Additionally, they can complete exciting reading-related challenges and win prizes at the end of the summer by reaching their goal. Don't have kids in this age group? Check out the Summer Reading Bingo Challenge for older children or for yourself.

Join OSU at Healthy Community Day, a free event hosted by Ohio State Outpatient Care East to promote and improve the community's health. The event will be held on Saturday, June 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 543 Taylor Ave, Columbus, OH 43203. Free parking is available. Attendees should enter the parking lot via Taylor Avenue.

Healthy Community Day will feature food and cooking demonstrations, fitness demonstrations, family entertainment, giveaways, raffles, and a variety of free health screenings and consultations.

No registration is required beforehand. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is dedicated to improving health in central Ohio by bringing together doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals from across the University for this important event.

Join The Ohio Department of Public Safety and Ohio Department of Transportation for the Hilltop Summer Safety Bash on June 3 from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Parking Lot in the Hilltop area of Columbus. This family-friendly event, sponsored by the Ohio School Safety Center, will provide fun and educational activities for your kids and an opportunity to learn about the resources available to you throughout the summer.

First responders and other organizations will be on hand to share their resources and support, offering exciting activities for your children. The event promises to be an enjoyable and informative day for everyone.

Hope to see you there!