The Family Connector

Dear CCS Community,

Today is International Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Day and a great time to share and reflect on the importance of prioritizing social-emotional learning in our schools. We are approaching the three-year anniversary of the global pandemic that shut down schools and businesses and changed many lives. While we still work to recover and rebound from the pandemic, we know SEL is more important than ever.

Often, we get asked what SEL entails. SEL is a comprehensive strategy focusing on academic supports and techniques and developing lifelong positive habits that lead to success in school and life. Social-emotional well-being is critical to the health of our students and staff.

One of our main priorities is to meet the needs of the whole child, which means understanding that academic growth is only possible when we invest in ensuring students’ social-emotional needs are met.

Throughout this week, students and staff have participated in activities leading up to International SEL Day. Intentional aligned activities have focused on the five core SEL skills of making responsible decisions, practicing social awareness, self-awareness, self-management, and building strong positive relationships.

Students are developing key skills to prepare for their future, such as how to make informed decisions, think critically about outcomes, and achieve their goals. Additionally, they are learning ways to improve relationships with themselves and others, handle complex emotions, and ways to navigate challenging situations.

This work is ongoing and collaborative. To help us on this journey, we have school counselors, social workers, nurses, and school psychologists who work tirelessly to support our entire learning community. We are proud to have Social Emotional Learning Practitioners (SELPs) who are dedicated to this work and our students and staff as they serve schools from a regional level while providing tiered layers of support. This ensures that those who need the most support are provided the resources they need to create warm welcoming learning environments for students most in need. We see the work you’re doing and appreciate everything you do.

As we focus on this critical work well beyond International SEL Day, we will continue to check in with students, staff, and families as we monitor our progress as part of our Panorama surveys. Thank you to those who participated in the most recent survey, and we look forward to sharing the results soon. We appreciate this feedback as it allows us to continue monitoring the District's pulse as we continue to support this important work.

Sincerely,

Dr. Angela Chapman

Interim Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools

Mark your calendars, and get ready! The District’s annual Summer Experience returns June 20, and registration opens March 15.

Last year, thousands of PreK-12 students joined us for a summer of outside-of-the-box learning experiences and exciting field trips, and this summer, we have even more excitement in store. The 2023 Summer Experience features unique program themes at all elementary and middle school sites, and high school students will once again have a chance to enroll in specialty courses at Spruce Run or take advantage of credit advancement and recovery opportunities.

Along with the free fun and academic enrichment, we’re providing transportation, breakfast, and lunch for students.

To learn more about the 2023 Summer Experience, visit CCSSummer.org.

Women's History Month is an annual March celebration to honor women's contributions and achievements throughout history. The month-long observance provides an opportunity to recognize the important role that women have played in shaping the world we live in today.

Celebrating Women's History Month is essential not only for recognizing the past achievements of women but also for inspiring future generations of girls and women. By highlighting the accomplishments of women, we can encourage girls to pursue their dreams and aspirations and to realize that they, too, can make a difference in the world.

Get ready for the 2nd Annual REELL Basketball Championship this Saturday, March 11, where Ohio ES and Lincoln Park ES compete in the 4th/5th-grade division, as Stewart ES and Champion MS compete in the 6th-grade division.

The anticipation is rising for the thrilling matchups and intense competition. With talented players and passionate fans, this year's March Madness basketball games will showcase our rising stars' impressive skills and boundless enthusiasm. So, grab your pom-poms, and get ready to witness some unforgettable moments on the court!

Ohio ES vs. Lincoln Park ES - Game start time 10:15 a.m.

Stewart ES vs. Champion MS - Game start time 11:30 a.m.

We want to remind our CCS families that the grading period for the third quarter is quickly coming to a close on March 24. This means that it's essential that your child complete all assignments, study for any upcoming exams, and submit any outstanding work before the end of the grading period.

We encourage you to check in with your child about their academic progress and offer any support or assistance they may need. Our teachers and staff can also answer questions or provide additional resources to help your child succeed.

Every CCS student has the potential to achieve great things, and we want to ensure they have every opportunity to do so. We appreciate your partnership in helping your child stay on track and finish the quarter strong.

March 1, we celebrated Black & Gold Day at CCS! Since the start of the school year, our friends from the Columbus Crew have been cheering on our students and encouraging them to #StayintheGame and come to school on time, each day, when they’re healthy and ready to go. This week, we want to return the love by cheering on the Crew as their new season begins. Thank you for your continued support, and let's go Crew! #OurCSS

Now through April 6, students and counselors are mapping out rising and current high school students schedules for the 2023-2024 school year in SchooLinks. The transition to the new online platform streamlines the course planning process for students and counselors. SchooLinks also lets students and families get a deeper understanding of how potential courses align with plans beyond high school.

When creating your course plans & course requests for next year, remember:

• Graduation requirements for each subject

• Do not change a required course that your counselor has already selected for you on your plan for next year. If you want to make a change, please meet with your school counselor to make the change together!

• The progression/next level of each subject

• How to choose the most appropriate course (regular, Honors, AP)

• Ask your school counselor & teachers for recommendations

• Potential Career-Technical Education pathways

For additional questions about course planning or SchoolLinks, families are encouraged to contact your student's school.

The countdown to Summer is underway, and parents need to start planning now for their children’s summer fun. During the month of March, the Columbus City Schools Engagement team will share a wide variety of summer opportunities, all leading up to our in-person Summer Opportunities and Engagement Fair. During Thursday's Virtual Family Engagement Session, we shared summer opportunities for all ages with our partners from: Action for Children, the Girl Scouts, Thurber House, and the North Community Counseling Centers.

Please click here to RSVP for upcoming Virtual Family Engagement Sessions.

Our sessions are recorded and posted in our Virtual Family Engagement Session Library in case you are unable to attend.

The Board of Education has initiated the search process for the next Columbus City Schools superintendent by retaining a search firm. A dedicated website, www.ccsleadershipsearch.com, has been developed to allow families and the public to follow and participate in the process. Visit the website frequently for updates and opportunities to provide your thoughts and input into what we want in our next superintendent.

The Franklin County Auditor's office is proud to present the upcoming Affordable Housing Resource Fair at Southwood Elementary School, (1500 S. 4th Street, 43205) on Saturday March 11 from

11 a.m. -2 p.m. Learn everything you need to know about affordable, accessible, and high-quality housing and social services.

HBCU Alum, a leading online platform highlighting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's), is launching its 2023 offering of HBCU-Bound Scholarships. These merit-based financial awards can be used to assist with books, tuition, or school-related fees.

The @HBCUALUM Scholarship Committee will award multiple book scholarships valued at $750 to graduating seniors planning to enroll at an HBCU in the Fall of 2023. Applicants must write an original essay based on the topic: The Importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) in the 21st Century.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a graduating senior enrolled in high school
• Plan to enroll at an HBCU in the Fall of 2023
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (4.0 scale)
• Submit an essay on "The Importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) in the 21st Century" (500 word min)

Winners Announced: April 16, 2023

To apply for the @HBCUAlum Book Scholarship, click the below link.

Calling all girls in grades 6 - 8! Join Eryn Pink on a golden discovery through personal development. Program participants will be given tools and resources to navigate challenges that they face and create their own definitions of what it means to be a leader in today’s society.

This year long program will expose girls to professional and positive role models, provide tools and resources to actively challenge stereotypes, develop leadership skills, and life maps, to plan their future as economically, politically and socially empowered young women.

Click the link below for registration details.