Monthly Update, December 2023

Reminder: There is no school for GJPS students from December 21- January 2. Enjoy your winter break and we will see everyone back on Wednesday, January 3, 2024!

After many years of discussion and months of research, meetings and feedback, Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools is changing its start and end times beginning with the 2024-25 school year.

New Start Times for the 2024-25 School Year

Preschool AM: 8:30-11:15

Preschool PM: 12:15-3:00

Elementary: 8:05-2:45

High School: 8:35-3:20

Middle School: 9:05-3:50

These start times better align our District with research and the feedback we have received from our community.

Check out our GJPS website to learn more about the process and see some FAQs surrounding this project.

For more than a year, our administrative team and steering committee has been leading an intensive process to try and determine the best use of time for our Gahanna Lincoln High School students during their day. The goal of the project is to improve student success and achievement, increase support and engagement for students and to reallocate time to align with teaching and learning goals of students and staff.

As a result of this process, Gahanna Lincoln High School is switching to a modified block schedule. This schedule allows increased flexibility and personalized learning, access to more electives, ability for students to work with their own content teachers when they need help and the opportunity for students to learn and engage in experiences aligned to their passions and interests.

You can learn more about our modified block schedule by visiting our website.

The Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools strategic plan has been an eight-month process that included surveys, listening sessions, and staff/community workgroups, in partnership with RedCon, our consulting firm.

Throughout the process, four general themes emerged surrounding communication, District-wide expectations for staff and student safety and comfort. The general perception of the District that came forth in all of the feedback was a sense of pride in GJPS.

Read Complete Story and View Strategic Plan Framework

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

Check out our 2024-25 Gahanna Lincoln High School program of studies that was approved by the Board of Education this week. We are proud of the robust programs we offer to our students. Scheduling for our high school students is right around the corner!

Even if you do not have a high school student, we encourage you to dive in and take a look at what may be of interest. It is never too early to start exploring what options are available.

Special thanks to GLHS Senior Zoe Waytes for the amazing cover artwork for our Program of Studies.

Fifth grade students at Royal Manor Elementary kicked off their unit on Ancient Civilizations with a Reader's Theater about a Maya Myth. Students created props and worked together to create beautiful backdrops for the performance. They performed for all of their teachers and other grade levels and had the pleasure of performing for Dr. Deagle and Mrs. Elliott!

Congratulations to Middle School West teacher Katy Boggs for receiving the OAHPERD Middle School Teacher of the Year honor at the recent Ohio Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Conference held recently.

While at the conference, Katy and four other GJPS teachers learned new and enriched activities for K-12 physical education.

Congratulations to our 2023 Gahanna Lincoln High School Hall of Fame inductees! Four GLHS graduates were honored at a reception on December 9, 2023, and introduced at the Holiday Choir Concert.

RELATED LINKS

2023 Cornerstone and Hall of Fame Awards Program

l-r Lindsey Kovach (2001), Alycia Turley (2005), Brent Bosse (2004), Bob Fry (1972)

The 2023 Dale Foor Cornerstone Award recipients were also honored on December 9.

l-r Carol McPeek, Christine Shanks, Sharon Tomko, Cinci Macioce

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

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

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: Teacher Work Day - No School
March 29, 2024: No School
April 8-12, 2024: Spring Break- No School
May 3, 2024: PD Day - No School
May 24, 2024: Last Day of School for Students
May 25, 2024: Class of 2024 Commencement

May 27: Memorial Day - Buildings and Offices Closed

May 28: Teacher Work Day

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.)