Blacklick Bulletin
Week of October 13, 2025 - Issue #11
A Message from Principal Groves
Dear Blacklick Families,
Our October PTO meeting is scheduled for this Tuesday at 6:30 PM in the Blacklick library! We hope you will join us!
As a reminder, there is NO SCHOOL for students on Monday, October 20. This is a work day for our Blacklick staff. Teachers will be working to finalize report cards for quarter 1. Report cards will be sent home with students on Friday, October 24.
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
3rd Grade State Testing: This week!
Our 3rd graders will take the Ohio State Test in reading on Tuesday, October 14 and Wednesday, October 15. We are very proud of how hard our students have been working to get ready!
Here are a few ways you can help your child do their best:
Make sure they get a good night’s sleep before each testing day.
Eat a healthy breakfast each morning.
Arrive to school on time so they can start the day calmly.
Offer encouragement and confidence—remind them to take their time and do their best!
We know our 3rd graders will shine! 🌟
Panorama Survey: Grade 3, 4, and 5
Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will be taking the Panorama Survey. The survey measures school climate, student engagement, and social-emotional learning. Our survey schedule is below:
Grade 3: TBD
Grade 4: Week of October 20
Grade 5: Week of October 20
*If you would like to opt your child out of the survey, please email your child's teacher and Mrs. Groves (grovesk@gjps.org). Thank you!
Blacklick Students! Yearbook Art Design Contest
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.
Related Arts Updates - 5th Grade
PE in 5th Grade
Students have been working hard communicating and strategizing during invasion games called “Steal the Treasure” and “Ultimate Steal the Treasure”. These games require students to develop strategies among their teams to invade the other teams area to steal the treasure. Working together requires communicating, listening, and compromising!
Music in 5th Grade
5th graders are preparing for their performance at the Veterans Day Assembly on November 11 (more information to come).
We are learning patriotic songs, including the Armed Services Medley, America the Beautiful, & This Land Is Your Land
Art in 5th Grade
Students have been hard at work on their hand sewing “Ugly Dolls” project! (named that way to lower the pressure!)
We have been learning a lot of sewing skills, including creating a paper pattern for our project, tying knots, threading a needle, sewing on buttons, doing a running stitch, a back stitch, and a whip stitch! This project combines a lot of fine motor and weaving skills, making it tricky but very rewarding! Make sure to ask your student to see all of their hard work when they bring their “ugly” dolls home!
Library in 5th Grade
Fifth graders are starting some digital citizenship lessons. We talk about how to be safe online, their eventual future on social media, and how important it is to stop and think before doing or sharing anything online.
Mark Your Calendar and Plan to Attend!
Blacklick Veterans Day Assembly: November 11, 2025
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.
Scholastic Book Fair at Blacklick!
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.
Blacklick Community Night Celebration!
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!
Staff Shout Out!
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!
Attendance Procedures
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.
Weekend Snack Bags from GRIN (Gahanna Residents in Need)
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."
Pizza Lunch Rotation (October - December 2025)
Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization)
All Parents/Guardians are WELCOME and ENCOURAGED to Attend Our PTO Meetings!
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?
Blacklick Family Directory (2025-2026)
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!
Save the Date!
Ohio State Testing Dates are ready for the 2025-2026 school year. Please avoid scheduling vacations or appointments over these dates.
Save the Date - Community Events
GLHS Ribbon Cutting and Community Tours
Gahanna Jefferson Education Foundation Gala
Blacklick School Events
Mark Your Calendar!
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. 10: GLHS Ribbon Cutting and Community Tours
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
Feb. 28: GJEF Gala
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