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🔢✨ Check out info from Pre-K Family Math Night!
We have monthly Pre-K Family Math Webinars hosted by WOSU in partnership with Columbus City Schools Early Childhood Education!
These virtual sessions will include hands-on math activities that families can enjoy together at home. Videos and instructions are included — no math experience needed!Check out the exciting activities from the first Family Math Night:
- English and translated instructions: Family Math Night page
- Featured Book Read Aloud: Ten Black Dots
- Featured PBS Game: Peg + Cat, Rock Art
Next Math Night is:
📅 Wednesday, December 17
🕕 6:00 PM
💻 Zoom Link: https://www.wosu.pm/ccs26
(or simply scan the QR code on your Pre-K Math Kit!)**PreK Teachers will send a math kit home with your PreK student**
Let’s explore and play with math in ways that make learning fun and meaningful! 💛
📚 Thank You for Joining Us at the Library!
To all the families who joined us at the Pre-K Literacy Event this past Saturday, November 15, at the CML Main Library —>
THANK YOU! We loved seeing your children explore reading stations, gather new resources, and enjoy storytime. It was a joyful day!If you attended OR weren’t able to make it this time, we want to hear from you!
Please take 1–2 minutes to complete this quick survey TODAY to be entered into a prize drawing! 🎁
👉 Survey Link: https://bit.ly/PreKNov2025
You can find all the slide from the literacy day attached to this email and here:
Food Distribution for Families Receiving SNAP Benefits
Columbus City Schools wants to make sure no child goes hungry during the government shut down. We are working with the City of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners, and community partners to help families affected by the loss of SNAP benefits.
Beginning Friday, Nov. 7, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., CCS families can pick up free ready-to-eat weekend meal kits every Friday at any of our five food distribution sites:
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Columbus International High School, 4077 Karl Rd.
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Linden McKinley STEM Academy, 1320 Duxberry Ave.
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South High School, 1160 Ann St.
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Walnut Ridge High School, 4841 E. Livingston Ave.
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West High School, 179 S. Powell Ave.
Our staff and community volunteers will be on site to help distribute meals. These meal kits are available to all CCS families who need them.
For more information visit the link below. https://www.ccsoh.us/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=125&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=53189&PageID=1
❄️ CCS Pre-K Winter Activity and Resource Guide 2025❄️Cap4Kids Thanksgiving and Christmas Resource List
The annual CAP4Kids Holiday Help List is here! This list is being updated in real time and includes free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, holiday toy programs, free coats and clothing, and more. Check back often for updates on giveaways for meals, winter clothing, toys, and more to help keep the holidays bright for all.
Please note: Availability may change quickly. Please contact agencies directly to verify accuracy and access services.
Click the link below for the full list of programs and opportunities.
We’re proud to partner with NBC4 once again for the annual Turkey Drive! This year, we’ll be distributing 1,800 turkeys and sides to families in need.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025
Drive-Thru Distribution: 8:00 a.m. – Noon
Location: Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center
670 Jack Gibbs Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215
We appreciate your support in making this event a success.
🖥️ Virtual Family Engagement EventsJoin us from home to stay connected, learn tips, and share input. All sessions start at 6:00 PM.
📅 2025–2026 Virtual Schedule:-
Jan. 28 – F.A.C.E. Kindergarten Enrollment / School Lottery
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Feb. 25 – Webinar: Therapists & Differentiation
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Mar. 25 – F.A.C.E. Spring Break & Summer Options
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Apr. 15 – Webinar: Kindergarten Transition & Summer
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🦁 Zoo Day with CCS Pre-K Families – Recap
We had an amazing time Saturday 10/11 at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium with our CCS Pre-K families!This special event was made possible through a continued partnership with the Columbus Zoo, along with support from Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Franklin County Public Health. Families enjoyed a morning filled with wildlife exploration, engaging activity stations, and helpful community resources.
Pre-K families joined us, with over 400 attendees—what a wild success!
