February 2023 Northtowne News
Inside: School news, Next Pathway Stop & 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.
February Important Dates
February 9 - Caregiver Teacher Conferences
February 16 - Caregiver Teacher Conferences
February 17 - No School; Professional Development
February 20 - No School
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,
Welcome to the third quarter of this school year! Time continues to move rapidly. Soon we will be fully into the Spring testing season at Northtowne. The window for the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA) has already opened (January 30-March 24). This is an assessment taken by our students whose families identify a language other than English as their primary language. It helps us to monitor the student's progress toward proficiency in the English language. On March 30th we will pause all tutoring at the school as the window for End of Year (EOY) testing through the Ohio State Tests (OST) will be open March 31-May 12. Our students from 3rd through 5th grade will take these EOY tests to continue to document their academic progress. Kindergarten through 3rd grade students will take EOY tests through the iReady assessments. The iReady testing window will be open May 1-June 1. This iReady assessment will be an additional opportunity for our 3rd grade students to demonstrate passing scores for the 3rd Grade Reading Guarantee (3GRG).
We also hope that our families will take advantage of the February Caregiver Teacher Conferences. The Northtowne conference dates are February 9th and 16th. Communication and partnership between families and teachers helps to ensure positive academic outcomes for students. Our teachers have valuable information to share with every family. They also welcome any questions you may have about your student(s).
As we celebrate Black History Month this year, I am excited to see the 2023 Black History Program presented under Mrs. Weaver's direction. This school tradition is a great example of hands on learning. This experience engages multiple grade levels of students in thoughtful and creative ways. Mrs. Weaver's goal is to showcase the great breadth and depth of contributions to society made by Black Americans throughout history.
I hope all of our Northtowne Knights have a great start to the third quarter!
Mr. Taylor
February is Black History Month
Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today. The February celebration was was expanded from a week to a full month in 1976.
Each year, Black History month is designated with a theme. The Black History Month 2023 theme, “Black Resistance,” explores how "African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms and police killings," since the nation's earliest days.
For all of our students, National Geographic Kids has several biographies, including photos, at these links. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/topic/african-american-heroes and https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/black-inventors-and-pioneers-of-science
Our older students may find the History Channel link to be of interest. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month
Letters Q and U Got Married
One of the fun traditions at Northtowne is the wedding of Q and U. Each year our students in the kindergarten classes participate in this fun activity to highlight the special relationship of Q and U in the English language. Mrs. Easly officiated the ceremony and students enjoyed a short reception with cupcakes and dancing. We wish letters Q and U the very best!
From the Guidance Counselor
February starts with the Columbus City Schools' (CCS) seventh annual Relationship Week. Each day of the first full week of February is specially themed to help staff, students, and families focus on different aspects of positive relationships. While CCS has set aside a single week to focus on creating and nurturing positive relationships, Northtowne recognizes that these acts are meant for every day of our lives. We hope that your student(s) will be able to give you several examples of how they have shown compassion, respect, trust, and friendly love by the end of this week. Please, ask them about it.
- Monday: Start with Hello - Offering a simple "Hello" to everyone you see can be the start to making sure everyone feels noticed and valued. Try learning to say "hello" in one of 100 non-English languages and dialects spoken by students and families in CCS.
- Tuesday: One Act of Kindness - We want every student and staff member in our district to commit to performing at least one random act of kindness: anything from a small complement given to a life changing gesture.
- Wednesday: Forgiveness - Being able to apologize is a sign of humility and courage. Be brave and offer an apology for something you may have done unintentionally that offended another person. Find an opportunity to forgive someone. You can repair broken relationships by removing grudges. Ask the simple question, "What can I do to make this right?"
- Thursday: Celebrate Diversity - Celebrate what makes CCS beautifully diverse. Our community is inclusive of all beliefs, cultures, ethnicities, identities, personalities, and traditions. Share your stories and listen to the stories of others to understand our commonalities and embrace our differences.
- Friday: No One Eats Alone - Lunch is a perfect time to make sure everyone feels included and accepted. Invite someone you don't know to join you at lunch and spend time getting to know each other better. Use the time to check in on each other and ask how the day is going.
Fun Fact!
In Western culture, flowers have been given meanings. This tradition started in France in 1819 with the book The Language of Flowers. This book contained 300 meanings of flowers! This includes the yellow rose, pictured at the top of this newsletter, which stands for friendship.
Notes from Nurse Brandi
Attention 2nd and 3rd grade parents:
The Columbus Public Health Dental Sealant Team will be at Northtowne Friday, February 24th to place dental sealants on your student's teeth. This is the rescheduled date due to the snow day at the end of January. The sealants are a FREE service that will help prevent cavities on your child.
Please fill out the form that came home with your child to sign up for this service as soon as possible. We will accept forms to sign up for this service up to the morning of February 24th. Forms can be returned to the teacher or nurse. Our goal is to have 100% of the student's say YES to getting sealants! Upon return of the form with a YES checked, your student will receive a toothbrush. On the day sealants are placed they will receive another toothbrush, stickers and a water bottle!
