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🔢✨ Check out info from Pre-K Family Math Night!
We have monthly Pre-K Family Math Webinars hosted by WOSU in partnership with Columbus City Schools Early Childhood Education!
These virtual sessions will include hands-on math activities that families can enjoy together at home. Videos and instructions are included — no math experience needed!Check out the exciting activities from the first Family Math Night:
- English and translated instructions: Family Math Night page
- Featured Book Read Aloud: Ten Black Dots
- Featured PBS Game: Peg + Cat, Rock Art
Next Math Night is:
📅 Wednesday, December 17
🕕 6:00 PM
💻 Zoom Link: https://www.wosu.pm/ccs26
(or simply scan the QR code on your Pre-K Math Kit!)**PreK Teachers will send a math kit home with your PreK student**
Let’s explore and play with math in ways that make learning fun and meaningful! 💛
❄️ WINTER BREAK LEARNING FUN! ❄️
Keep the learning going all winter long!
Families can use these resources over the break to support Pre-K skills in reading, math, and social–emotional learning.
Click on the Winter Break Packet to download even more fun activities!
✨ Winter Break Learning Packet
✨ Learning Links for Families
Waterford Learning
Tons of books, songs, and activities!
🔗 https://family.waterford.orgPre-K On My Way
Explore the songs and stories your child is learning in class.
🔗 https://prekonmywayfamily.scholastic.com
Password: scoutPBS Kids
Play learning games with favorite characters.
🔗 https://pbskids.orgStarfall
Fun early reading and math activities.
🔗 https://www.starfall.comIXL Learning
Try some winter break math practice!
🔗 https://www.ixl.comBrighten Up Kids (SEL Clips)
Short, engaging videos to support social–emotional skills.
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@BrightenUpKids/shorts
Have a cozy, joyful, and learning-filled Winter Break! ❄️⛄
❄️ CCS Pre-K Winter Activity and Resource Guide 2025❄️Cap4Kids Thanksgiving and Christmas Resource List
The annual CAP4Kids Holiday Help List is here! This list is being updated in real time and includes free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, holiday toy programs, free coats and clothing, and more. Check back often for updates on giveaways for meals, winter clothing, toys, and more to help keep the holidays bright for all.
Please note: Availability may change quickly. Please contact agencies directly to verify accuracy and access services.
Click the link below for the full list of programs and opportunities.
🖥️ Virtual Family Engagement EventsJoin us from home to stay connected, learn tips, and share input. All sessions start at 6:00 PM.
📅 2025–2026 Virtual Schedule:-
Jan. 28 – F.A.C.E. Kindergarten Enrollment / School Lottery
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Feb. 25 – Webinar: Therapists & Differentiation
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Mar. 25 – F.A.C.E. Spring Break & Summer Options
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Apr. 15 – Webinar: Kindergarten Transition & Summer
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📚 Thank You for Joining Us at the Library!
To all the families who joined us at the Pre-K Literacy Event this past Saturday, November 15, at the CML Main Library —>
THANK YOU! We loved seeing your children explore reading stations, gather new resources, and enjoy storytime. It was a joyful day!If you attended OR weren’t able to make it this time, we want to hear from you!
Please take 1–2 minutes to complete this quick survey TODAY to be entered into a prize drawing! 🎁
👉 Survey Link: https://bit.ly/PreKNov2025
You can find all the slide from the literacy day attached to this email and here:
🦁 Zoo Day with CCS Pre-K Families – Event Recap
We had an incredible time on Saturday, 10/11, at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium with our CCS Pre-K families!
This special event was made possible through our continued partnership with the Columbus Zoo, with additional support from Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Franklin County Public Health. Families enjoyed a morning full of wildlife exploration, hands-on activity stations, and valuable community resources.
We welcomed over 400 Pre-K family attendees—what a wild success!
📸 View the full recap and at-home learning activities:
👉 https://bit.ly/CCSPreKZoo2025
More info about the zoo day at: https://bit.ly/CCSPreKZoo2025🎉 Pre-K Kickoff at the Grange Audubon Center - RecapWe had a wonderful time this past Saturday at the Pre-K Kickoff held at the beautiful Grange Insurance Audubon Center!This year’s Kickoff was held in collaboration with WOSU and the Grange Audubon Center, and it was a huge success! Families explored nature, enjoyed CCS resources, and enjoyed hands-on learning activities.See the full recap, activities, and resources here:
🧡 FACE Meeting Highlights – November 12
At our recent Family Advisory Committee (FACE) session on November 12 at 6 PM, we focused on Behaviors & Strategies, sharing practical tools and insights to support families at home and in school.
📄 All slides and meeting notes are available below – take a look to stay informed, empowered, and connected!
FACE Meeting Zoom Video
FACE Meeting Slides
Video on Behaviors & Strategies
🧡 FACE Meeting Highlights – September 24
At our recent Family Advisory Committee (FACE) meeting on September 24, we had some exciting updates and shared valuable information with families.
📄 All slides and meeting notes are available below – check them out to stay informed and connected!
September F.A.C.E. Presentation
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Pre-K Families:
Our team has compiled a list of family resources to address possible needs you, your student, or other members of your family may have. Below you will find the Early Childhood Education Family Resources grid. You can use this grid to locate a number of local community resources based on your specific need.
