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East Weekly

November 22, 2024

East Weekly November 22, 2024

Notes from the Principal

Good Afternoon,

As we wrap up another wonderful week, I’d like to remind everyone about our expectations for drinks during the school day. Please take a moment to communicate with your child about ensuring that they only bring water in their water bottles. Energy drinks and sodas are not permitted during the school day.


On a celebratory note, I am excited to share the success of our food drive! Together, we collected 730 food items for GRIN, making a great impact in our community. A huge congratulations to our winning houses:

  • 6th Grade: Protos
  • 7th Grade: Nukumori
  • 8th Grade: Tatonka

The winning classrooms in each house can look forward to a special treat—Pancakes with the Principal—as a token of appreciation for their generosity.


Lastly, please remember that there is no school on November 27, 28, and 29.


Have a great weekend!

Take care,

Megan Kirsten

Coming up-- Toy Drive

Beginning Monday, December 2nd, the GMSE Student Council will be hosting a toy drive to benefit the Marco Houpe Foundation - From the 2nd through the 15th, the student council is asking students to bring in new, unwrapped toys to donate to the Nationwide Children's Hospital Burn Unit.


If you are able to give, please send in new toys starting the Monday after Thanksgiving (No wrapping paper, please) - The house that collects the most toys will be announced on December 20th - and receive doughnuts in January!

Upcoming Dates

November/December

November 15: 7th/8th Grade Fun(d) Night

November 18 - November 22: Food Drive

November 26: 8th grade field trip permission slip due!

November 27-29: Thanksgiving Break - No School

December 2 - December 15: Toy Drive

December 9: PTA Meeting

December 10: 6th grade Fun Night!

December 20: End of Quarter 2

December 23 - January 3 : Holiday Break - No School

*Students return January 6

Updates from staff

6th Grade

Mark your calendars! 6th Grade Fun Night is set for Tuesday, December 10th at Gahanna Lanes Bowling Alley from 6:00-7:30. The cost ($8.00) is due at the door and covers shoes & lane rental. Concessions & video games will also be available for purchase. Look for a permission form coming home on Monday, December 2nd!


Ace 7/8 math classes have been working with systems of equations. We have also been working to increase our math vocabulary with debates and concept maps. We are starting Chapter 6, Transformations and Similarity.


In ELA, students are finalizing their work with teen activists. Feel free to talk with your child about how teens around the world are spreading awareness in the areas of science, education, animals and the environment.

7th Grade

7th Grade ELA: Students began research for our new Argument Writing unit this week.

8th Grade

Athletics: 8th grade girls interested in playing soccer for Lincoln next year, please complete the 2025 New Player Survey. If you have questions, please contact Coach Merrick at merrickd@gjps.org


Field Trip Information: On Thursday, December 5th, 2024 our 8th grade class will be going on a field trip to the Eastland Fairfield Career Center (EFCC). The bus will depart Middle School East at 9:15am and will arrive back to MSE at 11:45am. Students who normally take a language class at the high school will miss their class that morning (their teachers have been notified) and report to their House classroom in Middle School East by 9:05.


Career exploration is an integral part of the eighth grade curriculum, which students will continue to learn more about throughout the school year. While at EFCC, students will have the opportunity to explore the different labs and programs that the high school there offers. Your student will be coming home with a permission slip and we ask that it please be signed and returned to their House (or to the main office for students taking language at the high school) by Tuesday, November 26nd, 2024.

PTA Updates/Opportunities

THANK YOU PTA for providing donuts and cider to the staff today to show your appreciation!

Next Meeting December 9, 2024

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:

  • 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:

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

Megan Kirsten