The Columbus Board of Education voted at its October 10, 2022, Special Meeting to approve the following changes to the District’s 2022-2023 Traditional Academic School Year Calendar.

The revision moves the current Friday, October 14th Professional Development Day to Friday, October 21st.

• October 14, 2022 – Classes will be in session for all students.
• October 21, 2022 – Professional Development Day – There are NO classes.

The change is necessary to accommodate a Professional Development Day outlined in the District’s Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) contract.

Click here to see the Revised 2022-2023 Traditional School Calendar.

*No other dates on the school year calendar, nor is Woodcrest Elementary School’s year-round schedule impacted by this change.

Dear CCS Community,

It has been a difficult week, to say the least, as we mourn together and endure the pain of yet another tragic loss of a beautiful, young life in our community.

Earlier this week, I shared with you that I am both sad and angry. I know many of you are feeling these same mixed emotions. I ask now that we focus our emotions on doing something positive. Let’s work together to create change.

I strongly believe that much of the violence we see in our community stems from issues much deeper than dislikes or differences in opinions. And while we cannot change the world, we can do our part and I am committed to doing so.

Research has shown that exposure to positive, engaging school climates, having positive relationships, and being invested in school are all ‘protective factors’ in reducing youth violence. Let us start there. We must reinforce a sense of community and belonging by ensuring a positive culture and climate in all our buildings that will then extend beyond our school doors.

We have already begun much of this work by aligning our curriculum with a whole-child focus. Our Whole-Child Supports Division ensures we are providing students and families with necessary supports and resources. Across the District, we are prioritizing trauma-informed care, social-emotional learning, and restorative practice strategies as we work to support the needs of our students and staff.

But, there is more to be done and we cannot do this alone. It is work we must do together.

• Parents and guardians, please take 10-15 minutes to complete this Family-School Relationships Survey.

• Non-school based staff, please complete the survey for your department.

• School-based staff, you will receive a link directly from Panorama.

Use this as an opportunity to share what you feel is working and what isn’t. How can we improve our culture and climate? We value feedback from all CCS families and staff. Your responses will help us ensure a culturally responsive staff, align resources equitably, and better support our entire CCS community.

The survey window will be open through Friday, October 28.

Together, we will continue creating positive, safe communities for our students to learn and thrive.

Sincerely,

Talisa Dixon

Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools

Hello Columbus City Schools Families!

Our District values feedback from all CCS families, and we would like to learn more about your child’s school experience this year. CCS is collecting responses for a Family-School Relationships Survey to learn how we can better support our students and families.

Parents and guardians, please take 10-15 minutes to complete the Family-School Relationships Survey. The survey window will be open through Friday, October 28th.

To access the survey, click https://surveys.panoramaed.com/ccsoh/familyfall22/surveys.

• Select your student’s school from the dropdown menu and click “Take this survey.”
• If you have children enrolled in multiple schools you have the option to complete a survey for each school.

All responses are completely anonymous and will help us to plan programs, resources, and services to benefit your student and the school community.

Thank you for your feedback.

Pathway Express kicks off this month at the Ohio History Center with FREE admission every weekend for CCS students and families! Explore and discover our state’s rich history, along with learning more about one of our Portrait of a Graduate traits - Global Empathy. Central Ohio is an incredibly diverse region, and that’s reflected across CCS. The Ohio History Center Pathway Express experiences will include activities and resources aimed at helping students continue their growth as global citizens. Click here to pre-register for October Pathway Express events.

All families who register and participate during October will also be entered into a drawing. Winners will receive a one-year family membership to Museums for All and a surprise for their student’s school.

Last weekend's Pathway Express included more than a trip to the Ohio History Connection. Premiering our first ever "Cooking with Pathway Express," brought to you by CCS alum Chef Ryan Bryson featuring Celebrity Chef Carla Hall. The day was a huge success!

It’s better than asking Alexa! Imagine your child having a personalized bookshelf filled with titles aligned to their favorite interests and reading levels. In Columbus City Schools, we’ve got it. During our Tuesday Virtual Family Engagement Session, our district’s literacy experts shared more about our new Literacy Pro tool that drives students toward books that capture their interest and curiosity. And when reading experiences are positive, students discover more about themselves through the joy of reading.

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.

Columbus City Schools leaders, staff, parents, community members, and yes, even students, took their seats at "The Big Table" to discuss concerns, applaud successes, and share ideas to continue a positive forward momentum for CCS and its students.

Launched by The Columbus Foundation in 2016, The Big Table is a day dedicated to community-wide conversations. Through open, intentional dialogue, participants are empowered to imagine what the Central Ohio region can look like when we work together toward a brighter future, and where everyone has a seat at the table.

Seven CCS high schools held their own Big Table discussions led by Student Ambassadors:

• Columbus Online Academy
• Columbus Downtown High School
• Fort Hayes Arts and Academics High School
• Independence High School
• Marion-Franklin High School
• Northland High School
• South High School

CCS teachers are committed to open communication with families about the progress of their children. In order to involve families in a working relationship with staff, we invite parents/guardians to schedule conferences with teachers. The focus of the meetings is to communicate student progress in class and to discuss possible areas for improvement.

Why are parent teacher conferences important?

• Teachers & staff want to know families and create a strong community

• Building relationships between student, parent, teachers, and staff leads to strengthening students’ academic and life success

• Parent input is extremely important. Parents provide invaluable insight about their children. This insight helps teachers meet student needs better

The below form can help you to plan intentional parent teacher conference experiences. Use the left side to plan your conference and the right side to take notes during the meeting.

