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.

http://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

Come out and support our Volleyball teams!

All games will be played at New Covenant Believers.

Good afternoon, Trailblazer families:
 
We know everyone is eager to start school in our brand-new building! Our teachers have been working incredibly hard the past two and a half weeks to prepare their lessons, sharpen their craft, and create a warm and inviting environment for students. Our team is very eager to welcome your student(s), but unfortunately, our building isn’t ready yet.
 
Last night we were notified of some construction and permit delays that were unforeseen and unexpected. Safety and security is our number one priority when it comes to our students and staff, we must make sure we bring our students into a building that is operable. Thus, because of these delays, we must push back the start of the school year to Tuesday, September 10th.  We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
 
We’re committed to providing the best possible learning environment for our students and we know that our students are going to thrive in our new space. It has state-of-the-art facilities and modern learning spaces to inspire and engage you. Check out the attached photos to see what we mean.
 
Our Back to School Bash is still on for tonight (Thursday, August 29th) from 4 PM to 6 PM. It’s a chance to meet your teachers, get your class schedule, grab a free haircut or some Whit’s custard, and have fun with the game truck. Our school supply drop-off times will continue tomorrow and Friday. Please take advantage of these times to get bulky supply items dropped off to classroom teachers.  
 
In place of our original start date, we would like to invite our students and families to a fun afternoon of skating at United Skates of America (on Refugee Rd) on September 3rd from 12:30-3:30 PM! Even though our school start date has been pushed to September 10th, we want to connect with our students and get everyone excited for the upcoming school year. Come ready to skate and kick off the school year on a positive note!
 
As always, thank you for your patience and understanding, we are lucky to have you with us and promise to make this year one to remember. We can’t wait to be back together again-the 10th can’t come soon enough!
 
See you soon,
Mackenzie Eikenberry, Principal
Columbus Arts and Technology Academy

Come out and support our soccer teams!

All games will be played at 4000 Mink St. SW, Pataskala, OH 43062.

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?

We are excited to announce that CATA is moving to Eastland Mall for the start of the 2024-25 school year. Our new campus, located at 2743 South Hamilton Road, features upgraded facilities with improved lighting, ventilation, and temperature control, plus room to grow our Career Technical Program and Unified Arts team. 

We announced our move at a Townhall Meeting on Thursday, April 11. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions. We can’t wait to welcome students to our new campus on September 3, 2024. 

When will the move happen?
The new building will be ready to welcome students on September 3rd, 2024.

What is the new school address?
CATA’s new location is 2743 South Hamilton Road, Columbus, Ohio.

Is CATA merging with Eastland Prep?
No. The new location is next door to Eastland Preparatory Academy; however, we are not merging schools.

What are the plans for Eastland Mall?
The city plans mixed-use development with residential and commercial areas. They are considering a public park with 78 acres of walking paths and recreational spaces.

What are the benefits of moving?
We’re excited to be on the ground floor of the revitalized Eastland Mall area. Families will have access to a vibrant area with shops, restaurants, entertainment options, after-school activities, and outdoor spaces. Our students will benefit from a brand-new building with a modern school design. Phase 2 build-out plans include dedicated spaces for our Career Technical Program and Unified Arts team.

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Join us at our new campus! Enrollment is open now for the 2024-25 school year.