{SPAM} January 28 Highlights

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: January 28, 2013   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS: Sidewalks help connect communities and increase the safety and healthy living options in Columbus neighborhoods.  Ordinance 0073-2013, sponsored by Public Service and Transportation Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley, will allow the City to spend up to $519,423.72 to begin two sidewalk construction projects, one along Ferris Road in the north of Columbus and along Southgate Drive on the south side.    Both improvements include ADA curb ramps.

 

SMALL BUSINESS TRAINING:  Economic development and job creation are two of the major themes guiding City Council’s efforts and initiatives in 2013. President Pro Tem A. Troy Miller, chair of the Small & Minority Business Development Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 2791-2012 to allow the Department of Public Utilities to establish the Public Utilities Small Business Education and Training Fund.  Fees collected from small, minority, and female business training events will be reinvested to produce additional sessions and materials designed to better equip these businesses for success in the marketplace.

 

HAZ MAT FUNDING:  The Columbus Division of Fire’s Hazardous Materials Response Team is made up of highly trained fire fighters who respond to emergencies that sometimes impact entire neighborhoods and require the evacuation of hundreds of residents.   Councilmember Michelle M. Mills, chair of the Public Safety and Judiciary Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0119-2013 to appropriate $16,000.00 from the Hazardous Material Incidents Reimbursement Fund to provide funds for the purchase of material, equipment, and maintenance services on equipment needed for hazardous material incidents.  The type of items purchased with these funds are chemical resistant suits, gloves, eye protection and boot covers. 

 

NEIGHBORHOOD FUNDING:   The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique development needs including business loans and housing improvement programs. Ordinance 2201-2012, sponsored by Development Committee Chair Councilmember Zach M. Klein, appropriates $7,491,525 within the CDBG Fund to various departments and offices to implement programs paid for with CDBG funding.

 

 

WEAR RED DAY:  Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women over the age of 20, killing approximately one woman every minute.    Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, is sponsoring resolution 0027x-2013 to declare February 1, 2013, to be Wear Red Day in Columbus.  Wear Red Day is sponsored by the American Heart Association.

 

-30-

 

 

JOHN IVANIC

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

_____________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Direct: 614-645-6798

Cell:     614-701-1411

www.columbus.gov

    

 

    

 

E-News Bulletin - Stories and News About Columbus City School

January 18, 2013   2013 Columbus Board of Education Front, l-r: Hanifah Kambon; Carol L. Perkins, Pres.; and Ramona Reyes. Second Row, l-r: Mike Wiles; Gary L. Baker II; W. Shawna Gibbs, Vice Pres.; and Bryan O. Steward. Click here for scheduled meeting dates, podcasts and how to contact CCS Board of Education members.   Mark Your Calendar!  KEY UPCOMING CCS DATES · Jan. 21 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, all schools and offices closed · Jan. 23 – High  School Fair at Eastmoor Academy · Jan. 24 – Board of Education Audit and Accountability Committee meeting, 3:30 p.m. · Feb. 1 – ES/MS School Choice/Lottery applications available · Feb. 2 – City League Swimming Championships at Columbus Swim Center · Feb. 5 & 19 – Board of Education meetings, 5:30 p.m. · Feb. 6 – ES/MS Fair at Arts Impact Middle School · Feb. 7 – Elementary School Spelling Bee at Ohio Dominican · Feb. 8 – Middle School Spelling Bee at Ohio Dominican · Feb. 9 – City League Girls Basketball Championship at South 7-12 School; City League Wresting Championship at Centennial HS · Feb. 13 – Professional Development Day - No Classes · Feb. 16 – City League Boys Basketball Championship at East HS · Feb. 18 – Parent/Teacher Conference Day - No Classes · Feb. 19 – City League Bowling Championship at Eastland Lanes · Feb. 23 & 24 – Special Olympics Basketball tournament at Northland HS · Feb. 26 – District Elementary School Chess Tournament at Northgate Center   For a full list of upcoming public meetings - click HERE    We want to hear from you. Please send your feedback and story ideas to: e-News@columbus.k12.oh.us Are you receiving a pass-along copy of CCS eNews? To subscribe to our FREE newsletter  Click here     or here to opt out. Previous editions of the CCS E-News Printable Version

