January is School Board Appreciation Month

As we celebrate School Board Appreciation Month, we want to take a moment to recognize the invaluable contributions of our dedicated Board of Directors. Their unwavering commitment to our charter school community has been instrumental in shaping our school into a thriving hub of learning and growth.

Why Charter Schools Matter

Our charter school offers a unique educational experience that is:

• Tuition-Free: Accessible to all families in our community, regardless of their financial situation.
• Safe and Secure: Providing a nurturing and supportive environment where students can learn and thrive.
• Community-Focused: Partnering with parents, teachers, and the broader community to create a strong educational foundation for our students.

The Role of Our Board

Our Board of Directors plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of our school. They:

• Set the Vision: Establish a clear and inspiring vision for our school’s future.
• Make Informed Decisions: Carefully consider all options and make sound decisions that benefit our students.
• Provide Oversight: Monitor the school’s operations and financial health.
• Advocate for Our Students: Represent our school’s interests at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Recruit and Support Quality Staff: Help attract and retain talented educators who are passionate about our mission.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Board members for their tireless efforts. Their dedication and expertise have made a significant impact on the lives of our students.

Let’s take a moment to thank our Board members for their invaluable contributions. Their commitment to our school’s mission is truly inspiring.

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Experience the Pillars of Educational Success! Begin your application today:

Holiday Issue, Volume 2: Issue No. 3

Hey parents! We know you want your kids to be safe, happy, and successful in school. Our students benefit from caring teachers, a secure school environment, and individualized learning so they can grow, learn, and thrive right from the start. Check out everything our school has to offer.

Early Learning Programs

• Free, full-day Kindergarten for students turning 5 by Oct 1

• Free before & after school care program

Well-Rounded Academics

• Creative instruction in Art and Music fosters imagination & self-expression

• Life skills that promote financial literacy

• PE program that promotes fitness, health & teamwork

• Social-Emotional skill building to manage emotions & make responsible decisions

• Classroom technology includes 1:1 Chromebooks to accelerate learning

• Career Tech programs with focus on agriculture careers

Special Features

• New, state-of-the-art facility with new classrooms & gymnasium

• Safe, secure campus

• Free breakfast & lunch

• Free counseling & tutoring on-site to support student success

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Get the conversation started with Columbus Arts and Technology Academy! Start your application today:

With the release of Ohio School Report Cards on Friday, September 13th, we are excited to celebrate the academic achievement of our students and staff during the 2023-24 school year.

Congratulations CATA for receiving:

• 3 stars on Progress
• 3 stars on Gap Closing

To learn more about school report cards, visit the Ohio Department of Education website.

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Ready to enroll in our high-achieving school?

Oasis Families,

Welcome! We want to clarify some information about the Oasis program and to check on how many families are still planning to attend. We have many families on the waitlist and want to accommodate as many as possible.

Important Information:

• Eligibility: Oasis is for students from kindergarten through 6th grade only.

• Payment Deadline: Payment is due by the end of the first week of school, September 13th, 2024. Please note that we are only able to accept cash at this time. The monthly rate is $40 for 1-2 students and $60 for 3 + students. Payment will be due by the 5th of each month.

• Program Hours: Oasis operates from 6:00 a.m. to 7:40 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on school days. We do not offer care on non-school days. Payments can be made ahead of time this week at the school.

• Late Pick-Up Policy: There is a $5 fine for any child picked up after 6:00 p.m. Three late pick-ups in a month will result in dismissal from the program.

• Enrollment Confirmation: Any families who have not contacted us or submitted payment by the deadline will be placed back on the waitlist.

• Attendance Options: Please let us know if your child will be attending in the AM, PM, or both.

• Pick-Up Requirements: All persons picking up a child must be listed on the child’s emergency contact/pick-up form. A picture ID must be presented for the child to be released.

To secure your child’s enrollment, please fill out the attached Google form for each child attending by Friday. Spots will be released to families on the waitlist starting Saturday morning.

https://forms.gle/BqMqEUGDsFfLC9PDA

Thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to a great year with your child in the Oasis program!

