Summer Updates for the 2024-2025 School Year

Happy summer, CANS Community!!

We hope your family is enjoying some sun and looking forward to the 2024-25 school year.

On behalf of the PTO, Principal Zoller, and the teachers and staff at CANS, we are reaching out to share important back-to-school information.

Please read this newsletter thoroughly for important information, dates and updates:

• welcome events (August 10th – 13th)
• school supply drive
• classroom assignments
• ways to stay connected
• new: free lunch for all students
• school year event calendar
• useful acronyms and information

CANS is an intentionally diverse community committed to equity and belonging. We strive to be a place for all children to thrive. The inclusivity at CANS must feel exceptional to our CUF, Spring Grove Village, and Clifton families (both new and returning) of all colors, backgrounds, beliefs, lifestyles, and preferences.

The CANS school community is only as strong as your voice: we need your critical perspective and talents! Please join us in growing this unique school community in any of the ways outlined in this and future communications and please email us if you have an idea to share!

Welcome (back)! We look forward to seeing all our CANS families in August!

Lauren Cofrin, PTO President
Bree Shaftel, PTO Vice-President
Chris Flores, PTO Treasurer
Justine Balash, PTO Secretary
Peter Adams, PTO Communications Director
CANSPTO@gmail.com

Sign up for the CANS online directory and volunteer database, view school supply lists, and so much more at www.canselementary.org:

Stay current on CANS and community events, celebrations, and opportunities on Facebook at Clifton Area Neighborhood School Page:

What did your family enjoy last year? What would you like to see this year? How can you help? Take the 2024-2025 Launch Survey!

IMPORTANT DATES 2024-2025

CPS ACADEMIC CALENDAR

Add the Cincinnati Public Schools Academic Calendar dates and the below CANS Meetings and Events dates to your calendar!

CANS MEETINGS AND EVENTS CALENDAR

• CPS Back to School Fest – Saturday, August 3, 2024, 11:00-2:00PM, Washington Park
• CANS Back to School Bash^* – Saturday, August 10, 2024, 12:00-3:00PM, CANS
• Back to School Family Meet-Up – See newsletter for dates and times
• Meet the Teacher Morning – Tuesday, August 13, 2024
• First Day of School – Wednesday, August 14, 2024
• 1st PTO Meeting / Curriculum Night – TBD during the Week of August 26, 2024
• LSDMC Meeting – Monday, September 9, 2024, 5:30-6:30PM
• Fall Buy Nothing Swap^ – Saturday, September 28, 2024, 10:00-1:00PM
• Culture Fest^* – Saturday, October 19, 2024, 3:00-5:00PM
• 2nd PTO Meeting – Monday, October 21, 2024, 5:30-6:30PM
• Halloween Carnival^* – Saturday, October 26, 2024, 5:00-6:30PM
• Caregiver Night Out – Saturday, November 16, 2024, 6:00-8:30PM
• LSDMC Meeting – Monday, November 18, 2024, 5:30-6:30PM
• Pep Rally – Friday, December 6, 2024, 5:30-8:00PM
• LSDMC Meeting – Monday, December 9, 2024, 5:30-6:30PM
• Caregiver Night Out – Friday, January 10, 2025, 6:00-8:00PM
• 3rd PTO Meeting – Monday, January 13, 2025, 5:30-6:30PM
• LSDMC Meeting – Monday, February 3, 2025, 5:30-6:30PM
• Black History Month Event^* – Friday, February 21, 2025, 5:00-6:30PM
• 4th PTO Meeting – Monday, March 10, 2024, 5:30-6:30PM
• Fine Arts Night* – Friday, April 11, 2025, 5:00-6:30PM
• LSDMC Meeting – Monday, April 14, 2025, 5:30-6:30PM
• Spring Buy Nothing Swap^ – Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10:00-1:00PM
• Family Dance* – Saturday, May 3, 2025, 6:00-8:00PM
• Staff Appreciation Week^* – May 5-9, 2025
• 5th PTO Meeting / Election Night – Monday, May 5, 2025, 5:30-6:30PM
• Field Day^* – Friday, May 16, 2025 (rain date Tuesday, May 20, 2025)

^ planning leader or committee required* volunteers needed

BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS

Saturday, August 10th, 12:00-3:00 PM: Back to School Bash

• A joint festival at Clifton Recreation Center, CANS, and Fairview-Clifton German School
• Enjoy food trucks, giant inflatables, informational / sign-up booths from the CANS PTO, LSDMC, CERI, after-school clubs / sports teams, and community partners!

