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The Quarterly District Newsletter August 2021

The future is bright! The 2021 22 school year is just around the corner, and we’re kicking it off with a new quarterly newsletter for our parents, families, employees, partners and the community.

Inside, you’ll find everything you need to know to get the school year off to a great start and learn about the exciting things happening at Cincinnati Public Schools.

We can’t wait to start the school year with you and your children!

In This Issue… A Super Update .......................................................2

News You Can Use ...................................................3

Academics and Curriculum ......................................5

Athletics and Arts....................................................6

By the Numbers .......................................................6

Parent Resources .....................................................7

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A SUPER UPDATE

We Are Stronger Than Ever! Dear families, employees, neighbors and partners, Welcome to the first issue of CPS Connect!

So many exciting things are happening at Cincinnati Public Schools! We’re launching this quarterly newsletter to shine a light on what’s ahead for our students and community.

First, I thank you. Last school year was one we will never forget. But we learned valuable lessons. Now, we are applying those lessons to create a new CPS that is stronger than ever:

• Exciting curriculum updates will help our students see themselves in the materials and develop a broader world view. Read more on Page 5.

• Districtwide investments will result in the best academic and supportive experience for our students. This means more teachers and support staff, Diversity & Inclusion in student learning models, increased WiFi and devices and more!

• Additional resources will help every student read before the end of first grade. Read more on Page 5. To continue to build knowledge and grow academically, this is a critical milestone for our young learners.

• Everything we do prepares our students for life. From elementary school to high school, we equip them for their chosen 3E pathway: enrolling in college, enlisting in the military or beginning gainful employment right away.

As a new school year approaches, read about our amazing students and staff and learn everything you need to know about the beginning of 2021 –22. Remember: No matter

your child’s interests, needs or aspirations —today or in the future —we have a place for them at CPS.

I think this will be our best school year yet!

The Future is Bright!

Tianay Amat Interim Superintendent

You Shared, We Listened! Your voice is important! Based on your feedback, some • Tea with Tianay: You’ll soon be invited to informal of the new ways you’ll hear from me this year include: discussions over tea and coffee at schools and other

community gathering places this fall —more details • CPS Connect: Mailed quarterly to homes and email.

to come! Also available on social media and online.

• Super in 60: The important items you want to Just as important, we want to continue to hear from you! know in 60 seconds via a monthly video update Look for regular requests to provide input on what’s most sent through email. Also available on social media important to you! Thanks for all you do! and online.

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NEWS YOU CAN USE

August 19: Back to School, Back to the Classroom! All schools will resume in-person learning five days a week with established safety protocols.

In-person learning is critical for most students —and it’s safe. We are implementing practices that successfully limit the spread of COVID-19, as seen by low transmission rates last year:

Universal masking

Hand and bathroom hygiene

Achieving 4 –6 air changes per hour of clean air through any combination of ventilation and filtration (or outdoor classrooms)

Physical distancing, 6-feet where possible

Isolation, quarantine and contact tracing practices

Cleaning and maintaining facilities

Families who aren’t comfortable with in-person learning can choose Cincinnati Digital Academy, a technology-based alternative and our only distance learning option for next year. Learn more about exciting new enhancements and enroll at digitalacademy.cps-k12.org.

Visit cps-k12.org/news/backtoschool.

Vaccines are available! Seventy percent of CPS staff have been vaccinated against COVID-19 through district efforts, and vaccines will continue through the school year.

Meals announcement!

CPS will continue to serve healthy meals free of charge to all enrolled students in 2021 –22.

Please read the Student Dining Services Back to School Information Packet (mailed in early August) for more information about additional benefits for which you may be eligible.

Please call 513-363-0800 or email cpsfs@cpsboe.k12.oh.us with any questions.

Have more questions? Just raise your hand! Call our Customer Care office at 513-363-0123 or visit cps-k12.org for districtwide information. Call your child’s school or visit its website for school-specific details. Keep an eye out for messages from your principals or teachers, too!

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NEWS YOU CAN USE

Go Ahead … Let Your Teenager Hit ‘Snooze’

Here’s some news your teen will love to hear. Beginning in August, students at the following high schools will have later arrival and dismissal times: Aiken High School, Clark Montessori High School, James N. Gamble Montessori High School,

Hughes STEM High School, Riverview East Academy, Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School, Shroder High School, Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students and Woodward Career Technical High School. Find their new start times here: cps-k12.org/ news/whats-new/healthy-start-times-2021-2022.

In 2019, the Board of Education decided to phase in later start times at the high school level, and this is the last group of schools to make the transition. Check your school’s website to find its start time.

