Mustang Family Corner

This is the time of year that can trigger so many emotions for so many different reasons. Joy for seeing the innocence of our children experiencing all of the holidays celebrated this time of year and SNOW! There's also the stress for not feeling like there's enough time before we take a break. Not all breaks are relaxing for everyone. But I hope you all can take a moment to find the small things around us that bring us joy and peace, i.e. Watching the snow fall, spotting a cardinal, hearing the giggles from our students. Take mindful moments for yourself and give yourself grace during this time. Please remember we are a village and here to help wherever we can!

With love and support,

Christie Gianni

Your Family Ambassador

Dear Mustang Families,

We have seen a surge in improper drop-off and pick-up line procedures. I cannot stress enough how seriously we take the safety of our children and lately their safety has been in jeopardy. The lack of concern some of our drivers have for the set-up of our line is not only causing the line to back up, but children are getting dropped off to cross in unsafe conditions at an alarming frequency. We need you to drive slowly all the way around the lot and pull ALL THE WAY to the end of the sidewalk (not the corner). Teachers and staff will wave you on to the next available staff member to open your car door, unload your child, place their backpacks on, and move them to safety on the sidewalk. We ask for you to stay in your car and allow the staff to help your child. This keeps the line moving in a safe and efficient manner. If you choose to park, you must park on the gravel next to Maize Rd. and safely walk them to the closest crosswalk- either next to the chain-link fence or by the Preschool drop off. You are NOT permitted to cut the line and park to drop your child off in the bus/daycare drop off area and exit lane. Even if you are running late, it is not an excuse to compromise the safety of our children. Please give yourself enough time to drive your children safely to school each morning. Though I do not like doing this, if you are unwilling to follow these procedures you may be asked to park off grounds and walk your children to Maize.

Additionally, if you have another adult (family member, daycare driver, Uber driver) transport your child to school, you are responsible for them understanding the drop off procedures. I will contact parents if their child is being brought to Maize in a way that compromises the safety of any of our students.

Thank you for understanding our commitment to student safety and prioritizing it as a part of your morning routine.

Sincerely, Principal Genton

Dec 3rd- Pictures with Santa at school (free)

Dec 4th- 4th Grade Field Trip to All That Jazz

Dec 5th- 5th Grade Field Trip to the Main Library

Dec 10th- 4th and 5th Grade Choir and Instrumental Concert at Maize Rd Baptist Church @6:30

Dec 12th- PTO Movie Night 6-8pm

Dec 14th- First Night of Hanakkah

Dec 15th-19th Spirit Week (calendar will be distributed at later date with details)

Dec 18th- 4th Grade Momentum Showcase @1:30

Dec 19th- 30 MIN EARLY RELEASE!

Dec 20th- Jan 3rd- Winter Break NO SCHOOL

Dec 21st- Winter Solstice

Dec 22nd- Last night of Hanukkah

Dec 25th- Christmas

Dec 26th- First Night of Kwanzaa

Jan 1st- New Year's Day

As you may have noticed the teachers and myself have been using the app Talking Points to communicate to our families. Typically I will send out school wide mass messages to inform you all of upcomming events or information that pertains to all of student body. You do not need to respond to each message, but I assure you I will be the only one receiving your message. Teacher Talking Points messages pertain more to your student's classroom or your specific student. My messages are to keep information flowing to all, I may not know who benefits from certain events, but we strive to have equity within our community. With that said, please message me any time if you need a specific resource or information that helps with the success of your student!

Calling all 4th and 5th grade families of students in the Instrumental and Choir class, Please join us at Maize Road Baptist Church at 6:30 to enjoy the musical delights of these students.

Location: 4251 Maize Rd, Columbus, OH 43224

Everyone should have received a flyer for our upcoming movie night put on by our newly robust PTO! Please return your movie ticket vote, with how many family members will be joining, your pizza preference, and $5 as soon as possible. We must tally the votes and configure the amount of pizza we will need for the night by weds, December 10th. $5 will cover 2 pieces of pizza per person and a can of pop. Popcorn and candy will be available for a separate purchase. Suit up in your favorite jammies, bring a blanket and anything comfy as we watch the winning movie on Friday, December 12th from 6-8pm. All children must be accompanied by an adult the entire duration of the event.

Please Click on the attached files to practice fun mindful breathing techniques with your students too. These techniques and practices are used at school but are also useful at home.

One of our responsible kindergartners found a wedding band right before Wellness Week and we'd like to return it to the rightful owner. If you may have misplaced a ring around that time please contact the school office with a description of the ring and we can let you know if that matches the one we've found.