US Assistant Secretary for Education Visits Lincoln Park ES  Assistant Secretary  for the United States Department of Education (DOE) Deborah Delisle spent part of January 17, touring Lincoln Park Elementary School and meeting with Columbus City Schools Principals and other administrators. Assistant Secretary Delisle was gathering input from the ground level on the federal School Improvement Grant funds, effective use of the grant dollars, and what school leaders think their future needs will be in order to continue improvement efforts. Community Encouraged to Come See Us Columbus City Schools offers high-quality schools and programs to meet every child's needs.  Whether you're interested in traditional schools, or alternative schools featuring performing arts, science, technology, engineering and math, language immersion, gender-specific, or career-technical programming, you'll find top-notch schools that are eager to serve your child.  To learn more about the many great choices available to your child, Come See Usat any Columbus City School during Open House Wednesdays, from now until February 27, any time during the school day. Come See Usand discover what Columbus City Schools has to offer. District Finalizes Sale of Portion of Africentric Grounds Last spring, Columbus City Schools and the City of Columbus entered into an agreement to exchange the former Reeb Elementary School, on the city's south side, for 52 acres of land on James Road, near its intersection with Allegheny Road.  This site will become the location on which the new Africentric Early College K-12 School will be constructed.  The District recently received the deed to the James Road site, and plans are being readied for an anticipated move during the 2015-2016 school year. In preparation for our move, the District began making preparations to sell the 11.308-acre portion of the current Africentric site, where the football stadium and east parking lot are located.  In accordance with Ohio Law, the property was posted for availability to purchase by any interested charter school, and when no interest was shown, the site was put up for public auction.  After no bids were received from the public auction, Nationwide Children's Hospital tendered a market-value offer of $1.7 million per acre for the site, for a total of $19,223,600. Though the sale of the east property will take place once approved by the Columbus City School Board of Education, Africentric will retain use of the existing athletic fields through December of 2014.  New athletic fields are expected to be completed on the James Road site for the fall of 2015.  The west side of the current Africentric school site will continue in operation until the new building is completed, and then will be retained by the District for "swing space" for some time after that. Use this link to view renderings of the proposed new Africentric building. CCS Students Featured at Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Two Columbus City Schools students will be recognized at the 28th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Breakfast Monday, January 21, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., beginning at 7:30 a.m. Oladapo Olobatuyi, an eighth-grader at Woodward Park Middle School, is the student representative for Columbus City Schools, and McKenna Hensley, a seventh-grader at Arts Impact Middle School, will be the student orator for the event. Hensley was the first place finisher in the City of Columbus Community Relations Commission 2013 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest. The Columbus Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Breakfast is the largest event of its kind in the United States. Practical Nursing Program Celebrates 60th Anniversary Columbus City Schools Adult and Community Education (ACE) Practical Nursing program will celebrate its 60th anniversary during a the program's graduation ceremony on January 31, at East High School, 1500 E. Broad St., at 4 p.m. The Practical Nursing Program began in 1953. Columbus City Schools took over the program in 1959. Read more about the program, and its students, in this recent story in the Columbus Dispatch. Ohio School Boards Associations Recognizes 4 District Schools Each year the Central Region of the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) designates schools in the area that have received state or national recognition for their success in education students at a high level. This year, the Outstanding Schools of Central Region includes Columbus Alternative High School (CAHS), Centennial High School, Eastmoor Academy High School, and Winterset Elementary School. Each school will receive a plaque at the OSBA 2013 Spring Conference, held in March. IKIC Presents Understanding College Financial Aid Workshops I Know I Can's Blueprint:College Workshop Understanding College Financial Aid is designed to help people learn the ins and outs of college financial aid. Workshop participants will receive advice, tools and resources on making college an affordable option for all students. Workshops will be held on Jan. 22, at Berwick K-8 School, 2655 Scottwood Rd., Jan. 23, at Arts Impact Middle Schools, 680 Jack Gibbs Blvd., and on Jan. 24, at Linden-McKinley 7-12 STEM School, 1320 Duxberry Ave. All sessions run from 6 – 8 p.m. Dinner and child care are provided. For more information, contact I Know I Can at 233-9510. New Board of Education Leadership On January 8, the Columbus Board of Education elected W. Shawna Gibbs as Vice President of the Board for 2013. Gibbs has been on the Board since 2007. She replaces Ramona Reyes who served as Board Vice President for the past two years. Carol Perkins was reelected President, a position she has held since 2009. Are you on Social Media? Be sure to follow us on Twitter (ColsCitySchools) and Like us on Facebook (ColumbusCitySchools)

Disclaimer: This message and any attachments are for the intended recipient's use only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information or otherwise be protected from disclosure by other legal rules. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, disclose or reproduce this message, its attachment or any part thereof, or take any action in reliance thereon. Emails are not secure and cannot be guaranteed to be error free as they can be intercepted, amended, or contain viruses. Anyone who communicates with us by email is deemed to have accepted these risks.

