Blacklick Bulletin

Dear Blacklick Families,

Thank you to all of our families that attended parent/teacher conferences last week. We really appreciate your partnership in your child's education. A special THANK YOU to the PRIDE Partner PTO and all of the families that donated to our staff dinner on both conference nights. It was a special treat for our staff!

As I shared last week, Blacklick earned a FIVE-star rating from the Ohio Department of Education for the 2024-2025 school year. While a 5 star rating is definitely something worth celebrating, we want to continue to make improvements in order to keep our five-star rating. We need your help to accomplish our goal. Our staff works hard to use data and plan meaningful lessons that help students excel, but education is a partnership, and we need your help as well.

Here are a few ways you can help at home:

1) Ensure your child attends school on time, every day!

2) Read for 20 minutes each night.

3) Limit screen time and encourage creative play and problem-solving.

4) Ensure your child is completing Dreambox and Lexia lessons each week. **Did you know your child can access their online educational apps at home like they do in school? Click here to read how.

5) Sleep: Elementary age children need between 9 and 12 hours of sleep each night! This really makes a difference!

As a reminder, there is NO SCHOOL for students this Thursday (October 2) and Friday (October 3). Our staff will be participating in professional learning in the areas of reading and math on Thursday.

I hope you enjoy the long weekend! We will welcome the students back to the building on Monday, October 6.

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

Forms for the yearbook art contest went home in PRIDE Folders with students in grades K-5.

When creating your design, please remember to :

1. Create your design in a COLOR medium such as crayons, markers or colored pencils (press firmly).

2. Use the form that was sent home and create the design below the dotted line.

3. Make sure the design in vertical.

4. Color to the edge of the paper, but keep any text or words 1" (one inch) from the edge of the paper.

5. Be sure to include BLACKLICK ELEMENTARY and 2025-2026 in your design.

Interested students should turn in their entry to their classroom teacher by Monday, October 13.

First graders are continuing to develop their ability to demonstrate an understanding of personal space and body awareness when performing various locomotor movements throughout the gym. They are also working on catching using their hands. Fingers pointing down when catching a ball below the waist and fingers pointing up when catching above the waist.

The annual Blacklick Elementary Veterans' Day Assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11th. We will be having two assemblies on this date: 9:30 AM and 10:45 AM.

**Our 5th grade students will be performing at the 9:30 AM assembly.

**Our 3rd grade students will be performing at the 10:45 AM assembly.

RSVP Forms will be sent home with students the week of October 13. Please send in the RSVP form to your child's teacher by November 4, 2025.

You can also RSVP by filling out the google form that is linked below:

Veterans Day RSVP - November 11, 2025

We will be recognizing all Veterans and Active Military Guests that attend each assembly.

The Scholastic Book Fair will be coming to Blacklick! Preview days will be the week before but we will be open for sales from November 18-22. Students can shop during Library class, at the Community Night Celebration, or at the Blacklick Bazaar. More details to come as the fair approaches. Please reach out to Mrs. Ball with any questions.

Mark your calendar now and plan to join us on Thursday, November 20 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM!

We will be celebrating the cultures of our amazing Blacklick families!

**There will be special activities to participate in! There will be food trucks on site! The Blacklick book fair will be open in the library during this event!

Keep an eye out for more details to come!

Dear Parents,

We invite you to share a few kind words or a heartfelt message for your child's teacher or Blacklick staff member. Our staff works tirelessly to provide the best education and support for our children, and your appreciation can make a significant impact on their day.

Please take a moment to express your gratitude, share a positive experience, or simply say thank you.

Your messages will be shared with the staff member to brighten their day and acknowledge their hard work and dedication.

Thank you for your participation and support!

Staff Tribute: Share Your Thanks

ALL Families (either new to Blacklick 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 received an email from Mrs. Lindsey, school secretary, detailing directions on how to log into the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus to update your information. She emailed you an ID that you will need as you log in for the first time.

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

Research shows that students who miss just 1–2 days in the first month are much more likely to become chronically absent later on. That’s why we’re working together to build positive attendance habits now!

When students come to school every day they:

• build routines that help them feel confident

• stay connected with friends and teachers

• have the best chance to succeed academically and socially
  
  

This year, as an All-Star District in the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network we are celebrating Attendance Awareness Month as a part of our campaign.

Do your part in ensuring you get to school on time and ready to learn! If you haven't done so already, take the pledge!

Student attendance is 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.

If your child is going to be absent for any portion of the school day, please notify the school. You may report an absence by using our Online Absence Reporting available in the Parent Portal in Infinite Campus. To enter a request follow these simple steps:

1.Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.

2. Select your child’s profile.

3. Navigate to the Absence Request section.

4. Fill in the required information, including the date and reason for the absence.

5. Submit your request.

You will be able to view the status of your request using the View Requests button.

