February 2024 Northtowne News
What's happening in our school, district, and community!
PBIS Mission Statement
I am prepared and ready to learn.
I will be respectful, responsible and focused.
I will make choices that focus on teaching and learning.
My hands are for helping, NOT hurting.
And my words are for encouraging.
I will be the best ‘me’ I can be.
February Important Dates
2024 is a Leap Year! February has 29 days and we are making use of every single one!
February 7 - No School; Teacher Professional Development
February 8 - 1st evening Parent-Teacher Conferences
February 9 - School Smiles Dental Care Clinic at Northtowne
February 15 - 2nd evening Parent-Teacher Conferences
February 19 - No School
February 21 - Spring Picture Day (details below)
February 29 - Northtowne Black History Month Presentation; Participating students perform for fellow students during the school day. A family performance is held at 6:00pm.
Save the date! March 7 - Math Morning caregiver event, details to come.
Stay up to date! The calendar for the 2023-24 school year can be found here.
Student Absences
Did you know that you can send an email to let us know your student will be absent from school? You can! You can also take a photo of the appointment excuse note and attach it to an email. No more wondering if your student remembered to turn in the paper. Contact us with all things concerning attendance here: attendance.northtowne@columbus.k12.oh.us
Principal's Corner
Hello Families, Caregivers, and Students,
The second semester is in full motion now! With only one snow day so far, this winter our school days and activities have been able to progress without many adjustments. The most notable adjustment though was a change in date for our positive behavior recognition incentive. Due to that one snow day we had to move the big fun of the indoor "snowball" fight and hot chocolate from January 19 to January 26. We had a lot of fun and it great to recognize the efforts of our students to create a positive school environment.
I want to extend my own invitation to our families that you meet with your student's teacher during our Parent Teacher Conferences. We have two afternoons/evenings planned. As Caregivers enter the building there will be a table set up with lost and found items. Please take a moment to look through for any items you may need reclaim. If the dates we have scheduled do not work for you, you can still get information on your student's academic performance. You can make arrangements by reaching out to the teacher and letting them know that you would like conference information. Conferences outside of our scheduled dates may take place as phone conference rather than in-person meetings due to timing and logistics.
Second Semester, also known as Spring Semester, brings with it spring testing. We will be starting with administration of the OELPA (Ohio's English Language Proficiency Assessments) February 21-23. This is a test taken by our students who are English language learners to mark their progress toward learning English reading, writing, and speaking. We are proud of the progress our Northtowne students are able to make. It's one more way that we can show that we "Start Strong, End Stronger" this year! End of year iReady tests (grades kindergarten-2nd) and Ohio State Tests (grades 3rd-5th) wil take place later on in April.
I am also excited for the annual Northtowne Black History Month presentation day. Several of our students work hard all month long to be able to put on the presentation under the direction of 4th grade teacher, Ms Weaver and her team of staff assistants. The hard work is showcased at the end of month in a daytime performance to the student body and an evening performance for our families. Last year there was even a feature with Ms Weaver singing! What is in store for this year? We'll have to watch the performance to find out.
Have a great month,
Mr. Taylor
Morning Drop Off Reminders
Please stay with your child prior to 8:30 a.m. and/or when there is no adult supervision. For the safety of your child, please wait until a staff member is outside. Children should not be dropped off before 8:30.
If you drive your student to school, please enter the parking lot area and drive beside the sidewalk. Pull forward, as much as possible, until just past the open cafeteria doors.
Breakfast is served starting at 8:30 and is free for any child who chooses to eat.
Dress for the Weather
Cold mornings, freeze warnings, and frosty car windshields have arrived in Columbus! Please, send your student to school dressed for the weather. Warm coats, hats, and mittens/gloves are needed. Boots for walking through snow could be needed at any point as temperatures continue to drop. In Ohio, cold weather often lasts from the end of October through early/mid March.
If you need any assistance with getting the necessary outerwear for the Ohio weather, reach out to Family Ambassador Sarah Bowman, sbowman@columbus.k12.oh.us. She will get the details of your needs and connect you with Northtowne Elementary or community based resources to help.
