Monthly Update, December 20, 2024

Reminder: There is no school for GJPS students from December 23- January 3.

Enjoy your winter break and we will see everyone back on Monday, January 6, 2025!

As we have entered the colder months of the year, we wanted to share our preparations for the potential impact of inclement weather on our school day. In the event of inclement weather, at approximately 4:15 a.m., a team of District administrators will begin the process of making a decision concerning students safely arriving to school. The group of administrators will analyze the weather, current community conditions and receive updates from the Gahanna Division of Police, with the goal of making a decision for delay or closure by 5:30 a.m.

If a delay or closure is deemed necessary, families will be notified by:

• A phone call, text message and email

• A post on Gahanna-Jefferson social media pages

• A pop-up alert on the GJPS website, www.gahannaschools.org.

• The following media outlets will also be notified: WCMH NBC4, WBNS 10TV, WSYX ABC6, WTTE FOX28 AND WTVN/WNCI.

If you are unsure, please be sure to check any variety of these platforms for an official announcement if there is a closure or delay.

Congratulations to Goshen Lane Elementary Instructional Coach Abbi Herzberg and High Point Elementary Second Grade Teacher Jenn Stacy, our December 2024 Heart & Pride Award honorees! Both were selected based on outstanding nominations that highlighted the positive impact they’ve made on our Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools students.

Their contributions were recognized at the December 19, 2024 Board of Education Meeting.

As a reminder, we honor two exceptional staff members each month throughout the school year. If you know a GJPS team member, no matter their role, who exemplifies the HEART of a LION and the POWER of the PRIDE, take a moment to nominate them!

(Left-Right) Abbi Herzberg, Dr. Tracey Deagle, Jenn Stacy

The 2024 GJPS Quality Profile has arrived in mailboxes across the GJPS community, offering a snapshot into the incredible accomplishments achieved throughout the year.

From interesting facts to updates on GJPS initiatives, the Quality Profile reflects the HEART of Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools and highlights the many reasons we are proud to be a LION!

If you missed your copy, you can access the 2024 GJPS Quality Profile on our website. Thank you for being part of the GJPS story!

READ THE GJPS 2024 QUALTY PROFILE

Superintendent Dr. Tracey Deagle and District leaders invite you to a presentation highlighting the achievements and future goals of GJPS.

This event will feature updates on our GJPS Strategic Plan, with a focus on areas such as:

• Supporting student success
• Empowering our educators
• Building strong partnerships
• Enhancing organizational efficiency

Join us as we celebrate our progress and look toward an exciting year ahead!

READ MORE ABOUT OUR STRATEGIC PLAN

Join us to learn about the future of our Central Ohio region! Experts from the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio and OneColumbus will be at Middle School West on February 11 to share about the economic future of our area and the way it is guiding how we inspire learners and build futures.

Students from Mrs. Irwin's and Mrs. Schultz's 4th grade classes at Lincoln Elementary researched mountain ranges and created informational brochures to present to friends and family as part of their "Mountain Range Visitor Center".

Congratulations to Middle School South student Abagayle Evans for earning third place in the VFW's Patriot's Pen youth essay contest. The contest required a 500 word essay dedicated to the theme of "My Voice in America's Democracy".

GLHS Computer Science Advanced Studies students shared their impressive app projects at their annual Capstone Showcase.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

1:30-2:30 p.m.

Gahanna Branch

Columbus Metropolitan Library

310 Granville Street

Gahanna

Make a difference right here in Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools by supporting LOCAL nonprofits through GIVE TO GAHANNA! Every dollar STAYS in our community, helping our neighbors throughout the year.

Summer 2026 Australia Interest Meeting

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

5:30 p.m.

GLHS Library

Whether you’re cheering from the sidelines with a donation or joining the action in person, your contribution will make a game-changing impact for our students. You’ll be supporting classroom grants that allow you, our staff, to INSPIRE, INNOVATE and IMPACT learning for Gahanna-Jefferson students every day.

There are many ways to participate, big and small.....please go to www.GJEF.org to join the fun!

• Attend the Gala
• Donate an auction item - we are collecting items now
• Buy a raffle ticket
• Join the online Silent Auction for FREE! (auction registration automatically enters you into the raffle for a $250 Amazon gift card)

Dec. 23, 2024-Jan. 2, 2025: Winter Break - No School

Jan. 3, 2025: Staff Work Day - No School

Jan. 15, 2025: Coffee and Conversation
Jan. 20, 2025: Martin Luther King Day - No School
Jan. 29, 2025: State of the Schools

Feb. 11, 2025: From Classroom to Career
Feb. 14, 2025: PD Day - No School
Feb. 17, 2025: Presidents Day - No School

Feb. 22, 2025: GJEF The Gahanna Gala
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

2024-25 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)

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.

This nomination form will remain open year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.

In November 2020, voters in the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools district approved a bond and operating levy to fund Phase Two of the GJPS Master Facilities Plan.

Phase Two of the Master Facilities Plan Includes:

• Additions and renovations to High Point and Blacklick Elementary
• Additions and renovations to Middle School East
• New Lincoln High School on current site

Master Facilities Plan & Building Projects Webpage

Phase Two Building Projects Webpage
Phase Two Elementary Projects Webpage

Phase Two Middle School East Project Webpage

Phase Two Lincoln High School Projects Webpage

GJPS has very active Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube accounts.

Please check us out and LIKE US, give us a COMMENT and SHARE us on your channels!

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.

The newsletter you are reading (the GJPS NEWS TO KNOW District Newsletter) is emailed to our families and GJPS community each month.

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 monthly update.

(Psssst, families of current GJPS students already receive this newsletter, so there is no need to sign up again, but please share with a friend who does not receive it.)