The Bulldog Buzz

We sincerely thank all the families who attended our recent Open House at Mifflin Middle School! Your presence and engagement mean so much to us. We truly value the strong partnership between school and home, and we believe open communication is key to your child’s success. Please know that our doors are always open—we welcome your questions, feedback, and collaboration as we work together to support every student’s educational journey.

Dear Mifflin Middle School Families,

We need your input to enhance your child's school experience! The Family-School Relationships Survey is now live, and we value your feedback.

Please spare 10-15 minutes to take the survey TODAY. Click HERE to get started.

• Select your student's school from the dropdown menu and click "Take this survey."
• Select your preferred language by clicking the dropdown menu in the upper left-hand corner of the page.
• If you have children enrolled in multiple schools, you can complete the survey for each school.

Your responses are anonymous and crucial in shaping programs and services for your child and the school community.

Remember, your feedback matters!

Happy Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month! Columbus is the proud home to over 70,000 people who identify as Hispanic or Latino. From September 15 to October 15, Mifflin Middle School proudly celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month!

Many CCS schools are enriched by the inclusion of families, students, and staff that share the diverse experiences, cultures, and histories of Latino and Hispanic backgrounds.

This is a time to recognize and honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans.

CCS Families it's time to complete the "Annual Update" to provide the school and district with student information such as address, parent contact information, medical updates, and more.

To update:

Please log into Parent Portal, select "Annual Update" to:

• Update your student's information
• Confirm emergency phone numbers
• Complete the emergency medical authorization

Updated information is used to create bus routes and school assignments. Please complete the update as soon as possible to ensure the best and fastest transportation options for your student.

Need Help?

• Contact your school or email: parentportalaccess@columbus.k12.oh.us (Include your student’s name, date of birth, and a picture ID).
• Download the Columbus City Schools Mobile App for personalized alerts.

Still Have Questions?

• Call the District FACTLine at 614-221-FACT (3228) or the Parent Portal Assistance Line at 380-997-7245.

Let’s show our Bulldog pride as we wrap up the season with the last home games on Monday, October 13th at 4:30 PM! Whether you're cheering on our soccer team or supporting our volleyball team, all the action is happening right here on the Mifflin Middle School campus. Come out, wear your green and white, and help us celebrate our student-athletes with energy, excitement, and Bulldog spirit. Let's finish the season strong—together!

Parent Mentors are parents of children with special needs staffed by the Special Education Department of Columbus City Schools. Parent Mentors can connect families to appropriate programs, explain the IEP process and attend meetings with families, and provide education and support to fellow parents.

Serves: Children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Letter Template | Accept the Evaluation Plan

Letter Template | Requesting an IEP Evaluation

Letter Template | Reject the Evaluation Plan

Letter Template | Requesting an Independent Evaluation

Worksheet | Questions to Ask Before and During the IEP Meeting

Article | Negotiation Skills for Parents: How to get the Special Education Your Child Needs

Article | Anatomy of an IEP

Article | What is the Difference between an IEP and a 504 Plan?

Article | Communicating With Your Child’s School Through Letter Writing

A free program for children with serious medical conditions and disabilities ages 5-16. Children are paired with sports teams at colleges and universities across the state of Ohio with the goal of creating meaningful, long-lasting relationships with student athletes. Kids experience positive social-emotional development and a sense of belonging through inclusion, support and team engagement. Go online to find a participating team near you and apply.

Serves: Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers of special-needs children.

These neighborhood resource lists are extremely helpful in finding resources near you. They provide detailed listings of free and low cost health care, vision care, dental care, prescription help, food pantries, transportation, job help, pregnancy resources and much more. They are updated annually and reviewed by the Columbus Public Health social work team. Please note that CPH does not provide direct monetary assistance, but these lists are helpful in finding community agencies that do provide this assistance.

Health Care (Free Clinics, Dental, Vision & Women’s Health)

Emergency Resources (Housing, Food, Utilities, Safety & Clothing)

Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens

Agencies Serving Immigrants & Refugees

Job Help (Unemployment, Looking for a Job, Online Searches)

Pregnancy Resources (WIC, Healthcare, Utilities, Baby Supplies, Diaper Banks, Housing, & Parenting Classes)

Prescription Help (Reduced Cost Prescriptions, Discount Programs & Medicaid Info)

Programs & Resources for Seniors

Mental Health & Substance Use Resources (Crisis Lines, Healthcare, Support Groups, Disposal Box Locations)

240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Support Your Child’s Success with Family Guides!

We all want our children to thrive in school—excelling in their learning, building strong relationships, and gaining the skills they need for the future. But understanding what they should know by the end of each grade and how to support them can be challenging.

That’s where Family Guides, created by Seek Common Ground and Student Achievement Partners, come in! These guides provide clear information and helpful tools to support your child’s learning in literacy and math—key building blocks for all subjects.

With these resources, you can stay engaged in your child’s education, confidently advocate for them, and build strong partnerships with their teachers to ensure they reach their full potential!

Journey to Wealth is a signature Columbus Urban League financial program, funded by the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services and Chase Bank, that goes beyond a high credit score aspiration working with African American and marginalized citizens of Central Ohio to foster the value of financial worth, wellness and wealth.

