Blacklick Bulletin
**Updated: September 4, 2023
Music in Grade 2
2nd graders have been joyfully exploring ‘steady beat’ in music class! We have done ribbon dancing, xylophones, fall-themed songs, and more! A 2nd grade favorite is the “Loud Mouse” book by Broadway star Idina Menzel. Find the “Loud Mouse Song” on Youtube here to sing & dance along at home!
Art in Grade 2
2nd graders are learning about Aboriginal Australian artwork. We looked at three contemporary Aboriginal artists and noticed the types of lines and shapes they used in their work. 2nd grade artists used cut paper to make organic shapes, and q-tips to add dots. Later, we will be drawing an Australian animal to be showcased in the center of this work of art!
The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 10, 2023 in the Blacklick library at 6:30 PM. Mrs. Groves and Dr. Erin Schmidt (GJPS Literacy Curriculum Coordinator) will be sharing information about the new dyslexia law and the third grade reading guarantee.
Check out the most up to date information from the Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO by clicking on the link below:
PTO Newsletter - September 2023
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Karen Davidson, PTO President, at ptoblacklick@gmail.com.
The Literati Book Fair is coming!
October 13-18 will be preview days. During Library class, all students will make a wish list of books, and bring it home with a flyer. Many details will be on this flyer so be sure to ask your student about it if you haven't seen it by Wednesday the 18th. No sales (and no money) before the 19th.
October 19-20 will be shopping days. Students who bring money to school will shop in a time selected by their homeroom teacher. Teachers will send that info to you.
Students can bring cash, check (to Blacklick PTO), Literati gift cards (info on website and wish list). Some students have asked about a debit card; if parents give permission, please include a note that details how much they are allowed to spend. If you would like to shop with your student during their assigned time, you are welcome - check with your child's teacher about their time.
If you would like to volunteer to help, please sign up at Blacklick Book Fair Volunteers.
The book fair will also be open from 6:00-7:30pm on Thursday, October 19 for family shopping during the Community Celebration!
Our Literati Book Fair website is active now through the end of the fair on October 20.
You are under no obligation to buy. Purchases support the Blacklick Library. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Mrs. Ball. Thank you!
The Blacklick Elementary Community Celebration is a night of FUN for all of the wonderful people in our community.
We will come together to learn and share about the people who make Blacklick special - our families! EVERYONE is invited! Please mark your calendar and plan to attend!
When: Thursday, October 19, 2023 (6:00 pm - 7:30 pm)
Where: The Blacklick Elementary Gymnasium and Cafeteria
A New Addition to Community Night this year: FOOD TRUCKS!
Kona Ice and the Paddy Wagon will be on site for families to purchase dinner!
In addition, the BOOK FAIR will be during Community Night for families to shop together!
We are excited to share with you that our school community will be celebrating Unity Day on Thursday, October 19th this year. Unity Day is an annual event occurring during National Bullying Prevention Month in October that promotes joining together to create healthier communities through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. It was started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center in 2011 and is now celebrated around the world.
We will be encouraging all students and staff to wear ORANGE on Unity Day - Thursday, October 19.
For more information on the history of Unity Day and its impact, please go to https://www.PACER.org/bullying/about/history.asp.
An Invitation to the Blacklick Elementary Veterans’ Day Assembly
The annual Blacklick Elementary Veterans' Day Assembly is scheduled for Friday, November 10th. We will be having two assemblies on this date: 9:30 AM and 10:45 AM.
Please be sure to send in your RSVP form to your child’s classroom teacher by Friday, November 3rd if you are planning to attend. The RSVP form will go home this week in student PRIDE Folders.
We will be recognizing all Veterans and Active Military Guests that attend each assembly.
We will be collecting Candy for the Troops! Do you have extra Halloween candy that you would like to donate to the U.S Military? Please send in all of your extra candy to your child’s classroom teacher by Wednesday, November 8, 2023. We will be partnering with the Buckeye Military Moms Organization out of Worthington, Ohio. This organization will be shipping the candy to US military troops.
Forms for the yearbook art contest will go home in PRIDE Folders this week with students in grades K-5.
When creating your design, please remember to :
1. Create your design in a COLOR medium such as crayons, markers or colored pencils (press firmly).
2. Use the form that was sent home and create the design below the dotted line.
3. Make sure the design in vertical.
4. Color to the edge of the paper, but keep any text or words 1" (one inch) from the edge of the paper.
5. Be sure to include BLACKLICK ELEMENTARY and 2023-2024 in your design.
Interested students should turn in their entry to their classroom teacher by Monday, October 16.
As a school community we will be collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio. Please check your child's PRIDE folder for information regarding this collection.
WHAT: The Pop Tab Program is a fundraising project that supports Ronald McDonald House Charities. By collecting tabs from aluminum cans, RMHC of Central Ohio is able to recycle them in exchange for money that is then put towards paying the utility bills for the Ronald McDonald House.
WHEN: September 5, 2023 - May 1, 2024
WHERE: Students can drop off pop tabs in the boxes located in each hallway at Blacklick Elementary.
Celebrating Our Staff
We are excited to announce the Heart and Pride staff recognition award! This award is being established to recognize outstanding staff members who make a profound impact on our students and Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools.
This nomination form will remain open year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position. Please nominate a staff member you feel is deserving by September 29, 2023 to be considered for October recognition, but if you miss the deadline, please still submit nominations as this is a monthly award.
If you believe your family may qualify for free/reduced-price meals, please apply online for free or reduced-price meal benefits with these easy steps:
- Sign in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
- Choose "MORE" in the left-hand column.
- Choose "MEAL BENEFITS".
RELATED LINKS
Free/Reduced-Price Meal Benefits Online Application Tutorial (PDF)
Mark Your Calendar!
October 10 PTO Meeting in the Blacklick Library at 6:30 PM
October 11 Family Night Out: City BBQ (S Stygler Road)
October 16 -20 Blacklick Book Fair
October 17-18 Ohio State Test in Reading for Grade 3
October 19 Blacklick Unity Day
October 19 Blacklick Community Night (6:00 - 7:30 PM)
October 23-24 No School for Students
October 27 Report Cards go home with students
November 8 Family Night Out: Chipotle
November 9 Picture Retake Day
November 10 Veterans Day Assembly (Details coming soon)
November 13 No School for Students (Professional Learning for Staff)
November 18 Blacklick Bazaar
November 22-24 Thanksgiving Break (No School for Students or Staff)
November 28 Family Night Out at Glow Putt
December 7 Family Night Out: MOD Pizza