18 Columbus City Schools Receive State Recognition for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

Eighteen Columbus City Schools, CCS schools have earned Gold and Bronze recognition for their team-based planning and problem solving to implement the Ohio Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports, PBIS in schools.

Earning Gold-level, the highest tier of recognition are Binns and Georgian Heights Elementary Schools. Sixteen schools received the Bronze-level distinction; Alpine, Avalon, Avondale, Easthaven, Forest Park, Indian Springs, Lindbergh, Northtowne, Oakland Park, Parkmoor, Salem, Valleyview, and West Mound Elementary Schools, including four middle schools; Mifflin, Johnson Park, and Sherwood.

“We are excited to celebrate with our 18 schools on their recognition of Gold and Bronze status from the Ohio PBIS showcase,” said Cheryl Ward, Director, Social-Emotional and Student Support Services, Columbus City Schools. “This recognition is a reflection of the time, effort and commitment these schools have made in providing a PBIS framework in their buildings and moving their staff and students toward a stronger climate and culture.”

The implementation of PBIS involves a long-term commitment to a process of evaluation, planning, development and renewal in order to develop the highest quality program implemented with fidelity.

“Our PBIS teams are committed to building relationships with our overall learning community,” said Columbus City Schools Superintendent Dr. Talisa Dixon. “The Gold and Bronze distinctions demonstrate the impact of our PBIS implementation efforts and supports our students receive so they can excel academically, socially, and emotionally.”

Bronze-level schools are able to document evidence of a comprehensive system of behavioral supports at tier 1 with a Tiered Fidelity Inventory (TFI) score of at least 70%. Silver-level schools must meet the criteria for Bronze-level as well as implement with a higher level of fidelity. These schools must also implement tier II supports with a TFI of at least 70%.

Finally, Gold-level schools must meet all the criteria for Bronze and Silver-levels and implement at the highest level of fidelity. These schools must also maintain tier II and tier III supports with a TFI of at least 70%.

The 5th annual Ohio PBIS Showcase will highlight the Bronze, Silver and Gold award winners for 2019, on December 11, at the Dayton Convention Center. The Showcase is an opportunity for Ohio school districts implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports to showcase what works in Ohio schools.

Elevate Northland opens Business Academy

Columbus North-based organization, Elevate Northland as set up a Business Academy to bring small business training resources directly to the Northland community.

The Coordinator of the Business Academy Lauren Muchewicz the academy will “cater to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs regardless of business experience or English language proficiency.”

“The training resources that the Business Academy has recently offered include classes regarding Financial Literacy and Business Plans and Marketing.”

Elevate Northland promotes economic and social development in the Northland community.

Northland is a culturally diverse community that is already home to so many entrepreneurs.

Classes are held at the Ashland University Columbus campus.

Columbus City Schools Cancels Classes Tuesday and Wednesday due to hot temperature

Columbus City Schools has cancelled classes Tuesday, October 1, and Wednesday, October 2, 2019 Columbus City Schools due to prolonged hot temperatures and humidity.

“We do not take this decision lightly,” said Superintendent/CEO Dr.Talisa Dixon.

“The greatest challenge is not just the hot temperatures during the day, but how hot and humid it stays into the evening. Our schools simply cannot cool off at night. We must put the safety of our students and staff first.”

The District will require school administrators and custodial teams to report for work.

Teachers, secretaries, and school-based staff will not.

Non-school based employees, bus drivers and bus aides will be required to report as scheduled.

All after-school activities including athletics are cancelled.

The Superintendent and District leadership will continue to monitor building conditions and make decisions about early dismissals or class cancellations as early as possible, to give families as much time as possible to plan for schedule changes.

City of Columbus Receives Certificate for Most Water Conserved

The City of Columbus was presented with a certificate from the Wyland Foundation for being the winner in the 8th Annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation by pledging to reduce its water use by 65.4 million gallons over the next year.

Scott Creech, executive director of the Wyland Foundation, presented the certificate to Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther.

“Our residents know the value of conserving water,” said Mayor Ginther.

“We know climate change is impacting us, so using our resources wisely is critical for future generations.”

The home water efficient upgrade award went to Columbus resident, and GreenSpot member, Brenda Gischel of Schumacher Place for taking the water conservation pledge.

Ecosystems, LLC will perform the upgrade.

In addition to reducing water, residents from Columbus pledged to reduce their use of 176,806 single-use plastic water bottles and eliminate 3,836 pounds of hazardous waste from entering watersheds.

By altering daily lifestyle choices, residents pledge to send 1.7 million fewer pounds of waste to area landfills.

Potential savings of 483,000 gallons of oil, 281 million pounds of carbon dioxide, 4.2 million kilowatt hours of electricity, and $819,436 in consumer cost savings rounded out the final pledge results.

Village Improvement Project holds Fundraising Nov. 16

Columbus-based Village Improvement Project will hold a fundraising on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 610 Lancaster Avenue, Reynoldsburg, Ohio to provide Solar Home Light Kits for Liberian rural homes starting 7:30 pm.

“Lighting homes with kerosene and flashlights is the largest single expense for villagers in rural Liberia, and the smartest way to control that expense is to stop buying kerosene and batteries,” said Dr. LeRoy Boikai, Chairman of the Board.

“Village Improvement Project goal is to send 100 home solar kits to help provide years of zero-cost clean renewable energy to families in rural Liberia where children can have bright and safe lighting to study at night and families can extend their activities into the night.”

A whole home solar kit comes with four light sources with three levels of brightness, a solar panel, and a control box that charges devices and plays music.

The Village Improvement Project is a non-profit organization of volunteers that give their dedicated time and money to improve the well-being of residence in rural communities in Liberia.