CAHS Family Update

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*For those wondering about clubs, the date for Club Day will be announced soon! This is an event that is organized by the Student Senate but first the Student Senate needs to be finalized (applications are due Sept. 24 for Senate).

Sept. 26: 3:00-6:00 PM, Mums Pickup

Sept. 28: 7:00 PM, PTA Fundraising Meeting (zoom, details below)

Oct. 6: Dental Clinic (more details below)

Oct. 8: PSAT (10th/11th grades)

Oct. 16: 6:30 PM, PTA Meeting (zoom)

Oct. 17: No School, Professional Development Day

Oct. 21: Last Day of 1st Quarter

Oct. 22: No School, Records Day

Oct. 28: Picture Day

Oct. 29: 1st Day of Internships (11th/12th grades)

Nov. 3: Conference Night

Nov. 4: No School, Professional Development

Nov. 11: Conference Night

Nov. 13: 7:00 PM CAHS Choirs Concert (Auditorium)

Nov. 20: 6:30 PM, PTA Meeting (zoom)

Nov. 24-28: No School, Wellness Week

Thank you to all the caregivers who helped in multiple ways at Open House! We had door greeters, assistance with yearbook distribution, and donations of water and chips, dips, and samosas! A number of students also stayed after school that day to help with decorations and setup. Each of these contributions were very much appreciated and made the evening more welcoming and fun for all who attended.

We are looking for CAHS parents who are fluent in English and also speak one of these languages: Arabic, Nepali, and Somali. Our family ambassador would like help in setting up WhatsApp groups in these languages for parents to connect about school details for this school year. If you are interested in helping, please text Deborah Showalter's google voice number: 614-636-1355 or email: dshowalter1@columbus.k12.oh.us

Ms. Smith is the CAHS Internship Coordinator and Career and Community Resource Coordinator. She has an opportunity for CAHS Caregivers to impart some wisdom to our juniors and seniors in a workshop format. Please share with others in the workplace and community networks who may also be interested.

On October 15, 2025, we will hold the CAHS springBOARD (Broadening Opportunities for Awareness, Resilience, and Discovery) to develop students' social and emotional skills as they relate to postgraduate endeavors (including college, career, and service). We will focus on the following areas:

• Self-Awareness

• Self-Management

• Social Awareness

• Relationship Skills

• Responsible Decision-Making

The event will run from 11:30am-2:30pm and allow our juniors and seniors the chance to learn from community change agents (that's you!).

Prior to the event, we will host a pre-workshop planning session on Tuesday, September 30th from 1:30pm-2:30pm to give you a chance to go through Design Thinking and create the lesson to be delivered. The Zoom session will start with a common vision from our team here at CAHS and then provide breakout room time for you to polish your materials. We will also provide Google Slides templates as requested.

Our goal is to have 40 professionals join us for the CAHS springBOARD. Please feel free to share this with your professional network.

Registration can be found online at https://forms.gle/81d6zQKSrhSSzpxH7

Still have questions? Email Ms. Smith at: ssmith2@columbus.k12.oh.us

I am proud to share that Columbus Alternative High School has earned a 4.5 on the Ohio State Report Card!

This achievement reflects the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the strong support of our families. Together, we continue to show what makes CAHS such a special place to learn and grow. Thank you for being part of our success. This celebration belongs to all of us!

Ms. Lewis

Congratulations to Marcus McCullough who was recently announced as a National Merit Semifinalist!

Students have the opportunity to receive dental care at CAHS October 6. through a partnership set up with School Smiles by our school nurse. Because of some logistic issues, she had to switch companies, so if a student had already signed up, they will need to do so again. Please click the button below to register. Please sign up by October 3. Questions? Contact Nurse Tina: tpeterson@columbus.k12.oh.us

Thank you for helping to support the new policy this school year, especially as it relates to the cell phone ban from the beginning to end of the school day.

If students ever need to get ahold of family members during the day, there is now a phone designated for them in the lobby of the office.

If a caregiver is coming to pick up a student during the day, please call the office in the morning and let them know when the student should be at the office and ready to go. The secretaries will take this pass to the student so the student can then just leave class at the expected time and come to meet the caregiver at the office.

