

East Weekly
October 11, 2024
Notes from the Principal
Free & Reduced Meal Applications Now Available
-- these need completed each year!
Families who believe they may qualify for Free or Reduced-Price Meals can now complete the application online through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. A step-by-step tutorial is available to help guide you through the process, with additional tutorials offered in Somali, Spanish, French, and Nepali.
You can also submit a paper application, which is available for download. Complete the form and return it to any school office, the Central Office, or by email or fax. Once submitted, you will be notified of your child’s eligibility through the Parent Portal under the Messages tab.
Please remember, only one application per family is needed, and eligibility is based on household size and total household income. For further details, including how to access applications in other languages, visit the USDA website.
For more information, feel free to contact us. Refer to the website below for applications and more FAQs.
Costumes on October 31
MSE is excited to let students wear appropriate costumes to school on October 31. However, it is important that costumes adhere to our school dress code stated in the MSE Handbook to ensure a safe and positive environment for everyone.
Costume Guidelines:
- Costumes must follow the regular school dress code (no inappropriate language, graphics, or themes).
- No weapons (real or pretend) or masks are allowed as part of any costume. Violation of this rule may result in disciplinary action.
- No paint or makeup that covers the face or distracts the educational environment.
- Students must be comfortable enough to sit in a chair without disturbing their desk partner's personal space.
- No inflatables.
- There will be principal discretion.
Wearing costumes allows students the chance to express themselves, build community, and have a bit of structured fun—while also encouraging responsibility and respect for our school rules. We appreciate your support in helping us maintain a safe and fun atmosphere for all students. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Upcoming Dates
October
October 13: Dash & Stash - GJEF Fundraiser --> sign-up to help here!
October 14: PTA Meeting @ 7:00
October 14: PANORAMA Survey Window opens
October 21: No School
October 22: Staff Work Day - No School for students
October 22: Dine Around for MSE - CANE'S CHICKEN!
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
Please be sure your child is charging their Chromebook each night so it lasts a full day!
Next week is the last week of the quarter -check Infinite Campus and encourage your child to complete any missing work and then have your child email the teacher!
Ace 7/8 students are working on Expressions and Equations and how to write an equation for a graph, table or situation. We have also started a book study with The Gifted Teen Survival Guide and have class discussions based on parts of the book.
7th Grade
Weininger Math 7- Students will take their Ch. 2 math assessment on Monday, 10/14. If they want some extra practice, all of the tested topics have been assigned to students on Khan Academy!
Holmes Math 7 - Students will take their Chapter 2 assessment on Monday! There is a Quizizz linked on Google Classroom if students want to review over the weekend.
7th Grade ELA: Students will complete their realistic fiction writing and submit their work on Tuesday, October 15th. On Wednesday, October 15th, students will begin their characterization book club unit.
Ace 7/8 students are working on Expressions and Equations and how to write an equation for a graph, table, or situation. We have also started a book study with The Gifted Teen Survival Guide and have class discussions based on parts of the book.
8th Grade
Superhero Projects in Science are DUE MONDAY!
ACE ELA students are in their second novel study on The House of the Scorpion. Students should be reading nightly.
End of quarter is Friday, October 18th! Students will have tests and projects next week! Please make sure they are staying on top of their work!
***Please remind your student that the 8th grade Expectation is to have chromebooks charged and ready for the day! In addition, chromebooks should be used for educational purposes. Many students are misusing their chromebooks which will result in a consequence.
Spanish test for Unit 1 will be next week. Be on the lookout for an email from Ms. Learman with more information and encourage your student to be studying their Quizlet flashcards!
PTA Updates/Opportunities
1. Pass out candy at the Dash and Stash!
2. 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!
3. Dine Around for MSE - CANE'S CHICKEN
4. Attend next PTA Meeting - OCTOBER 14 @ 7PM
Previous Information
PANORAMA Survey
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