Notes From Nurse Cassie
Nurse Cassie reports that some students will be receiving a spring health screening at school. This is similar to the health screenings that took place near the beginning of the school year. Students due for a health screening will be sent home with a one page summary of findings. If you have any questions about this or other school health related concerns please contact Nurse Cassie at cwalaszek@columbus.k12.oh.us
Nurse Cassie would also like to give one final reminder to families that the dentist is coming to our school! The School Smiles on-site dental program provides on-site dental care at our school for ALL students that signup to participate. The dental team is a state licensed dentist and dental assistant. The dental team will set up inside our school and they accept Medicaid, private insurance, offer self-pay rates and grants through their foundation. Registration is now open online at: www.schoolsmiles.com/student-signup with over 100 languages to choose from when completing the online form.
School Smiles will be providing dental services for those who have registered in advance on Friday, February 9th.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be present at the appointment?
No, you are not required to be at the appointment. We operate just like a private practice except with the convenience of having our equipment on wheels and bringing the services to the child’s school.
What all will be done at the appointment?
The registration form gives us consent to do the following at the first dental visit: Exam, Prophy, Fluoride, X-rays, Sealants, and Restorations. If you only want certain services, you can include that on the registration form. We also reach out with additional treatment consents as needed so that all treatment can be completed at school.
What is the cost for signing up my child?
If you have Medicaid, there is no cost to you and will be covered at 100%. If you have private insurance, the same deductible/copays apply the same as any other dental practice. If you do not have dental insurance and select the self-pay rate it is $49 for each visit.
What if I have both primary insurance and Medicaid?
If you have more than 1 insurance, Medicaid will always default as the 2nd insurance option—therefore we have to have the primary insurance details in order to see your child. Medicaid’s website also tells us if there is another plan but not the details so if we don’t have it available we will reach out before we can schedule your child.
Will you be coming back to the school?
Every school is different and depends on their schedule; however we do strive to return every 6 months.
Will I be notified of how my child’s visit went and if anything else is needed?
A report card is always sent home with your child after the visit and you can always call our office at 855-497-6453. We are also setting up parent portals so you can have access and communicate via text, this will be available in the Fall 2023 and details will be sent out on how to signup for this.
My child was recommended additional treatment, what are the next steps?
The consent forms needed were sent home with your child, please sign and return to your child’s school—we will also send a text with a link to sign the consent online. We will work with the school on a return date to get your child seen.
Why is my child that signed up not being seen?
Our most common reasons for a child not being added to the schedule is that they were seen by another practice and per insurance is not eligible or that we have tried reaching the family to get insurance and/or payment details and haven’t been able to reach them.
What if my child turned in their form late?
No problem. Please always send in the registration forms to the school and we will do everything we can to process them as quickly as possible to get added on the schedule.
What if a child turned in their form after the dental visit?
No problem. Please send your form into the school and we will work on getting another visit scheduled.
What is the best form of communication?
- Paige Williams, Insurance Specialist Payment, Insurance questions: pwilliams@schoolsmiles.com
- Nicole McKinney, Patient Coordinator Dental records request, questions regarding visit: nmckinney@schoolsmiles.com
- General Email: contactus@schoolsmiles.com Main Line 855-497-6453
Relationship Week
Relationship week is back! The theme this year is Cultivating Hope. Our district celebration of Relationship Week is meant to celebrate kindness, personal connections, inclusion, empathy, nad belonging. Each day of the February Week of the 5th-9th has a mini-theme to encourage student and staff participation.
Monday: Start with Hello - Meet someone new, greet others with your special "hello style."
Tuesday: Appreciation Tuesday - Thank someone who reaches out and helps others.
Wednesday: Wear Green Wednesday - Wear green as a symbol of unity, inclusivity, and solidarity with Sandy Hook Promise.
Thursday: Trusted Adult Thanks - Thank a trusted adult who spreads the Relationship Week spirit and positivity.
Friday: Moving Forward - Make a pledge to keep the Relationship Week spirit going using the Random Acts of Kindness calendar.
Spring Picture Day
Did you miss out on getting fall pictures, do you notice that your student has already changed a lot during this school year, or do you just love pictures? Then you are in luck! Northtowne is having a Spring Picture Day.
Spring Picture Day
February 21, 2024
Order Online at: inter-state.com/order
Use order code: 85053WT
Please note, students will only be photographed if a photo package has been pre-purchased.