ConGRADulations! Congratulations to our 1,700+ Class of 2021 graduates!

As the CPS college team moves forward into the next academic year, they remain committed to focusing on developing tools and strategies to increase college admissions among underrepresented student populations, as well as expanding DEI initiatives, services and resources districtwide and throughout community partnerships within college-bound programming.

Do You Have a Pre-Schooler? It’s time to shine! We’re now enrolling children in preschool and kindergarten. You and your child will experience our:

• Five-star rated preschool programs, the highest rating from the Ohio Department of Education.

• Commitment to the districtwide goal that every child reads by the end of first grade.

• Full-time resource coordinators, who provide students and families with community services, resources and support.

• Active Parent Teacher Organizations. • So much more!

Gather the documents you need for registration (find them at cps-k12.org/enroll/registration-documents) then visit our district office at 2651 Burnet Ave. to enroll your child. Walk in or schedule an appointment by calling 513-363-0017. Online registration also is available at register.cps-k12.org/login.

Welcome, New Principals! • Ashle Jones, Chase School

Previously the assistant principal at Covedale School • Yolanda Jackson, interim principal at Dater

Montessori School Previously the assistant principal

• Britni Tudor, Evanston Academy • Jennifer Williams, Hughes STEM High School

Previously the assistant principal at Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School

• Maureen Brenner, Mt. Washington School

• Michael Allison, Oyler School Previously the principal at South Avondale School

• Danielle Battle, The Promise Center Previously the assistant principal at Withrow University High School

• Tiffani Maher, Rees E. Price Academy • Rebecca Wolf, Riverview East Academy • April Simmons, South Avondale School • Kynda Few, Westwood School

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ACADEMICS AND CURRICULUM

Broadening World Views As part of our refreshed Destination: Cincinnati Public Schools strategic plan, we’ve made exciting curriculum updates:

• Thanks to the Speak Up Speak Out initiative, every high school will teach African American history. The K–12 social studies curriculum will include lessons that increase representation, equity and anti-racism.

• We’ve increased our advanced world- and heritage-languages courses at Roberts Academy, Western Hills University High School, Gilbert A. Dater High School, Withrow University High School, Aiken High School and LEAP Academy.

• Our English Language Arts department has increased representation of African American and Latinx people in course materials.

• We’re excited to offer American Sign Language (ASL) at James N. Gamble Montessori High School, Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School and Shroder High School.

• We’re adopting an innovative K–12 science curriculum.

Read more at cps-k12.org/about-cps/strategic-plan.

Focus on First Grade Reading!

Our goal is for your child to read by the end of first grade so that they have the power to learn and grow every year. Beginning in 2021 –22, all CPS schools that teach kindergarten and first grade will have an onsite reading specialist to help students who need

additional support. The literacy professional —combined with the work of their dedicated teachers —will set up all our K –1 students for success.

We’ll begin two-week progress checks that evaluate your child’s development in learning phonics and building knowledge. We’ll share your child’s results with you and, importantly, celebrate their success!

Career Readiness Updates Great things are happening in Career Tech:

• New High School Tech Internship Pilot Program: CPS is one of 12 organizations chosen. Eight high school students will receive paid, hands-on experience across several industries.

• New JROTC Program: The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program, sponsored by the U.S. Armed Forces, will be available to 10th-grade students at Aiken High School.

• Expanding Firefighter/EMT Career Pathway: Aspiring firefighters and EMTs at Gilbert A. Dater High School can pursue the Firefighter and Emergency Medical Services pathway, available to 10th- and 11th-grade students.

• New Earn-as-You-Learn Work Readiness Program: Thanks to a grant from Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, CPS, Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency and Easterseals TriState are offering Level Up: Launch Your Future for high school students and recent grads. Learn more: cps-k12.org/news/whats-new/level-launch-your-future-program-offers-work-readiness-training.

Going Green CPS is striving to become our nation’s greenest district by developing environmentally focused studies and high school curriculum.

We’re already making great strides! James N. Gamble Montessori High School was Ohio’s only school —and one of only 27 nationwide —selected as a 2021 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School. It has beautiful gardens and orchards, a cutting-edge agriculture program and best-in-class water purification, smart lighting and energy efficient facilities.

Our youngest learners are taking “green” into their own hands, too! In partnership with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Rockdale Academy just opened its one-acre Urban Learning Garden that features a solar-powered greenhouse, rainwater harvesting system, amphitheater and more. A special thanks to the Reds Community Fund, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Procter & Gamble for their support.