Tuesday, August 13th, 8:00-8:45 AM: Open House / Meet the Teacher Morning

• Meet your student’s teacher and tour the classroom
• Drop off school supplies for our school supply drive

Wednesday, August 14th: First Day of School

• Doors open / breakfast is served: 7:45 AM
• School starts: 8:00 AM
• School dismissal: 2:25 PM

TBD Date during the Week of August 26th: Curriculum Night / CANS PTO Meeting

• Talk with CANS teachers about lesson plans and classroom policies
• Hear from the CANS PTO regarding goals and volunteer opportunities
• Get more information on after-school activities and sports

FAMILY MEET UPS

What: A casual and informal opportunity for your incoming or returning CANS student to meet up with classmates and for you to visit with fellow families and caregivers before the first day of school! This is just a coordinated time for families to come together. Someone from the PTO will attend to answer any questions you have.

Note: The building will not be open, and this is not a supervised time.

Where: CANS Playground. Access is at the end of the driveway off McAlpin between CANS and the Clifton Recreation Center (CRC). Parking is available along McAlpin and in the CRC lot.

All PM unless stated	10-11AM	11AM-12PM	1-2PM	2:30-3:30	4-5PM	5:30-6:30
Sunday, August 11	PreSchool	Kindergarten	1st Grade	2nd Grade	3rd Grade	4th Grade
Monday, August 12						5th Grade
Tuesday, August 13						6th Grade

WELCOME TO CANS VIRTUAL BOOK

Thanks to CANS Second Grade Teacher, Mrs. Maggie Luken, for creating this fabulous Welcome to CANS Virtual Book to help familiarize our new families with CANS! Enjoy!

SIGN UP FOR FOCUS

The CPS student information system, PowerSchool, has been replaced by Focus. You will use Focus to get your CANS student’s classroom assignment and track your student’s grades as well as attendance throughout the year. Register for Focus using this link/ QR code:

You will need your child’s Student ID to register. Look for this on your student’s report card or call the CANS office at 513.363.2200 between 8AM and 2:30PM after August 1. If you have trouble setting up your Focus account, call the CPS Technology Support Line at 513.363.0688.

CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS

As a CPS neighborhood school, all K-6th students living in our boundaries are eligible to attend CANS. Therefore, enrollment numbers change throughout the summer and well into the school year. Sometimes these shifts are large enough that we hire new staff and add new homerooms. This is why classroom assignments are usually not available in Focus until August 12.

If you do not see an assignment in Focus by August 12, call the CANS office at 513.363.2200.

LUNCH AT CANS IS NOW FREE TO ALL STUDENTS

For the first year, all CANS students will have access to breakfast AND lunch at no cost! This is because CANS qualifies as a Title 1 school for 24-25, and the State funds lunch school-wide.

If you previously used a SchoolCafe account to purchase your student’s lunch, you no longer need to do so! If you have funds in your account from last year, you can donate them to outstanding student balances or contact CPS Food Services to request a refund. Please log into your SchoolCafe account for information and to view daily breakfast and lunch menus.

If you have a little extra to give, please consider donating to the Clifton Area Pantry at CANS. Continue reading for more information!!

BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

Instead of distributing classroom supply lists by student, the CANS community works together to buy the supplies that all our students need. You can contribute by purchasing supplies for any grade using the lists or donate and include the note “Back-to-School Supplies”.

Please sign up, then purchase and label supplies with the grade and teacher (if relevant) they are for and drop them off at the CANS main office (west side door facing the CRC) during school hours (8AM-2:30PM) between August 1-13 or at CANS Meet the Teacher Morning.

Know Before You Shop

• Consider taking advantage of Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday between July 30th – August 8th.
• Sign up for Kroger Community Rewards so that CANS receives a charitable donation with every purchase. Please share with friends and family too!
• Sign up for the Box Tops for Education program!

CLIFTON AREA OUTDOOR PANTRY AT CANS

GRAND RE-OPENING

In partnership with Clifton Town Meeting and CUF Council, CANS is thrilled to announce the re-opening of the Clifton Area Outdoor Pantry at CANS. The Pantry will be stocked and open for the Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

This Pantry is located at the entrance of the driveway between CANS and Clifton Recreation Center, near the CANS main office.

This Pantry is a way for neighbors to support neighbors who could benefit from food, hygiene, and household items. It is for all to freely donate to or take from.

The Pantry belongs to all of us, and it is our community responsibility to ensure that it is treated respectfully. Please help us to take care of it and the space around it so that it can thrive and benefit CANS and our greater community.

More Information on the Clifton Area Pantry at CANS

Follow the Pantry on Facebook

CANS CULTURE FEST

Our diverse CANS community is what makes our school one amazing CREW, and your family is an essential part! Join CANS faculty, staff, students, and families for fellowship, food, and community at our second annual Culture Fest on October 19, 2024, at CANS, 3:00-5:00 PM.

