The Family Connector

Dear CCS Community,

Equity is a thread woven into the fabric of everything we do in Columbus City Schools. For students and staff to reach their full potential, we must ensure they have the resources and provide the opportunities needed to succeed.

To put this mission into action, the CCS Department of Equity has been touring the District through equity-focused conversations to gather input as they do the vital work of creating the District’s first equity framework. This framework is a series of strategic commitments the District is making to everyone in our CCS community.

To create this framework, the department has open and honest conversations with many people who comprise our CCS community. So far, the Department of Equity has visited more than 20 departments in the District and has spoken to more than 500 people in various roles.

Through these conversations, we want everyone to walk away knowing they contributed to this crucial work. Having these conversations will ensure we are meeting the needs of our CCS community and creating a framework that stands the test of time.

Additionally, this is more than just talking about equity. Creating this framework is about putting equity into action and helping staff at all levels see their work through this equity lens. We want members of our CCS community to feel valued and that they belong, that they have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed, that our practices are culturally responsive, and that we continue to recruit and retain the best possible people who are passionate about the success of our students.

The framework isn’t about creating a long-term goal. It’s about making commitments to ensure all staff and students feel engaged and supported by providing an equitable environment for all.

These equity-focused conversations are one part of the District’s and the Columbus Board of Education’s ongoing commitment to this work. This commitment is not only reflected in Board Policy 2263, but also has connections to each priority of the District’s strategic plan.

Equity is not something that stands alone. It’s woven into every level of our District and dramatically impacts the success of our students and staff. Investing in equity is an investment in our present and our future.

Sincerely,

Dr. Angela Chapman

Interim Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools

The Columbus City Schools Board of Education has announced the timing for the search for a permanent superintendent. Details about the process can be found on the Timeline page of superintendent search site starting on March 27. Applications will be accepted from March 27 through April 21.

Columbus Board of Education will hold regular office hours before all regular business meetings from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. The office hours will allow the community members to meet with Board members one-on-one, ask questions, and share their thoughts and concerns.

Additionally, the Board will take its business meetings to school sites across the District once a month to be more accessible to the community and encourage authentic engagement. The Board held its first meeting on Tuesday, March 21, at South High School.

The next meeting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, April 18, at West High School, and Tuesday, May 16, meeting is slated to be held at Mifflin High School. Future school sites will be announced.

Join Interim Superintendent Dr. Angela M. Chapman for Chat & Chew on Thursday, April 6! Chat over breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at Way Down Yonder Beignets and Coffee. We hope to see you there!

The Columbus Africentric girls' basketball team claimed their eighth state championship with a 75-62 victory over Chippewa in the OHSAA Division III championship game. This achievement ties them with Cincinnati Notre Dame for the most titles in girls' basketball in Ohio.

The Lady Nubians' victory matched a couple of state records, including the school's eighth girls' basketball championship and the most points scored in a quarter of an OHSAA Division III girls' championship game, with 27 points in the first quarter.

With this championship win, the Lady Nubians' adds to its impressive collection of state championship banners alongside its 2019, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2009, and 2007 titles.

We would also like to congratulate the Columbus Africentric boys basketball team for making it to the State Final Four before falling in a heartbreaker. We are so proud of the Nubians and all of our Columbus City Schools student-athletes who competed during the winter season.

Best of luck to the student-athletes who are starting their spring seasons next week!

Watch: Relive the Lady Nubians' triumph in the 2023 state championship game!

Summer and warm weather will be here soon, and that means the return of the District’s annual Summer Experience. The 2023 Summer Experience kicks off on June 20, and online registration is open NOW!

This year’s Summer Experience features immersive, outside-of-the-box learning experiences and exciting field trips, and it’s free for all PreK-12 Columbus City Schools students. From STEM to performing arts to urban agriculture - just to name a few - we can’t wait for students and families to see what teachers and community partners have in store.

To learn more about the exciting opportunities waiting for your student this summer, visit CCSSummer.org.

For a student considering College Credit Plus, both the student and at least one parent/guardian must:

1. Watch the CCP District Online Informational Presentation OR attend a virtual meeting OR attend a face-to-face meeting.
2. Verify attendance at ONE of the above-mentioned presentations and submit their letter of intent form by April 1, 2023.

To participate in CCP, students must complete the Letter of Intent Form and attend the required annual informational meeting no later than April 1st.

CCS wants to help you find the right summer opportunities for your child. Check out the Summer Opportunities and Engagement Fair this Saturday, March 25 at the Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Branch Downtown. Click below to pre-register!

All students have different strengths, abilities, and talents. For teenage students with an IEP, it's imperative for families to explore the possibilities that exist beyond high school. This event allows students ages 14+ and their families to learn about transitioning from high school to adulthood.

CCS Transition Fair

April 4, 2023

Fort Hayes Career Center Construction Arts and Technology Building

600 Jack Gibbs Blvd., 43215

6-8 p.m.