Best regards,
Oasis Staff

Congratulations to Columbus Arts and Technology Academy on winning three Accely awards at ACCELence2024, the annual leadership summit hosted by ACCEL Schools. Principal Mackenzie Eikenberry received a Rising Star in Leadership award and Daneeka Barroga was honored as High School Teacher of the Year. Additionally, the school received an Outstanding Growth in Math award.

“It is an honor to recognize the staff and leadership who share our mission and strive to make quality education available to all children,” said ACCEL Schools CEO Ron Packard who presented the awards on July 10. 

Packard praised Principal Eikenberry for boosting CATA’s academic outcomes and managing the school’s move to a new location. He acknowledged Ms. Barroga for her excellence in the classroom including increasing the English II scores by almost 12 points from February to the end of course exam in April. She also created a journalism club where students author a monthly newsletter that goes out to CATA families.

Recognizing the hard work and success of schools, teachers, and principals is an important tradition at ACCEL Schools, a network of 98 public charter schools serving PK-12 students. The Accelys are awarded to schools with outstanding operational and academic results including student attendance, teacher retention, enrollment growth & retention, fiscal responsibility, benchmark assessments, and state testing. Additional awards recognize outstanding teachers and administrative leaders within the ACCEL Schools network.

CATA received the following 2023 Accely awards:

• Rising Star in Leadership Award, Mackenzie Eikenberry
• High School Teacher of the Year, Daneeka Barroga
• Outstanding Growth in Math

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Ready to take the next step and join us?

On May 19, Columbus Arts and Tech Academy (CATA) celebrated its Class of 2024 at an 11 am graduation ceremony at Wigwam Event Center in Pickerington, Ohio. Ten seniors received their high school diplomas. Kadija Balde, the Class valedictorian, and Halimatou Jallow, the Class salutatorian, were honored during the ceremony. Community leader and creative consultant, Christopher Hearn, presented the graduation keynote.

The Class of 2024 began high school during the uncertainty and disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Each of our ten seniors has demonstrated resilience, perseverance, and dedication these past four years of high school,” said CATA’s Principal, Mackenzie Eikenberry. “We are very proud of how hard they have worked to overcome obstacles to reach this milestone in their lives, and we are eager to see what the future holds as they go on to college, careers, and the military.”

While some students were still undecided on their college choice, five planned to enroll in a college or university with acceptances to Columbus State Community College, Capital University, Ohio Dominican University, and Otterbein University. Two students were committed to trade schools, and one graduate will join the military after graduation.

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Ready to enroll for the 2024-25 school year?

• OCSSA Soccer 3rd-5th Grade Runner-Up
• OCSSA Soccer 6th-8th Grade Runner-Up
• OCSSA MS Girls Basketball Runner-Up
• OCSSA HSG Basketball Champion
• OCSSA Track Runner-Up

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Activities

• Volleyball
• Soccer
• Basketball
• Cheerleading
• Track & Field

Find a supportive learning environment where your child can flourish! Ms. Greco’s extraordinary commitment to our English Language Learners (ELL) is evident in the way she deftly increases their confidence and language ability in the classroom. Her enthusiasm for teaching not only encourages but also fosters a friendly and empowering environment. Join our wonderful community, where every kid is respected and encouraged to succeed, by enrolling today!

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re taking a moment to amplify our incredible instructional staff!

Teachers join our school with a desire to make a difference in the lives of children in our community. With hearts of gold, teachers create nurturing classroom environments, develop inspiring lesson plans, adapt instruction to meet individual needs, capitalize on real life teaching moments, support the social-emotional development of students & so much more.

Every school year, our teachers push themselves to the limit to reach each student in their care & to make a difference in each life. We are PROUD, APPRECIATIVE, and ADMIRING of our teachers for their meaningful work this school year. Please join us in thanking a teacher this week!