Dear CCS Community,

Unique stories highlight dedicated individuals' extraordinary impact in a world filled with possibilities and continuous growth. I'm enthusiastic about sharing the uplifting journey of a CCS teacher who has profoundly shaped students' lives.

Meet Carmen Pinter, an outstanding intervention specialist at Northland High School. Her unwavering commitment and tireless advocacy have earned her the prestigious title of 'Educator of the Year' from Special Olympics Ohio. Carmen's journey is a testament to her resilience and passion, a strong call for every student to feel acknowledged and valued in their school community.

From her early experiences in a special education classroom to her steadfast commitment to inclusivity, Carmen embodies the qualities of a true role model, advocate, and student champion. She understands the challenges of feeling excluded and works tirelessly to ensure that her students feel included and welcome within their school community.

Beyond the classroom, Carmen has been a driving force behind Northland High School's Special Olympics program. Through her dedication, she has created opportunities for students to connect with their peers, fostering an inclusive environment beyond academic achievements.

Carmen's mission extends to challenging her colleagues to be more open and inclusive, ensuring that all students feel valued regardless of their developmental stage. Her impact on students exceeds her role as an intervention specialist. She has gone above and beyond, finding creative solutions to help students overcome barriers and ensuring they can access the opportunities offered by Special Olympics and Northland High School.

From navigating the COTA Bus system to facilitating participation in athletics and clubs, Carmen's commitment to the well-being and development of students is truly commendable.

Special Olympics Ohio's 'Educator of the Year' criteria focus on contributions to the program, coaching effectiveness, personal development, and exemplary leadership. According to Kristi Peters, director of Unified Champion Schools for Special Olympics Ohio, Carmen perfectly embodies these qualities, compelling us all to recognize the uniqueness of every individual so that we may feel seen, heard, and valued.

What makes Carmen's achievement even more meaningful is the thoughtful touch of the award – a plaque handcrafted by an organization that hires individuals with developmental disabilities. This award reflects Carmen's deep commitment to inclusivity and celebrating every achievement, no matter how small.

Congratulations to Carmen Pinter on this well-deserved recognition as the 'Educator of the Year' by Special Olympics Ohio. Your dedication and service to Northland High School and its students inspire us all. Thank you for making a lasting impact on the lives of those you touch.

Sincerely,

Dr. Angela Chapman
Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools

Winter weather is here, and Columbus City Schools is ready to help you plan ahead should the District be forced to cancel classes due to inclement weather.

Our goal is to announce a school cancellation as soon as we can. We are constantly monitoring weather forecasts and road conditions and will make an announcement the night before whenever possible. If weather conditions are such that a determination the night before is not possible, the Superintendent and her Operations team will make a decision no later than 5:30 a.m. Once the decision has been made, the next step is to alert parents, teachers, and staff.

STAY CONNECTED: news about cancellations of classes or the cancellation of extracurricular activities, field trips, and/or student-athletic events due to inclement weather are shared in several ways.

• Make sure the contact information on file at your child’s school is accurate. If you need to update this information, contact the main office in your child’s school or update online in the Parent Portal. (This includes emergency contacts, phone numbers, and email addresses).
• All families and staff will be alerted through an automated call, email, and text message from the District’s phone system. It is important to have your updated contact information on file in order to receive this notification.
• Follow Columbus City Schools on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or check our website. As soon as the decision is made to cancel school, we’ll share news and other schedule updates on the District website and on our social media pages.
• Monitor the news on local television and radio stations.

Click here for more information and frequently asked questions.

Explore educational options at our upcoming School Choice Fairs! Join us on January 11, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. for High School and Middle School Fairs, and on February 13, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. for the Elementary School Fair. Familiarize yourself with each school through video profiles before the fairs and connect live with principals and staff via Zoom links. Apply for the 2024-2025 school year through Lottery Applications on the Parent Portal.

High School & Middle School applications are accepted from January 3 to February 29, 2024, and Elementary School applications from February 1 to March 29, 2024. Late applications are considered until August 16, 2024, for students completing the previous school year with CCS. New students can apply within two weeks of enrollment until December 6, 2024. Explore diverse educational pathways, including Selective Admissions, Return to Homeschool, Reservation, and ROTC applications and more!

Changes have been made to the 2024 - 2025 school year enrollment process. Below you will find the new enrollment process:

• Families must complete the 2024-2025 Online Registration to begin the enrollment process instead of making an appointment to complete enrollment in person at Central Enrollment.
• Enrollment appointments for ES, MS, and HS will NO LONGER BE REQUIRED but are available as an option for families who would like assistance.
• The Online Registration applications will be processed in the order they are received, provided all necessary documentation is uploaded to the application. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO LOTTERY APPLICATIONS.
• Please take time to thoroughly review the necessary documents to ensure that the application is not delayed in processing.
• Online Registration (for a student's assigned school based on address) can be completed K-12 for the 2024-2025 school year beginning on January 3, 2024. THIS IS NOT THE PROCESS USED FOR THE SCHOOL CHOICE LOTTERY.

Parents and Caregivers will be asked to update the link to access the CCS Parent Portal on or before December 21, 2024. Families must log out of the Infinite Campus App completely (if they are accessing information on a cell phone) and log back in using the new link below. Families may also be asked to download an updated version of the Parent Portal app to access information with the new link.

More questions? Please see the information link below or call the Factline at: 614.221.3228

Haven’t gotten your flu shot? It’s not too late. Get it at one of our Nationwide Children's Hospital’s school-based health centers to protect you and your family this flu season. Please call (614) 355.2590, option 3, to confirm when the center is open and to schedule your appointment. Learn more about other services available: http://bit.ly/1TUciI3

Do you have a student interested in storytelling, video production, photography, podcasts, and social media? The Columbus Journalist in Training program is the perfect opportunity! Columbus Journalists in Training is a partnership between the Columbus Dispatch, Columbus City Schools, and the Central Ohio chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

This is a FREE, five-week journalism training program for CCS students where they will participate in interactive, engaging exercises and be coached by media professionals. The purpose is to expose students to careers in journalism and build media literacy and critical thinking skills.

