Southside STAY Headed To City Council

-submitted by Southside STAY

In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, we have made a few resolutions of our own for 2013 and we’re not wasting any time pursuing these goals. On Tuesday, January 8, we will be going before the Columbus City School Board and requesting that Stewart School become a partial-neighborhood, partial-lottery school (right now it is 100 percent lottery).

We could use as many people as possible showing their support. The more people, the better! Let’s show how committed we are to supporting and improving schools on the Southside…starting with Stewart School.

The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 8, and will be held at the Columbus Education Center, 270 E. State Street.

Parking and Entrance: There is a parking lot in the rear of the building if you go around the block. When you enter the main doors on State Street, go downstairs to the board room. There will be someone to greet guests at a table with a sign in sheet where you can write that you’re with Southside STAY.

Why Stewart School?

You may be wondering, “Why are we working to help Stewart School be a partial neighborhood school?” There are a lot of schools on the Southside, why start with Stewart? How does it fit within the big-picture goals we have?

Our long-term goal is to help support and improve every school in the South High Feeder Pattern (every elementary and middle school that feeds into South High…including South High School). Our goal is not just to help Stewart School be filled with neighborhood kids. However, we believe one of the best first steps we can take toward this long-term goal is stopping the exodus of families from our neighborhoods. The more kids and families that stay in the neighborhood for school, the better it is for every school on the Southside. We believe Stewart School gives the best immediate opportunity to provide a great neighborhood school option for families considering leaving the area for better schools. There are several reasons for this: (1) Stewart is in the midst of a massive renovation that will improve facilities and increase the enrollment capacity of the school, (2) Stewart School has a PTA that is supportive and excited about more neighborhood kids, and (3) Stewart School has exciting and catalytic leadership.

Please consider joining us on January 8 to show your support for the Stewart School proposal!

Beyond Stewart School- Our 2013 Goals:

In 2013, we hope to work toward providing viable school options to keep families in the area and to dispel negative perceptions of CCS in our neighborhoods. Here are 10 activities we are working on to support these goals:
1. Begin collaborating and building partnerships with school staff and families in our feeder pattern as a way to demonstrate our dedication to the schools in our neighborhood.
2. Get acquainted with building principals and better understand how we can support various activities within each building.
3. Provide input to the new academic focus of South High School.
4. Learn about various curricula used in each school.
5. Change the status of Stewart School to partial neighborhood/partial lottery school.
6. Engage more community members in our activities to support our mission and vision.
7. Acquire non-profit status and begin fundraising to support these goals.
8. Continue to educate parents on educational opportunities that CCS provides.
9. Continue to build relationships with Columbus city leaders and Columbus City School leaders.
10. Partner with the Southside Learning and Development Center.