East News

Tuesday is Trick or Treat night around Columbus! I know that kids are excited about Trick-or-Treating, but, just a couple of reminders about school on Tuesday and Wednesday:

• No costumes at school on 10/31 (it just causes too many issues during the day)
• If you allow your child to bring in some of their Halloween candy haul on Wednesday, please remind them that they should only be eating the candy at lunch, in the cafeteria!

My wife says I am a Halloween Grinch... it sure sounds like it with the bullet points above! I just know how many issues we can avoid... thank you for understanding.

MSE Parents: Friday, November 10, 2023 is Veteran’s Day. We started a tradition in 2008 of honoring veterans who are family members of students at MSE. We are planning to honor veterans again this year at an assembly on Friday, November 10 at 9 AM. We are working on two types of recognition:

For veterans who can attend, I ask that you confirm their attendance on the 10th and follow this link: <https://forms.gle/HbytSL3Z86Zq9YfQ6> to provide the following information:

1. Name and Grade of Student

2. Name of Veteran who will be in attendance on 11/10/2023

3. Relationship of Veteran to MSE student

4. Branch of Service

5. Dates of Service

6. Any outstanding feature of their service (wartime service, service awards, length of service, theater of service, etc.) or anything about your veteran that you would like to highlight

The veterans in attendance on Friday, November 10th will be recognized and introduced by their MSE student at the whole-school assembly. The assembly will last until about 10:15 AM and will include: Introductions & recognition of Veterans, The National Anthem and Flag posting, Student and Adult Speakers, Patriotic Music and Slideshow, and A Moment of Silence. Again, please confirm your veteran’s participation and RSVP with the requested information by November 10, 2023.

For veterans that cannot be in attendance, I ask that you send in a digital (.jpg) image of the veteran that we can include in a slideshow. The image file can be sent to me (hilberta@gjps.org) with the following information in the body of the e-mail:

1. Name and Grade of Student

2. Name of Veteran whose image is attached

3. Relationship of Veteran to MSE student

4. Branch of Service

5. Dates of Service

Please have the image and this information to me no later than October 31, 2023 so we can include it in the slideshow.

If you have questions about your veteran’s participation, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me. Thank you for your help as we show our students the importance of honoring those who have served our country in this manner.

Brad Barboza

Principal, Gahanna Middle School East

Fun Night for 7th and 8th grade on November 10, from 6-7:30. Tickets will be on sale at lunch starting on Monday, November 6, through Friday November 10. Pre-sale tickets are $5, and will be $7 at the door. Activities offered at Fun Night are: music, dancing, games, cake walk, concession stand*, Kona Ice*, and a gift card raffle* (*bring money). All proceeds help us throw our end of the year bash with inflatables! Parents, you can help too by signing up to chaperone here.

Each house "takes on" a holiday throughout the school year and does something in the school to acknowledge and celebrate the holiday. Altrusimo's holiday is the annual Mexican celebration, Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), which is celebrated this week. It is a time when families gather to honor and remember deceased loved ones. Its roots go back 3000 years.

The Aztec honored their ancestors with fiestas and rituals during the harvest season. They viewed death as the beginning of the cycle of seasons and life. Marigolds represent the sun and the light and are used to celebrate the holiday. Because of this, Altruismo students of all grade levels got together and created tissue paper marigolds and decorated the hallway to remember those we have lost.

Also, a shout out to Altruismo for winning the spirit stick at last week's quarterly House celebration. Great job competing in the hula hoop competition and cheering the House to victory!

1. Please be sure to check out your child’s grades and teacher comments in Infinite Campus for quarter 1!

• As we begin quarter 2, please help your child establish a routine for charging their Chromebook. The goal is that students utilize their time at school as best as possible so that they get their work done AT school.
• Teachers will be reminding students of expectations again in gold period this week, which will include making good choices during class time and being ready, responsible, and respectful throughout their day.
• The book signature policy shared earlier this year is linked again so parents/guardians know what to expect if expectations are not being met.
• Overall, students are doing a wonderful job in their classes and with their peers and are earning lots of house points for positive behaviors and academic excellence! They even gained access to their individual house points and can now show you which teachers have been awarding them points and why!! Keep up the strong effort, 6th graders!

2. The GJPS Music Leadership Team wants to hear from you! All questions are optional. Your feedback regarding 6th Grade Music Survey is important and can help the student and family experience for next year. Please complete by October 31.

1. All students got their new book club book! Families should see their students working on reading at home and practicing strategies to help them focus while reading, like reading away from technology!
2. Ace 7/8 students continue to with linear equations. An assessment over Chapter 4 will be later this week.
3. Current Gahanna 7th and 8th graders are invited to attend Western Field Studies annual field trip to Grand Tenton and Yellowstone National Parks. The trip will depart on June 5, 2024 and return on June 11, 2024. The link below has information about the trip and the evening parent meetings you can attend to get more specific information. This is not a school sponsored trip, however it is chaperoned by current and retired Gahanna teachers.

1. If you are able to donate more tissue boxes, hand sanitizer, or clorox wipes that would be greatly appreciated! We are running low and could use any and all donations. We appreciate your support as we enter the cold season!

2. Multicultural Club is kicking off this week! If your child is interested in being a part of a group that learns about other cultures and promotes awareness about diversity, this club is for them. Have them complete the Google Form interest survey to indicate interest. All are welcome!
   

3. Current Gahanna 7th and 8th graders are invited to attend Western Field Studies annual field trip to Grand Tenton and Yellowstone National Parks. The trip will depart on June 5, 2024 and return on June 11, 2024. The link below has information about the trip and the evening parent meetings you can attend to get more specific information. This is not a school sponsored trip, however it is chaperoned by current and retired Gahanna teachers.

CommUNITY University

• CommUNITY University is an opportunity for our GJPS adult community to come together and learn tools and resources for supporting our students' success in school and beyond. Mark your calendar for our first event on Nov. 9 at Clark Hall starting at 6 p.m. You can browse the GJPS CommUNITY University Course Catalog and then please register for the sessions you would like to attend by Wednesday, Nov. 1.

Gifted Visual and Performing Arts Referral Process

• Each year school districts in Ohio are required to offer an opportunity for students in grades K-12 to be identified as gifted in the area of Visual and Performing Arts. The identified areas of giftedness for Visual and Performing Arts include Visual Arts, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Drama/Theater, and Dance. If you know of a student that may be gifted in an area of the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and would like for them to be screened for possible gifted identification in that particular area, please complete the Visual and Performing Arts Nomination Form.
• Click here to learn more about the two-phase VPA gifted identification process.
• Nominations will be accepted until noon on Monday, November 20, 2023, and will only be accepted using the Google link above. If you have any questions, please contact Colleen Boyle at gjpsgifted@gjps.org.

The Heart and Pride Award

• recognizes two outstanding staff members each month who make a profound impact on our students and Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools. The Heart & Pride Nomination Form will remain available year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.