In partnership with Nationwide Children’s, CCS is excited to announce the grand opening of the Fort Hayes School-based Student Health Center! Join us for the open house on April 5 from 4-6 p.m., where families can explore the new center, attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony and take a self-guided tour of the facilities.

Our health centers offer various medical services, including sports physicals, the treatment of anxiety, depression, and ADHD, performing checkups, and much more! Nationwide Children’s health clinics are located in select CCS buildings, tailored to meet the unique needs of our students. Click the link below to view CCS school health clinic locations and for additional information.

As spring break approaches, CCS offers reading resources to keep your students engaged and learning during spring break! Check out our Family Reading Activity Guide and the Spring Break Choice Board to help support successful reading, writing, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Incorporating these resources into your spring break plans will help your students continue learning and growing, even outside the classroom.

Parents need to start planning now for their children’s summer fun. During a recent Virtual Family Engagement Session, we spotlight summer opportunities for our exceptional learners, including Special Education (adaptive camps). Hear from our partners at A Kid Again, Learning 4 Life Farm (LTC), Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio, and the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities. We also remind you how to register for the popular (and free) CCS Summer Experience.

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.

Our friends at Homage have released a brand-new retro CCS sweatshirt to accompany the popular t-shirt. Celebrate the history of Columbus Public Schools! A portion of the net proceeds from the sales of the collection will benefit CCS.

Are you looking for a fun and active way to support local students? If so, the Walk for Student Success 5K is perfect for you!

On Sunday, April 23, 2023, join the Achieving Standards of Excellence Foundation (ASOEF) and many others at Wolfe Park for a 5K walk to raise funds for scholarships, college tours, backpacks, and programming for local students.

Participants will enjoy fun activities, including a live DJ, face painting, and pre-workout activities that will get them pumped up before the walk. Plus, the first 100 registrants will receive a gift bag at check-in!

So, mark your calendars and register today to support local students and stay active.

Columbus Parks and Recreation School's Out Spring registration is now open! Secure a spot for your student during our Schools' Out program happening April 7-14 during Columbus City Schools' spring break. Youth will have an opportunity to participate in fun, engaging enrichment experiences while school is out at their local community centers. Register for your students to spend your spring break having fun with Columbus Parks and Recreation!

Are you in need of dental care, but can't afford it? The Ohio Department of Health and Ohio Dental Association - ODA's Dental OPTIONS Program might be able to help!

To be eligible for dental services, you must be either:

• Over the age of 65 with disabilities/compromising medical conditions and no dental insurance or access to Medicaid

OR

• An uninsured low-income adult with limited financial resources and severe dental needs

Apply online here: https://dentallifeline.org/patient-application/ or call (888) 765-6789 to check your eligibility for the program and to receive an application.

Saturdays in the Studio will be hosted every Saturday from March 25 - April 29, 2023, in Sullivant Hall. Dance classes for middle schoolers will be from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., and classes for high school students will be from 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. All Columbus students are welcome to attend, but the program is geared toward those with limited access to dance education.

Arts education has numerous positive outcomes for students, including academic achievement, higher standardized test scores, social and emotional benefits and memory retention (Guhn et al. 2019; Bowen et al. 2019). Arts education remains inequitable and underfunded. Institutional barriers that prevent fair treatment and full participation in the arts are especially prominent when considering who has access to arts education and what cultural traditions and art forms are valued through classroom teaching.

Students who attend the Saturdays in the Studio workshops will also be invited to perform at Columbus Kids Dance Day on May 1, 2023.

The Work Readiness Training University by Columbus Urban League is now back and better than ever, running 365 days a year! This fully paid, year-round program is designed for individuals aged 14-19 in Franklin County who want to develop their work readiness skills.

Our program focuses on the holistic development of each participant, with industry professionals imparting knowledge on various aspects of workplace success. Only 400 participants will be accepted, so don't miss this incredible opportunity!

The program includes extensive offerings such as life skills training, job readiness preparation, leadership training, fitness components, HBCU tours, S.T.E.A.M. exploration, internship opportunities (for select students), money management, and much more.

Made for Medicine (MfM) is now accepting applications for its second cohort, offering 16 students in grades 6-8 an opportunity to explore the medical field. If you have a student interested in medicine, encourage them to join MfM for Phase 1: "Introduction to Medicine" this spring.

This two-day intensive course will be led by local expert physicians and will cover various medical topics, including Neurology, Cardiology, Pediatrics, Nephrology, and Emergency Medicine. The sessions will be in-person at the Columbus Medical Association offices at 1390 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215.

The dates for Phase 1 are Saturday, April 29 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Saturday, May 6 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.). Additionally, we will have a Future Planning Parent Meeting on Tuesday, May 2 (7 p.m., virtual) and a White Coat Ceremony on Monday, May 15 (6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.).

Lunch and refreshments will be provided during each session.

MfM is excited to welcome eligible students in the 2022-2023 school year, in grades 6-8, who identify as African American or Black and attend a school in Franklin County. Applications will close on Wednesday, April 12, at 11:59 p.m.