WELCOME BACK HAPPY NEW YEAR!
January 5th thru 19th
VISION
MISSION
THE WOLVES WAY
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Ready to Learn
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE MONTH
RIGHTEOUSNESS
I Do The Right Things And I Am Proud Of It.
REMINDERS
-Wednesday, January 12th
Virtual Middle School Choice Fair
-Thursday, January 13th (6:00pm - 7:30pm)
MLK Day
-Monday, January 17th (NO SCHOOL)
Professional Development Day
-Tuesday, January 18th (NO SCHOOL)
Parent Teachers Conference Night
-Tuesday, January 18th (4:00pm -7:30pm)
Records Day
-Wednesday, January 19th (NO SCHOOL)
Report Cards sent home
-Friday, January 28th
RETURNING TO SCHOOL
Alternate Languages: Arabic | French | Nepali | Somali | Spanish
Dear CCS Families and Staff,
I hope that you had a restful, healthy, and safe Winter Break. I am looking forward to our students, teachers, and staff returning on Monday, January 3.
We are planning a full return of in-person learning, but as we prepare for the New Year, we are monitoring the omicron variant closely and how it is affecting the COVID data in our community. We are in close contact with Columbus Public Health, along with our district medical consultant, Dr. Sara Bode of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
I recognize that the surge from the newest variant is causing unease and fear in many people. Please know that we are listening to the advice of the public health experts in our community and will follow their guidance accordingly.
As we prepare to return to our classrooms next week, here are some helpful resources and information for our families and staff to know.
Updated COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Guidance
Columbus City Schools has adopted the newest guidance from the CDC regarding COVID-19 isolation and quarantine procedures, following the recommendation of Columbus Public Health. Learn more about the updated CDC guidance here.
- If You Test Positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, everyone should isolate for 5 days.
- If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your home and return to school/work as long as you continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
- Previously, the CDC recommended an isolation period of 10 days.
- If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19, your vaccination status (including whether you have received a booster shot) will determine the need to quarantine and test. Click here for additional details from the CDC.
For any in-school exposures, we are continuing to follow the current Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Mask to Stay/Test to Play guidelines. Students who have an in-school exposure and are asymptomatic can continue to remain in class while wearing a mask and closely monitoring for symptoms.
COVID Tests
If you are having symptoms of COVID-19, you are strongly encouraged to take a COVID test. While the at-home test kits are in short supply in our area, there are providers who are administering PCR tests. Check the Ohio Department of Health website to find a PCR test provider.
CCS has a very limited supply of at-home COVID test kits remaining. We expect to receive a new shipment of the kits next week and will provide more information on the availability of the kits at that time.
CCS COVID Reporting Hotline
If you are a CCS employee or a parent of a student that has tested positive or has had a confirmed community exposure, here’s how to report an exposure or positive case to CCS:
- Call the CCS COVID-19 Reporting Hotline at 614-365-5544 and leave a message with the requested information; OR
- Email your positive COVID-19 test results to the District Administrative Contact Tracers at AdminContactTracing@columbus.k12.oh.us.
- A CCS Contact Tracer will return your call or email to provide further guidance.
- A positive test result should always be reported to your healthcare provider as well.
Vaccines
Our best defense against COVID-19 is the safe and effective vaccines that are widely available. I encourage everyone in our CCS community to get vaccinated. And if you are already vaccinated, be sure to take the time to get your booster shot!
For a list of locations providing the COVID-19 vaccine to ages 5 years and older, visit NationwideChildrens.org/Vaccine or gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
As a reminder, next week we will hold the second round of our dedicated COVID-19 vaccination clinics for eligible students ages 5-11 who received their first dose in December. The clinics will be held at CCS elementary and middle schools during regular school hours.
Mask Up
We continue to require all students, staff, and visitors to wear a mask indoors at all CCS buildings. For the greatest effectiveness against the airborne virus, it is important to always wear a mask properly so that it covers your mouth and nose.
Preparing for a Shift to Remote Learning
From seeing other school districts locally and across the state shift to remote learning due to staffing shortages, we know that it is a possibility for CCS. If we see a shortage of teachers or substitutes to cover classes or a shortage of bus drivers to safely transport students, we would make the temporary shift to remote learning for the affected schools.
While we would make every effort to notify staff and families ahead of time as soon as possible, these shifts can happen abruptly. I encourage all students, teachers, and staff to take their devices and technology home with them every night. Or, I encourage you to have a plan for how you would adjust to remote learning.
We hope that it does not come to this for any of our schools, but we are planning just in case.