Sign up today!

Fantastic news, CCS families! Get ready for an exhilarating adventure with the Literacy team as they launch the second annual Scholastic LitPro Winter Reading Challenge from December 20 to January 2. Students from kindergarten to eighth grade are invited to embark on this exciting literary journey accessible through their Clever account using the Scholastic app.

Check out the fun activity cards provided below – Bingo Cards designed for our younger readers and the Bucket List tailored for our intermediate grades. Have fun by diving into a world of books and make this winter a season of reading joy!

Columbus City Schools proudly presents FACES, the online Family and Community Engagement Series program created to inform and connect families, the community, and schools. You can find FACES, the Family and Community Engagement series, exclusively on CCS's Facebook and YouTube channels.

In the winter months, social services agencies play a vital role in assisting individuals and families in overcoming the challenges of the season. In the latest episode of FACES, the team delves into the inner workings of organizations that offer essential services such as food, shelter, and clothing during the colder months. Featured agencies include Mid-Ohio Food Collective, Impact Community Action, and Goodwill.

Tune in every second and fourth Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. for FACES, and let's build a stronger CCS community together!

Columbus City Schools proudly presents the Our CCS School Spirit Initiative, a wonderful opportunity to highlight our legacy, pride, and deep affection for our schools. Express it with style – grab a high school t-shirt for yourself and your loved ones today. Each shirt is available for just $15, and the entire proceeds, yes 100%, contribute directly to the school.

Hurry, as supplies are limited! Grab your school spirit gear now and showcase your pride in style.

Columbus City Schools is pleased to partner with The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio (The Contemporary) to bring you free tickets to the 50-minute play: The Worries of Wesley. This one-act play will engage youth and adults in recognizing, managing, and overcoming anxiety. Vetted by child psychologists at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the language and writing in the play appropriately address triggers and solutions for overcoming anxiety.

Free tickets (up to 6 per transaction) are available for shows:

January 26 to February 4, 2024

Riffe Center Studio Theatre, 77 S. High Street

Click the ticket link below and enter the promo code PNCFREE in the upper right-hand corner and choose the date you would like to attend. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Embark on a science-filled adventure with a complimentary one-year COSI Membership, exclusively for Columbus City Schools 5th Grade students and their families. Thanks to the generosity of the Robert Weiler Company, your family can enjoy free year-round visits to COSI, providing an exciting opportunity for hands-on learning and exploration.

Signing up is a breeze! Visit cosi.org/CCS5 to access the application form and secure your FREE membership today. COSI eagerly awaits the chance to welcome you and your curious minds for a year of discovery and fun!

The way we react to stress as adults can set the tone for our child’s mental health. On Our Sleeves has strategies to help you reduce stress and set a positive example for your child this holiday season.

• Think about what really matters. When you focus on what matters most, you can make decisions supporting those things.
• Connect with family and friends. Connecting can be as simple as being present with others.
• Set healthy boundaries. Stress can often come from stretching yourself too thin, so set boundaries to protect your energy.
• Take time for self-care. Make sure you reserve time to care for yourself.

Head to OnOurSleeves.org to read more about these strategies.

Embark on unforgettable adventures for your children during the winter break! The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department's School's Out program is your gateway to turning those school breaks into exciting and enriching experiences that your youth will cherish.

During the School's Out Winter Session, spanning from December 18 to January 2, 2024 (excluding December 25 and January 1), we invite your children to embrace the winter break festivities. Join the excitement and make the most of this opportunity for fun and learning!

To be part of the adventure, contact your local community center to register. The list of participating centers is provided below. Unlock the door to winter break joy and exploration with the School's Out program – where every moment becomes a treasure!

Note: Columbus City Schools will be on winter break from December 20, 2023, to January 1, 2024, with classes resuming on January 2, 2024.

• Adams
• Barack
• Barnett
• Blackburn
• Dodge
• Douglas
• Feddersen
• Glenwood
• Holton
• Howard
• Marion-Franklin
• Milo Grogan
• Scioto Southland
• Sullivant

The City of Columbus Department of Public Health is pleased to offer a list of valuable holiday community resources for families. This comprehensive guide encompasses food and gift resources and a complete list of locations hosting special holiday events for families in need.

The Department of Public Health is committed to ensuring every community member has access to the resources they need during the holiday season. For more information, click the link below!

Every Thursday*, students of all ages and school faculty can dive into the world of cinema for just $7.50, plus enjoy a complimentary 46oz popcorn. Flash your school ID to unlock this exclusive offer at the box office.

This unbeatable deal is available for in-person purchases at the box office only. Take a cinematic breather and make Thursdays your day at Marcus Theatres and Movie Tavern. See you at the movies!

Marcus Theatres Locations:

Crosswoods Cinema

200 Hutchinson Ave.

Columbus, OH 43235

Showtimes

(614) 436.9818

1776 Hill Road North

Pickerington, OH 43147

Showtimes

(614) 759.8616

'Tis the season for holiday fun at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium as Wildlights celebrates its 35th anniversary! Until January 7, 2024, join us for this beloved winter event featuring animated musical light displays, scrumptious treats, winter wonderland train rides, and incredible animals.

Exclusive Deal Alert! Dive into the Wildlights wonder with an online-only buy one, get one free (BOGO) offer, specially crafted for our customers and efficiently powered by AEP Ohio. Snag your tickets now at ColumbusZoo.org and make your holiday season bright!