| March 1, 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 · March 2 & 3 – Special Olympics Basketball Tournament, Eastmoor Academy · March 2 – Read Across America Day · March 5 & 19 – Board of Education meetings · March 6 – Liberty ES Building Dedication · March 6 – National Principal Appreciation Day · March 11 – 15 – Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT), Grades 10, 11, & 12 · March 20 – NSDP Subcommittees to meet · March 26 – Olde Orchard ES Building Dedication · March 27 – Special Needs Summer Resource Fair · March 28 – Board of Education NSDP Committee to meet · March 28 – Board of Education Audit & Accountability Committee to meet · March 28 – Early Release Day · March 29 – Spring Break Begins 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 | Superintendent's Budget Message  In a recent memo to all staff, Superintendent/CEO Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., shared information about the District's current budget situation. Harris says that despite the passage of two operating levies over the past ten years, CCS has nevertheless been in a position of making budget reductions nearly every year. Unfortunately, this will again be the case as the District begins preparing our FY2014 budget. She states the District is looking at $25 million in reductions for the next fiscal year. Use this link to read Dr. Harris' message to staff. Attendance Toolbox Now Available  We all know that a student's success in school is rooted in his/her consistent, daily attendance, and that students, parents, school staff, and even the community play a part in this effort. To help everyone understand their role and responsibility in supporting Columbus City Schools' students attendance – and to provide strategies and tools to help our students attend school on a daily basis – we've created an Attendance Toolbox. Parents, staff and members of the community are encouraged to take a few minutes to check out the Attendance Toolbox. We will continue to update the resources as new information and resources become available. View the Attendance Toolbox here. Building Dedications Set for March  The District's school construction program is one of the largest and most successful programs in the nation. With the goal of bringing all of the District's schools up to 21st Century standards, the program has attracted widespread attention at the local and national level. You can get a first-hand look at two of the newest Columbus City Schools in March at the building dedication ceremonies. The Liberty Elementary School dedication will take place at the school, 2901 Whitlow Rd., March 6, at 6:30 p.m. Olde Orchard Elementary School, 800 McNaughten Ave., will be dedicated on March 26, at 6:30 p.m. State and National Assessment Testing This Month Students in tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades will be taking the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) March 11 - 15. One part will be given each day. Students must pass each part to receive their diploma. First and second graders will be taking the TerraNova Assessments throughout the month. Actual testing dates vary by school. These tests measure high-order thinking skills as well as basic and applied skills. If a child has an important test at school, parents can help them be prepared by making sure their student gets a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast each day. Students Able to Earn College Credits While in High School  Columbus City Schools final seminar on earning college credit while in high school will be offered on March 5, at Briggs HS, 2555 Briggs Rd., from 6 - 8:30 p.m. The District offers a variety of dual credit programs to help high school students earn college credits, and even their degree, while still in high school. Many of these programs are free and the credits count toward a college diploma. Learn about the many opportunities available to help Columbus City School students gain valuable college experience and credit before graduating from high school. Students Earn Awards in Power of the Pen Competition  Congratulations to the Ridgeview Middle School 7th Grade Power of the Pen(POP) Team that earned first-place honors at the recent district competition. POP is a creative writing competition that is dedicated to helping 7th and 8th grade students develop a creative writing voice that is unique and to embrace the art of creative expression through writing as a life skill. District individual winners included Ridgeview's Sarah Shaffer, Best of Round; Laren Reesman, 4th place; Aiden Drake; 10th place; Cayla Andrick, 15th place. Other winning Ridgeview team members were Dan Havens and Riley Hysell. Jessie Beach placed 13th for the 8th grade team. Ridgeview's POP coaches are Gifted Coordinators, Elaine Nowak and Ronda Budd. Indianola Alternative K-8's Emma Lou Andrews won Best of Round, and Julia Wein earned 8th place. Dominion Middle School's Arielle Swinehart placed 14th, and Reign Lester received honorable mention for Best of Round. Qualified students will advance to the Power of the Pen regional competition to be held at New Albany Middle School, on March 16. |
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