Staff Absence Reporting
Our preparations depend on having a clear understanding of our staffing levels on school days. If you are a staff member who is feeling ill, I encourage you to notify your supervisor or submit your absence request as soon as possible. The earlier we know about absences, the better we can prepare and serve our students.
I look forward to starting the New Year strong and seeing our students and staff back in the classroom on Monday, January 3, 2022.
Sincerely,
Talisa Dixon
Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR!
LENDING A HELPING HAND
We collected 1,422 items. Great job everyone!!
Ranger Granger is a park ranger from Spruce Run. She joined us December 15th on zoom for our Science Night, where she read aloud a book by the name of "Scampers Think like a Scientist"
Along with Ranger Granger students came up with a solution, they made their own catapult which would be tested out at school the following day. It was a blast! Our students had the best time seeing who's marshmallow would go the furthest.
THE WINNERS OF THE CATAPULT CHALLENGE
TRAFFIC SURVEY
Drive safe and act fast to win a free Amazon gift card! Our partners at Vision Zero Columbus are asking for your opinion in a survey to help eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes in Columbus. Did you know: more than 60 people die each year in traffic crashes on Columbus streets. Traffic crashes are not “accidents” - traffic crashes are preventable. Vision Zero Columbus looks at our city’s transportation system and uses input from our local government agencies, institutions, and residents to prioritize safety for all users: motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders. Take the survey today at https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cRPZmSCy2WERwPA
Online Survey Software | Qualtrics Survey Solutions
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osu.az1.qualtrics.com to submit your entry! You must complete the survey to be eligible.
The Proyecto Mariposas is a non-profit organization that provides an environment of learning, sharing and support to Latina Girls and their mothers.
OHIO HISPANIC COALITION
FACILITIES MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
Columbus City Schools continues to seek community feedback as part of its Facilities Master Plan (FMP) process, which has been underway since last spring.
The process has taken a regional approach to discussing the future of Columbus City Schools' buildings and facilities -- what they need to look like to meet the District's mission and vision of academic success with students leading the way.
"The purpose is to bring more voices, more ideas, and more innovation to our conversation. It's important for equity to be a big part of the conversation," said Columbus Board of Education President Jennifer Adair. "We are keeping equity at the center of the conversation to make sure every neighborhood, every region, and every school building gets what they need to meet the full vision of academic success."
During the final “Transform” phase, participants are asked to consider future facility usage concepts derived from the results of the previous phase of the FMP process. These concepts -- which include three for each of the grade levels: high, middle, and elementary -- show what the district could look like with renovated facilities and realigned programming that meets the needs of all students city-wide.
While in-person community meetings have concluded, stakeholders can still provide virtual feedback for the FMP Committee to consider as it weighs recommendations for the Board of Education.
The key themes that have surfaced from the community meetings so far include:
- Bigger schools = bigger opportunities
- District-wide equity
- Leverage existing real estate resources for new school facilities
- Community and corporate partnerships
- Equity in the school curriculum
The District’s Academic Services team will provide the Facilities Master Plan Committee with design principles to guide the program development of District learning campuses. They include innovative facilities that are modern learning environments with flexible spaces and new technology -- learning environments that support all students, and new and undiscovered career fields that meet post-secondary and employer needs.
Now is the time to help shape the future of facilities in Columbus City Schools. CCS students deserve innovative learning environments with flexible spaces and new technology that supports all learners.
Click here to review the community-driven concepts and provide your feedback.
HOME ENERGY PROGRAMS
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.
The HeatShare programs are administered by the Salvation Army to help qualifying households pay for natural gas bills. These programs typically run from January until May, or until funds are depleted.
Click on the link below:
https://puco.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/puco/utilities/gas/resources/heatshare
Family Yoga
Yoga has a host of benefits: through yoga poses, breathing techniques and meditation/relaxation exercises we can guide ourselves to a deeper connection with our own bodies. Children and teens can also benefit from the mind-body connection developed through yoga, which is why we offer yoga you can do as a family.
Healthy Weight & Your Child Reclaim your family’s health through healthier eating habits and an active lifestyle through Healthy Weight and Your Child. The YMCA of Central Ohio is one of five Ys participating nationally in a pilot program to address childhood obesity in youth.
Parent/Child
Calling all parents, grandparents and guardians: come make memories with your little one in our specially designed Parent and Child classes. We recognize the importance of the bond between parent and child, which is why we provide an environment where children can have positive experiences with adults in their life as they learn, grow and thrive.
Northgate Intermediate
Email: northgateintermediate@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: ccsch.us./NorthgateIS
Location: 6655 Sharon Woods Boulevard, Columbus, OH, USA
Phone: (614)365-8815