The Journey to Wealth initiative is a suite of financial services offered to clients that fall on various points along the economic scale.

• South Side Thrive: Seeking Program Coordinator
• St. Stephen’s House: Seeking Case Manager and Office Manager
• Little Bottoms: Seeking Program and Volunteer Manager
• Home for Families: Seeking Housing Case Manager
• Gracehaven: Multiple Openings
• Delaware Area Career Center: Seeking Adult Education Teacher
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio: Multiple Openings
• Franklin County Children Services: Multiple Openings
• Columbus Metropolitan Libraries (CML): Multiple Openings
• Ohio Guidestone: Multiple Openings
• Community Shelter Board: Jobs Board
• Human Service Chamber of Franklin County: Nonprofit Job Board
• OANO: Ohio Non-Profits Job Bank
• Ohio Association of County Boards Job Bank
• Hearts Connected Career Center for Child Life Specialists

☑️Monday, Oct. 6: Move the Box Mobile Expungement and Resources

• Wednesday, Oct. 8: Storytime Special: ASL Storyteller at Westerville Public Library (Ages 0-7)
• Thursday, Oct. 9: Highland Youth Garden Fall Harvest Festival
• Thursday, Oct. 9: Free Sunset Movie at Columbus Commons: Hocus Pocus
• Saturday, Oct. 11: Lifesports Volleyball Strength & Conditioning Clinic (Ages 7-14)
• Saturday, Oct. 11: WOSU Second Saturday Kids Day with Clifford the Big Red Dog
• Saturday, Oct. 11: Adaptive Fishing in Grove City ($5)
• Sunday, Oct. 12: Worthington Fire Department Open House
• Sunday, Oct. 12: Spooky Animals at Blendon Woods Nature Center
• Tuesday, Oct. 14: Extraordinary Days at Lynd Fruit Farm
• Wednesday, Oct. 15: Teens Create: Spooky Scary Storytime at South High Library
• October 15-18: Circleville Pumpkin Show
• October 16-19: Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow ($12-15)
• Thursday, Oct. 16: Free Sunset Movie at Columbus Commons: The Goonies
• Saturday, Oct. 18: Spooky Rugrat Rave at Martin Luther King Library (Ages 2-4)
• Sunday, Oct. 19: Adaptive Sports Ohio Accessible Trick or Treat (Ages 4-12, $8)
• Monday, Oct. 20: Diwali Celebration with Dhvani Indian Performing Arts Society at New Albany Library
• Thursday, Oct. 23: CAPA Haunts the Palace Theatre
• Thursday, Oct. 23: Trunk or Treat with Open Door Columbus
• Thursday, Oct. 23: Free Sunset Movie at Columbus Commons: Wicked
• Friday, Oct. 24: Cap City Festival at Westgate Community Center
• Saturday, Oct. 25: Lifesports Wrestling & Dance Clinic (Ages 5-14)
• Saturday, Oct. 25: Old Hilliard Halloween Haunt
• Saturday, Oct. 25: Fright At The Museum at Ohio History Center ($0-18)
• Saturday, Oct. 25: OSU STEAM WestFest
• Saturday, Oct. 25: Super Saturday Spook-tacular at Main Library
• Saturday, Oct. 25: KidsLinked Olentangy Fall Fest
• Sunday, Oct. 26: Undercurrent Open Streets: Walk, Roll, and Play
• Sunday, Oct. 26: Zombie Halloween Pool Party at Westerville Community Center (Ages 3-15, $8)
• Monday, Oct. 27: KidX Candy Crawl at Polaris Fashion Place
• Tuesday, Oct. 28: Down Syndrome High School Social Group
• Friday, Oct. 31: Spooky Community Creatures Art Workshop with We Amplify Voices
• October 3 – November 1: Grove City Minion Hunt
• Saturday, Nov. 1: Walk with a Doc End of Year Celebration

• November 15: TECHCORPSHack (Grades 9-12) Register Now!

  Click Here for more information about TECHCORPS

• 2nd & 4th Sundays of Each Month: Upper Cup Chess Community Open Play
• 2025 Ohio Fall Events Guide
• 2025 Columbus Apple Picking Guide from MacaroniKid
• Ohio Corn Maze Trail
• Columbus Zoo & Aquarium: Boo at the Zoo
• Franklin Park Conservatory: Pumpkins Aglow
• Central Ohio Trick or Treat Times from NBC4

Head to the Columbus Commons every Thursday in October for the Sunset Movie Series!

Sunset Movie Series

FREE- No ticket required

Thursdays in October

7 pm

Every Thursday in October, you can enjoy a free Halloween-themed outdoor movie at at this spin on the CAPA Summer Movie series. Bring a chair or a blanket to take in a movie under the stars. The food truck opens at 6pm to give you time to grab a drink and a bite to eat before showtime. Make sure to visit the non-profit partner tent for complimentary popcorn while supplies last. Enjoy the movie!

