Avalon Family Resources
December 2022
DISTRICT RESOURCES
i-Ready Support for Families
The i-Ready Diagnostic is an online program that adjusts its questions to suit a student’s needs. Each item a student sees is individualized based on their answer to the previous question. The purpose of this is not to give your student a score or grade, but instead to determine how best to support your student’s learning.
i-ready Family Center is available to help families best support students using the i-Ready program.
Free Kindergarten Readiness Program for CCS Families
Columbus City Schools has a special initiative for our city’s youngest learners. Waterford Upstart is an at-home kindergarten readiness program that gives 4-year-olds a fun start in reading, math, and science in just 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
For CCS families unable to enroll in an in-person Pre-K classroom, this free, proven program helps children develop the foundational skills they need to be kindergarten ready!
- It’s Free: Waterford Upstart is a free online program to help your child get ready for kindergarten. Everything you need is included, even a free computer and internet hotspot.
- It’s Simple: Your child completes lessons independently in just 15 minutes a day. The program keeps their interest with fun books, songs, and activities that are right on their skill level.
- It Works: On average, children who use Waterford Upstart enter kindergarten reading at nearly a first-grade level!
- Reading Skills: Students learn Letter Recognition, Letter Sounds, Reading and Listening Comprehension skills, Real Words and Sight Words, and Vocabulary.
For more information about the robust in-person Columbus City Schools Early Childhood Education program and the Waterford Upstart initiative, please visit www.ccsoh.us/prek.
HOLIDAY EVENTS AND WINTER BREAK IDEAS
Community Day at Franklin Park Conservatory
Community Day is the first Sunday of every month. Residents of Columbus and Franklin County receive free General Admission. Identification is required.
Community Days include access to the entirety of our gardens and collections and current daytime exhibitions. Admission to special engagements on select evenings (Chihuly Nights, Pumpkins Aglow, Conservatory Aglow) is not included. More information on Conservatory offerings and ticketing is available below.
The December Community Day is sponsored by the Papier Family, in memory of Bruce Papier. Thanks to their generous support, event attendees can enjoy:
A performance by the Columbus Children’s Choir at 2pm
Popcorn (1 bag per group, while supplies last)
Children’s light-up necklaces (while supplies last)
Children’s activities
Additional Info.:
- ALL AGES
- FREE WITH COLUMBUS OR FRANKLIN COUNTY ID
- SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2022
- 10:00 AM TO 4:00 PM
TC@FPCONSERVATORY.ORG
Columbus Zoo Wildlights Stuff the Truck Food Drive Benefitting the Mid-Ohio Food Bank
With the holiday season upon us and the spirit of giving in the air, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is conducting the Wildlights Stuff The Truck Food Drive benefitting the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.
Every guest bringing in 6 non-perishable food items to the Zoo will receive one free admission to Wildlights only this particular day/evening. Participants can also show one of the cans/boxes they are donating to the parking booth attendant to receive free parking.
Cans will stop being collected at 9:00 pm.
Recreation and Parks "Schools Out" Program - Winter Break Now Registering
Youth need opportunities for fun, engaging enrichment experiences when school is out. Columbus Recreation and Parks Department’s Schools Out program opens recreation centers for extended hours during Columbus City Schools upcoming winter break.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Christmas Meals and Toy Resources 2022
Christmas Meals and Toy Resources for families:
Clintonville Community Resource Center
https://www.clintonvillecrc.org/
14 W. Lakeview Ave. Columbus, OH 43202
(614) 268-3539
Columbus Dream Center
https://www.columbusdreamcenter.org/holidays
38 W. Greenwood Ave., Columbus, OH 43201
Contact the Center for Details: (614) 547-3138
United Methodist Church & Community Development for All People Free Store and Christmas Shop
https://www.4allpeople.org/FreeStore
946 Parsons Ave, Columbus OH, 43206
Contact: (614) 445-7342
Central Community House
https://www.cchouse.org/blog/holidays-at-central-community-house
Christmas Food Basket Giveaway 1150 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43205
Contact: (614) 252-3157
St. Stephen's Community House
https://www.saintstephensch.org/neighborhood-services/
1500 E 17th Ave, Columbus, OH 43219
Contact: (614) 294-6347
Firefighters for Kids
https://www.firefighters4kids.com/
Click on participating websites provided to learn more and register Assistance with toys and gifts for children in Franklin County under 14 years old
Contact: (614) 633-5259
P.E.E.R Center
East Center 205 N Hamilton Rd, Columbus, Oh 43213
Contact for additional information: (614) 453-4830
West Center 860/866 West Broad St. Columbus, Oh 43222
Contact for additional information: (614) 453-4840
Salvation Army
https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/southwest-ohio/central-ohio/home/
See flyer below Neighborhood Services (NSI) www.Neighborhoodservicesinc.org
1950 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43201
Contact: (614) 297-0592
Victory Ministries Center of Hope
3964 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43213
Contact: (614) 252-2500
Broad Street United Methodist Church (UMC) Outreach www.broadstreetumc.net/ministries/#belove
501 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Contact: (614) 221-4571
Stowe Mission of Central Ohio
Physical Address: 888 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43206
Mailing Address: PO Box 6341, Columbus, Ohio 43206
Contact: (614) 445-8400
* PLEASE NOTE: Each agency has its own guidelines and availability of food and gifts. Please contact agencies directly to ensure holiday help is available. Many of these agencies require donation requests several weeks prior to the holiday. Please plan accordingly.
Ohio Hispanic Coalition After School Programming
Action For Children
Father Up: https://www.actionforchildren.org/fatherup/
Mother's Matter: https://afclearning.org/event/mothers-matter-oct-25-dec-13-2022/
Resources and activities for children of every age: https://www.actionforchildren.org/resources-activities/
- Math
- Literacy
- Fine Motor
- Gross Motor
- Science
- Art
- Cyber Security
- Emotional Wellness
Urban Minority Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Outreach Program of Franklin County (UMADAOP) - Youth Led Program
65 Parsons Ave
Columbus, OH 43215
Main office: (614) 227-9694
Fax: (614) 227-0370
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that provides eligible Ohioans assistance with their home energy bills. This one-time benefit is applied directly to the customer’s utility bill or bulk fuel bill.
Click on the link below:
Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP)
The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) helps eligible Ohioans manage their energy bills year- round. Payments are based on a percentage of household income and are consistent year-round.
Click on the link below:
https://development.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/development/individual/energy-assistance/2-percentage-of-income-payment-plan-plus?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=210152LIHEAPHeatshare Programs Assistance programs offered by electric and natural gas utilities.
Click on the link below:
https://puco.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/puco/utilities/gas/resources/heatshare
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS!
Otterbein University (America Reads & Sports Pals)