Dear CCS Community,

What a great first day back to in-person learning. I had the opportunity to visit with so many students, teachers, and staff, and I was encouraged by all the excitement and positive energy I witnessed everywhere!

I started my morning at the bus compound on the campus of Fort Hayes. Our bus drivers were up and at it before the sun to ensure students had safe transportation to school. I’ve always stated they are students’ first teachers, as they are the first to greet them in the morning - and what an excellent job they did today!

Next, I welcomed students back at Arts Impact Middle School and Oakland Park Elementary School, where our partners from the Columbus Crew joined to clap-in our students. Then, I visited classrooms at Medina Middle School, Como Elementary School, World Language Middle School, and Colerain Elementary School.

It was a long day, but there is absolutely nowhere else I would have rather been, than in our school buildings celebrating with so many amazing CCS scholars, teachers, and staff.

With that, I would like to thank each of you for your roles in making today successful.

Thank you to our bus drivers for getting students to school safely, and to our Safety and Security team and Custodial staff for ensuring our buildings were safe, clean, and ready to welcome nearly 47,000 students. Thank you to our Food Services personnel for providing students with healthy breakfasts and lunches to nourish their bodies for a successful day of instruction.

To our teachers -- thank you for all your hard work and unwavering commitment to our students. YOU are the reason they look forward to walking through those school doors each day. 

To our principals, school counselors, nurses, and all our support staff and community partners, thank you! I cannot express enough my gratitude for every member of our CCS family.

Finally, to our students and families:

Families -- thank you for your patience over the past few weeks and for your ongoing partnership in your child’s education.

Students -- thank you for being you – bright, hard-working, dedicated scholars equipped with the knowledge and fortitude to Lead the Way in our schools and in our community for generations to come.

I look forward to many more successful days ahead this school year!

Sincerely,

Talisa Dixon
Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools