College Access (including Paying for College!)

Francie Nolan recently shared about finding a treasure trove of information regarding how to gain access to (and pay for!) college education!

There is an organization called the Ohio College Access Network (OCAN), whose mission is “helping Ohio residents pursue postsecondary education.” See their site for links to College Access/Scholarship Programs, and more.

OCAN also sponsors an interactive web site targeted primarily to students (and families) from Middle School through High School, www.KnowHow2GoOhio.org. (There is a national affiliate, www.knowhow2go.org.)

February 2009 P.A.C.E. Meeting: The In’s and Out’s of Scheduling

Come join us Monday February 9, 2009 – 6:00-7:30 p.m., as we have as guests educators involved in various ways in the process of scheduling.

“The In’s and Out’s of Scheduling …” will seek to demystify scheduling at all levels: elementary, middle, and high school.

While a concern at all levels, scheduling becomes even more pertinent as students approach Middle and High School. While scheduling practices may in different schools and contexts, we will explore basic principles and procedures, some examples of how it might work, and who is involved. We’ll make particular note of special issues for our gifted children, and invite your questions for clarification.

We will also share additional resources for making the most of Parent Teacher Conferences for families with students of any age and level.

Meetings are held at the Columbus Education Center, in the Board meeting room (downstairs) at 270 E. State Street.

2009 Fair FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

Frequently Asked Questions About the Step Into Summer Opportunities and College Access Information Fair

1. When is it?

Monday, March 2, 2009 from 3:30pm – 7:15 pm. Come anytime during this period when it is convenient for you and stay for as long as you wish. Plan to arrive by 6:30 pm in order to have time to talk with the different representatives.

2. Where is it?

Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St, Columbus. Use the main visitors entrance to the main Atrium. Exhibitors will be in the Main Atrium, the Palm House, the Show Room, and the lower lobby. The inside garden rooms of the conservatory will not be open.

3. How much does it cost?

Admission to the Step Into Summer Opportunities and College Access Information Fair is free. Parking in the Conservatory lot is free.

4. What is it?

The Fair is an informational fair. Representatives from different organizations will have tables set up, many with picture displays. The representatives talk with people interested in finding out more about their programs.

5. Should I bring my kids?

Children are welcome to accompany their parents. Children should stay with their parents as they walk around the Fair. Many exhibitors have picture displays that will help children find out more about the program. High school students are welcome to attend without parents if they desire.

6. Is this for all ages?

There are programs for ages pre-K through high school. Some programs and camps are for a small range of ages, others have a wider range.

7. How much does the summer program cost?

Each summer program sets its own fee. We encourage you to ask each representative about the program fees and whether scholarships are available.

8. How do I sign up?

Each of the programs has a separate registration process. Ask each representative for more information about signing up for that specific program. Some of the summer programs fill up quickly, so this Fair is a great way to get an early start on the process.

9. Who will be there?

There will be over 50 organizations represented at the Fair that offer a wide variety of different kinds of activities for the summer, and some year-round activities. The length of the programs varies from one week to several weeks. We do not yet have a final list of attendees. So far the list includes summer outdoor camping experiences throughout Ohio and a few other states, indoor academic day programs, pre-college experiences for middle and high school students on various university campuses throughout Ohio, summer day care, sports programs, computer classes, horse camps, dance and visual arts training, and travel opportunities. There are day camp programs in Columbus, around central Ohio and beyond. There is something for all students with varied interests and abilities.

There will also be information available about academic support services, college readiness programs, financial planning, and year-long internship opportunities.

10. Are there job opportunities?

This is not a job fair.

11. If I can’t attend the Fair on Monday, March 2, how can I get the information?

We will be putting together a booklet of the information provided by the exhibitors. Contact numbers, cost information, dates, and general description will be included. After the Fair, this booklet will be on the PACE website for your convenience. Begin looking for it about 1 week after the Fair.

12. Can I have a booklet sent to me?

No, we will not send booklets. We encourage everyone to find a way to access the information on-line on our website after the Fair.

13. Is this for Columbus City School only?

No, the Fair is open to all families in the central Ohio area. Local programs are located throughout central Ohio.

14. Who can I contact for more information?

You may email questions to .
You may call 614-246-0377 for more information.

2009 School Choice Info and Dates

The 2009 C.C.S. school choice (lottery) information and dates are now posted on the C.C.S. website. Look directly at the School Choice Office. Dates and deadlines may be found there.

Just the Facts:

  • Fairs:
    • High School Choice Fair: Wed. Jan. 21, at Eastmoor Academy, from 6-7:30 p.m.
    • Middle School Choice Fair: Thurs. Feb 19, at Woodward Park MS from 6-7:30 p.m.
    • Elementary School Fair: Wed. Feb 18, at Africentric Early College K-12 School from 6-7:30 p.m.