Share your story: For any family who is able, please bring a favorite dish to share, a song, dance, dress, or activity that reflect the traditions that bring your family together.

Questions? Want to be connected with other participating families?Interested in contributing and could use some support? CANS has funds to support costs for families. Please contact canspto@gmail.com for more info.

Culture Fest RSVP

CONNECT WITH CANS ALL YEAR

Learn about CANS and participate in events, activities, leadership, and decision-making in a variety of ways!

• Watch for emails and automated phone calls from Principal Zoller and CPS.
• Read the “Backpack News” that comes home with your CANS student on green paper.
• Watch for CANS PTO newsletters via email distribution.
• Follow the QR Links on Page 1 of this mailer to create an account at www.canselementary.org and join the Facebook group!
• Attend PTO (Parent Teacher Organization), LSDMC (Local School Decision Making Committee), and/or CERI (CANS Equity, Representation, and Inclusion) meetings virtually or in person!

Share your thoughts, ideas, talents, and feedback with us all year long!

• Reach out to us at canspto@gmail.com at any time.
• Submit questions or concerns anonymously using the Caregiver Feedback Form (QR code to right) and they will be addressed widely at PTO meetings or more individually, as appropriate.

OPEN VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

Much of what you see outside the educational curriculum, including classroom celebrations, extracurriculars, activities, sports, events, and fundraising is the work of caregivers just like you who volunteer when and how their schedules allow. Please read about our open volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in learning more or exploring an idea you have, please contact us at canspto@gmail.com.

Opportunity	Description	Commitment
Classroom Coordinator	Classroom Coordinators lighten the load of CANS teachers by helping to plan field trips and parties, organize in-class volunteers, and solicit supply donations. Classroom Coordinators for Grades K through 4 plan Staff Appreciation Week, and Classroom Coordinators for Grade 5 plan 6th Grade Graduation.	Low time commitment of 2-5 hours per month. Most coordination can be done from home in your own time, with at least some time during the school day.
Boosters Chair	The Boosters Chair manages logistics to support our sports and afterschool programming. This includes managing the Boosters budget, coordinating space and resources, and ideally serving as part of the PTO Board.	Moderate, flexible time commitment of 4-6 hours per month.
Events Coordinator	CANS PTO funds events to celebrate our school community, and the Event Coordinator helps to plan those events and coordinate resources with help from the PTO Board and individual Event Chairs.	Moderate, flexible time commitment of 4-6 hours per month.
Event Chair	Event Chairs own individual events and work with the Events Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator to plan and execute on the events. In the past, these events have included Halloween Trunk-or-Treat, Caregiver Night Out Events, Pep Rally, Culture Fest, Black History Month, Fine Arts Night, Spring Family Dance, and Field Day, but we are thrilled to support any event that someone wishes to plan!	It can be as simple or elaborate as you like and reflect a time commitment that you are comfortable with!
Volunteer Coordinator	CANS thrives on caregiver volunteers for both in-school and extracurricular activities and events. We know that everyone has different skills, talent, bandwidth, and availability. The Volunteer Coordinator helps to make sure each event has the volunteers needed and each member of the community can contribute in ways that work for them!	Moderate, flexible time commitment of 4-6 hours per month.
Concessions Coordinator	CANS Basketball is a free program for all because we offset costs through concessions. The Concessions Coordinator will bake, organize, and sell concessions to benefit affordable and accessible sports.	Low, flexible time commitment that can be shared between multiple leaders.

USEFUL ACRONYMS AND INFORMATION

CPS
Cincinnati Public Schools

CANS
Clifton Area Neighborhood School

CRC
Clifton Recreation Center – community resource that hosts an aftercare program, located at 320 McAlpin Avenue, right behind CANS

Best Point
Third Party Agency that creates community connections, provides in-school behavioral health services, and hosts CoStars aftercare program

CoStars
Aftercare program sponsored by Best Point and hosted at CANS, open to Pre-K through 6th Grade

WPYC
Winton Place Youth Center is a community center in Spring Grove Village which hosts aftercare and enrichment programs, located at 4609 N. Edgewood, Cincinnati, OH 45232

PTO
Parent Teacher Organization

LSDMC
Local School Decision Making Committee

CERI
CANS Equity, Representation, and Inclusion Committee

Focus
Formerly known as PowerSchool, the CPS student information system

CREW
School ideology that focuses on being conscientious, responsible, engaged and welcoming

CANS Front Desk: 513.363.2200