Weekly Update March 25, 2022
You Are Invited
Community Conversation: Equity & Access For All Plan
Join us for a an important Community Conversation about our GJPS Equity & Access for All Plan.
Monday, April 18, 2022
6-8 p.m.
Gahanna Lincoln High School
We previously updated our school community about the work we have been doing related to building a plan focused on Equity & Access for ALL. Over 100 staff members have engaged in brainstorming action ideas targeted on our five areas of focus, and now we’d like to hear from the greater community.
During this Community Conversation, we invite our stakeholders - parents, students, staff, and community members - to participate in small discussion groups to share your experiences and ideas related to what should be included within the five focus areas of our plan, which are:
Strong sense of belonging
Diverse staffing
Inclusive curriculum and resources
Equitable representation, access and outcomes
Community engagement and partnerships
We ask that everyone intending to participate in this event complete the RSVP form below. This will help us to plan accordingly for small group breakout conversations. For those who cannot join us, a survey will be sent out to collect additional ideas for the plan.
In addition to this meeting, we will also be asking for volunteers interested in serving on a parent advisory group. You can indicate your interest in the RSVP form as well as in the feedback survey that will be sent out after the event.
JOIN US for an EQUITY & ACCESS COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
As we plan for the future of our district, we hope you can join us for this very important Community Conversation.
RELATED LINKS
GJPS Equity and Access for All Webpage
Middle School East Students Inspire Learning
Students Prepare Lessons and Activities for Black History Month
Aneika Ray and Kennedy Brown, eighth-grade students at Gahanna Middle School East, felt strongly about the need to incorporate more diversity into their daily learning. So, they decided to spend the weeks leading up to Black History Month researching important Black figures in history with the hope of sharing this knowledge with their fellow classmates.
The pair conducted extensive research and created a slideshow of historical Black figures displayed on monitors near the main entrance of the building. They also made a BINGO game to go along with the slideshow that was provided to Social Studies teachers to use during classes. They even shared Black history facts during the school’s daily announcements.
Get to Know Our Board of Education Members
Board of Education Member Kara Coates
Spend some time over the next few weeks getting to know the members of our GJPS Board of Education.
Please watch the next video in our Get to Know Our Board series and Meet Kara Coates, one of our new GJPS Board of Education members.
Blacklick Elementary
Clap Out for Mr. George
Students at Blacklick Elementary held a very special "clap out" for beloved custodian George Moore who is retiring after 20 years at GJPS.
Best of luck Mr. George! You will be missed!
Jefferson Elementary
March Book Madness
Mrs. Callihan's second grade class and Mrs. Nilsen's third grade class at Jefferson Elementary celebrated March Madness with a competition of their own. Students in both classes made "brackets" to highlight their favorite books and then held weekly "tournaments" to choose a winner.
Such a great way to celebrate well-loved books!
Mrs. Nilsen and Mrs. Callihan's classes show off their brackets and place their votes for their favorite books.
And the winner is...
Mrs. Nilsen's Class: Because of Winn-Dixie
Mrs. Callihan's Class: The Night I Followed the Dog
Lincoln High School
GLHS DECA Students Advance to National Competition
Gahanna Lincoln High School DECA chapter members earned the organization’s highest honors at DECA’s 67th annual State Development Conference in Columbus on March 11, 2022.
During the school year, approximately 5,000 of Ohio DECA’s student members take part in the organization’s competitive events program, allowing them to compete for district and state titles. The competitions are designed to simulate real-life business scenarios and test students’ academic understanding and skills development.
During the conference, Gahanna students presented and defended their twenty-page marketing research and business plan projects conducted for area businesses.
Lincoln High School marketing students will put their talents to the test during the program’s International DECA Competition in Atlanta, Georgia April 23-27.
Lincoln High School
GLHS Bands and Choirs Earn Superior Ratings
We are proud to announce that all seven Gahanna Lincoln High School (GLHS) bands and choirs earned an overall superior rating at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) adjudicated district event held March 2022.
These high marks qualified all seven bands and choirs to perform at the state adjudicated event which will be held at GLHS and Gahanna Middle School West (GMSW) on April 22-23, 2022. The overall rating was an average of the three judges' ratings.
We are equally proud to report that the Freshman Band, Freshman Girls Choir, Blue Band, A Cappella, and Gold Band all earned unanimous superior ratings! Gahanna was the only school at the district event to earn unanimous superior ratings.
Spring Break March 28 - April 1, 2022
We hope you have a relaxing and rejuvenating SPRING BREAK! 🌼
Caring for Trauma Exposed Children
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mar 28 - April 1 No School - Spring Break
Apr 14 Caring for Trauma Exposed Children
Apr 18 Equity & Access Community Conversation
Apr 15 No School - Good Friday
May 7 Herb N' Arts Fair
May 24 Last Day of Classes for Students
May 28 Class of 2022 Commencement
2021-22 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)
COVID-19 Webpage
GJPS continues to work hard to simplify communication about COVID-19 so you can find the resources that matter most to you and your family. Our GJPS COVID-19 | 2021-22 Update Webpage contains safety protocols and resources, and the latest email updates from GJPS.
You can access the GJPS COVID-19 | 2021-22 Update Webpage two ways:
- You can find the GJPS COVID-19 | 2021-22 Update Webpage housed under the "District Tab" in the top menu bar of the GJPS district website.
- The COVID-19 | 2021-22 Update Webpage is always linked on the GJPS district website homepage under "What's Trending.
BinaxNOW At-Home Rapid Test Kits Available for Symptomatic Students and Staff
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.
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.
Let's Be Social
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.
Sign Up For the GJPS Weekly District Newsletter
The newsletter that you are reading right now (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 no need to sign up again, but please share with a friend who does not receive it.)
Gahanna, Ohio 43230
(614) 471-7065