

East Weekly
October 4, 2024
Notes from the Principal
Gold Period Update
This week, several emails were sent to families regarding additional support in math, reading, and executive functioning skills. The emails detail small group sessions designed to enhance math and reading proficiency based on assessments like NWEA MAP and Spring OST, as well as a group focused on developing students' Executive Functioning (EF) skills, such as organization and time management. These sessions occur during Gold Period, ensuring no disruption to core curriculum time. Please check your email for details and reach out if you have any questions.
Graffiti
We kindly ask parents to talk with their students about respecting the school building and treating it with care. Recently, there have been incidents of inappropriate graffiti in the bathrooms, which disrupts the school environment and requires significant time and resources to address. Please remind your child of the importance of taking pride in their school and maintaining a clean and respectful space for everyone. We appreciate your partnership in fostering a positive community.
Upcoming Dates
October
October 10: Parent/Teacher Conferences @ 4:00-8:00
October 13: Dash & Stash - GJEF Fundraiser --> sign-up to help here!
October 14: PTA Meeting @ 7:00
October 14 - November 1: PANORAMA Survey Window
October 21: Comp Day - No School
October 22: Staff Work Day - No School
November
November 11: Veterans Day Program
November 8: Professional Development Day - No School for students
November 27-29: Thanksgiving Break - No School
Updates from staff
6th Grade
ACE 7/8 students are working with graphs, tables and rules and studying the relationships. We are using tile patterns to deepen our understanding and to see amazing connections.
Please have your child check Infinite Campus to ensure missing work gets completed. The Launchpad is a great way to make sure tasks are done on time.
7th Grade
7th Grade Science Merrick: Life Science unit assessment will be on Wednesday 10/9.
Weininger Math- Students are finishing up chapter 2 next week. Their Ch. 2 assessment will be on Monday, October 14th. Study guides will be given out Monday, October 7th!
ACE 7/8 students are working with graphs, tables and rules and studying the relationships. We are using tile patterns to deepen our understanding and to see amazing connections.
ELA - Students are continuing work on their Realistic Fiction stories: ask your student what revision they have applied to their draft this week! Final stories are due Tuesday 10/15. Be on the lookout for an email from your child’s teacher about book choices for our upcoming book club unit.
Western Field Studies
Current Gahanna 7th graders are invited to attend Western Field Studies annual field trip to Grand Tenton and Yellowstone National Parks. The trip will depart on June 4, 2025 and return on June 11, 2025. 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.
8th Grade
We are excited to see you at conferences next week, Thursday October 10th! Please call the office after 12:30pm to schedule a time to come meet with your child’s teachers.
The quarter is rapidly coming to a close! Please check your student’s Infinite Campus and talk with them about any missing work they have.
8th Grade science classes are busy doing LOTS of labs! This means they are looking for more paper towel donations. Please send some in with your child next week if you have the ability to donate a roll of paper towel!
PTA Update
Volunteer Opportunities:
1. Bring desserts and/or drinks for Parent/Teacher Conferences
2. Pass out candy at the Dash and Stash!
3. Help with Fitness Fundraiser!
The GMSE Fitness Fundraiser 2025 is still months away, but we are looking for excited volunteers now to make this event a huge success! Please plan to join us for one of two upcoming planning/informational meetings. We will meet at Panera on 10/17 at 7:00pm and 10/26 at 9:00am. Please bring your enthusiasm and any questions or ideas you have for fundraising. See you there!
New Information
PANORAMA Survey
Previous Information
Sign-up for Parent/Teacher Conferences
6th grade conferences
All 6th grade students brought home a paper sharing details about conferences. ALL 6th grade conferences are scheduled directly with the 6th grade teachers.
7th and 8th grade conferences
7th and 8th grade conferences are scheduled by calling the main office at (614) 478-5550. Families of students whose teachers have requested a conference will be notified via email and can call the main office to schedule.
Veterans Day Events
This year on Veterans Day we are excited to honor those who have served our country. To recognize Veterans for their contributions we will hold a Veterans Day Breakfast & Assembly on Monday, November 11, 2024.
We encourage students and family members to invite a veteran in their lives—whether it's a family member, friend, or neighbor—to be a special guest at the breakfast and assembly presentation.
Please RSVP by November 1, 2024 to help us plan for this meaningful event.
Thank you for your support as we honor those who have served!
For Veterans who plan to attend on November 11:
The veterans in attendance on Monday November 11, 2024 will be invited to a breakfast in the Library followed by an introduction by their MSE student at a whole-school assembly. The assembly will last until about 10:30 AM.
For veterans who can attend, I ask that you confirm their attendance by completing the form below on or before November 1st. An invitation will be emailed as a followup to completing the form.
For Veterans who cannot attend on November 11:
For veterans that cannot be in attendance, we still want to recognize them! Please complete the form below, by November 1, 2024 to include in a picture for the slideshow presentation.
Questions?
If you have questions about your veteran’s participation, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail. Thank you for your help as we show our students the importance of honoring those who have served our country in this manner.
Always here!
Attendance and Planned Absences
To report an absence, please call the front office at (614)478-5550 or email fischerj@gjps.org by 9:10am if possible.You also have the ability to login into Infinite Campus and mark your child's absence there. Please ONLY do this if your child will be absent for the entire day.
The GJPS Heart & Pride Award
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.
PTA meetings take place on the 2nd Monday of each month in the GMSE library at 7:00pm. All are welcome!
Meeting dates:
October 14
November 11
December 9
January 13
February 10
March 10
April 14
May 12
Help support and fund numerous initiatives for students and staff throughout the year. Stay tuned to our Facebook page, “GMSE Parents” (new members be sure to answer the questions to be admitted), and upcoming newsletters for more information about what we do and how you can help.
Please consider joining the Middle School East PTA.
Important Dates:
Oct. 21, 2024: Comp Day - No School
Oct. 22, 2024: Staff Work Day - No School
Nov. 8, 2024: PD Day - No School
Nov. 27-29, 2024: Thanksgiving Break - No School
Dec. 23, 2024-Jan. 2, 2025: Winter Break - No School
Jan. 3, 2025: Staff Work Day - No School
Jan. 20, 2025: Martin Luther King Day - No School
Feb. 14, 2025: PD Day - No School
Feb. 17, 2025: Presidents Day - No School
Mar. 10, 2025: Staff Work Day - No School
Mar. 31-April 4, 2025: Spring Break- No School
April 18, 2025: Comp Day - No School
May 2, 2025: PD Day - No School
May 23, 2025: Last Day of School for Students
May 24, 2025: Class of 2025 Commencement