May 2023 Northtowne News
School News, District News & Community Help
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.
May Important Dates
May 3 - Pre-K Professional Development Day; Only Pre-K Students No School
May 20 - CCS Countdown to Kindergarten; Encourage anyone you know with a kindergartener in the 2023-24 school year to attend this resource and information fair 10am-1pm at the Fort Hayes Campus
May 24 - Choir Concert 10am
May 29 - No School; Memorial Day
May 30 - Field Day; families welcome to attend
May 31 - Kindergarten Graduation 10am 🎓
🔴 💠 Annual 5th Grade vs. Staff Kickball Game 2pm
June 1 - Last Day of School
🍔🌭🧃School Picnic; families welcome to attend picnic
🎉🥳🎉5th Grade Clap Out at dismissal
You can keep up to date with the District wide school calendar by clicking here or using the button below.
Reminders!
Attendance Email
Morning Drop Off
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.
Dress for the Weather!
If you need any assistance with getting the necessary outerwear for the Ohio weather, reach out to Family Ambassador Sarah Bowman. She will get the details of your needs and connect you with Northtowne Elementary or community based resources to help.
The Lost and Found has a large number of jackets and coats continuing to accumulate. If your student has lost of any of these items at school please contact the classroom teacher or Family Ambassador Sarah Bowman for assistance with attempting to locate items.
Contact the Family Ambassador at: sbowman@columbus.k12.oh.us or you can call or text 614-859-9654
Principal's Corner
Hello Families, Caregivers, and Students,
We have arrived at the final full month of the 2022-23 school year! It is amazing how quickly time passes. Please take a moment to think back to your student at the beginning of the school year. Maybe look back through some photos on your phone or social media to see what your student looked like back in August/September of this school year. Now take a look at your student today. Think about what they have shared that they have been learning this year and how they have grown. I hope that you see the growth and development that the Northtowne Staff sees in our Knights!
May is incredibly busy, as you can see from the list of important dates. In addition to all of the fun and celebratory types of things we will be getting all of the End of Year Testing wrapped up with our students.
I hope that our families have already, or will very soon, provide our school with helpful information through the Panorama Survey. That survey window is closing after May 5th. There are only few days left to register your thoughts in this official survey. All answers are anonymous and they really do help us to better understand the needs of our students and families.
May the final weeks of school run smoothly for all of our students and families.
Mr. Taylor
Panorama Survey - Accepting Input Thru May 5th!
During the Winter Panorama Survey window Northtowne Elementary had 14 families respond to the survey. This number was higher than the number of responses during the autumn survey window. This means that we are trending in the right direction! However, 14 families ends up being only 6% of our families using their voice with this opportunity. Please, go to surveys.panoramaed.com/ccsoh/spring23family/surveys, answer the questions, and have your voice heard through this opportunity. Thank you for taking the time to do this.
If you have questions about the survey, reach out to Sarah Bowman (614-859-9654 mailto:sbowman@columbus.k12.oh.us) or check out the Smore that is all about the Panorama Survey. https://www.smore.com/a5709
Spotlight on 5th Grade
Do you hear that? It's the sound of our 5th grade students getting ready to make the transition to middle school! After so many years in elementary school, students are often a combination excited and nervous at the the thought of moving to middle school. Differences in expectations, new friends, and larger buildings to navigate await our 5th graders. Congratulations to our 5th graders. We wish you all the best as you continue to grow and learn.
Before they are completely done with learning at Northtowne our 5th graders are getting a chance to learn about robotics! The District invested in classroom sets of some nice kits for all 5th graders. Our students have been participating in science lessons to expose them to the concepts of building and interacting with robot models. Ms Blake is sure to be including the adaptability and technology characteristics from the Portrait of a Graduate to craft and carry out these enjoyable hands-on lessons.
Check out the video below for more information about the Vex Go Robotics program now available to in CCS 5th grade classrooms.
May is Better Hearing & Speech Month
At Northtowne, our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are a vital part of the team! We even have two SLPs at our school. Mr. Woodrum works with pre-k students and Ms Iris works with kindergarten through 5th grade students. This is a little information describing the role of our school-based SLPs:
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose and treat speech, language, social communication, and cognitive-communication disorders in children. In addition, speech-language pathologists provide training and education to families, caregivers, and other professionals. Further, they provide counseling, consultative services and work collaboratively with professionals in the educational arena to determine supports and services for the whole child.
Speech-Language Pathologists are Trained to:
Offer a unique perspective as an expert in communication development and disorders;
Facilitate students’ access to the academic curriculum and functional life skills by targeting the language processes of reading, writing, speaking, listening and learning
Use evidence- and research-based intervention strategies;
Serve on intervention teams and multi-tiered system of support teams to collaborate in the development of intervention and accommodation plans;
Provide students ages 3-21 services and support within a diverse range of service delivery models, including direct instruction and collaborative models;
Serve as a schoolwide and/or district consultant and resource for administrators, educators, parents and students regarding communication disorders and language-learning disabilities;
Target a wide range of communication disorders, including:
Speech sound disorders
Language disorders
Pragmatics
Voice and fluency disorders
Address communication disorders across all disability categories;
Support changing communication demands of students as they transition throughout their school careers and into the community.
May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrates the histories of Americans who have family histories originating from across the Asian continent and from the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Here are a few facts about this heritage celebration month.
In 1978, a resolution was passed in congress that established Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week.
President Jimmy Carter signed the resolution in October of 1978.
The resolution also called on Americans, and especially educators, to observe the week with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."