We are still able to distribute meal kits to families in need. Each kit provides a couple of meals per household per week. If you are not on our list and would like to be added please email our PEAK teacher, Ms. Shay.
cshay@columbus.k12.oh.us

We would also like thank all the people who have donated food to our pantry. Our community is so strong and supportive and we couldn't have made this happen without you. Special Shout outs to the businesses who are also taking part in this effort! *Oakland Nursery, Oakland Park Barber Shop, Worthington Tavern, Ohio History Center, Meraki Nail Salon, Bounce Club

Winter days are here! Please make sure your student leaves the home appropriately dressed for the weather. We do have extra coats in limited sizes, hats, and gloves for anyone who is in Need. Unfortunately, we cannot let everyone borrow these items daily. Please send them prepared; children go outside in tempertures 24 degrees and up.

THIS JUST IN! Everyone will receive a Coat starting December 8th! Thanks to Ms. Shay for connecting us with the program OPERATION Warm! This also means we will need your student to wear them to school! After Distributing these coats there will once again be a limited number to use to borrow.

A huge thank you goes out to Board President of the Franklin County Pollinator Pathways, Craig Toothman! Mr. Toothman and I spoke about our courtyard at Maize and he provided us with a grant from the Board! Over Thanksgiving break they weeded and planted pollinator plants in all of the garden beds! Its such a great space that just needs a little tending to. Anyone interested in helping with a garden club? It's a great opportunity to get involved with school and help with climate change! Check out their website and see all the wonderful things Pollinator gardens can do for our environment! We are proud to be a part of this opportunity!

https://www.franklinpollinatorpathway.org/

Our Children go through a lot in a world full of screens, apps, and content constantly at their fingertips. These are just a few reasons why and how their mental health can be affected more drastically than when we were introduced to these technologies. Regardless, of the how or why, there are excellent resources to help us as parents and guardians, to help our children navigate their well being. In this case, information is power, and knowing where to reach out is essential. Please take a moment to click on these links. You'll never know when you might need them.

https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/behavioral-health

https://www.cap4kids.org/columbus/

https://lssnetworkofhope.org/get-help/

Dear Columbus City Schools Community,

The Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, December 2, carried a great deal of emotion for our entire CCS community. I felt it in the room, and I know many of you felt it at home. These decisions touch every part of who we are as a district: our students, our schools, and the daily lives of the families and staff who give so much of themselves to our community.

I want to express my appreciation to our Board of Education members. Their leadership through this process has required courage, steady judgment, and a willingness to make difficult choices while keeping students at the center. Your advocacy continues to ground this work.

During the meeting, the Board completed its review of the recommendations needed to address the $50 million school budget reduction, effective in Fiscal Year 2027. I want to share a clear and thoughtful summary of what was decided and what it means for our CCS community.

Understanding the School Budget Reduction

To meet the required $50 million reduction for Fiscal Year 2027, the Board approved a series of adjustments. These decisions were made with one priority at the forefront: protecting classrooms and minimizing direct impact on those who serve CCS students every day.

These reductions include central office administration, non-personnel spending, changes to school choice transportation, and a staffing plan that will be managed primarily through natural attrition during this transition period.

In a district of our size, it is normal to see staff transitions each year through retirements and the regular staffing changes that occur within a large organization. These shifts enable us to meet the required reductions gradually and thoughtfully while continuing to support our staff members who serve our students every day.

By focusing on attrition rather than immediate cuts, we can approach this work with care, protect our staff's stability, and ensure that every employee has the guidance and support they need throughout this transition.

Transportation Decisions and Path Forward

The Board did not approve any changes to high school transportation at this time, with many Board members sharing concerns about how a shift in high school transportation could affect attendance, safety, and access to school for many of our students.

For that reason, transportation for grades 9-12 will remain in place while we continue working alongside the City of Columbus and the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) to develop long-term, sustainable options. We will assemble a transportation work group that will meet regularly and provide updates to the Board every six months.

Additionally, beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, transportation will be provided for K–8 students attending their neighborhood school or a 100% lottery school. K-8 students whose chosen school is not their neighborhood school or not a 100% lottery school will no longer receive district transportation under this updated model. Students who receive transportation through displacement or special education services will continue to be supported as required by law.

A complete list of the affected schools can be found in our overview of K–8 Non-100% Lottery Schools.

This adjustment ensures that our transportation model meets state requirements, prioritizes students attending their assigned schools, and allows us to preserve student-facing classroom supports.

School Realignment and Building Closures

After reviewing academic programming, facility needs, enrollment trends, and statewide requirements, the Board approved the closure of four buildings:

Duxberry Park Arts Impact Elementary

Fairwood Alternative Elementary (effective 2026–2027)

Como Elementary

Everett MS / Columbus Gifted Academy

In the coming months, we will work together to plan transitions that honor each school community and support every student and staff member. Families and staff will be invited into conversations, planning meetings, and opportunities to share what matters most as we design next steps. Our commitment is to keep communication open, honest, and continuous while ensuring students continue to learn in strong, supportive environments.

Our Commitment Moving Forward

I know this has been a heavy season for all of us. These decisions affect people who pour their hearts into our schools every day, and families who trust us with their children. In the coming months, detailed transition plans will be developed for each school community affected by the school closures, with the first plans to be presented to the Board by January 31, 2026. This timeline ensures that families and staff have clear information well before any changes take place.