Schedule:

10/2: Goosebumps

10/9: Hocus Pocus

10/16: Goonies

10/23: Wicked

10/30: Nightmare Before Christmas

WestFest is an in-person festival presenting family-friendly STEM activities

WestFest is an annual public engagement event that highlights STEM research, sustainability initiatives, and outreach programs at The Ohio State University and beyond. WestFest brings together STEM units from across campus and community partners to present family-friendly activities. The event is funded by the Ohio State Energy Partners and is organized through the volunteer efforts of the WestFest Planning Committee. Check out the WestFest website for more information.

The in-person component of WestFest will take place on October 25, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. At WestFest, you will find hands-on activities and tours of research facilities for a day full of family fun!

• Food trucks! Brutus! Tours! Activities and fun!
• The festival will be hosted at the West Campus Quad (1090 Carmack Rd).

All Aboard! The 2025-2026 Pathway Express Destinations are here! Mark your calendars for the following dates:

December 13
Saturday, December 13, 2025

Time: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Location: Lincoln Theatre
(769 E. Long St.)

April 25

Free Cybersecurity Services for Franklin County Residents – Deadline Extended to May 30

Mobile Health Locator

Spring & Summer Weather Safety

AEP Ohio Outage Map

Car Seat Assistance for Income-Eligible Families with Columbus Public Health

Free Home Weatherization Services for Income-Eligible Households in Franklin County

Ohio Energy Assistance/Utility Help Programs

Columbus Utility Discount Programs

Cheapest Gas Prices Around Columbus

CredibleMind Franklin County Mental Health Resources

Searching for Childcare

Clothing Resources

Emergency Food Help

Emergency Housing Help

Emergency Hotlines

2025 Columbus Street Card

What is the Drive to Thrive Program?

The Drive To Thrive Program is a matched savings program for income eligible participants to leverage their savings to purchase a vehicle.

How does it work?

Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) allow participants to save money for a vehicle purchase or down payment. The participant’s dollars are matched at a 5:1 ratio. Participants are asked to save at least $500 and are matched with $2500, for a total of $3000 toward the purchase of a vehicle. Participants must utilize the IDA account and save the funds for a minimum of 30 days, maximum of 6 months. Once the $500 has been saved in the proper timeframe and the proper paperwork has been submitted, the participant is eligible to receive match funds. Additional paperwork includes the dealership’s signed and dated W-9 and a copy of the bill of sale showing how the funds will be utilized (either as a down payment or to purchase a vehicle).

How much can I save?

The savings match only applies to the first $500.

Who is eligible?

Franklin County residents age 18 and older who are at below 200% of Federal Poverty guidelines and must be able to work full-time.

How may I apply?

Participants may call (614) 252-2799 to schedule an intake interview. During the interview participants will learn about the program, start dates, needed documentation and be provided an appointment to complete the intake process.

Who can I purchase the car from?

Car must be purchased through an authorized dealership. A W9 and proof of transaction is required to release funds for the purchase of the vehicle. Car purchases from an individual are not permitted.

Does the money come directly to me?

No. The check is issued to the dealership .

What If I don’t have a bank account?

Drive to Thrive is partnered with US Bank. US Bank will establish the IDA savings account for you.

What is the Re-Entry Work Readiness Program?

The Re-Entry Work Readiness Program is a three-week interpersonal training that utilizes a tailored curriculum to help restored citizens capitalize on their second chances.

Who is eligible?

Franklin County residents age 18 and older who are at below 125% of Federal Poverty guidelines that have experienced justice involvement.

How do I apply?

Participants may call (614) 252-2799 to schedule a phone interview. During the interview participants will learn about the program, start dates, needed documentation and be provided an appointment to complete the intake process.

Does it matter how long ago or how recent the justice system involvement was?

No, this will not stop someone from participating. It could have been any length of time or involvement with local incarceration, federal or state, there is no exclusion.

Are there any program benefits?

Yes, the Re-Entry Work Readiness programs offers a $200 per week training stipend and transportation assistance is if needed.

Who is unable to participate?

Applicants with arson or sex offenses are unable to enroll.

How Long is the Program?

The re-entry work readiness program is 3- weeks long. In person classes are held at IMPACT, 711 Southwood Avenue, Columbus Ohio 43207. Monday through Friday 10 am until 12:30 p.m. . Virtual classes are held simultaneously on Zoom.

The Eviction Avoidance Fund helps people with rent and utility payments. The fund can provide a stipend for internet, pay up to three months of future rent, and assist with other utility payments. Renters may apply through the website to see if they qualify for services.

1390 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215

(614) 884-2441

pcchealth.org/housing

Freshtrak is an online tool that can be used to search for food access “events” in your community. Daily pantry hours, pop-up food events, and neighborhood resources are organized by zip code.

In recognizing the unjust burden imposed by elevated auto expenses, hindering the capacity of numerous responsible individuals to fulfill their work and obligations, professionals in the auto repair industry have observed this hardship firsthand.

For this reason, HelpIneedTransportation.com, a nonprofit 501(c)3, has been established to aid working individuals grappling with the exorbitant costs of car repair or replacement. Through their assistance program, they aim to facilitate vehicle repair or replacement, reinstating individuals' ability to work, meet familial responsibilities, and maintain human dignity in the process.