Summer Opportunities and Engagement Fair
2024 CCS SUMMER OPPORTUNITY AND ENGAGEMENT FAIR
Saturday, February 10, 2024
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Downtown Columbus Metropolitan Library
96 South Grant Street
Free parking
Translation services available
THIS EVENT IS FREE!
Over 50 community organizations, partners, and Columbus City Schools departments have gathered to share information on camps, academic enrichment, STEM, arts, and overall summer fun.
This year's festivities also feature workshops to guide families through the graduation requirements, college financial aid updates, special needs opportunities, and more.
Get the resources you need to plan your summer!!
Brought to you by the Columbus City Schools' Office of Engagement
You might even get a sighting of Northtowne's own Family Ambassador, Sarah Bowman! She will working at this event. 😃
Columbus City Schools FACES Information Sessions
Columbus City Schools (CCS) proudly presents FACES, the online Family and Community Engagement Series program created to inform and connect families, community, and schools. The series airs on the District's Facebook and YouTube channels. During sessions, CCS families will learn about the latest District information, hear about family resources from our community partners, provide feedback, and get answers to frequently asked questions.
Sessions air at 6:00 pm on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Then, the Columbus City School Board of Education meetings air on the first and third Tuesdays. Sessions are recorded and available to watch at your leisure. Some past topics have included mental health awareness, reading and literacy, and coping with stressors of busy holiday seasons.
Spruce Run Nature Center
Did you Know that Columbus City Schools (CCS) has a Nature Center? It does, at Spruce Run! Spruce Run will be hosting a free open house event Saturday, February 10 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Come to learn what is still happening when nature looks like it is asleep for the winter!
Spruce Run is located at 4175 Sunbury Rd, Galena OH 43021
For questions contact Heather Allen at hallen@columbus.k12.oh.us
Tax Preparation Services
$Tax Time is an initiative led by United Way of Central Ohio that brings together a coalition of nonprofit, business and government organizations working to provide free tax assistance services and connect clients to financial resources. Since 2007, $Tax Time volunteers have prepared over 175,000 returns, returned nearly $190 million in refunds, and saved clients $36.7 million in tax preparation fees.
For information call 2-1-1 of visit liveunitedcentralohio.org/tax-time
Community Resources Collection
At the following links you can find a collection of community resources. These resources are ones that are consistently available on our Central Ohio community. Each link has a different theme to the resources contained in it. These resources have been found and the information is maintained by a team of Family Ambassadors. If you discover outdated information or links that do not work please help the Family Ambassador team by notifying the Family Ambassador at your school. If there are additional resources that would be helpful to you, please notify your Family Ambassador so that the team can work on those additions.
Northtowne News Past Issues are Still Available
Did you delete a Northtowne News email and then realize there was a resource you still wanted to check out? Do you remember seeing a newsletter announcement about a community resource but now you can't remember the name of the organization and you can't find the email from the newsletter? Don't worry! The information you need is not lost! All prior Newsletters and mid-month updates are available on the Northtowne Elementary web site. The button below will take you directly to the newsletter archive.
Grateful for Family Involvement
Thank you so much for your support and involvement with your child’s learning. Whether it’s conferences, attending the family meetings, or a quick chat throughout the day, we appreciate your involvement and efforts to build the lines of communication between home and school.
Lots of school communication and information is in the Parent Portal. If you need help accessing the Parent Portal please contact our Family Ambassador, Sarah Bowman. She can even link families to interpreters (Bilingual Engagement Liaisons or BEL) to help with understanding the Parent Portal set up process. Email: sbowman@columbus.k12.oh.us or you can call or text: 614-859-9654Thank you for reading this month’s newsletter.
Send a note to let us know what you thought, make suggestions or ask a question. We would love to hear from you. Please send a note to your child’s teacher or send a message.
Contributors:
Austin Taylor, Principal
Phone: 614-365-5488
Fax: 614-365-5487
Email: ataylor4@columbus.k12.oh.us
Sarah Bowman, Family Ambassador
614-859-9654
Email: sbowman@columbus.k12.oh.us
Susan Bryant, Building Coach
614-365-5488
Email: sbryant9569@columbus.k12.oh.us
Frank Beickelman, Grant Provider
614-365-5488