We Need Your Vote!
YOU CAN TRANSLATE THIS NEWSLETTER
Please Note: translate this newsletter by clicking the "Translate" icon.
Atención: traduce este boletín haciendo clic en el icono de la "Translate".
Attention : traduisez cette newsletter en cliquant sur l'icône "Translate".
يرجى ملاحظة ما يلي: قم بترجمة هذا البيان الإخباري من خلال النقر على أيقونة "ترجمة".
Makini: tafsiri jarida hili kwa kubofya ikoni ya "Translate".
This is where LEARNERS GROW!
🎓🎉SENIOR SIGNING DAY CEREMONY 🎓🎉
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2026
9:15AM-10:45AM
Parents and Caregivers of Seniors Are Invited! Please Join Us!
WHAT IS A SENIOR SIGNING DAY CELEBRATION?
Senior signing day is when seniors announce which school they have chosen to attend after graduating high school
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
ALL senior parents are welcome to attend.
WHAT SHOULD BE WORN?
Business casual attire along with college gear are welcomed but you may also come as you are. The important thing is that you are present so we can celebrate together.
EXPECTATIONS FOR AFTER THE CEREMONY
Students are expected to return to class after the ceremony
We're looking forward to celebrating with you!
Contact Ani Mwalimu with questions: amwalimu@iknowican.org
or call 614-391-0153
PROM 2026: STARRY NIGHTS!
MAY 8, 2026
🌟🪩WHAT IS PROM?
🌟A Prom is a formal dance party marking the end of high school for seniors. There is dinner, music and sometimes games.
🌟It is an American tradition where seniors (12th graders) and juniors (11th) graders attend.
🌟Sometimes 9th and 10th graders can attend if they are invited, but every school has different rules regarding their ability to attend.
🌟This is an evening where students wear formal attire, typically dresses and suits.
🌟Teachers and staff serve as chaperones to ensure that students are safe, and that the school values are upheld.
Some important information to know for Prom 2026 at Columbus International High School
Theme: Starry Night
Date: Friday, May 8th from 7pm-10pm
Location: The Makoy Center (5462 Center St, Hilliard)
Purchasing Tickets: TICKET SALES HAVE ENDED.
Bringing Dates: You must fill out the guest permission form by TODAY, Monday, May 4th.
This is available outside of Ms. Lendon's classroom and can be returned to her.
ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENTS TO ATTEND SCHOOL!
Ms. Sandra of Communities in Schools (CIS) has organized a wonderful incentive opportunity for Students to maintain great attendance and to report to be on time!
WHY IS REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL IMPORTANT?
Consistent attendance at school directly impacts academic achievement, social-emotional development and prepares students for future success!
HOW WILL STUDENTS BE REWARDED?
Students with 85%-100% attendance from April 29th-May 13th get to attend the CIS Festival
Students with 95%-100% attendance can attend with their phones.
Please talk about this initiative with your students!
Rental Assistance Through St. Stephen's Community House
If you’re struggling to pay your rent, help is available! St. Stephen’s Community House, in partnership with local organizations, offers rental assistance for those in need. To be eligible, individuals must be homeless, at risk of losing their home, pregnant or have a child in the home, or TANF eligible. Assistance is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 1500 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43219. Call 614-294-6347 for more information. Let St. Stephen's Community House help you secure the support you need!
🏥🥼NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL (NCH)🏥🩺
🏥🥼International High School & Global Academy Clinic🏥🩺
Meet the International HS and Global Academy NCH Health Team
Meet Nurse Practitioner: Hannah Hampton, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner: Hannah Hampton, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Hannah is new to the School Health team as of 2025, and she is thrilled to make the Columbus International/Global Academy clinic her new "home base". Before joining NCH, she spent 3+ years working in primary care and refugee health at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) caring for Columbus' underserved. As the daughter of two teachers, she grew up in the school setting and is thrilled to find herself back in schools. With education being one of her core values, the opportunity to increase access to healthcare through the School Health program is a perfect intersection of her passions.
Meet Nurse Practitioner: Jill Gulick, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner: Jill Gulick, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Jill has been with School Health for 6 years, primarily at Northland High School, but has been at Columbus International/Global Academy since its opening this summer 2025. Before joining the School Health team, she worked in the Emergency Department for 15 years. She brings an abundance of knowledge and experience, taking a leading role in the opening of the International/Global clinic. She is passionate about breaking down barriers to care and meeting kids where they are at.
Meet Social Worker: Stacey Cusick, LSW, MSW
Social Work: Stacey Cusick, LSW, MSW
We are so lucky to have Stacey to provide support to the clinic on Mondays. She also staffs the Northland High School clinic. Stacey has been with NCH since 2007, the last 4 years being with School Health. With her wealth of experience, Stacey was the first social worker to join the School Health team, spearheading this incredible program which now has social workers supporting numerous clinics across Columbus.
THIS CLINIC IS FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR SIBLINGS
Vaccines, Health Checks and More!
Students and their siblings are welcome to use this clinic ALL YEAR ROUND. Yes, this clinic is open in the summer time too!
NCH International/Global Clinic:
Services:
We provide all services as a primary care clinic, which include (but are not limited to) routine check-ups, chronic condition management, sick/problem visits, sports physicals, work permit exams, mental health services, medication management, vaccines, lab testing, etc.
We hope to soon have Optometry join us to do eye exams as well!
