Blacklick Bulletin
Week of November 18, 2024
A Message from Principal Groves
Dear Blacklick Families:
THANK YOU to all of the Blacklick family members and friends that joined us last Monday for our Veterans Day assemblies! It was a wonderful way to kick off our week!
We are thrilled to report that our students did a fantastic job sorting candy and writing letters to the troops as a part of our building wide service learning project. We donated 32 BOXES OF CANDY to the Buckeye Military Moms Organization. THANK YOU to all of the families that donated candy for this project. We appreciate your kindness and support!
Our next service learning project will be a BOOK DRIVE in partnership with the 2nd and 7 Foundation. Look for information coming home with your student the first week of December regarding this project!
We have another exciting week at Blacklick this week! Please read below for details regarding the Book Fair, Community Night and the Blacklick Bazaar! We hope that you will join us for these special events!
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at 614-759-5100 or by email at grovesk@gjps.org.
Respectfully,
Kristen Groves
Community Night - Food Trucks! Place your order early!
We hope you are planning to join us for community night this Thursday from 6:00 - 7:30 PM at Blacklick! It is going to be a wonderful evening of community building!
We will have 3 food trucks on site at the event! The food trucks will be located in the FRONT parking lot at Blacklick from 6:00 - 7:30 PM.
1. Schmidt's Sausage Truck
2. Tortilla
3. Kona Ice
Schmidt's Sausage Truck sent a link for preorders: www.streetfoodfinder.com/sausage truck. Their featured cream puff will be Anthony Thomas Toffee. Yum! The menu for Schmidt's is also included below for your review!
The Tortilla Truck also sent a link for preorders. Families can preorder from THIS LINK or
www.streetfoodfinder.com/TortillaStreet. The menu for Tortilla is included below for your review.
The preorder links will go LIVE on Tuesday (2 days before the event).
In addition, the Scholastic Book Fair will be open in the library during Community Night!
The Blacklick Bazaar is THIS SATURDAY! Volunteers Needed!
We are so excited to host the Blacklick Bazaar for our community on Saturday, November 23! In order for this event to run smoothly we are in need of volunteers to help with set up, assist during the bazaar, and/or help with clean up.
If you are interested in volunteering, please click on the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054EABAE2EABF85-53264626-blacklick
Thank you in advance!
Scholastic Book Fair - up and running!
Monday, November 18 is our last preview day at the Book Fair.
November 19-22, 2024 will be shopping days. Students who bring money to school will shop during their library class.
Students can bring cash, check (to Blacklick PTO), Scholastic e-wallet (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 library class, you are welcome - if you need details about when that is, feel free to contact me.
If you would like to volunteer to help, please sign up at Blacklick Book Fair Volunteers.
We will also be open from 6:00-7:30pm on Thursday, November 21 for family shopping during the Community Celebration and during the Blacklick Bazaar from 8:30-12:00 on Saturday, November 23!
Our Scholastic Book Fair website will be active from November 13-23.
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!
Counselor Corner from Mrs. Warfield and Mrs. Jenkins
This holiday season, we understand that families may be facing financial challenges. Below, you'll find links to resources and assistance programs available in our community. Please share this information with anyone who could benefit.
PRIDE Wellness After School Club Updates!
Share your Thanks for a Blacklick Staff Member!
Dear Parents,
We invite you to share a few kind words or a heartfelt message for your child's teacher or Blacklick staff member. Our staff works tirelessly to provide the best education and support for our children, and your appreciation can make a significant impact on their day.
Please take a moment to express your gratitude, share a positive experience, or simply say thank you.
Your messages will be shared with the staff member to brighten their day and acknowledge their hard work and dedication.
Thank you for your participation and support!
Blacklick Related Arts Update!
Library in Kindergarten
Kindergarteners are learning all sorts of new things lately! We introduced chromebooks and talked about trying to use the trackpad instead of the touchscreen. They are practicing with a choice of links on our library website. We have also been trying to explain the concept of the book fair, although that is something they understand better once they see it. If you haven’t heard about the book fair yet, please reach out!
Music in Kindergarten
Kindergarteners are learning and singing autumn songs and playing “Turkey Run, Turkey Hide!”
We move our bodies to the music, practice using our singing voices, and are building a love of music!
Art in Kindergarten
Kindergarteners have been working hard creating their own version of Starry Night! We looked at cityscapes of Columbus, Ohio, and cut out different shapes like squares and triangles to construct our own cities sitting beside the towering tree structure seen in the original painting. They worked on painting, cutting and gluing in this masterpiece!
Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization)
All Parents/Guardians are WELCOME and ENCOURAGED to Attend Our PTO Meetings!
There is not a PTO meeting in the month of December. The next meeting will be held on January 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM in the Blacklick library.
PTO Officers for 2024-2025
Karen Davidson - President
Kristin Stewart- Vice President
Ashley Dean - Treasurer
Jess Waxler - Secretary
Need to contact the PTO?
Blacklick Family Fun Nights! Dine to Donate!
Attendance Procedures
If you have a planned absence, please fill out this form and send it in to the office. For more information or questions, please visit the GJPS website. As a reminder, the time missed will be counted as an authorized, UNEXCUSED absence but shall not be a factor in determining grades unless the make-up work is not completed.
To report an absence, please call the front office at 614-759-5100 or email lindseyk@gjps.org by 8:30am if possible. You may also elect to use the online absence reporting in the Parent Portal (see information listed below).
News from the Blacklick Cafeteria: Friday Pizza Rotation - Student Lunch
ABCD Related Arts Rotation Calendar 2024-2025
GJPS Elementary Student Handbook 24-25
Important Links for Families
Please visit You can find almost anything you need on our website
- Infinite Campus: Please log in to the parent portal and complete the Annual Information Update. Update all Emergency Medical Forms, make sure all contact information is current, apply money to lunch accounts, and more! Click Here for DIRECTIONS
- Bus Information: find your student's bus route, contact information, and download the bus app.
- District Calendar
- Free and Reduced Lunch Applications: Apply for free or reduced price lunch using the Parent Portal. Directions and more information can be found on the Food Service Website. If you need assistance please contact our head cook, Lisa Hughes at hughesl@gjps.org.
- LUNCH MENU LINK with ingredient information.
GRIN Thanksgiving Pantry Distribution
GRIN - Gahanna Residents in Need
Dear Blacklick Elementary Families,
Gahanna Residents In Need (GRIN) has partnered with Blacklick Elementary to offer a “Weekend Snack Pack” program for our students.
The program is to benefit families who are experiencing food insecurity or who NEED supplemental food at home for the weekend.
If you would like to participate in this program you will receive a bag of non-perishable food items that will be sent home from school with your child every Friday. No refrigeration is required.
In order to participate, please complete the form below. If you have more than 3 students complete the form until you have entered all children.
Blacklick School Events
Mark Your Calendar!
Nov. 18 - 22 Book Fair in the library
Nov. 21 Blacklick Community Night (6:00 - 7:30 PM)
Nov. 23 Blacklick Bazaar (8:30 - 12:00 PM)
Nov. 27-29, 2024: Thanksgiving Break - No School
Dec. 20 End of Quarter 2
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
Heart and PRIDE Award Nominations
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. Families are encourage to nominate a staff member today! The Heart & Pride Nomination Form will remain available year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.
Blacklick, Ohio 43004
614-759-5100