Blacklick Bulletin

Dear Blacklick Families:

We will continue with MAP and Acadience assessments for our students both this week and next week. See specific dates below for MAP Testing in grades 2 and 3:

Grade 4: Reading (September 9)

Grade 2: September 10 (Reading) and September 11 (Math)

Grade 3: September 12 (Math) and September 17 (Reading)

Please join us for our first PTO meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 10 at 6:30 PM in the Blacklick Elementary Library. We will introduce the PTO board and highlight the PTO events scheduled throughout the school year. All parents/guardians are invited and encouraged to attend.

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

All students (both NEW and RETURNING) MUST have their emergency forms completed on Infinite Campus by September 30th. Students will not be able to have snacks or go on a field trip without it.

You can complete this on infinite campus! PLEASE call our school office if you have questions with this process (614-759-5100).

Bus #101 will now be Bus #33 for the remainder of the school year. This change does not impact timing of pick up or drop off for students.

The Blacklick Elementary Spirit Wear Sale through Pep Rally Apparel is scheduled for September 2 - 20. Orders will be ready 3 weeks after the close of the sale.

Please see the link below for ordering details:

https://peprallyapparel.com/collections/blacklick-elementary-presale

**Please select PICK UP at checkout so you do not pay for shipping. All items will be shipped directly to Blacklick Elementary School and sent home with students.

School picture day this year is this FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2024. All students will get their picture taken for our yearbook. Portraits are available for purchase for families that are interested. Order forms are coming home with students on Monday in PRIDE folders. You can send in your order form with money inside on picture day but we encourage you to order and prepay at shop.hrimaging.com. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the school office.

Blacklick Parent Curriculum Night

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

6:00 - 7:00 PM

Blacklick Library

Overview/Q&A presented by:

Dr. Erin Schmidt and Sharon Suriano

(GJPS Curriculum Coordinators)

All Blacklick parents/guardians are invited and encouraged to attend to learn about our new curriculum tools! Please join us! Our teachers are working hard to implement Wit and Wisdom (new reading/writing tool) and Bridges (new math tool) in all K-5 classrooms. Our staff will participate in continued professional learning about these new tools throughout the school year.

Below are resources for families for both math (Bridges) and reading/writing (Wit and Wisdom) if you are interested in learning more:

BRIDGES MATH

WIT AND WISDOM

Please reach out to Kristen Groves with any questions at grovesk@gjps.org.

We are excited to announce that Blacklick Elementary will participate in Start With Hello Week which will take place from September 16th to September 20th. This week was developed by Sandy Hook Promise with the goal of creating connections and fostering a sense of belonging.

This week will include:
Morning Greeters: Different members of our community will welcome students each morning! Think music, pom - poms, high fives, welcome signs, and enthusiasm!

Lunch or Recess Activity: Mrs. Warfield and Mrs. Jenkins (School Counselors) will facilitate lunch and recess activities across grade levels.

Let’s welcome ALL individuals and make our school the friendliest place ever!

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 above).

Pursuant to House Bill 410, student attendance is now calculated in hours. This includes absences that have been identified as both excused and unexcused by the school, as well as planned absences. Being late or tardy to school does calculate into the total hours absent.

In an effort to encourage regular, on-time attendance and avoid habitual truancy, families are encouraged to:

• Make getting to school on time every day a high priority.

• Discuss the importance of regular school attendance and the negative impacts of excessive absences.

• Create a safe space for students to discuss what is keeping them from school.

• Develop a backup plan for getting your student to school when transportation challenges, illness, or other challenges arise.

• Schedule vacations during a time when school is not in session.

• Monitor your student’s attendance records to identify any disruptions or patterns of change.

• Contact your student’s school to discuss preventative services and supports available to promote regular attendance.

PLANNED ABSENCES (Such as vacation):

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. Students who are absent 38 hours in a month or 65 hours in a school year with or without legitimate excuse are now considered Excessively Absent. These students will receive a letter from the District and will be required to follow the District Truancy Plan.These hours include approved planned absences. Planned absences will not be approved if your child has already met or will meet (based on this request) the absence threshold for Excessive Absence and/or Habitual Truancy.