E-News Bulletin - Stories and News About Columbus City School

January 18, 2013   2013 Columbus Board of Education Front, l-r: Hanifah Kambon; Carol L. Perkins, Pres.; and Ramona Reyes. Second Row, l-r: Mike Wiles; Gary L. Baker II; W. Shawna Gibbs, Vice Pres.; and Bryan O. Steward. Click here for scheduled meeting dates, podcasts and how to contact CCS Board of Education members.   Mark Your Calendar!  KEY UPCOMING CCS DATES · Jan. 21 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, all schools and offices closed · Jan. 23 – High  School Fair at Eastmoor Academy · Jan. 24 – Board of Education Audit and Accountability Committee meeting, 3:30 p.m. · Feb. 1 – ES/MS School Choice/Lottery applications available · Feb. 2 – City League Swimming Championships at Columbus Swim Center · Feb. 5 & 19 – Board of Education meetings, 5:30 p.m. · Feb. 6 – ES/MS Fair at Arts Impact Middle School · Feb. 7 – Elementary School Spelling Bee at Ohio Dominican · Feb. 8 – Middle School Spelling Bee at Ohio Dominican · Feb. 9 – City League Girls Basketball Championship at South 7-12 School; City League Wresting Championship at Centennial HS · Feb. 13 – Professional Development Day - No Classes · Feb. 16 – City League Boys Basketball Championship at East HS · Feb. 18 – Parent/Teacher Conference Day - No Classes · Feb. 19 – City League Bowling Championship at Eastland Lanes · Feb. 23 & 24 – Special Olympics Basketball tournament at Northland HS · Feb. 26 – District Elementary School Chess Tournament at Northgate Center   For a full list of upcoming public meetings - click HERE    We want to hear from you. Please send your feedback and story ideas to: e-News@columbus.k12.oh.us Are you receiving a pass-along copy of CCS eNews? To subscribe to our FREE newsletter  Click here     or here to opt out. Previous editions of the CCS E-News Printable Version

