Today, we ended a great week of learning by introducing our One School One Book~ Fenway and Hattie. Ask your child about the storytelling we did to introduce the book. Special thanks to former Jefferson student Kate Hofmann, who helped with the storytelling and even brought her dog! Check your child's backpack for a book copy and a directions packet for the activities. Please take a moment this weekend or set aside extra time Monday to read Chapter 1; it will help fill in some of the details of what took place today! Be ready to read each night so your child can participate in discussions and activities at school. Monday's assignment is Chapter 2. We ask that you not read ahead!

As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me at schmidts@gjps or call the school office at 614-478-5560.

The lost and found is growing fast. Please make sure your child's first and last name are written inside their lunch bag. This will help us get them returned to the right owner. We would also suggest adding your child's name to any jackets or coats! Lost and found will be donated to Goodwill at the end of each month(Starting in September). You are welcome to stop by the school any day between 7:30 and 3:30 to check out the lost and found!

Dear GJPS families,

During the 2024-25 school year, students in kindergarten through 10th grade will take the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment in the areas of reading and mathematics. The MAP assessment measures student achievement and academic growth over time. It also compares student, class and grade level performance with other students’ performance across the country.

The MAP Assessment is web-based and adaptive to measure your child’s instructional level. The results from the MAP Assessment are one data set that help to provide a more complete picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn, helping staff to better plan instruction to meet their needs.

The MAP Assessment will be given up to three times this year depending on the grade level. Your building principal will share the specific dates for your building before testing begins. Following each testing window, you will receive a report showing your student’s performance and growth.

For more information about MAP Assessments, check out the Family Guide to MAP and the NWEA Family Toolkit. If you have questions, please contact your student’s teacher or building principal

Sincerely,

Tia P. Holliman

Director of Curriculum

Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools

*Please note: Kindergarten will take the Acadience Screener starting next week, while grades 1-5 will take MAP. Kindergarten will take MAP starting in January.

We are excited to be implementing a new Elementary Math and Language Arts Curriculum as a district this year. Our teachers have gone through training last year and this summer to begin the year. With anything new, there is a learning curve and teachers will continue to learn as they dive in this year. Teachers will be sharing information throughout the year on what your child will be learning. Look for more information about an upcoming parent meeting at Jefferson Elementary in next weeks Jefferson Journal.

Below are the Family Resource Links for both curriculums if you are interested in learning more:

BRIDGES MATH

WIT AND WISDOM

Please remember...

1) No cell phones when you are in the active drop off or pick up line- we need your attention focused on the students and driving- thank you.

2) Pull all the way up to the crosswalk and then fill in all available space. This will allow us to fit five cars at a time along the curb.

3) For pick up, write your child's name with a bold black marker on a piece of paper and display it on your car's dashboard or visor.

4) If you are exiting your car and walking to the front lawn to pick up your child, please use the west parking lot near the baseball diamonds.

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
• Jefferson Elementary Events 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 Kim Karshner.

The elementary Chinese Enrichment Program is now accepting registrations for the 2024-2025 school year. This program is open to all students in grades 2 through 5 with classes taking place before or after school. Please visit our website for more details. Registration will be accepted online now through August 30, 2024.

Please consider being part of the Jefferson PTO. The PTO provides many amazing opportunities for our students and needs your help. The first meeting of the year will be on Tuesday, August 27, at 7:00. You will enter through door #12 which is located near the east entrance and then head down to the Library. The PTO is open to all families, and we invite you to be part of a great organization designed to support Jefferson Elementary.

August 27 PTO Meeting 7:00 pm

September 2 Labor Day No School

September 16-20 Start with Hello Week

September 20 Picture Day

September 23 Teacher Professional Learning Day, No School for Students

September 27 Jog for Jefferson

• Jefferson Elementary Events Calendar

ical Link to add Jefferson Calendar to your phone

2024-25 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. 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.