COLUMBUS – Each year, National Children’s Day is celebrated globally to highlight the importance of children and the need to address their concerns.

By IKE MGBATOGU

Contributing Writer

COLUMBUS – Each year, National Children’s Day is celebrated globally to highlight the importance of children and the need to address their concerns.

But, this year, the Columbus School District also used the occasion to promote community and parents involvement in the education of children.

The celebration of this festival in Columbus goes back to 2001 when Mayor Michael Coleman proclaimed the event for the city. Since then, it has become an important part of the district’s commitment to the education of children in the central Ohio community. And this year’s celebration, on April 30, was no different as it continued that tradition by reaching out to parents and promoting community partnership.

“We want parents and the community to be engaged in Columbus City Schools and to create opportunities for conversation and discussion in advancing student achievement,” said Vice President of the Columbus School Board Ramona Reyes.

Reyes told the Call & Post that this year’s festival will be particularly dedicated to addressing the concerns of parents expressed in an annual “family survey” the district conducts, as it strives to address several issues such bullying, discipline, access to resources, improved communication, and the district’s programs and activities.

“What a better way than to have a festival to announce the result of the survey and try to address the concerns of parents,” said Reyes.

The district celebrated this year’s festival in five locations across the district under the theme,” ‘Come and See Us’ and see the difference.” The locations were Fairmoor Elementary School, Mifflin High School, Ft. Hayes Arts and Academics High School, and Hilltonia Middle School.

The Superintendent of Columbus City Schools Gene Harris said the festival was a good way to show off some of what the district is all about.

“We have established challenging and demanding expectations for students to achieve high standards at the elementary, middle and high school levels. This is a great way to share information about Columbus City Schools, talk with families and engage the community,” said Harris.

“It’s also an opportunity for parents to see the innovative and challenging educational programs we offer to prepare their child for 100 percent student success in the classroom and our global economy.”

And the district has a few accomplishments to brag about, including a new International High School, two new single-gender middle schools, a challenging Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) focus and an award winning music, arts, and sports program.

Also, twelve of the district’s high schools made the roster of the U.S. News and World Report best in the country.

Mgbatogu is a freelance writer and editor of Onumba.com based in Columbus.  He can be reached by email at: Onumbamedia@yahoo.com