US Assistant Secretary for Education Visits Lincoln Park ES  Assistant Secretary  for the United States Department of Education (DOE) Deborah Delisle spent part of January 17, touring Lincoln Park Elementary School and meeting with Columbus City Schools Principals and other administrators. Assistant Secretary Delisle was gathering input from the ground level on the federal School Improvement Grant funds, effective use of the grant dollars, and what school leaders think their future needs will be in order to continue improvement efforts. Community Encouraged to Come See Us Columbus City Schools offers high-quality schools and programs to meet every child's needs.  Whether you're interested in traditional schools, or alternative schools featuring performing arts, science, technology, engineering and math, language immersion, gender-specific, or career-technical programming, you'll find top-notch schools that are eager to serve your child.  To learn more about the many great choices available to your child, Come See Usat any Columbus City School during Open House Wednesdays, from now until February 27, any time during the school day. Come See Usand discover what Columbus City Schools has to offer. District Finalizes Sale of Portion of Africentric Grounds Last spring, Columbus City Schools and the City of Columbus entered into an agreement to exchange the former Reeb Elementary School, on the city's south side, for 52 acres of land on James Road, near its intersection with Allegheny Road.  This site will become the location on which the new Africentric Early College K-12 School will be constructed.  The District recently received the deed to the James Road site, and plans are being readied for an anticipated move during the 2015-2016 school year. In preparation for our move, the District began making preparations to sell the 11.308-acre portion of the current Africentric site, where the football stadium and east parking lot are located.  In accordance with Ohio Law, the property was posted for availability to purchase by any interested charter school, and when no interest was shown, the site was put up for public auction.  After no bids were received from the public auction, Nationwide Children's Hospital tendered a market-value offer of $1.7 million per acre for the site, for a total of $19,223,600. Though the sale of the east property will take place once approved by the Columbus City School Board of Education, Africentric will retain use of the existing athletic fields through December of 2014.  New athletic fields are expected to be completed on the James Road site for the fall of 2015.  The west side of the current Africentric school site will continue in operation until the new building is completed, and then will be retained by the District for "swing space" for some time after that. Use this link to view renderings of the proposed new Africentric building. CCS Students Featured at Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Two Columbus City Schools students will be recognized at the 28th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Breakfast Monday, January 21, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., beginning at 7:30 a.m. Oladapo Olobatuyi, an eighth-grader at Woodward Park Middle School, is the student representative for Columbus City Schools, and McKenna Hensley, a seventh-grader at Arts Impact Middle School, will be the student orator for the event. Hensley was the first place finisher in the City of Columbus Community Relations Commission 2013 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest. The Columbus Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Breakfast is the largest event of its kind in the United States. Practical Nursing Program Celebrates 60th Anniversary Columbus City Schools Adult and Community Education (ACE) Practical Nursing program will celebrate its 60th anniversary during a the program's graduation ceremony on January 31, at East High School, 1500 E. Broad St., at 4 p.m. The Practical Nursing Program began in 1953. Columbus City Schools took over the program in 1959. Read more about the program, and its students, in this recent story in the Columbus Dispatch. Ohio School Boards Associations Recognizes 4 District Schools Each year the Central Region of the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) designates schools in the area that have received state or national recognition for their success in education students at a high level. This year, the Outstanding Schools of Central Region includes Columbus Alternative High School (CAHS), Centennial High School, Eastmoor Academy High School, and Winterset Elementary School. Each school will receive a plaque at the OSBA 2013 Spring Conference, held in March. IKIC Presents Understanding College Financial Aid Workshops I Know I Can's Blueprint:College Workshop Understanding College Financial Aid is designed to help people learn the ins and outs of college financial aid. Workshop participants will receive advice, tools and resources on making college an affordable option for all students. Workshops will be held on Jan. 22, at Berwick K-8 School, 2655 Scottwood Rd., Jan. 23, at Arts Impact Middle Schools, 680 Jack Gibbs Blvd., and on Jan. 24, at Linden-McKinley 7-12 STEM School, 1320 Duxberry Ave. All sessions run from 6 – 8 p.m. Dinner and child care are provided. For more information, contact I Know I Can at 233-9510. New Board of Education Leadership On January 8, the Columbus Board of Education elected W. Shawna Gibbs as Vice President of the Board for 2013. Gibbs has been on the Board since 2007. She replaces Ramona Reyes who served as Board Vice President for the past two years. Carol Perkins was reelected President, a position she has held since 2009. Are you on Social Media? Be sure to follow us on Twitter (ColsCitySchools) and Like us on Facebook (ColumbusCitySchools)

Disclaimer: This message and any attachments are for the intended recipient's use only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information or otherwise be protected from disclosure by other legal rules. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, disclose or reproduce this message, its attachment or any part thereof, or take any action in reliance thereon. Emails are not secure and cannot be guaranteed to be error free as they can be intercepted, amended, or contain viruses. Anyone who communicates with us by email is deemed to have accepted these risks.

Highlights January 14, 2013

			COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: January 14, 2013   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

IMPROVING PARK SPACES:  Parks and recreation centers provide Columbus residents and visitors endless options for exercise and entertainment.   The City of Columbus is constantly working to upgrade these facilities to ensure the public’s safety. Ordinance 2805-2012, sponsored by Recreation and Parks Committee Chair Zach M. Klein, spends $124,000 for concrete, landscaping, asphalt, and other enhancements at numerous City facilities including: 

      

                                                      Beatty Park                                   Marion Franklin Park

Blackburn Park                             Northgate Park

Cooke Park                                   Sullivant Gardens Park

Cultural Arts Center                      Whetstone Park    

Deaf School Topiary Park             Windsor Park   

Golden Hobby Shop

 

 

SAVING FOR A RAINY DAY:  Columbus City Council is set to invest $3 million in the Economic Stabilization Fund, better known as the Rainy Day Fund.   Council President Andrew J. Ginther and Finance Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson announced last week that the money will act as a down payment on a plan to increase the fund from its current balance of about $50 million to $75 million in the next 5 years.   Resolution 0013x-2013 will formally affirm Council’s intent to continue to grow the fund that is designed to allow the City to better weather economic downturns and save money when it comes to borrowing money to pay for capital projects.

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION:  Many areas of the City of Columbus are not served by a sanitary sewer system but instead septic tanks or other on-lot septic treatment systems.  Septic tanks often fail and when they do can lead to pollution in storm sewers and streams.  The City’s stormwater permit from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency requires Columbus to proactively identify failing septic systems and connect them to central sewers if possible.    Ordinance 2714-2012, sponsored by Public Utilities Committee Chair Eileen Y. Paley, would allow the Department of Public Utilities to pay for sanitary sewer improvements on these properties by using Capital Improvement dollars and defray the cost to homeowners until the time of the sale of the property.  This program is expected to be more affordable for the community and protect the environment as well.