For more office details and school logistics, please click the button below.

Please click on the button below to read through the descriptions and see important photos about drop-off and pick-up!

Thank you to all who attended the first meeting. We heard from Principal Lewis, Dr. Moore, and Ms. Bryant, and we had a nice question/discussion with new caregivers. I love the energy of this new year, new students, and new families!

You can support the PTA by selecting us as your community reward organization every time you shop at Kroger. Use the app or go online to set it up (see images below). Thank you!

-Christy Haynes, PTA President

The fundraising meeting has been rescheduled for Sunday, 9/28 at 7pm. Apologies if anyone tried to join Thursday evening's meeting 9/26. We'd love to hear about any fundraising activities you had at previous schools so we can plan for this year. Thank you!

Friends of CAHS PTA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 446 732 4969

Passcode: 897973

We have a new group started for parents and caregivers who speak Spanish as their primary language! Thanks to parent Leticia Luna-Escobar for hosting this one. Feel free to join using the QR code or link and share with others in our community including parents/caregivers of rising freshmen. It will be an informal way to connect on school-related topics in Spanish.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/HOJylqbcFDAJLM0Wew2QGT

We have a new staff member joining our Safety and Security team this year. Mr. Noble served CCS for 25 years as a bus driver and a transportation supervisor for 5 years. He's worked with Safety and Security now for 3 1/2 years. He's recently been spotted trying out the percussion in Mr. Richardson's band room and has even joined in with the World Drumming Class. He was in concert and marching band back in his high school days in New Orleans and has continued to find outlets for his drumming over the years!

Students can now schedule appointments with support staff on calendly. This is specifically for students. If caregivers need to contact or meet with support staff, please do so through email. (Their emails are listed at the bottom of this newsletter.)

MEGAN HIGGINS- SCHOOL COUNSELOR LAST NAMES A-D
HTTPS://CALENDLY.COM/MHIGGINS-COLUMBUS/15

DREW MILLIGAN- SCHOOL COUNSELOR LAST NAMES E-MI
HTTPS://CALENDLY.COM/DRMILLIGAN

VICTORIA GOODWIN- SCHOOL COUNSELOR LAST NAMES MO-Z
HTTPS://CALENDLY.COM/VMGOODWIN

SAMANTHA SMITH- CAREER CENTER AND INTERNSHIP COORDINATOR
HTTPS://CALENDLY.COM/SSMITHCAHS/MS-SMITH-IN-PERSON-OFFICE-SCHEDULER

MICHELLE MEFFLEY- SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
HTTPS://CALENDLY.COM/MMEFFLEY-COLUMBUS/30MIN

Please schedule meetings during Academic Assist or Lunch outside of crisis situations. Hold on to your confirmation, as you will show that to your teacher to get a pass to leave. Thanks!

Medications at School:

All medications—prescription or over-the-counter—require a medication authorization form signed by both a parent and a healthcare provider. This includes items like inhalers and EpiPens.
Find forms here: https://www.ccsoh.us/Page/1211

Health Screenings:
During the 2025–2026 school year, students in grades 9 and 11 will have state-required health screenings (ORC 3313.69). These include:

• Vision and hearing checks

• A dental screening for new students

Emergency Contacts:
Please update your contact information in Infinite Campus so we can reach you in an emergency.

If you have questions or need help with your child’s health needs, please call Nurse Tina at (614) 365-6252.

Tina Peterson RN, BSN

School Nurse

Columbus Alternative High School

614-365-6252

tpeterson@columbus.k12.oh.us

Thank you for all of the support for the Mums fundraiser! We were able to raise almost $700 for our art programs at CAHS! Look for more details this week regarding pickup logistics on Friday, September 26.

CAHS Theater Arts Ensemble is performing The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe this year!

Students can still join the ensemble and participate! Rehearsals are Mondays and Tuesdays after school. Performances are in January.

For more information, please email Ms. Siegel:

gsiegel@columbus.k12.oh.us

Students in Ms. Siegel’s Theater Seminar classes began learning about lighting design using folded paper “sets” clip lamps, and real theater lighting color gels!

The club is beginning to do weekly park meetups in preparation for the official launch after Club Day.

