CCS Community Connector

The Community Connector Newsletter serves as a resource for community partners, organizations, and stakeholders committed to supporting student achievement, staff well-being, and district success. The newsletter provides updates on Board Goals, highlights district accomplishments, and promotes opportunities for meaningful community engagement and collaboration. By fostering strong partnerships and sharing valuable resources, we aim to strengthen collective efforts that enhance educational outcomes and support the success of students, families, and staff.

For more information, contact the Office of engagement at Engage@columbus.k12.oh.us 614-365-8868.

What a start to the 2026–2027 school year!

We have officially completed our first full week of learning, and so much is already happening across Columbus City Schools. Our students are back in the classroom, our hallways are full again, and our teachers and staff are settling into the important work of helping every student become future leaders!

Each August brings a fresh new chapter for CCS, but there is something especially exciting about these first days of school. They give us a chance to reconnect, reset, and begin building the routines, relationships, and momentum that will carry us through the year.

We began our back-to-school celebration on Saturday, August 15, with our 5th Annual Back-to-School Resource Fair at the Fort Hayes Campus. I loved seeing so many CCS families at Fort Hayes, connecting with our teams and community partners. The smiles, conversations, and energy throughout the day made it clear that our students and families were ready to be back!

As the excitement continued to build, I joined the Salem Elementary community the following week to celebrate nearly $6 million in capital improvements. From brighter classrooms and hallways to a new playground and an outdoor classroom designed with student input, Salem looks and feels different! Seeing our Salem Sharks experience it for the first time was a special moment. The project is part of nearly $60 million in capital improvements across CCS schools this summer, made possible in part by community support and the investment voters made in our schools through the permanent improvement levy.

Then came August 20 — our first day of school! Click here for complete message.

Sign up today for a table opportunity to connect PreK-12 students and their families with valuable resources that support education, employment, independent living, adult day programming, community involvement, social and recreational services, and more.

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026

Location: Mifflin High School (3245 Oak Spring Street, Columbus, OH 43219)

Set up Time: 10:00 am

Fair Time: 11:00 am-1:00 pm

You will be provided with one table and two chairs for FREE. Tabling will be indooor

Columbus City Schools is hosting the 2026 HBCU College Fair on September 26, 2026. This year we are providing career awareness and resources. If your organization would like to promote exciting careers and resources, join us by registering to have a table. This is a great opportunity to talk with talented students.

Date: September 26, 2026

Location: Columbus Africentric High School (3223 Allegheny Avenue, Columbus, OH 43209)

Set up Time: 12:30 pm

Fair Time: 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Strive for Five.

On a quarterly basis, one elementary and one middle/ high school will be honored for their attendance achievements with a party. If you can be a sponsor for these parties fill out the interest form.

October is National Principal Month. We want recognize our leaders who serve as mentors, leaders, problem-solvers, advocates, and role models, shaping the quality of education and the future of young people. If your organization would like to be involved in recognizing our principals please fill out the form.

We are grateful for all the organizations that volunteered, sponsored, and showed up for CCS Students at the Back to School Fair and First Day Clap Ins. 100+ tables provided family resources,14,000 backpacks were given to students, and 50+ clap ins welcomed students in the first week. You made a difference! We want to highlight NBC4, Making A Difference, Columbus State Community College, Westerner Governors University for their Back to School Fair Platinum Sponsorship. Also, United Way assisted with organizing the clap ins. Partnerships make a difference!