CAHS Family Update
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CAHS families and students, we’re excited to kick off two fun and easy fundraisers to help make prom more affordable this year and build a lasting legacy for future senior events!
From March 2–March 6, support our DoubleGood Popcorn fundraiser—50% of every purchase comes directly back to CAHS, making it a delicious way to give back. Then, on March 17th, join us for our Chipotle fundraiser, where 25% of event sales benefit the CAHS Senior Class event fund. Every order, every share, and every meal makes a difference. Together, we can lower ticket costs, create an unforgettable prom experience, and establish a tradition of support that benefits CAHS seniors for years to come!
DoubleGood Popcorn Fundraising
March 2, 2026 6:00pm-March 6, 2026 at 6:00pm
https://popup.doublegood.com/s/4l4nux42
50% of sales goes directly to the Senior Leadership Team!
Chipotle 1960 E. Dublin Granville Rd., Columbus, OH 43229
March 17, 2026 from 4:00-8:00pm
Order online available using code RPY62AX
QR Code for Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser
March 2-6
Congratulations to our Pegasus of the Quarter students and staff who were nominated for the way they have demonstrated the CAHS norm of being "Collaborative." They received certificates, hot cocoa and cupcakes during a recent lunch period.
Students:
Sydney Carroll
Essence Curry
Nelson Curry
Jackie Lazaro
Ke'Chan Long
Ariannah Mathis
Ruweyda Mohamud
Brianna Moore
Zachary Norton
Sam Phillip
Daisy Roberts
Madeleine Rubel
Wesley Townsend
Staff:
Ms. Clayborn
Mr. Johnston
Ms. Lewis
Mr. Siegel
Ms. Stanford
Ms. Stowe
Ms. Vendramin
Ms. Webb
CAHS Senior, Rebecca Idowu, was one of three CCS student speakers at the 41st Annual MLK Breakfast at the Columbus Convention Center on January 19. Click the button below to read more about her speech and this important event. Congratulations and well-done Rebecca!
Mark your calendars for a Celebration of Excellence at CAHS! This PTA event will be a fun night of performances, food, a silent auction, and a farewell to staff who are retiring. Tickets will be $5 and ticket link will be available soon. Check out the PTA section of this newsletter for several ways to support this event.
Students, are you interested in setting up a table to sell or display your crafts? Please click the button below for the sign-up form!
Also, new this year is a community potluck! Bring a dish to share that's important to your culture and your family. We'll collect recipes to share as well. Please click the button below to let us know what you are bringing!
Setup is at 6:00 in the school cafeteria. The PTA will provide paper plates, bowls, utensils, napkins, etc. Please bring an extension cord if you need electricity. Thank you!
Ms. Barkeloo and the yearbook team need senior photo submissions by March 17. Remind your seniors to check recent updates posted in google classroom by Ms. Barkeloo to explain what is needed!
Help is needed to make our Celebration of Excellence event a success. Donations of items or time are always welcome. Donate a silent auction item for our wishlists OR contact us if you have another item to donate: christyhaynes92@gmail.com or 614-507-5294.
Here are the remaining baskets we are working to fill:
Cooking basket
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2H3YS5AEKXZ6W?ref_=wl_share
Family game night basket:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/15ZDGTNEZP6FW?ref_=wl_share
Movie night basket:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/YLYIM6L6WNY5?ref_=wl_share
We also have some volunteer needs for setting up and helping the event to run smoothly. Please click the button below to consider how you might be able to participate. Thank you!
We have a group started for parents and caregivers who speak Spanish as their primary language! Thanks to parent Leticia Luna-Escobar for hosting this one. Feel free to join using the QR code or link and share with others in our community. It will be an informal way to connect on school-related topics in Spanish.
CAHS Alumni are planning a fun and interactive way to support our school! Any Dungeons and Dragons fans out there? This idea is open to all....beginners, experts, CAHS students, families, alumni, anyone who wants to hang out with the CAHS community.
"The CAHS Education Association is currently working towards hosting a Dungeons & Dragons charity event, to benefit the CAHS student body and Chorale efforts in particular."
Check out this form and sign up to stay in the loop!
Here is a picture of our IB Diploma Seniors on our EE upload day where they submitted their Extended Essay and TOK (Theory of Knowledge) Essay to the IB. The EE is a research paper that they have been working on for the last year.
BLUEPRINT: COLLEGE & CAREER
For CCS 8th Through 11th Grade Families
March 19
Help your student plan for what comes next by attending one of I Know I Can’s Blueprint: College & Career events. Designed for 8th–11th grade students and their families, this engaging program helps families navigate postsecondary planning with confidence.
This event will be held Thursday, March 19 from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at the Center for Workforce Development at Columbus State Community College. All attendees will enjoy a free dinner, and each family will receive a $25 gift card for participating.
Blueprint: College & Career focuses on key steps for long-term success, including college search and selection, financial aid, and career alignment. Families can attend grade-level and interest-based breakout sessions, allowing them to tailor the experience to their student’s current goals and needs.
