Hello A. Sophie Rogers’ families! Below please find information about upcoming events, key information, resources, and more.
UPCOMING EVENTS & CLOSURES
To see all upcoming events or to subscribe to the school’s event calendar, visit this page. If you would like to download a printable list of closure dates for the year, go here.
Monday, January 1
CLOSED for New Year’s Day
(final day of Winter Break)
Monday, January 15
CLOSED for Martin Luther King Day
Friday, February 16
CLOSED to students
(Professional development day for teachers)
NEWS
Library Update
Author Visit
Our families had a great time visiting with children’s book author, artist and activist Innosanto Nagara. Preschoolers asked him about how he wrote and illustrated his books as well as if he had a dog or kitty cat.
Book Bundles
Book Bundles were distributed in December. Each child received 4 books that were selected based on the results of the Book Bundle survey filled out by families. The next Book Bundle distribution will happen in February. Families, if you have any feedback about your child’s December Book Bundle, please fill out this survey: bit.ly/3GVoDIY
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.
Winter Weather Reminders
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!
Kindergarten Transition Meeting
If you have a child who is age-eligible for kindergarten in the fall of 2024, mark your calendars for Thursday, January 25 from 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. At that time, a representative from Columbus City Schools will be joining us to discuss kindergarten transition and the Columbus City Schools enrollment and school choice process. The first part of this meeting will cover general kindergarten-readiness and transition; the second half will be devoted to the Columbus City Schools enrollment process.
If you are interested in kindergarten readiness but your child will not be transitioning in the fall, you are still welcome to join! In addition, our A. Sophie Rogers School and our partners at the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy have several online resources available for more information on general kindergarten transition and readiness. Click on the links below to open a PDF in a new tab:
Columbus City Schools will also hold an online elementary school fair on Tuesday, February 13, 6-7:30 p.m., when you can learn more about the district’s different elementary school options. The district has video profiles for all the elementary schools, which you can access online. Click here for more information.
Featured Project
Why is science so important in early childhood education?
This month’s Featured Project looks at fostering an understanding and love of scientific inquiry through observing the emergence of seedlings from a decaying pumpkin.
Click here to learn more.
JANUARY ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES AROUND COLUMBUS
If you want more information on an event, you can click on the event name in the left column, which will open a webpage from the event organizers in a new browser tab.
Beloved Community: Online Book Reading and Puppet Show
(click the red text above to go to the event webpage)
- Wednesday, January 10, 9-10 a.m.
- Online with free registration via Eventbrite
- During this reading of Linzy Binzy: Around the World With Friends, young readers will join Meeka the Bunny and author Bonita Hampton Smith for a story that celebrates friends’ differences and their beautiful skin.
Family Night at Worthington Community Center
(click the red text above to go to the event webpage)
- Select Friday evenings 6-8:30 p.m. during the winter, including January 12, January 19 and January 26
- 345 E. Wilson Bridge Rd., Worthington
- This free Friday evening program is for families — children must be accompanied by an adult, and adults can attend only with children — and offers a variety of activities, including active preschool, elementary open gym play, themed crafts and passive play.
MLK Day Open House
(click the red text above to go to the event webpage)
- Monday, January 15, noon-4 p.m.
- Ohio History Connection, 800 E. 17th Ave.
- Musical and theatrical performances are part of this annual community event that offers an opportunity to learn about the civil rights movement. Visitors can also participate in art activities and view an art exhibition.
