Weekly Update March 3, 2023

Join us for a Gahanna Forum centered around supporting our youth. We are working to ensure that our students and staff have a safe learning and teaching environment.

We know that what happens in our schools is a connection to our community and we are looking forward to the opportunity to engage our community on this topic with our panel of community leaders.

Gahanna Forum: Supporting Our Youth

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Gahanna Middle School West

Gahanna Forum Supporting Our Youth Flyer (PDF)

We have teams working on our Year 1 goals for Equity and Access for All. This work will make Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools more welcoming for each of our students, staff and families.

As a part of our Year 1 goals, we want to make sure our communications from the District and each of our schools are as accessible as we can make them. To help us make our communication better, please complete this short survey.

GJPS offers an outstanding preschool program that serves children with disabilities and provides an educational opportunity for typically developing children to serve as social and academic peer models.

Please note these changes for the 2023-24 school year:

Morning sessions will serve children ages 3 and 4 whose birthdays are AFTER August 1, 2019
Afternoon sessions will serve children ages 4 and 5 whose birthdays are on or BEFORE August 1, 2019

Families will not be given a choice of morning or afternoon preference.

Enrollment is open to children of district residents and staff members of GJPS through an application process. There are a limited number of peer model spots available each school year. Tuition is reasonably priced at $140/month. School is five days a week and the school year is nine months long.

For additional information and to register for Preschool, please visit our Preschool Registration page on our website.

Chapelfield students kicked off their One School, One Book program this week with the book Frankie Sparks and the Class Pet by Megan Frazer Blakemore. The students were treated to the first chapter being acted out by members of the Lincoln High School drama program.

Over the next couple of weeks, all Chapelfield students, staff and families will read the book and it will give the entire community an opportunity to read the same book, talk about it and share the joy of reading.

Students in Ms. Obey's fourth-grade class at Goshen Lane Elementary were treated to an extraordinary guest reader last week...NBC4 Evening Anchor Kerry Charles.

Six Middle School East students will move on to the Regional Power of the Pen Competition on March 11 after scoring high at the district competition last month. Special shout out to Maya Anger, who placed 12th overall in the District Tournament and won the Best of Round Award!

(left to right: Mackenzie Seaton, Mackenzie Bednar, Camryn Smith, Maya Anger, Sophie Peerless, Charlotte Peerless)

Look for more Power of the Pen tournament information next week!

733 Lincoln High School students earned the Academic Award of Achievement this week.

Read Complete Story

For the past several months, the City has been working on updating its Comprehensive Parks Master Plan, which will guide the Department of Parks & Recreation in decision-making on policy, operations, maintenance and capital improvements over the next decade.

Stop by City Hall to hear how your input is guiding the updated plan and the long-term vision for the Department.

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

6:00 p.m.

Gahanna City Hall

The meeting will also be livestreamed on the City’s YouTube channel.

March 4 New Gahanna Library Opens

March 7 Gahanna Parks & Rec Town Hall Meeting

March 13 National Honor Society Mental Health Awareness Information Night
March 15 Gahanna Forum: Supporting our Youth
March 27-31 Spring Break No School
April 7 Good Friday No School

April 12 GJPS Coffee & Conversation (6:30 pm)

April 13 State of the Schools (more info to come)
May 24 Last Day of School for Students
May 27 Class of 2023 Commencement

August 17 First Day of School for Students

2022-23 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)

LInk to GJPS District Events

In November 2020, voters in the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools district approved a bond and operating levy to fund Phase Two of the GJPS Master Facilities Plan.

Phase Two of the Master Facilities Plan Includes:

• Additions and renovations to High Point and Blacklick Elementary
• Additions and renovations to Middle School East
• New Lincoln High School on current site

Master Facilities Plan & Building Projects Webpage

Phase Two Building Projects Webpage
Phase Two Elementary Projects Webpage

Phase Two Middle School East Project Webpage

Phase Two Lincoln High School Projects Webpage

BinaxNOW At-Home COVID-19 Rapid Test Kits are currently available for students and staff currently enrolled in GJPS schools who are EXHIBITING SYMPTOMS of COVID-19.

REQUEST FORM MUST BE COMPLETED IN ADVANCE
While supplies last, you may request kits for:

• The number of students you have enrolled in Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools in your household who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

• The number of GJPS staff in your household who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

A confirmation email will not be sent.

PLEASE WEAR A MASK WHEN PICKING UP A RAPID TEST AT THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

PICK UP TIMES AND LOCATION
After completing a Rapid Test Kit Request Form, kits are available for pick up at:

GJPS Administration Building
160 S. Hamilton Road
Please ring the bell inside the front door for service.

While Supplies Last
Monday - Friday
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

GJPS has very active Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube accounts.

Please check us out and LIKE US, give us a comment or tweet and SHARE us!

Have a question about something school related? We bet you can find the answer on our Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools website at www.GahannaSchools.org.

The newsletter you are reading (the GJPS NEWS TO KNOW District Newsletter) is emailed to our families and GJPS community on most Friday afternoons.

If you live in the GJPS community and want to stay in the know about what's happening in YOUR school district, please SIGN UP for our weekly update.

(Psssst, families of current GJPS students already receive this newsletter, so there is no need to sign up again, but please share with a friend who does not receive it.)