Weekly Update February 4, 2022
GJPS Community Views New GLHS Floor Plans and Site Options
This week, a meeting was held for the GJPS community to get a sneak peek at the floor plans for the new GLHS building, which is being built as part of Phase Two of the Master Facilities Plan. Members from the GJPS design, architecture and construction team also reviewed options for the location of the new building on the site.
Over 100 people attended the meeting in the GLHS auditorium and another 300+ watched virtually as it was live streamed through YouTube.
Give Us Your Thoughts
The entire meeting can be viewed below. Please share with your GJPS friends and neighbors who have not had a chance to watch the meeting.
GJPS is curious to hear your thoughts and impressions about the plans presented. After watching the video, please take a couple of minutes to leave us your feedback on our ThoughtExchange which will be available through Monday, February 7, 2022, at 10:00 p.m.
There are many great ideas being shared in this exchange and we need your help to make sure we understand what is most important to you. Please check back with ThoughtExchange often and add ratings to show how strongly you agree or disagree with all of the thoughts.
The result of this ThoughtExchange will help us understand your concerns and what you value in our plans as presented.
GLHS Floor and Site Plan Resources
Recent Covid-19 Mask Questions
Why did we form a COVID-19 Task Force?
We created the COVID-19 Task Force back in November of 2020 in an effort to ensure we were using advice from local medical experts when making decisions for our district.
The purpose of our task force is to review district data, discuss COVID-19 practices and protocols, and provide feedback and recommendations for our district's pandemic plans.
Our Task Force is made up of medical experts from the fields of pediatrics, mental health, endocrinology, and pharmacy, as well as, our district attorney, members from our school nursing team, representation from the communications field, and district administrators and board members.
When will the district make changes to our mask policy or learning models?
We have worked with our COVID-19 Task Force to set key thresholds that will trigger a conversation about adjusting mask requirements.
Those thresholds require both of the following to be in place for 4 consecutive weeks:
24 or less positive cases districtwide
5 or less possible school spread cases districtwide per week
We do not currently have thresholds set for a learning model change. Those changes will be determined by staffing.
How were the district’s thresholds that trigger a conversation about adjusting mask requirements developed?
The masking metrics were identified collaboratively with our COVID-19 task force. When developing the thresholds, we looked at the average number of positive cases and the average number of possible school spread cases across the district.
At the time we were drafting the thresholds, we were starting to see some cases increase. As we were heading into the holidays, when more cases were anticipated, we made the decision to be consistent with what our averages had been.
Are there specific requirements regarding the type of mask that should be worn?
Medical research shows that cloth masks are not as effective as medical-grade masks at protecting the community from COVID-19 spread.
We are not requiring medical-grade masks, but certainly recommend staff and students wear K95, KN95 or paper medical masks when possible.
All of our buildings have medical grade masks available for staff and students who need them.
Why are some districts making masks optional, while GJPS continues to require them?
Our goal is to keep students in school 5 days a week for the entire school year, and we also want to ensure students can participate in extracurricular activities. To support this, we are following the CDC, the Ohio Department of Health and Franklin County Public Health’s guidance on masks.
Health guidance states that masks are an important layer of protection to help with community transmission of COVID-19, and this is why we have maintained our mask requirement in all PK-12 schools.
School districts have a number of considerations when determining mask policies. Among them are vaccination rates, community and school spread, the ability to socially distance and overall case counts. Each district must consider individually how this data impacts their policies.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
For Ages 5 and older
Nationwide Children's Hospital is hosting another COVID-19 vaccine clinic for ages five and older at Clark Hall, on Granville Street by Panera and Rusty Bucket.
First Dose
Tuesday, February 15
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Second Dose
Tuesday, March 8
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
A link to schedule appoints will be emailed to GJPS families next week.
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools Open House
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools (EFCTS) has over 35 career and technical programs covering many career fields that will prepare students for college and the workforce. Best of all -- these programs are available to students tuition-free. Along with college-preparatory academics, you also have the opportunity to earn free college credit, experience, and credentials to give you a head start on your next step.
Three of these programs, Architecture/Construction Management, Bioscience and Teaching Professions are currently housed in Gahanna at Clark Hall. Sports Medicine will be added for the 2022-23 school year.
Join EFCTS on February 9 to learn more about these four special programs located here in Gahanna.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Feb 18 No School - Teacher PD Day
Feb 21 No School - Presidents Day
Feb 19 - 26 Gahanna Gala Sponsored by GJEF
March 4 No School - Teacher Comp Day
Mar 28 - April 1 No School - Spring Break
Apr 15 No School - Good Friday
May 24 Last Day of Classes for Students
May 28 Class of 2022 Commencement
2021-22 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)
COVID-19 Dashboard
January 21 - February 3
CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES
Students In Buildings: 39
Students Not In Buildings: 10
Staff In Buildings: 9
Staff Not In Buildings: 1
CLOSE CONTACT CASES
Close Contact Students and Staff
That Stayed at Home: 13
Close Contact Students and Staff
That Stayed at School: 3
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 the COVID-19 Dashboard, 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.
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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.
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Gahanna, Ohio 43230
(614) 471-7065