 

HONORING THE FALLEN:  Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig, a U. S. Army veteran and chair of City Council’s Veterans Affairs Committee will attend a street sign ceremony honoring U. S. Army SSG Chris Brown, an Ohio State University graduate who was killed while on patrol in Afghanistan.   The ceremony will take place Wednesday, January 16, 2 pm at the corner of High Street and 5^th Avenue.

 

 

 

-30-

 

 

JOHN IVANIC

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

_____________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Direct: 614-645-6798

Cell:     614-701-1411

www.columbus.gov

    

 

    

 

City Council to Invest in Rainy Day Fund

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ADVISORY   For Release:   January 9, 2013   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

City Council to Invest in Rainy Day Fund

 

(Columbus)—Columbus City Council President Andrew J. Ginther and Finance Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson have announced Council’s intention to invest an additional $3 million in the City’s Economic Stabilization, or “Rainy Day,” Fund. The additional savings is on top of the more than $10 million set aside in the Mayor’s proposed budget. Combined, the total additional savings will meet and surpass the City’s commitment to restore the Rainy Day Fund to $50 million by 2014, and chart a path to growing the fund to $75 million by the end of 2018.

 

“The investment in the Rainy Day Fund is an investment in our future,” said Councilmember Tyson. “Columbus weathered the economic problems that paralyzed many local governments because this City Council, along with Mayor Coleman and Auditor Dorrian, ensured we had sufficient funding to maintain core city services, like police and fire protection.”

 

Established in 1988, the Rainy Day Fund was first tapped in 2003. In late 2009, after utilizing the fund to avoid drastic cuts to critical City services, the fund had a balance of less than $10 million. As part of the City’s commitment to voters who supported a tax increase that same year, City Council passed resolution 0178X-2009, which committed to growing the Rainy Day Fund to $50 million by the end of 2014. This Monday, Columbus City Council will consider a similar resolution that will establish the new goal of $75 million by the end of 2018. The $3 million set-aside by Council represents the first payment toward this goal.

 

“This increased investment will not only prepare Columbus for future economic downturns, but it will strengthen the City’s long-term financial position and save Columbus residents millions of dollars,” said Council President Ginther. “The Rainy Day Fund has helped Columbus maintain the highest possible bond rating, allowing us to finance capital projects like police and fire stations for less.”

 

The announcement comes as part of City Council’s 2013 General Fund budget deliberations. The additional savings will come out of greater than expected year-end revenue and cost savings that totaled approximately $7.5 million. Council will announce a complete list of proposed budget amendments next week before a public hearing on the overall budget and amendments that will be held Thursday, January 17, at 5:30 pm in City Council Chambers.

 

-30-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JOHN IVANIC

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

_____________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Direct: 614-645-6798

Cell:     614-701-1411

www.columbus.gov

    

 

    

 

{SPAM} E-News Bulletin - Stories and News About Columbus City Schools

January 4, 2013   2013 Columbus Board of Education Front, l-r: Hanifah Kambon; Carol L. Perkins, Pres.; and Ramona Reyes, Vice Pres. Second Row, l-r: Mike Wiles; Gary L. Baker II; W. Shawna Gibbs; and Bryan O. Steward. Click here for scheduled meeting dates, podcasts and how to contact CCS Board of Education members.   Mark Your Calendar!  KEY UPCOMING CCS DATES · Jan. 7 – Students at Traditional Schools report · Jan. 7 – High School School Choice/Lottery applications available · Jan. 7 - 18 – Intersession at Year-round Schools, limited attendance · Jan. 8 & 22 – Board of Education meetings, 5:30 p.m. · Jan. 9 – Come See Us Wednesday  begin (through February 27) · Jan. 12 – CCS Special Olympics Friendship Games Basketball Tournament · Jan. 21 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, all schools and offices closed · Jan. 23 – High  School Fair at Eastmoor Academy · Jan. 24 – Board of Education Audit and Accountability Committee meeting, 3:30 p.m. · Feb. 1 – ES/MS School Choice/Lottery applications available · Feb. 5 & 19 – Board of Education meetings, 5:30 p.m. · Feb. 6 – ES/MS Fair at Arts Impact Middle School   For a full list of upcoming public meetings - click HERE    We want to hear from you. Please send your feedback and story ideas to: e-News@columbus.k12.oh.us Are you receiving a pass-along copy of CCS eNews? To subscribe to our FREE newsletter  Click here     or here to opt out. Previous editions of the CCS E-News Printable Version