Location:
School/Student entrance: Room 1138, located across from the Global Academy Office on the West side.
External/Community entrance: 4079 Karl Rd, door available from the West parking lot, only for community members/external patients to enter the clinic for scheduled visits.
Hours: Currently Mondays + Wednesdays 7:30-2:30 (with more days to be added soon as we grow!)
Appointments:
Our clinic functions on an appointment basis.
Patients can schedule by simply stopping by the clinic, or families can call the scheduling line to set up a visit
NCH School Health: 614-355-2590, press 3 (questions, scheduling, or concerns)
NCH CI/GA Clinic Reception Desk: 614-938-1640
Appointments on our daily schedule include:
External patients (coming from the community)
Internal patients (students who attend CI/GA)
"Transportation" patients (our program that busses students from nearby schools for appointments)
We aim to follow our appointment schedule, however the beauty of school health is that we can be more flexible than a typical primary care clinic and we will adjust if/when urgent needs arise.
Urgent needs:
We work closely (and joyfully!) your amazing school nurse, Dr. Colleen McGovern. If a student is ill, their first stop is to the school nurse's office.
From there, Colleen will triage the situation and if needed, help set the student up with an appointment in the appropriate time frame based on the urgency of the case.
Please see the flyer below for more information.
Changing Your Address and Other Important Information In the Parent Portal
Parent Portal - Infinite Campus
The Parent Portal or Infinite Campus is where caregivers can update their student's and family's information.
Why is it important to have up to date information?
If the school needs to contact you, we use the contact information you provide in the parent portal or infinite campus.
Especially in an emergency, we need the contact information to be accurate.
Transportation/School Bus Stops
The home address needs to be accurate in Infinite Campus so that your student will have the appropriate bus stop placement.
DO YOU NEED HELP WITH CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS OR MORE?
I can definitely help you with that. It will be my pleasure!
Please schedule an appointment with me: bobayuwana@columbus.k12.oh.us OR (614) 344-1046
Do You Need Language Assistance?
Do You Need Language Assistance?
Did you know the ESL Department of Columbus City Schools has a special call center in over seven foreign languages? If you need assistance in a language - follow the directions below.
What Does the Newsletter Name Mean?
Why is the Newsletter Clever?
In the phrase "'mane' event," a homophone is used to create a pun.
Homophone
A homophone (sound alike word) is one of two or more words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings.
For Example: The words 'SEE' and 'SEA' sound the same, but have different meanings and spellings. SEE is to use your eyes. While SEA is a large body of salt water that covers a large part of the earth.
Pun
- A pun is a joke that uses a homophone to play with words and create a humorous effect.
- The joke only works if you understand both words and the subject.
- The humor in a pun comes from the clever way a word is used to create a double meaning.
The "'mane event" pun works in three steps:
- The common phrase: A "main event" is the most important or primary part of a gathering, like the most important fight in a boxing match.
- The word change: The common word 'main' is replaced with the homophone 'mane'.
- The joke: It is funny and clever because the lion has a MANE, and the lion represents the school. So the mane event is talking about the events happening within the school.
UNDERSTANDING SCHOOL CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES
Understanding School in the United States (credit to Dublin City Schools)
Attendance
In U.S. schools, being on time for school and having good attendance is valued and expected. It is important that students attend each day to get the most out of their education. When a student misses a school day, the parent has to call the school to let them know of the absence. When the student returns to school, they must also bring a note signed by the parent explaining the absence.
Attention to Time
If you would like to speak with a teacher or principal at the school about your child, it is important to call ahead and make an appointment. Teachers and principals are happy to meet with parents/guardians but they cannot be pulled away from the children to do so. When making an appointment with someone in the school, it is important to be on time.
Collaboration
Collaboration is a very strong cultural value in U.S. schools. Classrooms are centered around the students, and you will see many students working together in groups. All students are expected to participate in group projects and to do their equal share of the work.
Directness and Openness
Students are encouraged to say exactly what they think during class discussions. In some cultures it may be considered rude to disagree or question a teacher. However, teachers encourage students to think, ask, and state their opinions in respectful ways.
Discipline
Student's handbooks outline the expectations for behavior in each school. If a student breaks a rule in the student handbook, the parent will be notified and discipline such as detention, suspension, or expulsion could result.
Dress-code
Newcomers to the U.S. are often shocked by the informality of Americans. People dress very casually at school. To view the dress-code, please refer to the student handbooks: https://www.ccsoh.us/Page/2411
Independence
Independence is a very strong cultural value in U.S. schools and households. Teachers and parents believe teaching their child independence is an important part of their upbringing and is a positive thing.
Self-Sufficiency
In the schools, it is expected that the students practice self-sufficiency. If students need to use the restroom, or need a supply to complete school work, they will need to ask the teacher. It will rarely be assumed that a student needs help if they don’t ask for it.
Participation
U.S. schools encourage parent participation at school events or activities. Teachers and principals value discussing the academic progress of the student with the parents at parent teacher conferences. U.S. schools believe that students receive a better education when school staff and parents work together to educate the children.
Wait! What is a Family Ambassador?
A Family Ambassador Is....
- Someone who helps connect families with the school.
- Someone who makes sure families feel welcome.
- Someone who helps families feel supported.
- Someone who let's families know important dates and events.
- Someone who helps families to get what they need to make sure students are successful! For example, a Family Ambassador can share information on where to find coats for cold weather, food.
- ...and more!
