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October 10, 2023
Dear Upper School Families,
Pull out your sweaters! Fall is officially here. Since this time of year is quite busy, below are some important dates and information to help you with your October/November US calendar.
Wednesday, October 11
PSAT: sophomores and juniors should check in as usual before reporting to their assigned testing rooms. Given that this is a new digital version of the PSAT, all 10s and 11s need to be prepared with the following:
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Their fully charged, school-issued iPad (bringing the charger is also helpful)
- A charged, approved calculator
- Water bottle to set outside the classroom for breaks
- Wearing dress code; no hoodies allowed
- Testing begins no later than 8:15 a.m.
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Please click here for further details, including what not to bring
Once students have completed their tests, typically between 11:00 a.m. and noon, they may leave campus. Those using extended time will finish closer to 1:00-1:30 p.m.
Students may also eat lunch on campus at 12:40 p.m. when the US lunch line opens, if they wish. There are no afternoon classes for sophomores and juniors.
Freshmen should report to the fireside of the dining hall for morning check-in at the usual time. They will be doing service off-campus during the morning with various Mid-Ohio Food Bank sites, traveling by bus, and will return to CA in time for their regular lunch period. Dress is casual but they must wear long pants and close-toed shoes, as this is a requirement of the service sites. After lunch the freshmen will be involved in other activities on campus until 3:15 p.m.
Seniors are not required to come to school this day unless they have outstanding college application work. The college counseling office will be open from noon until 3:00 p.m. Seniors should be in dress code if they come to campus.
Bowl-a-thon for Empty Bowls: the ceramics club is hosting time on Wednesday for students who wish to make bowls for the annual Empty Bowls project. Seniors may sign up for morning or afternoon slots, and sophomores and juniors may pick times after the PSAT is finished.
Saturday, October 14
US Fall (Homecoming) Dance, 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. (CA Dining Hall)
Students must check in at the dance no later than 9:00 p.m. and must not depart before 10:30 p.m.
For those gathering with friends ahead of the dance, please consider encouraging your children to open up their circles to include new students or peers they may just be getting to know. Also, if students are going out to dinner prior to the dance, help them think ahead regarding the timing and the possibility that restaurant service could be slower than anticipated.
All students and at least one parent will need to sign the Homecoming Dance permission form via their own mySchoolApp accounts prior to arriving at the dance. Students wishing to bring an outside, high-school-aged guest may do so (one guest per CA student) by completing the Guest Registration Google Form from Mr. Thompson. Registered guests will need to complete the purple Guest Permission Form and turn it in upon arrival at the dance. Guest forms are available outside of the upper school office.
Parent-Teacher Conferences (All on Google Meet)
For those who have not registered yet, you may do so until noon on Friday, October 13 (view instructions). After that time, teachers will be in control of their own schedules, and you must contact them directly to add or make changes. Note: Google links will be provided in schedules emailed directly to parents and guardians from PickAtime on Monday afternoon, October 16.
Thursday, October 19 – Half Day of School
All US students released at noon.
Parent-Teacher Conferences (all on Google Meet) from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 20 – No Classes
Parent/ Teacher Conferences (all on Google Meet) from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Quarter 1 (snapshot) grades open at 4:00 p.m.
Log into MySchoolApp and click the progress tab, then choose Q1 report card.
Wednesday, October 25
From 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25, Dr. Michele Borba will meet via Zoom with parents, faculty and staff interested in learning more about topics she discusses in her latest book, “Thrivers: The Surprising Reason Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine.” Click here to register, and a Zoom link to access the meeting will be emailed to registrants closer to the meeting date.
Monday, October 30 & Wednesday, November 1
US Fall Play: Clue
7:30 p.m. in our Schoedinger Theatre (tickets will be available online at ShowTix4U starting three weeks in advance by searching for Columbus Academy)
Tuesday, October 31
US Students will be allowed to dress up during the school day if they wish. For costume guidelines, click here. This is also a “Family Night” which means students will not have major tests or assignments due the following day, allowing them more unstructured time to interact with friends and family.
Thursday and Friday, November 2-3
No School
Wednesday, November 8
US/MS Choir Concert (Schoedinger Theatre)
Thursday, November 9
College Night for Juniors & Parents/Guardians (Schoedinger Theatre)
Friday, November 10
US Jazz Concert (Dining Hall)
Tuesday, November 14
MS/US Orchestra Concert (Schoedinger Theatre)
Thursday, November 16
MS/US Band Concert (Mack Gym)
Monday through Friday, November 20-24
Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 27
Classes Resume
October and November never fail to remind me of the multiple layers of activities in which students are involved. From performances to service activities, to postseason athletic events and more, the Upper School is in full swing, and we look forward to witnessing our students’ continued growth – both academically and personally – in the months ahead.
Should you have any questions about upcoming events, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Warmly,
Cory Izokaitis
Head of Upper School
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