February 2026

Welcome to February Vikings! We have so many great learning experiences planned and things to celebrate this month! Please take a moment to read through our newsletter and take note of all of the things happening this month at our school and in our community.

As we move into a new month of learning, we want to take a moment to emphasize something that makes a tremendous difference in your child’s success: consistent attendance. Every day and every minute truly counts. When students are present, engaged, and completing each class, they build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to thrive.

Your partnership helps make this possible. Thank you for encouraging your child to be at school each day, arrive on time, and stay through the full instructional day. Together, we can ensure every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and reach their goals.

We appreciate your continued support and commitment to your child’s education. I look forward to beginning and ending this month strong with you!

2/3 Columbus Board of Education Meeting

6:00 pm - 9:30 pm

2/5 School Choice Fair via Zoom

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

2/9 Start with Hello

2/10 Acts of Kindness

2/11 Make it Right

2/12 Celebrate Diversity

2/13 No One Eats Alone

K - 2 10:00 am

3 - 5 2:00 pm

1st & 2nd Grade

9:45 am - 10:30 am

2/12 5th Grade Transition Night at Westmoor

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

2/16 - 2/17 NO SCHOOL

2/16 Compensatory Day for Parent Conferences

2/17 Professional Development Day - Students NOT in attendance

9:15 am - 1:00 pm

Columbus Metro Library - Main Branch (96 South Grant Avenue)

As the weather gets colder, please remind your child to bundle up each day. Students spend time outside while waiting at bus stops, walking from cars into the building during drop-off and pick-up, and during outdoor recess. A coat, hat, and gloves help keep them warm and comfortable throughout the day. If your child needs a coat, hat, or gloves, please reach out by calling the school or contacting one of our family ambassadors—we’re happy to help. ❄️🧤

We’re excited to share that our school is using ClassBank this year to help support a positive learning environment and build lifelong financial skills.

ClassBank is a fun, digital platform where students can earn and spend classroom dollars based on their behavior, participation, and efforts throughout the day. It’s a great way to promote responsibility, motivation, and smart decision-making—skills that students will carry with them far beyond the classroom.

Throughout the school year, students will be able to:

• Earn classroom dollars for positive actions and habits
  

• Set goals and make choices about how to spend or save their money
  

• Shop in the Class or School Store for special privileges or rewards
  

ClassBank helps students understand the value of their actions and the basics of financial literacy in a way that’s meaningful and fun.

Nos emociona compartir que nuestra escuela estará utilizando ClassBank este año para apoyar un ambiente de aprendizaje positivo y desarrollar habilidades financieras que durarán toda la vida.

ClassBank es una plataforma digital divertida en la que los estudiantes pueden ganar y gastar “dólares del aula” según su comportamiento, participación y esfuerzo a lo largo del día. Es una excelente manera de fomentar la responsabilidad, la motivación y la toma de decisiones inteligentes—habilidades que los estudiantes llevarán consigo mucho más allá del salón de clases.

Durante el año escolar, los estudiantes podrán:

• Ganar dólares del aula por acciones y hábitos positivos
  

• Establecer metas y tomar decisiones sobre cómo gastar o ahorrar su dinero
  

• Comprar en la tienda del aula o de la escuela privilegios especiales o recompensas
  

ClassBank ayuda a los estudiantes a comprender el valor de sus acciones y los conceptos básicos de la educación financiera de una manera significativa y divertida.

The Columbus Board of Education will convene for the Board’s organizational meeting at 5:00 p.m., followed by the regular business meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the South Administrative Building, 3700 S. High Street, Room 825.

There will be no office hours for this meeting.

Meeting attendees will need to enter the north-facing door toward the west end of the building. The meeting will be live streamed via Facebook Live and the Columbus City Schools' YouTube Channel.

All attendees for organizational meeting or regular board business meetings will be required to enter through the walk-through screening detectors located on the west end of the building through the north-side facing doors. The District reserves the right to inspect all items entering its facilities.

ADA Accessibility: Columbus City Schools strives to accommodate all community members, including those with mobility issues. If you require assistance or accommodations, please contact the District’s Customer Relations Office at 614-365-8888, before the meeting date. Please note that accessible bathrooms are located on the first floor.

3700 S. High Street, Room 825

Middle and High School Lottery Applications will be accepted via the Parent Portal for the school choice lottery from Monday, February 2, 2026 through Tuesday, March 31, 2026. *Transportation for Middle school students is only available for 100% lottery schools beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Learn more about CCS Middle and High schools: https://www.ccsoh.us/our-district/school-choicelottery/video-profiles

Elementary Lottery Applications will be accepted via the Parent Portal for the school choice lottery from Monday, February 2, 2026 through Tuesday, March 31, 2026. *Transportation is only available for 100% lottery schools beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Elementary School Choice Fair

February 5, 2026 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Zoom Link: https://www.ccsoh.us/fs/pages/23650

Learn more about CCS Elementary schools: https://www.ccsoh.us/our-district/school-choicelottery/video-profiles

You're invited to Pastries with Parents on Tuesday, February 10th from 9:45–10:30 AM!

Come enjoy a sweet treat and a cup of coffee with us as we share what your 1st and 2nd graders are learning in class. We’ll also discuss ways you can stay connected and use district resources to support your child at home.

It’s a great opportunity to ask questions, learn together, and build our classroom community. We can’t wait to see you there!

Please join the Valleyview Vikings, Westgate Gators, West Broad Raptors, Highland Wildcats, and West Mound Allstars as they embark on the exciting adventure of becoming a Sixth Grade Westmoor Eagle!

Join us for a sixth grade family Middle School Preview Night at Westmoor Middle School! You will have an opportunity to meet the Westmoor Team, learn about the transition to sixth grade, tour the school building and enjoy light refreshments. We look forward to seeing you!

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

Please see below for a family friendly FAQ sheet that can be distributed and shared.

Nominate an Owltstanding Teacher/ Staff

Western Governors University (WGU) and Columbus City Schools would like to jointly recognize outstanding teachers and staff. WGU will be providing a special surprise for those selected.

Parents, students, fellow educators, administrators, or community members can nominate a teacher or staff member. Honorees will be selected based on their demonstrated impact in and beyond the classroom.

If you have questions email engage@columbus.k12.oh.us.

Contact Information

📞 Phone: (614) 902-9742

📱WhatsApp: Available at the number above

📧 Email: aevans4@columbus.k12.oh.us

💬 TalkingPoints: You can message me directly!

Office Hours

Monday& Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday by appointment only

*schedule subject to change

Hablo Español

📞 Phone: (380) 218-7930

📱WhatsApp: Available at the number above

📧 Email: yvargas@columbus.k12.oh.us

📬 Contact Us

📞 Main Office: 614-365-6312

Language Assistance Line: 614-365-8802

📠 Fax: 614-365-6768

📍 Address: 2989 Valleyview Dr.,

Columbus, OH 43204

✉️ Email: Valleyview@columbus.k12.oh.us

Talking Points: A quick and easy way to communicate with your child's teacher and the school.