If you are interested in learning more join the GroupMe chat!

https://groupme.com/join_group/107431700/LtjgizrR

Best wishes to all of our CAHS scholars participating in fall sports at their neighborhood high schools! If students are needing to ride a different bus after school to get to practices, they need to stop by the office and talk to Ms. Clayborn to get added to the appropriate bus route.

Caregivers or students, please fill out the Fall Athletes Form so that we know who to include in our upcoming Fall Athletes Newsletter. And please send any photos, championship updates, or other interesting details directly to family ambassador Deborah Showalter: dshowalter1@columbus.k12.oh.us

Some of the common questions we are all asked repeatedly by our family and friends and we also are asking ourselves are: "When is the CAHS building closing?" "Where is CAHS moving?"

The Columbus City Schools website now has a link on their homepage called "School Realignment." This describes a three-phase plan for the buildings and schools in the district that are being closed or relocated. Work is happening now for two elementary schools in Phase I that will close at the end of this school year. This is the description for CAHS:

• Phase II (2027-2028): Relocation of Columbus Alternative High School from the McGuffey site.

1. Download the Infinite Campus PARENT or STUDENT app to your phone.
2. Type 'Columbus' when it asks for the district then select CCS and Ohio

For more information about the A.M.P. program, please contact CAHS Social Worker Ms. Meffley at: mmeffley@columbus.k12.oh.us

Looking for a fun and educational way to spend your free time? With a Columbus Metropolitan Library card, you can access Culture Passes that grant you free admission to some of central Ohio’s most popular cultural institutions. Whether you're interested in museums, theaters, or other cultural experiences, these passes provide a fantastic opportunity to explore the local arts and culture scene without any cost.

To take advantage of this offer, simply visit your local library for in-person checkout. Culture Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and supplies are limited, so don’t miss your chance! Please note that passes cannot be reserved ahead of time. Visit your library today and see what’s available — it’s the perfect way to discover new adventures around the city while supporting your local library.

For our CAHS families living in the Linden community, check out this wonderful collection of resources and programs.

Ms. Michelle L. Lewis, Head Principal:

mlewis1275@columbus.k12.oh.us

Dr. Aaron D. Moore, Associate Principal/Director of Sophomore and Senior Experiences:

amoore6954@columbus.k12.oh.us

Ms. Bryant, Associate Principal/Director of Freshmen and Junior Experiences:

mbryant@columbus.k12.oh.us

Counselor Ms. Megan Higgins (last names A-D, Seniors A-G): mhiggins@columbus.k12.oh.us

Counselor Dr. Drew Milligan (last names E-Mi): cmilligan4382@columbus.k12.oh.us

Counselor Ms. Victoria Goodwin (last names Mo-Z): vgoodwin@columbus.k12.oh.us

Internship Coordinator Ms. Samantha Smith: ssmith2@columbus.k12.oh.us

Advanced Studies Coordinator Ms. Alice Webb: awebb@columbus.k12.oh.us

Attendance issues-Attendance Secretary Ms. Leslie Stanford: attendance.colalt@columbus.k12.oh.us

General CAHS questions-Principal's Secretary Ms. Rhonda Clayborn: rclaybor@columbus.k12.oh.us or (614) 365-6006

Nurse Ms. Tina Peterson: tpeterson@columbus.k12.oh.us

Family Ambassador Ms. Deborah Showalter: dshowalter1@columbus.k12.oh.us

Transportation Call Center: 614-365-5074

CCS Technology Help Desk: 614-365-8425

FACTline Phone Number: 614-221-FACT (614-221-3228)

Customer Relations Phone Number: (614)365-8888

Customer Relations Email: customerrelations@columbus.k12.oh.us

Parent Portal/Infinite Campus Help: If you've forgotten your username/password, click on EXISTING USER in the Portal, then click FORGOT USERNAME/PASSWORD, and the information will be sent to the email used to set up the account. If you no longer have access to the email used to set up the account, please send a picture ID, your student's name and date of birth to parentportalaccess@columbus.k12.oh.us

School Year Office Hours

Monday - Friday

7:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/CAHS
Location: 2632 McGuffey Rd, Columbus, OH 43211, USA
Phone: (614)365-6006