Congress later passed legislation to extend the observance to a month in 1990.
May is a significant month because
May 7, 1843, marks the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States.
May 10, 1869, or Golden Spike Day, recognizes the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S., which had significant contributions from Chinese workers.
As of 2019, there were about 22.9 million people of Asian or Pacific Islander descent in the United States.
From the Guidance Counselor
1st Grade Students - Emotional Regulators
We want to give a big shout out to our 1st Grade Students for their skills with emotional regulation. Our first grade students have been learning about the Zones of Regulation which teaches self-awareness with their emotions. The zones are a strategy to color code how you are feeling. The zones are Blue - Too Slow, Green - Just Right, Yellow - Too Fast, and Red - Out of Control. The first graders then learned about finding their heart rate and practiced moving from the blue and yellow zone back to the green zone. Way to go 1st graders!
Notes from Nurse Brandi
I would like to highlight the Ready for Summer Rally happening Saturday, May 6 from 11am-2pm. You can register for the event at tinyurl.com/CCSSummerRally The American Red Cross will be there providing training and resources for:
- first aid
- home safety
- severe weather preparedness
- health screenings
- and there will be free books to give away
The event will be held at
Westgate Elementary School
3080 Wicklow Rd
Columbus OH 43204
As we head into summer, it is also a good time to think about summer safety. Children should be getting regular, daily exercise throughout the summer. Of course, follow any specific doctor recommendations your student may have regarding activity levels and safety while active. In general, kids should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Especially in the summer, be sure that your student is also drinking plenty of water.
Also remember things like:
- sunscreen and don't forget to reapply throughout the day; even dark complexions can be damaged with the sun's UV rays
- helmets when biking
- helmets and pads when skating or skateboarding
- being present and watching children when at pools; swim lessons, if possible are great but even strong swimmers can get into water distress
- do tick checks after being outside; the tiny insects can even be found in city backyards and parks, not just the woods
- stay hydrated with water, this one is worth repeating
Did you know that there is a health clinic at Northland High School that is run by Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) and is open to our students? This clinic will remain open throughout the summer! They can do anything that can be done at a typical doctor's office - check-ups, sick visits, medication management, screenings, immunizations and more! Northtowne is currently piloting a transportation program to assist in getting our students to this facility for their health care needs. If you are interested in your child being seen at this clinic or have any questions, please call the clinic number at 614-355-2590. If families call and state they have a student at Northtowne ES, they may also be scheduled for the transportation pilot program.
Questions? Contact Nurse Brandi at:
Phone: 380.997.2099
Email: blzeiter@columbus.k12.oh.us
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: 614-859-9654Final Stop for Pathway Express
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.
Click here to reserve your tickets!
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, and the event will feature:
Exploring Franklin Park Conservatory’s 40 Acres of Flowers and Greenery
Special Activities in the Children's Garden
Meet & Greet with Award-Winning Author Lauren Tarshis
Mobile Health Screenings & Services
And Fun for the Entire Family!
Countdown to Kindergarten!
If you have or know of an incoming kindergarten student to the district please check out the information below about the Countdown to Kindergarten event. Come to the Fort Hayes High School Campus on May 20th from 10am-1pm for free materials, information, and activities to help the kids feel prepared for the first day of school in August.
CCS Summer Experience 2023 - Register by May 30
The 2023 Summer Experience kicks off on June 20, and it’s FREE to all PreK through 12 Columbus City Schools students. We’re excited to provide CCS students and families with a summer of exciting school and community-based learning experiences.
This year’s Summer Experience includes similar project-based learning students and families have been able to enjoy through our Pathway Express focuses: Entrepreneurship, Family & Consumer Sciences, Fine Arts, STEM, and World Languages & Cultures.
Plenty of seats are still available for this fun and educational 4 week program!!
Registration, through your Parent Portal account, registration ends May 30th!
Questions? Contact the Office of Extended Learning: 614-365-5010 or ExtendedLearning@columbus.k12.oh.us.
Columbus City Schools (CCS) Board of Education will be announcing the candidates for superintendent the week of May 1, 2023. Watch for and email announcing the posting of candidate information here!
Summer Camps Throughout Central Ohio
Check out the link below to go to a Smore dedicated to information about Summer Camps and Opportunities. This Smore will continue to be updated as the Department of Communications and Engagement gets more information on programs being offered in Central Ohio. The Smore linked is updated as new information becomes available.
Reminder About Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Program
According to the Ohio Revised Code: Starting April 7th, the ACE Ohio Grant amounts are increasing to $1,000 per student / per school year from the current $500.
The allowable family income levels will increase from 300% of the National Poverty Rate to 400% (e.g., a family of four making just under $120,000 will qualify).
The funds can be used for the following services:
• Before- or after-school educational programs
• Day camps/summer camps--including camps for academics, music, and arts (overnight camps excluded)
• Field trips to historical landmarks, museums, zoos, science centers, and theaters--including admission, exhibit, and program fees
• The purchase of curriculum and material for homeschool families
• Educational, learning, or study skills services
• Tuition for learning extension centers
• Art lessons including dance, music, visual arts and even martial arts
• Language classes
• Tutoring
Don't pass up this valuable resource!! For more information about the ACE program, please visit the link below.
Northtowne's Resource Center
If there is information that you need, but don't see available, please reach out to our Family Ambassador, Sarah Bowman. She will be happy to help you locate services to meet your needs. mailto:sbowman@columbus.k12.oh.us or 614-859-9654
Thank 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