Monthly Update, November 2023

Reminder: There is no school for GJPS students November 22-24. Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends and we will see everyone back on Monday, November 27, 2023!

We are excited to share information about the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools start times project. The goal of this project is to facilitate a process where we can examine our current start time structures, review research related to school start times for students and consider different start time options that might better support our students' success in school.

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Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools is excited to introduce a new texting tool that will help families better connect with their schools and teachers. We heard in our communication survey that text messages are the preferred communication method to receive information from GJPS and to support this feedback, we are expanding our district use of TalkingPoints to all staff and families.

TalkingPoints is a texting platform that allows families to receive the messaging as a text or through the TalkingPoints app. It also provides instant access to the messages in more than 150 languages. For families who choose to receive TalkingPoint communication straight to your text inbox, you will need to save the text numbers separately so you know who they are from. Otherwise, we encourage you to download the TalkingPoints for Parents mobile app in the app store on your iPhone or Android for additional features. More information about accessing messages can be found on our GJPS District website.

You will be receiving text messages from the District, your principal, and teachers in the coming weeks so please be on the lookout!

RELATED LINKS
Talking Points for Families Flyer (PDF)

If you know who should be our next Heart and Pride winner, be sure to nominate them!

The Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools Director of Curriculum, Tia Holliman, and Curriculum Coordinator over English and Language Arts, Erin Schmidt, presented a K-5 literacy update at a recent Board of Education workshop. Check out the presentation to learn more about our efforts surrounding early literacy.

We are extremely proud of the different ways all of our schools honor and celebrate our veterans. Please enjoy these highlights from just a few of our celebrations across the district.

Enjoy these highlights from Culture Night held at Jefferson Elementary this past week.

Eighth-grade science teachers at Middle School South and East received a grant from the Gahanna-Jefferson Education Foundation (GJEF) to purchase materials to grow soybeans in the classroom.

With help from Jane Hunt at GrowNextGen, students will use the plants to study reproduction, genetics and natural selection. Detailed observations will be recorded to examine cellular differences, and selective breeding techniques used by soybean farmers will be researched.

We can't get enough of STEM Fest held at Middle School West last month. Thank you MSW staff and volunteers who made this event possible for our community!

Congratulations to GLHS Lincoln Live. This video "Public Schools are the Real Choice" won the State OSBA Student Video Competition!

GJPS is hiring RIGHT NOW for many rewarding positions that offer:

• Competitive pay
• Same schedule as your students
• Job training and support

If you are a grandparent, aunt, uncle or other relation who is providing kinship care for children, then this group is for you!

Connected Caregivers Group

December 7, 2023

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Gahanna Public Library

RSVP to amicont@gjps.org

Nov. 22-24, 2023: Thanksgiving Holiday - No School

Dec. 21, 2023-Jan. 1, 2024: Winter Break - No School
Jan. 2, 2024: Teacher PD - No School

Jan. 15, 2024: Martin Luther King Day - No School
Feb. 16, 2024: PD Day - No School
Feb. 19, 2024: Presidents Day - No School
Feb. 24, 2024: The Gahanna Gala
March 8, 2024: Comp Day - No School
March 11, 2024: PD Day - No School
March 29, 2024: No School
April 8-12, 2024: Spring Break- No School
May 3, 2024: Teacher Work Day - No School
May 24, 2024: Last Day of School for Students
May 25, 2024: Class of 2024 Commencement

2023-24 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.

This nomination form will remain open year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.

In November 2020, voters in the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools district approved a bond and operating levy to fund Phase Two of the GJPS Master Facilities Plan.

Phase Two of the Master Facilities Plan Includes:

• Additions and renovations to High Point and Blacklick Elementary
• Additions and renovations to Middle School East
• New Lincoln High School on current site

Master Facilities Plan & Building Projects Webpage

Phase Two Building Projects Webpage
Phase Two Elementary Projects Webpage

Phase Two Middle School East Project Webpage

Phase Two Lincoln High School Projects Webpage

GJPS has very active Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube accounts.

Please check us out and LIKE US, give us a comment or tweet and SHARE us!

Have a question about something school related? We bet you can find the answer on our Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools website at www.GahannaSchools.org.

The newsletter you are reading (the GJPS NEWS TO KNOW District Newsletter) is emailed to our families and GJPS community each month.

If you live in the GJPS community and want to stay in the know about what's happening in YOUR school district, please SIGN UP for our monthly update.

(Psssst, families of current GJPS students already receive this newsletter, so there is no need to sign up again, but please share with a friend who does not receive it.)