Class of 2023 -- your graduation schedule is now available! Be sure to visit www.ccsoh.us/graduation throughout the year for the latest information on graduation.

In 2019, the Ohio Department of Education introduced new graduation requirements for students earning their diplomas in the Class of 2023 - and beyond. These new requirements allow students to Lead the Way on a pathway that aligns with their academic, and as well as personal, strengths and passions.

There are three Ohio Graduation Requirements:

• Earn the minimum of 22 credits in core/elective subject areas, complete any additional local/district subject requirements, and take all required Ohio State Tests.
• Show Competency by passing the Algebra I and English 2 EOC exams. Other options after testing and retesting include 1 of 4 alternative pathways.
  • Remediation-Free ACT/SAT Test Scores: Students must earn “remediation-free” scores in each of the three subscore areas, two in English language arts and one Mathematics.
• College Credit Plus: Earn college credit in a non-remedial math or English course (for the subject area not passed) to demonstrate competency.
• Military Readiness: Competency can be achieved by meeting the requirements to enlist in the military, which can be demonstrated by a contract with the military to enlist upon graduation.

• Career Experience and Technical Skill: Complete two demonstrations to show competency, at least one of which must be a foundational option.

• Foundational
  • Earn a score of proficient or higher on three or more WebXams in a single career pathway;
  • Earn a 12-point approved industry-recognized credential or group of credentials totaling 12 points in a single career field;
  • Complete a pre-apprenticeship in the student's chosen career field, or, for students ages 18 and older, show evidence of acceptance into an apprenticeship program after high school.
• Supporting
  • Complete a 250-hour work-based learning experience with evidence of positive evaluations;
  • Earn the workforce readiness score on WorkKeys; or
  • Earn the OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal.
  • Demonstrate Readiness by earning two diploma seals

Ohio Diploma Seals

Ohio State law created 12 diploma seals for students to demonstrate academic, technical and professional readiness for careers, college, the military, or other professions. Each seal allows students to demonstrate knowledge and skills essential for future success in pathways beyond high schools.

Students will demonstrate readiness by earning at least two diploma seals, one of which must be state defined. Seals help students develop valuable skills as they transition to the next steps as Columbus City Schools graduates.

Cooking with Dads is a FREE health initiative for dads and their children. This event fosters building and reinforcing healthy relationships between fathers, grandfathers and their children/grandchildren, while exposing them to resources and methods that will help them create healthy meals.

This hands-on event is for dads and their kids as well as kids with mentors or other father-figure males in their life, will include instructional meal prep sessions with local professional chefs, healthy food demonstrations, and surprise guests!

Contact person: Kevin Minor and Keith Howell - kminor@ncusolutions.com / khowell@ncusolutions.com

Does your child still need a physical for a fall or winter sport? Don’t forget, they can get one at any of our Nationwide Children's Hospital school-based health clinics, open to all students and their siblings, ages 3+. Same-day appointments may be available. Learn more: http://bit.ly/1TUciI3.

Off the Block Capital is an exciting new youth program that teaches young people the foundational principles of investing in the stock market. Young people are eager to increase their physical mobility, but what about your economic mobility? This series will teach students how adopting an investing mentality is vital to long term financial freedom. Supportive facilitators will show young participants how to think beyond their immediate needs and focus more on long term financial growth.

The sessions start by introducing financial literacy. Subsequent sessions will train students how to evaluate stock and how to identify good and bad stocks. Students will learn investing language, as they begin to understand the significance and benefit of capitalizing on various companies that are positioned to be around for a long time.

Students will utilize a stock trade simulator account to practice investing as they are learning steps practiced throughout the program. Participants are eligible to receive a weekly stipend and a funded brokerage account that will enable them to continue investing after the program is finished!

Eligibility requirements for OFF THE BLOCK:

• Enrolled in High School in Franklin County
• Qualify for free lunch (we will need household family income verification)
• Ability to attend in person session at Impact Community Action, 711 Southwood Avenue Columbus, OH 43207

How to apply: Send an introductory email with your name, age, school and why learning about stock investing is something that interest you to afterschool@impactca.org.

Enjoy recorded stories for read-aloud fun with your kids. Call the library’s Dial-A-Story number. It’s free – call any time of the day. Children can hear new stories to sharpen their listening and comprehension skills. Stories are updated monthly! Dial-A-Story: 614.924.1800

WestFest is an annual public engagement event that highlights STEM research, sustainability initiatives and outreach programs at The Ohio State University and beyond. WestFest brings together STEM units from across campus and select community partners to present family-friendly activities.

The event is funded by the Ohio State Energy Partners and is organized through the volunteer efforts of the WestFest Planning Committee. WestFest 2022 is: An in-person festival + A week of virtual programs

In-Person Festival

The in-person component of WestFest will take place on October 15th from 10 am to 2 pm. In this festival you will find hands-on activities and tours of research facilities for a morning full of family fun!

• The festival will be hosted at the West Campus Quad (1090 Carmack Rd). See map.
• Where to park
• This year we have 28 STEM activity booths! See the list of exhibitors and tour locations.

Virtual WestFest Week

During the week after the in-person festival (October 17th – 22nd) we will offer a suite of virtual programs directed at children and their families. For the second year, we will distribute 500 WestFest activity kits through community partners. Each kit will contain all of the supplies necessary to follow along with our five virtual WestFest programs. We encourage educators to sign up for their class!

See detailed program of activities

Learn how to get a kit