To our teachers, principals, and support professionals, I want you to know how much I value the work you do every day. I understand the concern that naturally comes with discussions about staff reductions.

Our human resources team will work closely with every affected staff member and school community to provide guidance, answer questions, and ensure that staff feel supported at every step. We will continue to communicate openly, consistently, and with respect for the essential roles you hold in our district.

As we move forward, we are determined to protect what our students need for future learning: robust instruction, whole-child supports, stronger career pathways, and safer schools.

Our Board Goals and Guardrails, along with our district's mission that “each student is highly educated, prepared for leadership and service, and empowered for success as a citizen in a global community”, remain our north star!

We are all in this together. We will get through this as one community as we navigate these challenges, remaining dedicated to the students, families, and staff of Columbus City Schools.

With gratitude,

Dr. Angela Chapman

Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools

CCS is ready for the return of winter and those days when inclement weather can have a major impact on your child’s school day...and on your busy day. Make sure to plan ahead.

Stay Connected: News about school cancellations, extracurricular activities, field trips, and/or student-athletic events are shared in several ways.

• Confirm: 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 log on to the Parent Portal. (This includes emergency contacts, phone numbers, and email addresses).
• Follow: Columbus City Schools on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram or check our website. We’ll share news about snow days and other cancellations with an instant message to your phone or tablet.
• Answer Your Phone: All families and staff will be alerted through an automated call from the District’s phone system.
• Monitor: The local news stations will broadcast updates on television and radio.
• Have a backup plan: When inclement weather impacts the morning commute, our leadership plans to determine whether to cancel classes no later than 5:30 a.m. If rough weather is forecast for the afternoon, classes may dismiss as early as noon. Have an alternative plan for your child’s day set.
• Supervision: Is your child responsible enough to be home alone or do they need someone to stay with?
• Healthy Food: Is there nutritious food available for your child to eat for breakfast and lunch?
• Safe Location: If classes are dismissed early, does your child go home or to another location? If your child is under the age of 8, will there be someone to meet them at the bus stop?
• Engaging Activities: What safe activities do you have for your child to do if they are at home for an unexpected amount of time?

For answers to Frequently Asked Questions, visit www.ccsoh.us/weather

On this episode of FACES, we start with community voices from the Our Future, Our CCS workshop series. Superintendent/CEO Dr. Angela Chapman shares her vision for the district's future, and Treasurer/ CFO Ryan Cook talks about how those insights guide financial decisions.

Be sure to visit all of the resources discussed on today's episode. Our Future, Our CCS website https://www.ccsoh.us/OurFutureOurCCS

Bring the whole family on Saturday, December 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Lincoln Theatre opens its doors free of charge for an exciting Pathway Express. Enjoy FREE admission and parking, hands-on activities, and opportunities to connect, create, and learn together in a setting that has inspired generations.

What Family Learning Experiences Can I Expect?

• Develop communication skills through improv acting
• Explore storytelling through movement and music
• Engage in hands-on learning by exploring the use of lights and sound
• Discover career opportunities in the arts
• Learn Columbus history in this historic venue
• Meet award-winning author Christopher Paul Curtis

Originally opened in 1928, the Lincoln Theatre has been a beacon of African American heritage and jazz history and a gathering place for countless unforgettable events. Today, it continues to inspire audiences with performances that celebrate diversity and creativity. Each year, thousands of visitors experience the magic of this historic venue.

Free parking is available at the following locations:

• Lincoln Theatre Parking Lot – Located on the west side of building
• Broad St. Presbyterian Church – Enter from Garfield Ave.
• Long/N. Garfield Lot – Directly across from the theatre

• Free Street Parking – Free on N. Garfield Ave., Hamilton Ave., and E. Long St. (bridge area to N. 17th St.)

Space is limited, and families are encouraged to register in advance to reserve their spot. Click the link below to register!

See the Huntington Holiday Train at the CML Main Library!

The Huntington Holiday Train has delighted people of all ages since 1992. This downtown holiday treasure was generously loaned to Columbus Metropolitan Library by Huntington National Bank in 2009 and is displayed in Main Library’s Grand Atrium.

Bring your family to see the display with its trains, tracks, tunnels, bridges, castles and other features to delight visitors of all ages.

On display Nov. 28-Jan. 8

Monday-Thursday
9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Friday and Saturday
9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sunday
1-5 p.m.

Closed for the Holidays (Wednesday, Dec. 24, Thursday, Dec. 25, Wednesday, Dec. 31, and Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.)

* Free one-hour parking in Main Library’s attached garage.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13th (9:30-11:30AM)

We’re doing something different for Christmas this year, and we hope you’ll join us! We’ll enjoy a pancake breakfast for the whole family, games, a Christmas carol sing-a-long, crafts, & pics with SANTA! Please help us prepare by registering everyone who plans to attend. To register, please call the church office at (614) 263-9901 or visit:

maizeroadbaptist.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2673427