CES Weekly Communicator

This weekly update will be how we communicate with the school community. Please check your emails on Fridays for the most recent school news.

It is finally fall! The weather is cooling down which means students might want sweaters to stay warm outside. Make sure they are labeled in case they misplace them.

This was a busy week for teachers and students. Today, you will receive your child's progress report and MAP data. Please make sure you check backpacks tonight. We have our first parent teacher night next week to discuss your child's progress and set goals for the rest of the year on Thursday, September 29. Come grab a tasty snack to help fundraise for our 5th graders!

Please take a moment to complete the Emergency Medical Authorization form. Classrooms that have 100% returned forms on infinite campus will earn a popsicle party and a movement break with the leadership team! This form is NOT just for field trips. It is a form that tells us who to call in case of emergency.

We have 69% in...please keep them coming in!

Here is the link to infinite campus to log in and complete it for EACH student:

https://gahannajeffersonoh.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/gahanna_jefferson.jsp

Please make sure that you are safely dropping off and picking up students. Here are some tips and reminders:

• Please park on the side closest to the building. Cars cannot park on the side with houses and mailboxes. We have had Gahanna Police out to help monitor this. This can make Chapelfied Road congested.
• Please make sure to STOP at the three way stop sign. There have been some reports of cars running the stop sign right by our parking lot.
• Please be patient during drop off and pick up times. You may want to plan extra time so you don't feel rushed.
• Please refrain from using your cell phone during drop off and pick up time so your eyes are on the road and all of our students are safe.
• Be courteous to our safety patrol as well as other car riders.

Doing these things will keep the walkers and your children safe.

The following school calendars were approved at the August GJPS School Board Meeting.

2023-24 GJPS School Calendar (PDF)

2024-25 GJPS School Calendar (PDF)

2025-26 GJPS School Calendar (PDF)

The GJPS calendar for this current school year (2022-2023) is linked below for your reference:

2022-23 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)

For the 2022-23 school year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has ended the nationwide program which allowed students to receive school meals at no charge for the past two years.

While breakfast and lunch will still be available to all students in our cafeterias, the meals will no longer be free. Students who do not qualify for free/reduced-price meals will pay the following prices for breakfast and lunch:

• K-12 Breakfast: $1.50 *Breakfast begins at 7:40 AM at Chapelfield Elementary.
• Elementary School Lunch: $2.75
• Middle School Lunch: $3.00
• High School Lunch: $3.00

If you believe your family may qualify for free/reduced-price meals, please apply online with these easy steps:

1. Sign in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
2. Choose "MORE" in the left-hand column.
3. Choose "MEAL BENEFITS".

If approved, the completed application will cover the student for the entire 2022-23 school year, and no other steps will be necessary unless there is an income change during the school year.

Or, you may print and complete this paper Free/Reduced-Priced Meal Application (PDF) or pick one up at your student's school if you prefer.

Please feel free to contact Food Service Supervisor Megan Schweller if you have any questions.

RELATED LINKS

GJPS Food Service Webpage

Free/Reduced-Price Meal Benefits Online Application Tutorial (PDF)

Dear Families,

Get Ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them to become Bolder, Prouder, and Stronger Readers. AND—as always—every book they buy earns rewards for our school.

The Book Fair will take place from September 26 - 30 in the Chapelfield Library. Read the parent letter for more information. This year, all purchases will include sales tax, so please make sure your student has enough money to include sales tax.

Volunteers are needed for every class during Book Fair. Please use the Sign-Up Genius if you would like to help. All volunteers will need to have a background check. Let us know if you need to link for the background check.

Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping.

Please contact Mrs. Long at longj@gjps.org with any questions. The countdown to more Bookjoy is on! Catch you at the Fair!

Happy reading,

Jessica Long

Library Media Specialist

Chapelfield Elementary

Dear Gahanna-Jefferson Families,

In June of 2012, Ohio passed a state law called the Third Grade Reading Guarantee which put a greater emphasis on reading instruction and intervention in the early grades. Through this initiative, school districts are required to identify reading deficiencies in kindergarten through third grade students using a diagnostic screening assessment before September 30th of each year for grades 1-3 and by November 1st for kindergarten. These assessments are then used to identify students who are “not on track” to be reading at grade level by the end of the school year. The Third Grade Reading Guarantee law states that all third graders must demonstrate competency and reading skills at grade level before they can be promoted to fourth grade. This competency can be exhibited by performing at or above the target score on state tests and district selected alternative assessment measures.

All students in grades K-3 are currently being assessed for their current performance levels. Once assessments are completed later in the fall, you will be notified about your child’s “on track” or “not on track” identification. If your child is “not on track,” your child’s teacher(s) will then begin writing a Reading Improvement and Monitoring Plan (RIMP) which will identify specific needs and interventions that will be used to support reading growth throughout the year. Families play an integral role in supporting young readers, and you will be invited to provide input and to participate in the implementation of the plan.

High reading expectations and targeted instruction based on student needs is not new to Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools as we strive to help every student reach grade level expectations by the end of each year. If you have questions regarding the Third Grade Reading Guarantee law and what it means for your child, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or the building principal. Additional information can also be found on the Ohio Department of Education’s website by searching Third Grade Reading Guarantee family resources.

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping your child become a strong reader.

Sincerely,

Tia Holliman

Director of Curriculum

Want to learn about what MAP is? Want to understand the report your child brought home? Please click here to find information about MAP: https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/family-toolkit/

Here is what is happening in PTO:

Mumkin Sales

Flower pick-up occurs at Chapelfield on Wednesday, September 28 from 1:30 - 5:30pm. Please consider donating your time by volunteering during the flower pick-up -- we have multiple time slots available. Please click on the SignUp Genius link below for more details. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F4CA9A82BABF85-fall

Thank you for making time to support our students and our school!"

Follow Us on Social Media:

https://m.facebook.com/chapelfieldpto/

Friday, September 23: Progress Reports Published

Monday, September 26-Friday, September 30: Scholastic Book Fair

Tuesday, September 27: PTO Restaurant Nights @ Cane's

Thursday, September 29:

• Parent Teacher Conferences in person or virtual 3-7 p.m.
• 5th grade bake sale at school from 3:30-7 p.m.

Friday, September 30: Food Truck Friday's: Hogback BBQ Pit from 11-1 p.m.