Community Encouraged to Come See Us Columbus City Schools offers high-quality schools and programs to meet every child's needs.  Whether you're interested in traditional schools, or alternative schools featuring performing arts, science, technology, engineering and math, language immersion, gender-specific, or career-technical programming, you'll find top-notch schools that are eager to serve your child.  To learn more about the many great choices available to your child, Come See Usat any Columbus City School during Open House Wednesdays, from January 9 - February 27, any time during the school day. Come See Usand discover what Columbus City Schools has to offer. School Choice/Lottery Process Opens Applications for the 2013 - 2014 Columbus City Schools School Choice/Lottery for high schools will be available on-line and in schools beginning January 7, 2013. Students and families interested in participating in the School Choice/Lottery process for high schools will need to fill out the two-page application and return it to the School Choice/Lottery Office, 61 S. Sixth St., via mail, in person or fax at 365-6794, by January 31, 2013. Information about all CCS schools can be found on the District Website, or by attending the High School Fair on January 23, at Eastmoor Academy, 417 S. Weyant Ave., from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Middle and Elementary Schools applications will be available February 1. CCS Students Earn Awards at Robotics Tournament Dominion Middle School's FIRST LEGO League (FLL) robotics team, DREP, won the Champion's Award at the Botcat Regional Tournament in Grandview Heights earlier this month. This is the top prize at the competition and is based on how the team did in all of the judged areas - competition, robot performance, research and Core Values. DREP also won the Robot Performance Award. Congratulations to Dominion students Joe Russell, Reigh Lester, James Bollas, Jacob Hochstetler, John Scheer, Tyler Kotaka, Dante Montoto and Gloria Chrisanty, coach Liz Johnson and mentor Michael Vernier. Westmoor Middle School's FLL team, Old Dogs, New Tricks, earned a third place finish in the Robot Performance category. It was their first competition. Westmoor and Dominion competed against 18 other schools from the region. Congratulations to all! Centennial Student Named to National Youth Leadership Team The National Organization for Youth Safety (NOYS) named Centennial High School student Tyler Shaw to one of 19 teams across the country that will lead a teen distracted driving prevention initiative in their local communities. The teams also joined more than 100 other youth at the Teen Distracted Driving Prevention Summit in Washington, D.C., in December. Statistics show teen drivers are 4 times more likely than adult drivers to be involved in a crash. Texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be in an accident. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 - to 20-year olds. Pine Hills Civic Association Recognizes Student Writing The Pine Hills Civic Association recently sponsored a writing contest for all students at Woodcrest Elementary School. With school teachers picking the top selections for their class, members of the Civic Association then determined the top three essays for each grade. First place winners received a cash prize of $20. Second and third place essay-writers received $15 and $10, respectively. CCS Student/Athletes Named to All-Ohio Teams Four Columbus City Schools student/athletes were recently honored by being chosen to the Associated Press All-Ohio High School Football teams. Being named "first-team" means these student/athletes are the best in the state in their position.  Chosen for the Division II first team were; receiver Rob Wheelright, Walnut Ridge; offensive lineman Damon Dillard, Marion-Franklin; and quarterback Maurice Hole, Beechcroft. In Division III, running back Vincent Rambo from Independence was named to the second-team. Practical Nursing Program to Celebrate 60th Anniversary Columbus City Schools Adult and Community Education (ACE) Practical Nursing program will celebrate its 60th anniversary during a the program's graduation ceremony  January 31, at East High School 1500 E. Broad St., at 4 p.m. The Practical Nursing Program began in 1953. Columbus City Schools started running the program in 1959. Read more about the program, and its students, in this recent story in the Columbus Dispatch. Are you on Social Media? Be sure to follow us on Twitter (ColsCitySchools) and Like us on Facebook (ColumbusCitySchools)

Disclaimer: This message and any attachments are for the intended recipient's use only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information or otherwise be protected from disclosure by other legal rules. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, disclose or reproduce this message, its attachment or any part thereof, or take any action in reliance thereon. Emails are not secure and cannot be guaranteed to be error free as they can be intercepted, amended, or contain viruses. Anyone who communicates with us by email is deemed to have accepted these risks.