You may also call Blacklick at 614-759-5100 or email our secretary at lindseyk@gjps.org.

Medical excuses from a doctor can be submitted to Kim Lindsey, our school secretary, through email (lindseyk@gjps.org) or sending in a paper copy.

If you are visiting Blacklick for any reason, you will need to enter the building through the front doors.

We kindly ask that ALL visitors follow the steps below each and every time you visit Blacklick:

1. Once at the front, exterior doors of the school, press the buzzer. A member of the office staff will ask your reason for visiting Blacklick.

2. Once inside the vestibule, you will enter your drivers' license or state ID into the scanner.

3. Once your license has been scanned and processed you will be permitted to enter the main office area to pick up your visitor/volunteer badge.

**As a reminder, if there is a non-guardian planning to visit Blacklick for any reason (to eat lunch, read a book in the classroom, visit the bookfair, take your child to an appointment etc.), we ask that the guardian email the teacher and front office (lindseyk@gjps.org) to let us know prior to the visit.

Background Checks are needed each year for all volunteers!

To increase safety and security protocols, all GJPS volunteers who may have the potential to interact with students in an unsupervised setting or may have access to confidential information will be required to complete an online application that includes a background check. The district will provide the background checks at no cost to the volunteer. Background checks are required EACH school year. If you completed a background check last school year, you will need to complete the process again for the 2025-2026 school year.

EXAMPLES

• Examples of volunteer experiences include but are not limited to: cafeteria helpers, reading aides, mentors, hall monitors, field day volunteers, library helpers, office helpers, tutors, field trip chaperones, small group or individual student work in the hallway, party helpers, concession workers, fundraising volunteers, book fair volunteers, mobile dentist volunteers, etc.

Interested in Volunteering?

Click on the link below and fill out the necessary information:

Volunteer Form - Link is currently activated for the 25-26 school year!

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 linked here.

For food assistance, please come to GRIN. No appointment needed. Come during the listed pantry hours. Bring your photo ID & proof of residency. You may come 2 times/month for canned foods, fresh produce, dairy, meat, toiletries & cleaning supplies.

Pantry Hours:

Every Tuesday 6-8:00 PM

Every Wednesday 10 am - Noon

Every Saturday 9 am - 11:00 am

Questions? Contact Beth Bentley, Program Director at pd@grin4gahanna.org.

"GRIN is an equal opportunity provider."

The October PTO meeting of the school year is scheduled for October 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM in the Blacklick library. All parents/guardians are welcome and encouraged to attend!

PTO Officers for 2025-2026

Kristin Stewart - President

Jess Waxler - Vice President

Emily Smith - Treasurer

Laura Valido - Secretary

Andrea Stump - Board Elect

Need to contact the PTO?

PTOBlacklick@gmail.com

Please click on the link for the Blacklick Family Directory 2025-2026.

A big thank you to Mrs. Stump and the Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO for putting this directory together for our families this year!

Ohio State Testing Dates are ready for the 2025-2026 school year. Please avoid scheduling vacations or appointments over these dates.

October 2 Professional Learning Day for Staff - No School for Students

October 3 Conference Comp Day - No School for Students and Staff

October 14 and October 15 Grade 3 Ohio State Test in Reading

October 14 PTO Meeting in the Blacklick Library at 6:30 PM

October 17 End of Quarter 1

October 20 Staff Work Day - No School for Students

October 24 Report Cards for Quarter 1 go home with students

Nov. 10 Professional Learning Day for Staff - No School for Students

Nov. 11 Veterans Day Assembly (See Details Above)

Nov. 11 PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM in the Blacklick library

Nov. 13 World Kindness Day

Nov. 17 - 21 Book Fair in the library

Nov. 20 Blacklick Community Night (6:00 - 7:30 PM)

Nov. 22 Blacklick Bazaar & Book Fair in the library (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Nov. 26-28: Thanksgiving Break - No School

Dec. 19 End of Quarter 2
Dec. 20 - Jan. 4: Winter Break - No School
Jan. 5: Staff Work Day - No School

Jan. 12: Yearbook Group Photos

Jan. 16: Be the Light PRIDE Talk (Details coming soon)
Jan. 19: Martin Luther King Day - No School

Feb. 3, 4, and 5: Donuts with Grown Ups (Details coming soon)
Feb. 13: Professional Learning Day for Staff - No School for Students
Feb. 16: Presidents Day - No School

March 6: End of Quarter 3
March 9: Staff Work Day - No School

March 20: Conference Comp Day - No School for Students or Staff
Mar. 30-April 3: Spring Break- No School
May 8: Strides for PRIDE Day!

May 15: Talent Show - Grade 5 Students

May 21: Field Day

May 22: Last Day of School for Students

May 26: Teacher Work Day (Last day for staff)

May 28: Report Cards Released to Families