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.

Parent Portal Annual Update

Infinite Campus is our parent portal and student information system. This site will allow parents/guardians to access school information electronically. For example, Infinite Campus will allow you to update email addresses and other important information regarding your child as well as view your child's report card electronically.

ALL Families (either new to Chapelfield or returning families) need to update your information in the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus. Directions for how to update Infinite Campus are linked below:

1. Log into the Parent Portal on Infinite Campus at: https://gahannajeffersonoh.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/gahanna_jefferson.jsp

2. Click MORE from the left hand column

3. Click on ONLINE REGISTRATION from choices on the right

4. Click START next to "Existing Student Registration"

5. Go through each step to complete the registration

Families New to Blacklick Elementary: If you are a new family to Blacklick (including all of our kindergarten families), you will receive an email from Mrs. Lindsey, school secretary, soon detailing directions on how to log into the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus to update your information.

Returning Families: If you need assistance - please call the school office at 614-759-5100. Mrs. Lindsey will be happy to help.

Join us for our next GJPS Coffee and Conversation on September 11, 2024, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Panera Bread. This is a great opportunity to chat with Superintendent Dr. Deagle and a member of our Board of Education and ask questions in a casual setting.

Columbus Metropolitan Library’s School Help Centers are now open, offering students in your family free after-school help.

• Reading Buddies, 15 minutes of one-on-one reading practice for K-3 students

• School Help Centers, offering K-12 students free help with their schoolwork plus use of computers, printers, digital research tools and other resources

• HelpNow, connecting them one-on-one with a virtual tutor Monday-Friday, 2-11 p.m.

• Online school help tools available 24/7

• YouMedia, an open lab space at nine locations where teens can explore technologies

• After-School Snack, offered at 16 locations in partnership with the Children’s Hunger Alliance

Learn more at columbuslibrary.org.

GRIN Snack Bag Sign Up

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.

Dash & Stash!

Come and join the fun, whether you dash, walk or run! Come see the progress of the new GLHS!

Do you own a business or work at a business that would like to have a decorated trunk at the Stash?

If you would like more information, please contact Dianna Bessignano at bessignanod@gjps.org OR (614) 269-4262.

Please click on this document to learn all about Blacklick!

"Everything You Need To Know About Blacklick Elementary - The Blacklick Basics"

Please visit You can find almost anything you need on our website

www.gahannaschools.org

• 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.
  

GJPS Elementary Student Handbook 24-25

We want students to be engaged in learning and not distracted by devices.

"CELL PHONES & SMART WATCHES

Cell phones are permitted at school, but must remain off and in the student’s book bags throughout the school day AND while riding on the school bus.

Smart watches are also permitted, but should only be used as a clock while at school. Please make sure that your child's smart watch is in school mode prior to coming to school.

Students are not permitted to send or receive text messages or phone calls on cell phones or smart watches during the day or while on the bus. Additionally, photos may not be taken with cell phones or smart watches at school.

On state testing days, smart watches are not permitted to be worn.

If a parent/guardian needs to reach their student during the school day, they should call the school office at 614-759-5100. The school is not responsible for cell phones or smart watches that are lost, stolen, or damaged.

The first PTO meeting of the school year is scheduled for September 10, 2024 at 6:30 PM in the Blacklick library. All parents/guardians are welcome and encouraged to attend!

PTO Officers for 2024-2025

Karen Davidson - President

Kristin Stewart- Vice President

Ashley Dean - Treasurer

Jess Waxler - Secretary

Need to contact the PTO?

PTOBlacklick@gmail.com

September 10 PTO Meeting in the Blacklick Library at 6:30 PM

September 12 First Grade Vision Screening

September 13 School Photos

September 17 Parent Curriculum Night - Learn about new curriculum tools!

September 23 Teacher PD Day No School for Students

October 3 Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 8 PTO Meeting in the Blacklick Library at 6:30 PM

October 10 Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 18 End of Quarter 1

October 21 Conference Comp Day - No School for Students/Staff

October 22 Staff Work Day - No School for Students

October 25 Report Cards for Quarter 1 go home with students

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.