Gables Elementary School
My RIDE APP
Dear Columbus City Schools Families,
Parents and guardians have a lot on their plates these days, and waiting for late buses can be more than frustrating. As a parent, I understand and have endured the same concerns as many of you in the past few months. I want you to know we heard your calls and concerns about communication and notifications for late buses. We are making a change to make it better.
On November 9, Columbus City Schools is introducing My Ride K-12 to make transportation information easier to access and give you timely updates from our Transportation team. You can use this new notification system on a smartphone or computer, through an app or the website.
Every family deserves clear, timely information about their child’s transportation, especially when delays could affect getting them home safely. We believe this new system will be much better at giving you the information you need when you need it.
Through the My Ride K-12 app and website, families can review their child’s transportation details and receive text notifications on their mobile devices about school bus route delays, changes, and schedule updates. Having this information in one place will help you plan your day and stay informed when changes occur.
While safety remains our top priority for each child going to and from our Columbus City Schools, improving our communications and service standards is also very important. While we believe My Ride K-12 will be helpful, our Transportation team remains available to answer questions and help resolve concerns at 614-365-5074.
Your feedback is valued as we implement the new system and will help us continue to improve the system over time. Please do not hesitate to send us any questions or concerns; such information helps improve the experience for all our students and families.
Please use the guide below to create your account, add your child, and enable text notifications.
Thank you for your partnership and for trusting Columbus City Schools to support your child’s safe journey to and from school.
Sincerely,
Dr. Angela Chapman
Superintendent / CEO
Columbus City Schools
Understanding the Red Zone - Zones of Regulation
The Red Zone in the Zones of Regulation is a way to help children understand and recognize when they are experiencing very intense emotions or feelings.
Children in the Red Zone might:
Feel extremely angry, furious, or frustrated.
Have a meltdown or temper tantrum.
Yell, scream, or cry uncontrollably.
Hit, kick, throw things, or become physically aggressive.
Feel terrified, panicked, or overwhelmed.
Have difficulty listening, following directions, or using words to express their feelings.
It's important to remember: A child in the Red Zone isn't necessarily choosing to be difficult. They may be experiencing emotions so intensely that they are struggling to regulate their body and behavior. Here are some strategies parents can try:
Stay calm. Children often need adults to help them regulate. Use a calm voice and relaxed body language.
Give them space. Some children need a little distance and quiet time to calm down.
Use fewer words. When emotions are intense, children may struggle to process lots of information.
Validate their feelings. Try saying, "I can see that you're really upset. It's okay to feel angry."
Maintain boundaries. Feelings are okay, but unsafe behaviors are not. For example, "It's okay to be mad, but I won't let you hit."
Offer calming strategies. Deep breathing, a quiet space, squeezing a pillow, listening to calming music, or taking a break may help.
Connect with CCS
Please contact the Superintendent's Office of Customer Relations for any school-related inquiries or concerns. You can reach them at 614-365-8888 or email customerrelations@columbus.k12.oh.us.
For transportation questions, contact our Transportation Call Center at 614-365-5074 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
If you have further questions about Columbus City Schools, contact the FACTline at 614-221-FACT (614-221-3228) Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or email us at Factline@columbus.k12.oh.us.
Salvation Army Holiday Toy Assistance: Registration Now Available!
The holiday season is just around the corner, and The Salvation Army is helping families make Christmas a little brighter! Through its annual Christmas Cheer program, eligible Franklin County families can register to receive holiday toys and assistance for their children.
New this year! Families can register online or in person at one of five Salvation Army locations throughout Franklin County.
Registered families will pick up their Christmas Cheer items at the Lausche Building at the Ohio State Fairgrounds, Dec. 15-17, 2026, during their scheduled appointments.
For additional information, contact The Salvation Army at 614-437-2151 or visit www.SalvationArmyCentralOhio.org.
Here is the link for the calendar of events happening around Columbus for the entire month of May. There are over 60+ events to choose from for just this coming weekend!
https://www.columbusonthecheap.com/events/calendar/
Have fun in Columbus this weekend with free and cheap events! From Apple picking to Indoor playgrounds, to Farmers Markets and Outdoor Movies find something fun for the whole family.
Help your student stay on track this school year with Columbus Metropolitan Library. They'll have access to:
- Reading Buddies, 15 minutes of one-on-one reading practice for K-3 students
- School Help Centers, offering K-12 students free help with their schoolwork plus the use of computers, printers, digital research tools, and other resources
- HelpNow, connecting them one-on-one with a virtual tutor Monday-Friday, times vary by location
- Online school help tools, available 24/7
- YouMedia, an open lab space at nine locations where teens can explore technologies
- After-School Snack, offered at 16 locations in partnership with the Children's Hunger Alliance
The closest CML Branch to Gables Elementary is Whetstone Library located at 3909 N. High Street
Families Flourish Offers Rental Support and More!
Need extra support for your family? Families Flourish offers rental assistance, housing options, life coaching, and monthly workshops for eligible working families.
The program combines monthly rental assistance, access to quality housing, personalized life coaching, and educational workshops to help participating families work toward their financial, career, education, health, and wellness goals.
Eligible families can receive $500 per month in rental assistance for the first 18 months and $400 per month for the following 18 months, along with support from a life coach throughout the three-year program.
Families must meet specific eligibility requirements, including household size, income, employment, and housing criteria.
Interested families can learn more about eligibility and apply at familiesflourish.org/apply.
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Is Your Parent Portal Account Activated? Stay engaged in your child's education by setting up and signing into the Columbus City Schools Parent Portal. Through the Parent Portal, you'll be able to securely access valuable information on your student(s):
- Teacher Contact
- Transportation
- Grades and Course Schedules
- Daily Attendance
- Missed Assignments
- Complete your Annual Update
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Gables School Webpage
Columbus City Schools