📸 Check out the full recap and at-home activities here:
https://bit.ly/CCSPreKZoo2025
More info about the zoo day at: https://bit.ly/CCSPreKZoo2025🎉 Pre-K Kickoff at the Grange Audubon Center - RecapWe had a wonderful time this past Saturday at the Pre-K Kickoff held at the beautiful Grange Insurance Audubon Center!This year’s Kickoff was held in collaboration with WOSU and the Grange Audubon Center, and it was a huge success! Families explored nature, enjoyed CCS resources, and enjoyed hands-on learning activities.See the full recap, activities, and resources here:
🧡 FACE Meeting Highlights – November 12
At our recent Family Advisory Committee (FACE) session on November 12 at 6 PM, we focused on Behaviors & Strategies, sharing practical tools and insights to support families at home and in school.
📄 All slides and meeting notes are available below – take a look to stay informed, empowered, and connected!
FACE Meeting Zoom Video
FACE Meeting Slides
Video on Behaviors & Strategies
🧡 FACE Meeting Highlights – September 24
At our recent Family Advisory Committee (FACE) meeting on September 24, we had some exciting updates and shared valuable information with families.
📄 All slides and meeting notes are available below – check them out to stay informed and connected!
September F.A.C.E. Presentation
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CCS Student/Family Safety Policy, Immigration Concerns Smore Link - Click Here
Did you know the ESL Department has a designated call center in over seven foreign languages?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bhCffGWRyd4_VxOUZXEXnDimsmEDk4Xr/view
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📚 Curriculum Connections for Families
PreK families, you can dive into the curriculum with our hand flyer! It's full of tips and links to help support learning at home. (See the flyer below - You have received these at orientation)
Download here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGOBdJsiVE/wMHM2fqrbDGJEsvDCrj6bQ/edit
Pre-K On My Way
Families can visit the PreK On My Way Family Exchange every week for music, ebooks, and activities!
Website: www.scholastic.com/prekonmywayfamily
Password: Scout
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WOSU: Second Saturday Kids Days
Second Saturday Kids Days are FREE events that take place at the WOSU headquarters.
The next Second Saturday Kids Day:
Second Saturday Kids Day
Saturday, October 11, 2025
9:00-11:00am
WOSU Ross Community Studio
1800 N. Pearl Street, Columbus, Ohio 43201 (View Map)Follow your curiosity at the next Second Saturday Kids Day! This month, we have exciting hands on learning experiences and activities. Meet special guest Clifford from the hit PBS series Clifford the Big Red Dog!
WOSU Ross Community Studio 1800 N. Pearl Street, Columbus, Ohio 43201
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
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Ready for Kindergarten
Have a Blast with Math!
Did you know that early math skills are a strong indicator of future academic success, including reading success? Simple activities such as counting objects, identifying numbers and sorting items go far toward building a child’s number sense and problem-solving abilities.
Fish Eyes by Lois Ehlert is perfect for practicing beginning counting skills and number recognition. While reading, have your child describe the different features of the fish and count their eyes to find out how many are on each page. Then, use the little brown fish to introduce the idea of simple addition.
Looking for More Practice?
Try this simple family math activity at home.
Plus, check out our Ready for Kindergarten Classes, which offer hands-on, skill focused activities. Visit our Birth to Five page to see when and where these free classes are offered.
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Visit the link below for CML Ready for Kindergarten videos.
Ready for Kindergarten ReplaysCheck out these fun at-home activities to help get your child ready for kindergarten!
Skill Builders
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Future Ready Five
Check out Future Ready Five for more resources for Kindergarten Readiness.
See: https://futurereadyfive.org/families/
Kindergarten Readiness Text Tips
Are you signed up for these great, FREE readiness resources?
- Bright by Text: BBT is a free texting service that sends developmental tips and tricks right to your phone. The content is based on your child's date of birth, so it is targeted right at your child's developmental stage. Sign up today!
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🖥️ PreK Family Engagement Resources
Need access to all the monthly ECE newsletters? Everything is on the ECE Family Engagement Page and you can access newletters here: https://www.ccsoh.us/Page/11845
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Triple P - Free Parenting Workshops
St. Vincent Family Services: Behavioral Health
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Click to view the video below about Pre-K Report Cards.
CCS PreK Report Card Info 2025
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📅 ECE Family Calendars
PreK families, stay in the loop! Below are the ECE Family Calendars, packed with all the virtual and in-person monthly events for the year.