Health Screenings Update
The school nurse will finish up vision and hearing screenings over the next month for 9th and 11th graders and new to the district students, as required by Ohio Law 3313.69. These screenings do not replace regular checkups with your child’s healthcare provider. Results will only be sent home with your student and via email if follow-up is needed.
Vaccine Clinic Coming for Class of 2027
Attention 11th Grade Parents – Class of 2027
On April 13, 2026, Columbus Public Health will be at CAHS from 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM to provide meningococcal (meningitis) vaccines for students in the Class of 2027.
Why This Is Important
By Ohio law, all students entering their senior year of high school must have
two doses of the meningococcal vaccine on file at school.
If the first dose was given after age 16, only one dose is required.
Students must meet this requirement by the first day of school for their senior year.
Easy and Convenient Option
This in-school clinic is a quick and simple way for your student to stay up to date on required vaccines without needing to schedule a separate doctor’s appointment.
📝 Sign Up Today
Please click the link below to register your student:
https://redcap.columbus.gov/surveys/?s=MA4KAYERLTNNXN38
If you have questions about your child’s vaccine records, please contact your healthcare provider or the school nurse. Thank you for helping us keep our students healthy and ready for senior year!
Dental Clinic Information
School Smiles will be returning to CAHS On April 16, 2026 and May 8, 2026 for 6-month checkup.
If your child missed the first dental clinic, you can still sign them up for a cleaning and check-up by completing the online consent form at www.schoolsmiles.com/student-signup.
Nationwide Children's Partnership
We are excited to continue our partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) to provide transportation for students to clinic appointments during the school day. These appointments can include well-checks, sports physicals, work permit physicals, immunizations, asthma follow-ups, blood work, and specialty care referrals. If you would like your child to take advantage of this service, please contact your school nurse at 380-997-3574.
Illness Prevention
To ensure the health and safety of all students and staff, we ask that you please keep your child at home if they are feeling unwell. If your child must attend school while experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, we strongly encourage them to wear a mask. Per school policy, students with a fever of 100.4°F or higher must remain at home for 24 hours after their fever has subsided. We also ask that you remind your children to wash their hands frequently, as this is the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs.
Thank you for your continued support in maintaining a healthy school environment.
Tina Peterson RN, BSN
School Nurse
Columbus Alternative High School
380-997-3574
FAX 614-365-6300
tpeterson@columbus.k12.oh.us
The CAHS Ultimate Windrunners are recruiting new players for the spring season. No experience required and all players are welcome!
League games: Tuesdays starting March 10
City Tournament -- Saturday, May 16
Sign up for the league any time before March 10 -- https://columbusyouthultimate.com/register
Join the CAHS Chess Club GroupMe for updates on club meetings and events. The club meets on Tuesdays from 2:30-3:30pm in room 107 and a coach from Columbus Chess Academy is starting to come as well. New students are welcome anytime! Four members of the club are preparing to go to Cincinnati March 14 to compete in the Queen City Classic Chess Tournament. Questions about the club? Talk to advisor Mr. Rhoades.
Congratulations to all of our CAHS winter athletes as they come to the end of this season! Check out this newsletter highlighting their involvement at many CCS high schools and additional competitive sports clubs. Continue sending additions and updates to the family ambassador: dshowalter1@columbus.k12.oh.us
Best wishes for upcoming tournament games and final events!
You are invited to share feedback on the proposed dates for the upcoming school year calendars for the 2026-2027 AND 2027-2028 school years. We will be accepting input until March 7, 2026.
As part of the District’s overall budget balancing plan to right-size the District's $75 million transportation operation, key changes are being made for the 2026-2027 school year for K-8 students choosing non-100% lottery schools, who do not have specialized needs or are in gifted programs. While the new policy is expected to affect only these students, the change will likely influence where some families choose to send students.
With choice lottery applications and selections happening over the coming months, parents may have new questions and concerns about transportation and School Choice.
Basic information on the lottery will be available online: School Choice/Lottery - Columbus City Schools. Those with specific questions on School Choice can contact the Department of Student Services, at 614-365-7459 or schoolchoice@columbus.k12.oh.us.
Updates on HIGH SCHOOL BUSING:
At this time there will be no changes to High School student busing from current planned operations. While there may be changes based on future Board decisions, there are no major changes for the 2026–27 school year. CCS will work with local partners to continue to analyze options for how to offer the best possible transportation services to high school students.
Updates on MIDDLE AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUSING:
- Beginning 2026–27 school year, transportation will be provided for:
- Elementary and middle school students attending:
- Their assigned neighborhood school by address, who live more than 2 miles from the school; OR
- Students attending a 100% Lottery School; OR
- Students receiving specialized services or in gifted programs who are placed in a school other than their assigned school by address; OR
- Students displaced from their assigned school by address
If a K-8 student doesn't meet one of these criteria, they aren't eligible for transportation. Families who decide to apply for a choice school through the lottery that is not a 100% choice school should plan alternative transportation. The District understands this change may motivate some parents and students to alter their choice school location and/or return to their assigned neighborhood school by address. In either case, families should review school assignments, check distance, update home address, and plan ahead.
