School Newsletter: December 2023

Monday December 25 –
Monday, January 1

The Schoenbaum Family Center is a university building and typically follows The Ohio State University’s closure policies in the case of inclement weather. When checking for school closings or delays on local media, families should look to see if Ohio State (Columbus campus) is closed or delayed. Even if the university remains open, Schoenbaum Family Center may additionally delay start time, close early or remain closed in extenuating circumstances such as inclement weather or building failure.  

In the case of closure, families will receive an email and/or text from our automated system. It is the family’s responsibility to ensure that the phone number(s) provided to the school for the system is active and current. Any changes may be given at the front desk.  

We go outside every day if it is over 24 degrees!  Please bring hats, gloves and boots so that winter outdoor play can be enjoyed! 

November was an exciting month for family programs at A. Sophie Rogers! For this month’s STEAM Series, local architect Sarah Bonser visited and talked with families about what it means to be an architect.  She also provided some great hands-on building tools and activities for families. In November, we also wished Cascade — our therapy dog who visits for Ulti-mutt Readers — a happy 9th birthday! Her celebration was “paws”itively awesome! 

For December’s STEAM series program, children’s book author, artist, and activist Innosanto Nagara will visit our school to talk about building community through writing books. Each child will receive a copy Nagara’s books: A is for Activist (Preschool) and Together (Infant/Toddler). 

Look for more fun STEAM-themed events and take-home activities after winter break!

A Very Special Birthday Celebration

The children loved celebrating Cascade the therapy dog’s 9th birthday with her. Here are a few fun highlights.

Book Bundles

Book Bundles will be distributed at pick-up time on Wednesday, December 13.  Each child will receive 4 books that were selected based on the results of the Book Bundle survey filled out by families. Book Bundles will include literacy tips and resources for reading with your child at home. 

Family Heritage Celebrations

A primary focus of our school programming is highlighting the celebrations, traditions, and cultural heritages of our families. If there is an upcoming celebration that your family would like to help lead at the school (for example, Lunar New Year or Black History Month), please reach out to Sarah Simpson by stopping by the library or emailing Simpson.962@osu.edu. This could take the form of an in-person program or a passive display on one of our school’s bulletin boards.

ASR School for Early Learning offers speech language screenings, assessments, and therapeutic enrichment for all students. Celeste Voss joins our staff from Ohio State’s Nisonger Center one day per week to monitor students and provide these speech and language services in classrooms and consultation with teaching staff. Celeste will provide feedback and consultation for families enrolled at ASR School for Early Learning and she can be reached at celeste.voss@osumc.edu. 

ASR School Social Work intern Ari Dillard is available to support with these or any other resources families may need.  She can be reached at 614-247-7007 or dillard.130@buckeyemail.osu.edu.

Festa (Serving Out Neighbors [SON] Ministries) 

• Christmas tiding store where families can shop and buy toys at reduced prices. This takes place December 4-8. 
• Located at 3500 Mill Run Dr. in Hilliard
• Phone number for store times: 614-586-7939 

Neighborhood Inc 

Christmas Victory Ministries Center of Hope

• The individuals who signed up for this program to receive a food box must pick them up on December 19 and 20.

Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting

• This event will occur on Monday December 4, 5:30-7:30 pm. Tree lighting begins at 5:30 pm, and the holiday festival starts at 5:45 pm.

Columbus Commons Holiday Lights

• This event occurs every day 5-11 pm through New Year’s Day. On Fridays in December, carousel rides and free hot chocolate will be available 5-9 pm. Columbus Commons is located downtown at 160 S. High St.

Free Santa Extravaganza

• This will occur on Saturday December 2, 1-5 pm in the Lazarus Building Galleria. During this event, there will be face painting, ornament decorating and, of course, you will be able to take photos with Santa. The Lazarus Building Galleria is located downtown at 50 W. Town St. 

United Methodist  Free Store (Christmas Shop) 

• The Christmas shop is first come, first served, and is open December 16-17. Refreshments may be available. The location is at the Church and Community Development for All People site at 946 Parsons Ave. at East Whittier St. on the South Side.

Stowe Mission Toys of Hope Annual Christmas Drive 

• If you have applied for this program, the toy pickup is on December 9, 9 am to 12 pm. The address is 888 Parsons Ave.