In Columbus City Schools, we want every student and family to know that they are valued and that we care… on Wednesdays and every day of the week.

During this time of remote learning and closed school buildings, we see daily examples of our teachers and staff finding creative ways to connect with students during online classes or with parents through virtual community meetings. Despite all these amazing efforts, we know that the absence of one-on-one direct connections can often leave our young people feeling isolated and disengaged. Several of our schools stay connected to students and done their own direct outreach to families. Now, we hope to take a fuller district-wide approach to “checking and connecting” with all of our families. That’s why we are undertaking an ambitious plan to directly connect with every one of our students’ families.

Our First We Care Wednesday - December 16

We are dedicating Wednesday, December 16, as “We Care Wednesday” and planning to call EVERY student household in our district. These “Check & Connect” calls to our roughly 30,000 homes will allow us to hear directly from our families, check on their well-being, answer questions, and connect them with community resources and supports if needed. 

CCS families should receive a call on December 16 between the hours of 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Please take a moment to chat with the CCS staff person or community partner who calls (they may be using a phone number you don’t recognize). They won’t ask for personal information, but please feel free to share with them your experiences and the challenges you may be facing to stay engaged and connected.

We’re working with our partners at Lutheran Social Services and the 2-1-1 community resource hotline to help connect families who need essential supports - such as food, shelter, or utility assistance - to local organizations who can help, as well as those who offer access to other services such as free health care, transportation, and holiday help. If you need assistance of any kind - or if we are unable to reach you on December 16 - call 2-1-1 or 614-221-2255 to be connected with help.

Columbus City Schools is enlisting the help of Community Partners to connect families with needed resources for free. We encourage our families to reach out to these organizations and visit these websites - you'll be connected with local groups who can offer support, guidance, and help.

LSS 211 Central Ohio
Click here or visit https://lssnetworkofhope.org/211centralohio/

The 2-1-1 community resource hotline connects residents in Franklin County with comprehensive and up-to-date information about social, health and government services. If you're having trouble finding what you are looking for, please call 2-1-1 (or or 614-221-2255) for more information. They also offer an Emergency Food hotline at 614-341-2282 (call) or 614-702-7772 (text).

CAP 4 KIDS
Click here or visit https://cap4kids.org/columbus/

The Children's Advocacy Project for Columbus (CAP 4 KIDS) will help you find many community agencies that exist to improve the lives of children and families, with reliable, up-to-date information about resources in the Columbus area for children and families. CAP 4 KIDS is managed by our partners at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Human Services Chamber (Holiday Drives)
Click here or visit https://humanservicechamber.org/holiday-drives-2020/

The Human Service Chamber represents more than 100 health and human services nonprofits in the Columbus Region. Many of the organization within the Chamber are offering help this holiday season. Please follow the link for more information about how our community is offering help at this tumultuosu time.