If you have a specific need and would like personal assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I can be reached by phone at 380-997-3791 or by email at ssheline@columbus.k12.oh.us.
Utilize FREE programming and things to do in our local community!
Parks
Metro Parks and Trails
https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/
Columbus Recreation & Parks
Sensory Friendly
- Sensory Friendly Films (amctheatres.com)
- Movies for Special Needs | Marcus Theatres
- Sensory Friendly Play | Urban Air Adventure Park
- Always Dancing Project held via Zoom on Saturdays
- Easter Seals Discovery Garden PlaygroupDiscovery Garden Playgroup - FLYER
- COSI - Amenities and Accessibility
- Special Assistance Services at John Glenn International (flycolumbus.com)
- Check out the Journey Care Kits
- Pickerington Public Library is Certified Sensory Inclusive - (pickeringtonlibrary.org)
- The Adaptive Sports Connection
- Include Ability: Helping Create ACCESS
- Sensory Friendly - Eat Play CBUS
- Disability-friendly and sensory-friendly in Columbus (columbusonthecheap.com)
- Fun for Families with Special Needs Around Columbus | Upparent
Resources for Immigrants & Refugees
Full List of Agencies Providing Legal Services and Resources
CRIS: Community Refugee and Immigration Services
CRIS offers a wide array of programs and services that aim to facilitate sustained self-sufficiency and successful integration for those we serve, including but not limited to English classes, employment training and placement, health and wellness groups, youth mentorship, family support, advocacy for victims of crime, and legal services.
Other Resources
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CCS Student/Family Safety Policy, Immigration Concerns Smore Link - Click Here
Did you know the ESL Department has a designated call center in over seven foreign languages?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bhCffGWRyd4_VxOUZXEXnDimsmEDk4Xr/view
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📚 Curriculum Connections for Families
PreK families, you can dive into the curriculum with our hand flyer! It's full of tips and links to help support learning at home. (See the flyer below - You have received these at orientation)
Download here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGOBdJsiVE/wMHM2fqrbDGJEsvDCrj6bQ/edit
Pre-K On My Way
Families can visit the PreK On My Way Family Exchange every week for music, ebooks, and activities!
Website: www.scholastic.com/prekonmywayfamily
Password: Scout
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WOSU: Second Saturday Kids Days
Second Saturday Kids Days are FREE events that take place at the WOSU headquarters.
The next Second Saturday Kids Day:
Second Saturday Kids Day
Saturday, October 11, 2025
9:00-11:00am
WOSU Ross Community Studio
1800 N. Pearl Street, Columbus, Ohio 43201 (View Map)Follow your curiosity at the next Second Saturday Kids Day! This month, we have exciting hands on learning experiences and activities. Meet special guest Clifford from the hit PBS series Clifford the Big Red Dog!
WOSU Ross Community Studio 1800 N. Pearl Street, Columbus, Ohio 43201
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
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Ready for Kindergarten
Have a Blast with Math!
Did you know that early math skills are a strong indicator of future academic success, including reading success? Simple activities such as counting objects, identifying numbers and sorting items go far toward building a child’s number sense and problem-solving abilities.
Fish Eyes by Lois Ehlert is perfect for practicing beginning counting skills and number recognition. While reading, have your child describe the different features of the fish and count their eyes to find out how many are on each page. Then, use the little brown fish to introduce the idea of simple addition.
Looking for More Practice?
Try this simple family math activity at home.
Plus, check out our Ready for Kindergarten Classes, which offer hands-on, skill focused activities. Visit our Birth to Five page to see when and where these free classes are offered.
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Visit the link below for CML Ready for Kindergarten videos.
Ready for Kindergarten ReplaysCheck out these fun at-home activities to help get your child ready for kindergarten!
Skill Builders
Other Libraries & Activities
Take advantage of free programming, story times, crafts, play areas, and other events held for free at the libraries. The library is a great place to spend time as a family. You can even book a private room!
Piper's Key - Inclusion, Disabilities, Charity, Representation (piperskey.com) - reach out here for a FREE BOOK to keep that may reflect your child. Take a look!
Experience - Bexley Public Library (bexleylibrary.org)
Columbus Metropolitan Library (columbuslibrary.org)
Events – Grandview Heights Public Library (ghpl.org)
JP Morgan Chase Library (osu.edu)
Southwest Library- Home (swpl.org)
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Future Ready Five
Check out Future Ready Five for more resources for Kindergarten Readiness.
See: https://futurereadyfive.org/families/
Kindergarten Readiness Text Tips
Are you signed up for these great, FREE readiness resources?
- Bright by Text: BBT is a free texting service that sends developmental tips and tricks right to your phone. The content is based on your child's date of birth, so it is targeted right at your child's developmental stage. Sign up today!
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🖥️ PreK Family Engagement Resources
Need access to all the monthly ECE newsletters? Everything is on the ECE Family Engagement Page and you can access newletters here: https://www.ccsoh.us/Page/11845
Events for the Whole Family!
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Triple P - Free Parenting Workshops
St. Vincent Family Services: Behavioral Health
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Click to view the video below about Pre-K Report Cards.
CCS PreK Report Card Info 2025
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📅 ECE Family Calendars
PreK families, stay in the loop! Below are the ECE Family Calendars, packed with all the virtual and in-person monthly events for the year.
