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Final Stop on the Pathway Express Brings Fun, Excitement, and Anticipation for New Experiences
May 19, 2022 -- New experiences and memories are two things all parents strive to create for their children, and this spring, Columbus City Schools has done its best to help families check both of those boxes with its Pathway Express program. Since January, thousands of CCS families have taken part in hands-on, immersive learning experiences, and the final Pathway Express celebration – hosted on May 14 at Fort Hayes Arts & Academic HS – was no exception.
“We’re always searching for the most appropriate ways to improve our practice to support our kids here in Columbus City Schools,” said Brianne Pannell, supervisor of Digital and Extended Learning. “These new, expanded learning experiences are vital to our students' overall growth, academically and socially.”
The district’s Pathway Express program has seen partners such as COSI, Columbus Museum of Art, and the North Market step up and open their doors to CCS families to join the district's efforts to extend learning beyond classroom walls. Each of the monthly community exploration experiences introduced students to activities rooted in five core areas: STEM; Fine Arts; Entrepreneurship; World Languages & Cultures; and Family Consumer Sciences.
Families at each stop have gotten glimpses of the incredible work teachers have guided their students in throughout the year, and they’ve been able to leave with additional resources and strategies for supporting learning in the home.
“Parents and guardians have always been fierce advocates for their children,” Pannell said. “We’re intentionally removing barriers to experiences to allow everyone to take part in the learning process. Research shows the partnerships between families and the community, which aim to make learning interactive, increase student achievement.”
May’s Pathway Express festivities were also highlighted by the return of the district’s annual “Countdown to Kindergarten” and an opportunity for parents of current CCS preschoolers to get a jumpstart on kindergarten and the 2022-2023 school year.
“Programs such as our Countdown to Kindergarten help ease any anxiety families and students might have about starting kindergarten, as well as provide them fun, engaging activities, and books to address skills they will need and learn in kindergarten,” said Dr. Terra Baker, director of the district’s Early Childhood Education program. “I hope our families left feeling confident knowing their student will attend a school with adults who care about the child’s academic, social, and emotional well-being.”
This school year’s return to in-person learning has sparked ideas for a host of opportunities to keep students and families engaged, and Pathway Express and Countdown to Kindergarten are just two examples of academic engagement and outreach programs in CCS. Both Pannell and Dr. Baker agree the return of “normalcy” has been great for students, and they can’t wait for families to see how these initiatives – and their benefits – carry over to the summer and new school year.
“These same familiar programs are continuing with our upcoming Summer Experience, and Pathway Express will continue to extend learning opportunities when it kicks back off in October,” Pannell said. “Families can look forward to our continued community partnerships that make interactive, exploratory learning accessible to all.”