    Deadlines and Application availability:

    • High School – January 30 – applications available now
    • Middle School – March 6 – applications available Feb. 6
    • Elementary School – March 6 – applications available Feb. 6

    E.C.L.I.P.S.E. deadline is March 13. (This is the self-contained looping gifted class for grades 4-5. Info is available from your Specialist, or from the C.C.S. Gifted & Talented Program. This is not a School Choice Office program.)

    revised 01/09/2009

  • January 2009 P.A.C.E. Meeting: “Tell It Like It Is, or Could Be.”

    Come join us Monday January 12, 2009, from 6:00-7:30 p.m., as we have as guests a panel of students and graduates who will “Tell It Like It Is, or Could Be.” We will have a discussion concerning their experiences and hopes from their tenures as students in the Columbus City Schools.

    We hope to learn what went right, so as to be able to reinforce and build upon that, as well as what we should seek to improve. We thought it would be good to hear from the students as we engage in this conversation.

    We can also celebrate our guests’ successes, both in our schools (past and present), and as they move forward in life.

    Meetings are held at the Columbus Education Center, (Board meeting room, downstairs) 270 E. State Street.

    November 2008 Meeting with Dr. Gene Harris

    Dr. Gene Harris, Superintendent of C.C.S.

    Dr. Gene Harris, Superintendent of C.C.S.

    Come and join us as we meet with special guest Dr. Gene Harris, Superintendent of Columbus City Schools. This will be at our regular November 2008 P.A.C.E. Meeting, Monday November 10, 2008 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.

    Hear direct from the top the latest news concerning the district and particularly Gifted and Talented concerns. Dr. Harris will speak, listen, and converse, so please bring your thoughtful questions to make the most of this time with her.

    C.C.S. High School educational opportunities added to Resources

    Look on the Resources page for some documents from C.C.S. (and O.D.E.) relevant to High School educational opportunities, courtesy of Joan Baker, one of our High School Coordinators.

    • Gifted and Talented options at various High Schools 2009-2009
    • AP Courses Currently Offered in Columbus Public Schools (2008-2009)
    • Kenyon Academic Partnership Program Info
    • O.D.E. Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEO)
    • C.C.S. brochure on Martin W. Essex School for the Gifted

    2009 Ohio Summer Honors Institutes & Essex School

    Information about 2009 Ohio Summer Honor Institutes a and Martin W. Essex School for the Gifted is posted on the Ohio Department of Education website, under Programs for Gifted Children.

    These are terrific opportunities for students who are currently in 9th and 10th grade (Institutes), or 11th (Essex), to spend time on college campuses this summer attending programs designed specifically for those identified as gifted and talented. There is a wide variety of subject matter and locations around the state. I urge you to check them out! Some popular courses do fill quickly.

    Applications for the 2009 Summer Honors Institutes will be available on January 9, 2009 and are due on April 10, 2009. (Lists of courses available should be available, probably accessible from the link above.)

    It can be difficult to find things on the ODE web site. Here is another link to a FAQ about the Martin W. Essex School for the Gifted and the Summer Honors Institutes.

    Our first meeting of School Year 2008-2009, rescheduled

    The meeting with topic originally scheduled for September 15 will occur at our normal October meeting time!

    On Monday October 13, 2008, we will meet 6:00-7:30 p.m. This is a change in time from last year. After much discussion, we thought many parents who would prefer an earlier meeting time to accommodate getting younger children to bed in a timely manner.

    We have also changed the location, for the more central location of the Columbus Education Center at 270 E. State Street (downstairs where the School Board meetings are held).

    Please join other families of Gifted & Talented students, as we meet together in accordance with the P.A.C.E. Mission.

    We will have as our special guests Francie Nolan, Supervisor for Exceptional Children from the C.C.S. Gifted and Talented Program, and several other representatives from the C.C.S. Gifted and Talented staff. They will present an overview of all the Gifted & Talented programs in C.C.S., and engage in discussion with parents and families in the P.A.C.E. community.

    Colleges That Change Lives Program and College Fair

    Parents of High School Students — Wednesday, September 10 at 7pm at Aladdin Shrine Center is an Informational Program and College Fair. This program features information from and about a group of colleges from all over the country identified for their quality programs, including some from Ohio. You may want to check out their website: www.ctcl.com

    From the website: “Each Colleges That Change Lives program begins with an enlightening 30-minute panel presentation on completing a college search today.

    CTCL deans and directors will share with you the latest research on specific campus characteristics and learning components that lead to the most successful college experience. They will challenge you to view popular college rankings as just one measure of quality among many, and encourage you to make the college search process a well-informed journey that leads to the best possible outcome: finding the best college fit: one that could be life changing.

    Immediately after the panel presentation, the college fair begins, lasting approximately 1.5 hours.

    The CTCL events are free to the public, and pre-registration is not required.