January 31, 2025!

January 31, 2025
Principal Priorities- Open House Event
Our upcoming Open House event will be an opportunity for students to show their families their classrooms and share their learning experiences with their family members! This is an informal event and will be self-guided. Families will have a checklist to help guide them through the open house. This is an optional event.
Your child will be able to show you around their room so that you can learn about daily routines and gain insights into the learning activities taking place. Please understand that this is not a night for conferences with the teacher. Parent-teacher conferences will take place later in February.
You can arrive anytime between 6:00 and 7:00 to begin your open house experience. Please note the event will end promptly at 7:30, so be sure to arrive no later than 7:00 pm. The PTO is sponsoring a Dine Out Night that evening, so feel free to pick up some Raising Cane's and eat in the cafeteria if you so choose. (There will not be any other food options provided this evening)
Valentine's Exchange
Grade 1-4 will exchange Valentine's
We discussed not exchanging Valentine's this year in last week's Journal and at the PTO meeting. This was done for several reasons, including reducing the number of things happening on Thursday. In reviewing the plans for the parties, grades 1-4 have decided to exchange valentines still. Teachers will be providing more information for their classrooms. Kindergarten and 5th grade will be doing alternative activities, and those students do not need to prepare Valentines. If your child needs Valentine's, please stop in the office, and we will provide them a set they can bring home and complete. Thanks for your understanding about this change. Parties will begin at 1:30 on Thursday the 13th. Opportunities to volunteer at the party will be shared by teachers. Set up for parties will begin at 1:10
Kindness Week
Jefferson Elementary is excited to celebrate Kindness Week, a time dedicated to spreading positivity and compassion throughout our school community! From February 7th to 13th, students will participate in various activities focused on the importance of kindness and sharing thoughtful messages. The week will culminate with a special visit from author Jason Tharp on February 13th. Let’s come together to inspire each other and make kindness a priority!
Author Visit
CALLING ALL WONDERERS! AUTHOR VISIT FEBRUARY 13th with Jason Tharp!
I am an author and illustrator living in Powell, Ohio, and I publish with Scholastic, Simon and Schuster, and Macmillan. In addition to writing, I travel the country speaking to children and adults about positivity, being true to yourself, kindness, and the power of their uniqueness.
I write the books I wished I had as a kid – books that show it's okay to be different; in fact, that's what makes you cool! My aim is to provide some levity during what can be a challenging time for many. I believe it's extremely important to equip children with competencies that will serve them in a world increasingly influenced by social media. These skills are rooted in kindness, inclusion, empathy, and
self-empowerment. As a storyteller, my job is to encourage kids to embrace their inner 'weirdness,' to be courageous in who they are and what they want to be. It's equally important to be honest with them,
letting them know that experiencing pain and bad days is completely normal. They aren't alone, and it's often the 'weird' ones who change the world. That’s why I always say, 'Be the weird you want to see in the world!’
REMINDER***** ALL ORDERS ARE FORMS DUE FEBRUARY 3rd.
If you already have Jason Tharp books, you do not need to order new books- feel free to bring them in to have them autographed.
Year Book Orders
It is not too late to order your 2024-2025 yearbook! The yearbooks were offered originally for sale with our fall portrait packages but are still available for anyone interested.
Please visit the online sale site, book.hrimaging.com to order yours today! There is a message that will appear if you have already ordered one. The price of the book is $17.00. This is the last opportunity to purchase a 2024-2025 yearbook. Orders are due by February 7th!
Yearbooks will be delivered to the school in May and distributed to students before the end of the year.
Upcoming Music Performances
RSVP emails will be sent by Miss Raynewater
PTO News and Events
Volunteer Opportunities
Office Volunteer Sign-up
General help at a time that works for you! This can be 30 minutes or three hours! Help make copies, sort papers, organize materials, collect or distribute materials, and other office-type activities needed to support classroom instruction.
Instructions will be provided, so no experience is necessary!
Lunch Helpers Volunteer Sign-up
Our school is in need of volunteers in the cafeteria to help students open food containers, help with general cleanup, and wipe off tables for others.
Playground Helpers- Volunteer Sign-up
Help the staff at Jefferson have extra eyes on the playground. Walk around the playground, monitor activities, talk with students, or join in and play a game with them!
Book Fair Volunteers Needed
Our last book fair of the year is approaching. It will take place Tuesday, February 25th-Friday, February 28th. It will also be open both conference nights from 3:30-7:00 pm. This book fair would not be possible without your help so I want to say a big thank you! If you're interested in signing up, please click on the Signup Genius link below. Thank you!
Upcoming School Events
Mark Your Calendar...
February 6 Open House 6:00- 7:30 pm
February 6 Dine Out - Raising Cane's 4:00- 9:00 pm
February 11 PTO Meeting 7:00 PM in the Library (use door #12)
February 13 Classroom Kindness Parties 1:30 pm!
February 14 No School- Professional Learning Day
February 25 & 27 Parent Teacher Conferences
Future Music Performance:
March 18 1st Grade Music Performance @ 6:00
March 18 2nd Grade Music Performance @ 7:00
March 25 3rd Grade Music Performance @7:00 with 5th Grade Choir
April 15 4th Grade Music Performance @7:00 with 5th Grade Choir
ical Link to add Jefferson Calendar to your phone
GJEF Gala
GJPS Families,
Please be the biggest cheerleader for GJPS by volunteering for the 2025 Biggest Pep Rally Ever!
Please click on the following link, review available slots and sign up today! Volunteer Sign Up
Thank you for being involved! Go Lions!
Heart and Pride Nominations
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.
Resources
Please visit www.gahannaschools.org You can find almost anything you need on our website
- 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.
- 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 our head cook, Kim Karshner Karshnerk@gjps.org
Family Facebook Group
Join our Facebook Group and be part of the community. This group was created for Jefferson families and staff to support and celebrate our students and school. It's also a great place to ask questions of other parents and have support as you navigate the school year.
We are excited to see all the amazing and encouraging ways our families and staff connect with each other! This is a place for positive comments and a helpful resource for families. This is not the place to voice concerns. If you have an issue you would like to discuss, please get in touch with the staff member directly via email or call the school. This is a place to build on the sense of community within our Jefferson Family.
Gahanna, Ohio 43230
614-478-5560