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ATHLETICS AND ARTS

New Grant Allows CPS to Deepen Bench

Thanks to a generous grant from the University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute, we’ve expanded our partnership with Mercy Health, which will allow us to hire a new athletic trainer from the health system. The new role will support Oyler School, Riverview East Academy and Spencer Center for

Gifted and Exceptional Students by educating students about health and wellness, providing injury treatment and promoting preventive measures. Our Athletic Director Josh Hardin said this advancement is “… a part of our approach to bring equitable access to health and safety for all of our students … a chance to provide care not only during, but before and after the game.”

Sign Up for Jazz Academy Calling aspiring musicians! CPS’ Jazz Academy has openings for 2021 – 22. The free, school year-long program provides instruction and performance opportunities. Don’t own an instrument? The program will check one out to you!

Beginning Sept. 7, groups will rehearse from 4:40 – 6 p.m. once a week —on a day determined by your child’s age and skill level—at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center. Assistance with transportation can be provided.

Requirements: students must be entering grades 4 – 12 in Fall ‘21 and have experience playing an instrument through their school band program (elementary: at least six months; middle/high school: at least two years). Learn more and apply by Aug. 24 at cps-k12.org. Students and parents/guardians will then participate in an interview on Aug. 28. CPS will notify applicants of acceptance status by no later than Aug. 30.

BY THE NUMBERS

Class of 2021 Grads

97% of seniors declared their 3E pathway (our goal was 95%)!

49 senior athletes are committed to play at the collegiate level.

$57.6MM+ in scholarships have been offered to our college-bound senior cohort.

24 semi-finalists and 2 recipients named for the National Merit Scholarship.

We Keep Things Local, Local, Local

Did You Know We Have…?

34 Advanced Placement (AP) courses across the district.

11 major career fields in our career tech program.

24 college partnerships.

33 College Credit Plus programs across the district.

20+ career pathways in our career tech program.

of the food we served in 2020–21 cases of local produce were distributed 52% 79K was sourced locally. in 2020–21.

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PARENT RESOURCES

Numbers & Sites to Know Academics: 513-363-0126

Athletics: 513-363-9501

Calendar: cps-k12.org/ news/calendar

Career & Technical Programs: 513-363-0207

Community Learning Centers: 513-363-0154

Early Childhood Education (Preschool): 513-363-0240

English Language Learners: 513-363-3251

Enrollment —Customer Care Center: 513-363-0123

Fine Arts: 513-363-0126

PowerSchool: cps-k12. org/families-students/ technology-tools/ powerschool

Schoology: cps-k12. org/families-students/ technology-tools/ schoology

Student Dining Services: 513-363-0800

Technology Support: 513-363-0390

Transportation: 513-363-RIDE (7433)

Please Update Your Contact Information. One of the most critical steps you can take today is to ensure your home address, phone and email are updated. Please call Customer Care at 513-363-0123 or email CPSHelp@cps-k12.org.

School-based Health Centers are Ready to Serve

CPS operates 25 school-based health centers throughout the district that serve our students; 10 of these also serve the community. Our healthcare, dental and vision clinics

provide medical services in areas that don’t have such offices nearby and also allow students to receive care so that they don’t have to miss school.

No one is denied medical services because of an inability to pay.

Find a school-based health center near you at cps-k12.org/families-students/health-wellness/school-based-centers/locations.

Q1 2021–22 Calendar

For Cincinnati Board of Education meeting dates, please visit cps-k12.org/about-cps/board-of-education. Find all important, districtwide dates at cps-k12.org/news/calendar.

The Board of Education

Cincinnati Board of Education members are, from left, Pamela Bowers, Mike Moroski, Board President Carolyn Jones, Eve Bolton, Ben Lindy, Melanie Bates and Board Vice President Ryan Messer.

First Day of School

Labor Day (no school)

AUG. 19

SEPT. 6

Midterm Week SEPT.

13–17

Staff Professional Development Day (no school)

Last Day of First Quarter

SEPT. 27

OCT. 15

Register Anytime, Anywhere Registration is available 24/7 online at register.cps-k12. org/login. Visit cps-k12.org/enroll to review what documents you will need to get started.

Contact us at 513-363-0123, at CPSHelp@cpsboe.k12. oh.us or schedule an appointment for help at cps-k12.org/ community/customer-care-center.

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Stay in touch! Website: cps-k12.org

Customer Care: 513-363-0123

Facebook: @CincinnatiPublicSchools

Cincinnati Public Schools P.O. Box 5381

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Cincinnati, Ohio Permit No. 7397

Cincinnati, Ohio 45201-5381

cps-k12.org

Twitter: @IamCPS

Instagram: @IamCPS

Hashtag: #CPSConnectNews

Issue 1, Volume 1

The Future is Bright!

The Quarterly District Newsletter August 2021