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August 13, 2022

 

Dear Upper School Families,

 

Summer days are winding down quickly, and hopefully our students are rested and ready to return. Happily, we’ve seen many on campus already due to athletic practices and college counseling sessions, and this past week we welcomed our brand new upper-schoolers to campus in order to begin getting them acclimated to their new community. In an effort to help you prepare for the start of school, here are some important dates and information.

 

Week of August 15-19

Freshmen students and families will receive email introductions from their upper school advisors.


Wednesday, August 17: BAND DAY

Attendance from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. is required for all upper school concert band members. Students should report to the band room, which is located just past the Lower School off the turn-around circle across from Hondros Field (view campus map).

Movie Night graphic

Thursday, August 18: MOVIE NIGHT

Student Council is hosting an outdoor movie night from 8:00-10:30 p.m. on our Senior Quad. All Academy students in grades 9-12 are invited. Activities will include games outside our dining hall, the Paddy Wagon food truck (please bring money) and an ice cream bar.


Monday, August 22: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Upon arrival, all upper-schoolers should report to the Senior Lounge to check in with the appropriate grade-level faculty member. From there, students should report to their advisors’ classrooms or offices to receive additional instruction on the day’s activities. Students will also gain access to their schedules and list of teachers.


  • Grade 9 – Freshmen report to school in dress code and will participate in Freshman Unity Day activities on campus. This includes games and activities designed for ninth-graders to get to know the Upper School and also build rapport with their advisories.


  • Grade 10 – Sophomores report to school in appropriate casual attire to participate in service activities with their advisories in the greater Columbus area. Students will return to campus for lunch. Additional details will be sent to students and families from advisors.

  

  • Grade 11 – Juniors report to school in comfortable/casual attire to participate in activities at Play Cbus. There will be guided activities led by facilitators as well as open time to socialize. Lunch is provided on-site.

  

  • Grade 12 – Seniors should report to school in appropriate casual attire in order to enjoy an off-campus activity that will have them competing for advisory bragging rights as they explore parts of greater Columbus. Lunch locations will be chosen by advisory.


Tuesday, August 23: SUMMER READING GROUPS

All upper-schoolers will visit with their summer reading groups in addition to attending an abbreviated session for their A-day classes in order to meet teachers and learn course expectations.


August 23 to September 14: DROP/ADD PERIOD

Students wishing to make a course change must do so in this timeframe. After September 14, only teacher-initiated course changes will be considered. Note: there will be no class changes made the first day of classes.


Wednesday, August 24: SENIOR PARENT NIGHT

Our college counseling office will host its Senior Parent Night, an important informational session designed just for parents of seniors, in our dining hall. An optional pre-gathering social will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the program scheduled from 7:30-8:30 p.m.


Wednesday, August 31: BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT

Parents and caregivers of upper-schoolers join us for an evening when you follow your children’s schedules and meet their teachers to hear about course expectations and highlights of their classes.


Friday, September 2: “FIRST FRIDAY” TAILGATE

All upper-schoolers are invited to enjoy music, lawn games and a cookout near the dining hall prior to showing their school spirit at a home athletic event.


Monday, September 5: LABOR DAY – NO SCHOOL


Friday, September 9: SERVICE DAY & CLUB FAIR

This is a memorable Academy tradition when all upper-schoolers participate in Service Day activities as an advisory group in and around the greater Columbus area. More details will be forthcoming from your children’s advisors. Upon return to campus, students participate in a Club Fair in the Senior Quad from 2:00-3:20 p.m., when they have the opportunity to learn about and sign up for our various student clubs.


September 19 to September 21: SCHOOL PICTURE DAYS

Watch for more details about ordering school photos and the assigned photo dates by grade.

US New Staff photo

New Faculty and Staff  

With every new school year, it is not uncommon to see a few new faces among the adults as well as the students. Please join me in welcoming the recent additions to our upper school faculty and staff (from left to right):


School Supplies 

There is not an upper school-specific supply list of items that need to be purchased prior to school beginning. Individual teachers will make students aware of any specific requirements in their first class meetings on Tuesday, August 23. However, coming prepared with a notebook and writing utensil is recommended.

 

Dress Code

For this year’s dress code, please click here. Chances are good that our students have grown some since school was last in session. Please be mindful to check that the length of skirts and shorts is at least two to three inches below their fingertips. Clothing items carried over from Middle School may now be too short, and students may be asked to change. Also, while Academy sweatshirts are acceptable during the school day, hoodie sweatshirts of any kind are not allowed in the buildings. Shirts, sweaters and fleeces should be logo-free.


Dropoff and Pickup

Families driving their US students to school should use the designated MS/US dropoff circle. For safety reasons, please do not use the parking lots as an alternative site to deliver your children in the morning or wait for your children at the end of the day.


Lockers

Students will get locker assignments and combo information on the first day of school.


Masks

Columbus Academy is continuing a mask-optional policy as we open this school year (click here for guidelines).


Student Drivers

If your children are eligible student drivers, please know that all cars will need to be registered with the school. Watch for a Google form to be sent to students in grades 10-12 requesting vehicle information. Once it’s completed, students will receive small parking decals from the US office to put on their cars. Academy car tags hung from the rearview mirrors are no longer in use.


In the coming days, we will be busily wrapping up details for the opening of school. Please do not hesitate to call the upper school office at 614-509-2281 or email if you have any questions. 


We’ll see you all very soon!


Cory Izokaitis

Head of Upper School