- 100% Lottery Elementary and Middle Schools are:
- Arts Impact Middle School, Africentric ES and MS, Columbus City Prep School for Boys, Columbus City Prep School for Girls, Columbus Spanish Immersion, Duxberry Park, Ecole Kenwood, Indianola K-8, Oakland Park, World Language Middle School
- Non-100% K-8 lottery schools include:
- Middle Schools: Buckeye, Champion, Dominion, Hilltonia, Johnson Park, Linden-McKinley (7th & 8th grade), Medina, Mifflin, Ridgeview, Sherwood, South (7th & 8th grade), Wedgewood, Westmoor, Woodward Park
- Elementary Schools: Alpine, Avalon, Avondale, Berwick, Binns, Burroughs, Cassady, Cedarwood, Clinton, Colerain, Como, Cranbrook, Devonshire, Eakin, East Columbus, East Linden, Eastgate, Easthaven, Fairmoor, Forest Park, Gables, Georgian Heights, Hamilton STEM, Highland, Hubbard, Huy, Indian Springs, Innis, Leawood, Liberty, Lincoln Park, Lindbergh, Linden STEM, Livingston, Maize, North Linden, Northgate, Northtowne, Oakmont, Ohio Avenue, Olde Orchard, Parkmoor, Parsons, Salem, Scottwood, Siebert, Shady Lane, South Mifflin, Southwood, Starling, Stewart, Sullivant, Trevitt, Valley Forge, Valleyview, Watkins, Weinland Park, West Broad, West Mound, Westgate, Windsor STEM, Winterset, and Woodcrest
The next school board meeting will be March 3, 2026 at 6:00pm. Click on the button below to see the agenda. Board meetings can attended in person (3700 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43207) or watched live on the CCS Facebook page.
The Columbus Board of Education is seeking community members to serve on its Board committees as part of a renewed focus on collaboration, engagement, and student success.
Committee members play a critical role in advancing the district’s mission to educate the whole child and prepare students to thrive in a rapidly changing world. If you’re ready to contribute your voice, expertise, and perspective, we invite you to apply. Learn more at ccsoh.us/board-of-education/committees
- Download the Infinite Campus PARENT or STUDENT app to your phone.
- Type 'Columbus' when it asks for the district then select CCS and Ohio
Fairy Goodmothers is excited to welcome students to Cinderella’s Closet Boutique, where high school students can shop for prom dresses and accessories at no cost. Appointments are strongly encouraged and space is limited. Register today using the link below!
Fairy Goodmothers, a Central Ohio non-profit since 2005, opens Cinderella’s Closet Boutique each spring to provide high school students with the opportunity to find their dream prom dress and jewelry at no cost. Assisted by their very own Personal Shopper, the young person can choose from thousands of dresses between sizes 0-36.
This year, the Boutique will be held at The Shops at Worthington Place, 7227 N High Street, Columbus, OH 43085 (West Entrance, Near Amano's Pizza).
The remaining times the shop is open:
Saturday, March 14th from 9:00am-3:30pm
Sunday, March 15th from 9:00am-3:30pm
What to Know:
Please sign up for only one appointment per student.
Registration will request the student’s name and email and then a parent/guardian’s name and email (if the parent/guardian is completing the sign-up).
Proof of high school attendance (or home schooling) will be needed during check in – virtual proof is accepted.
No proof of need is required.
Student requiring translation assistance or other special accommodations should include that information in the comment section of the sign-up form or contact info@fairygoodmothers.org.
Only one family member or friend can attend per student. This person will stay in a waiting area while the student shops with a personal shopper.
Dress comfortably with appropriate undergarments for changing. We do not have individual changing areas so tanks or sports bras are suggested.
If you have any questions, please email info@fairygoodmothers.org.
Cooley Art Studios in Worthington offers several art courses for students which include: Monthly Art Classes, Young Artists After School Art Classes, and the Urban Classical Art Initiative. These classes are for students age 14 and up. Feel free to contact CAHS Art Teacher Ms. Barkeloo regarding what options may be a good fit: rbarkeloo1464@columbus.k12.oh.us
On December 18, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther was part of a press conference addressing concerns surrounded heightened ICE presence in Columbus. He referred to a helpful website with resources in multiple languages, All of Us. The website shares the words that he spoke as well, "Columbus is proud to be one of the most welcoming and diverse cities in the United States. Our diversity is a core strength that drives our culture, our economy and our future."
Looking for a fun and educational way to spend your free time? With a Columbus Metropolitan Library card, you can access Culture Passes that grant you free admission to some of central Ohio’s most popular cultural institutions. Whether you're interested in museums, theaters, or other cultural experiences, these passes provide a fantastic opportunity to explore the local arts and culture scene without any cost.
To take advantage of this offer, simply visit your local library for in-person checkout. Culture Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and supplies are limited, so don’t miss your chance! Please note that passes cannot be reserved ahead of time. Visit your library today and see what’s available — it’s the perfect way to discover new adventures around the city while supporting your local library.
For our CAHS families living in the Linden community, check out this wonderful collection of resources and programs.
Columbus Alternative High School
School Year Office Hours
Monday - Friday
7:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/CAHS
Location: 2632 McGuffey Rd, Columbus, OH 43211, USA
Phone: (614)365-6006