If your student already has a dentist or sealants, that's alright. Please, still return the form and check YES. Doing this will let the team check your student's teeth and apply sealant if needed.
This is an exciting opportunity for our school and hopefully everyone can participate.
If you have any questions, need a new form, or need assistance filling out the consent, please call or email Nurse Brandi.
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: 614-859-9654Proposed School Calendars
The School Board recently published draft calendars for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years. Ohio law requires a 30-day comment period before officially approving the calendars. During this comment period Columbus City Schools community members can submit any comments or feedback. In the past, common themes in the comments have cause the School Board to make calendar adjustments. You voice really does matter! Please, take a moment to click below, review the draft calendars, and take the survey (it's brief, I promise!).
Winter Panorama Survey Now Open Through February 17th!
Panorama Survey is a kind of questionnaire for parents and guardians, in order to gain insight into your perception of our school and district effectiveness. To ensure we continue to provide high quality, rigorous learning experiences that meet the needs of our learners and prepare them for college and career, we need your feedback. We want to know what you think.
Together with student and teacher results, the family results help principals decide on whole-school interventions for the next school year. Click the links below to go directly to the survey or to go a Smore newsletter dedicated to more information about the Survey.
Upcoming Virtual Family Engagement Sessions:
Virtual Family Engagement Sessions took a break in December, just like the rest of us. Now that school is back in session, so are the Virtual Family Engagement opportunities.
Virtual Family Engagement Sessions are typically scheduled for every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 6:oo p.m. Sessions rotate through various topics.
Click here to find out what the upcoming session topics will address.
Click here to join the sessions directly starting at 6:00 p.m.
Does your schedule not allow you to join the sessions live? No problem! Past sessions are recorded and posted on the Virtual Family Engagement Session Library in case you are unable to attend.
Pathway Express - Stop #3
Columbus is the largest city in Ohio, and it’s the capital of our state. Many of the conversations and decisions that could ultimately impact students today, and in the future, are made at 1 Capitol Square - The Ohio Statehouse.
Since its opening to legislators and the public in 1857, the Statehouse has witnessed Ohio’s most historic voting decisions. In addition to state leaders, more than 500,000 visitors tour Capitol Square each year. Throughout the month of February, CCS students and families are invited to add their names to the growing guestbook.
In addition to weekend tours, CCS families are also encouraged to join us for our Family & Community Resource Day on Saturday, February 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature:
Guided tours
Museum visit
Souvenir bag
New Book Bundles
Click here to reserve your space on the Pathway Express today!
TRANSPORTATION - FEBRUARY 11TH ONLY
Transportation is available from the following locations on February 11, 2023. Departing CCS cites at 10:30 am and 12:00 pm
NORTH
Northland High School
1919 Northcliff Drive, Columbus, 43229
SOUTH
South High School
1160 Ann Street, Columbus, 43206
EAST
Walnut Ridge High School
4841 E. Livingston Avenue, Columbus, 43227
WEST
West High School
179 S. Powell Avenue, Columbus, 43204
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.
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
Need Help with Electric or Gas Bills?
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.
How does PIPP work?
If your home is heated with gas, you will have a monthly payment of 5% of your gross household income for your natural gas bill, and 5% of your gross household income for your electric bill. If you heat with electric, your monthly payment is 10% of your gross household income. The balance of your utility bill is subsidized by the state of Ohio. There is a minimum monthly payment of $10.00.
Paying on-time and in-full each month reduces your outstanding balance. If you make 24 on-time and in-full payments, your outstanding balance with your utility company will be eliminated.
Once you are enrolled in the PIPP program, you are required to re-verify your income each year. You must also be caught up on all your PIPP payments by your Anniversary Date, which is the date you signed up for PIPP. Failure to report changes in the household income or household members, missing a payment, or not re-verifying your income can result in being dropped from the program.
Who is eligible for PIPP?
Ohioans with a household income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines and have utility service from an electric or natural gas company regulated by the Public Utility Commission of Ohio are eligible for the program. A household applying for PIPP must report total gross household income for the past 30 days (12 months preferred) for all members, except wage or salary income earned by dependent minors under 18 years old. Both homeowners and renters are eligible for assistance.
How do I Apply?
Complete an Application https://development.ohio.gov/individual/energy-assistance/apply-now-energy-assistance-programs
OSU Student Dental Clinic
The Ohio State student dental clinics are open to the public and offer dental services and specialty care for patients of all ages. Appointments may take longer than in a private office, however services often cost half of the Columbus average. Medicaid eligible patients pay even lower fees. All care is performed by students under the supervision of our exceptionally skilled licensed faculty dentists. Services include:
- Basic teeth whitening
- Bonding
- Cleanings
- Crowns
- Dentures
- Extractions
- Fillings
- Gum disease treatment
- Partials
- Veneers
Insurance Accepted:
Delta Dental, Medicaid, CareSource, Molina, and United Healthcare Community Plan.
Schedule an appointment:
Call 614-688-3763
1st Floor Postle Hall
305 W. 12th Avenue Columbus, OH 43210
Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 7:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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