Y.A.S. CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2021
A Project Connect newsletter for students and families who do not have stable housing
WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU!
The Y.A.S. (You Are Seen) Connection newsletter will help keep you informed of the latest Project Connect & Columbus City Schools updates & news!!!
Columbus City Schools / Homepage
Authorized under Federal law through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, the Columbus City Schools’ Project Connect Program provides services to ensure that identified children and youth experiencing homelessness, including those living with others or in hotels/motels due to economic hardship or emergency, have access to a free and appropriate public education by removing barriers due to homelessness. As advocates for educational rights, there are various services the program provides to assist families in transition.
PROJECT CONNECT
- Parents and students may call the Project Connect Office at 614-365-5140
- Email: ProjectConnect@columbus.k12.oh.us
- Contact a Project Connect Region Representative/Youth Academic Advocate assigned to your child’s school. Click on the Contact Us tab for a list of Project Connect Staff.
SHOES...SHOES...SHOES
Do you know of a student in need of shoes? Project Connect has shoes for students being served by the program. Shoe sizes and styles are limited. Please reach out to a Regional Advocate or call the Project Connect Office at 614-365-5140 for questions and qualifications.
WE WANT TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOU!
Please make sure to speak with your student(s) school when your student will be absent. This is important for many reasons, including to prevent an unnecessary withdrawal from the District.
- School districts are required to keep an attendance record for each student.
- When a student does not attend school regularly AND the district loses all contact with the student and family for a period of time, the district begins a process to try to locate the student.
- There are specific steps the district takes to try to re-engage a student in school.
- However, if the district is not able to make contact with the student or family, the district will withdraw the student. We want to prevent that.
Please help us, help you stay successful in school.
WELCOME TO PROJECT CONNECT'S NEW STAFF MEMBER
More to come about Jasmine in our December issue of the newsletter.
Project Connect Staff Spotlight
Germaine Dobney, McKinney-Vento Eligibility Specialist
Hello,
My name is Germaine Omar Dobney I am a retired commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Signal CORP from St. Catherine Jamaica. I have served as the McKinney-Vento (MV) Eligibility Specialist for Project Connect since Feb. 2021. My time spent as a Police Youth Club leader, a Camp Counselor, an Enlisted Soldier, and an Army Officer has prepared me for my true calling; helping families gain access to education and stay involved in schools.
Germaine Dobney
MV Eligibility Specialist
Columbus City Schools
Central Enrollment
Department of Student Services
Office number - 380-997-3645
Cell number - 614-859-2016
Email: ProjectConnect@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/
Location: 430 Cleveland Avenue, Columbus, OH, USA
Phone: 614-365-5140
Facebook: facebook.com/ColumbusCitySchools
Twitter: @ColsCitySchools
THANK YOU TO A GENEROUS DONOR!
Thank you to Laura Branham for the collapsible folding wagon. The wagon will help Project Connect staff distribute materials/resources to the schools, families and students we serve.
You are appreciated!
See more about her business here: https://mrsbshomemadecreations.com/
Email: Info@MrsBsHomemadeCreations.com
Website: https://mrsbshomemadecreations.com/
Phone: 614-434-8508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrsBsHomemadeCreationsLLC
The Columbus Promise
CCS 24/7 TUTORING SERVICE
- FREE tutoring using Clever
- Chat with a tutor
- Available to all CCS Students
- All academic subjects
Columbus City Schools to Provide Free At-Home COVID-19 Rapid Tests for Students & Staff
CCS has partnered with Columbus Public Health (CPH) to offer a limited number of voluntary, at-home BinaxNow COVID-19 rapid test kits for any student or staff member in a school or transportation center who is symptomatic or a close contact of a positive case.
The free, convenient testing option became available to students and staff beginning 10/11/21.
Town Hall accepting donations of coats, hats, gloves, and scarves leading up to the event |
Please give if you can!
All clothing applications will be on-line for the 21-22 school year.
CCS - Project Connect
Columbus City School's Project Connect Program is housed under the Department of Student Services to serve students and families experiencing barriers to housing while ensuring academic success is maintained.
Columbus City Schools Parent Portal
Need to update your address, request a school change or check the status of a bus route....all of this and more can be done via the Parent Portal. Your one-stop shop to ensure your student's educational needs are met.
Infinite Campus (Student and Parent Portal) / CCS Parent Portal
Columbus City Schools Annual Update
Need to update your address? You can do so by accessing your Parent Portal via Infinite Campus.
Parent Letter Parent Portal and Annual Information Update
Infinite Campus (Student and Parent Portal) / CCS Parent Portal
Parent Portal Instructional Video
Click HERE to view the video
How can the Project Connect Program help?
Who may qualify for the Project Connect Program?
How do families access Project Connect services through CCS?
Click here for a list of free clothing closets, furniture banks and school supplies locations in Franklin County and Columbus Ohio.