Monthly Update, February 2024

We were thrilled to celebrate all of the fantastic things happening in GJPS, as well as show the roadmap for the future, at our State of the Schools in January. If you missed the event, you can view the address on our YouTube Channel or in the video below.

We are excited to welcome Mr. David Varda as our Interim Treasurer/CFO. He currently serves as the CFO/Treasurer at the Educational Services Center of Central Ohio, where he began in 2018. He also has experience with META Solutions, Licking Heights Local School District and the Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO). He served as the executive director for OASBO for 10 years where he oversaw more than 1,000 public school business officials, including district treasurers and CFOs, business managers, food service directors, transportation supervisors and support staff. He also worked for nearly 18 years as treasurer of Upper Arlington City School District and served as mayor and council president for the City of Upper Arlington for five years.

Mr. Varda is joining the team after the Board of Education recently accepted the resignation of J. Scott Gooding, II.

If you know who should be our next Heart and Pride winner, be sure to nominate them!

Senate Bill 288 has altered Ohio Revised Code 3313.60 to require that children in grades kindergarten through six receive annual developmentally appropriate instruction in child sexual abuse prevention. S.B. 288 further requires that students in grades seven through twelve receive developmentally appropriate instruction in dating violence prevention education and sexual violence prevention education.

School districts must notify the parents and legal guardians of the following information:

• Instruction in child sexual abuse and sexual violence prevention is a required part of the district's curriculum;

• Upon request, parents and legal guardians may examine instructional materials;

• Upon written request of the student's parent or guardian, a student can be excused from taking instruction in child sexual abuse and sexual violence prevention.

As recommended by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, our district will be using the SPEAK UP lessons developed by The Foundation United. In order for your student to receive this instruction, we require written permission from you as the parent/guardian. Be on the lookout for a letter, which includes the consent form, coming from your student's building.

Enjoy the learning and (smiles) happening at our recent visit to Goshen Lane Elementary.

Students in Kayla Mintz's Middle School East science class learned about erosion and topography using the Augmented Sandbox on loan from the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation. Take a peek at the video to learn more about this amazing teaching tool!

Congratulations to our GLHS video production classes that were nominated for seven National Student Production Awards and recently won two of the awards! The Film and Documentary class won in the Non-Fiction Long Form category with "End the Distraction" and Jillian and Mia won in the Public Affairs Category with "The Beat Goes On".

Feb. 24, 2024: The Gahanna Gala

March 8, 2024: Comp Day - No School
March 11, 2024: Teacher Work Day - No School
March 29, 2024: No School
April 8-12, 2024: Spring Break- No School
May 3, 2024: PD Day - No School
May 24, 2024: Last Day of School for Students
May 25, 2024: Class of 2024 Commencement

May 27: Memorial Day - Buildings and Offices Closed

May 28: Teacher Work Day

2023-24 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, 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.

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

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