Blacklick Bulletin

Dear Blacklick Families,

Daylight Savings is today, Sunday, Nov. 2nd. This can be a tricky adjustment for our students (and for the grown ups!). Please help students with bedtimes and wake ups next week.

Reminder - Report cards were sent home with students on Friday, October 24. If you have not already, please sign and return the envelope to your child's teacher as we will be using those again for your child's next report card.

Thank you again for your kindness and understanding as we worked through the power outage last week. I am beyond grateful to work with a such a supportive school community.

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

If you are interested in registering your child for our after school PRIDE Wellness Club, please read the details listed below. Spots are limited this year - each session will be capped at 25 students to ensure proper supervision and safety for our students. Don't wait to sign up if you are interested. Questions? Please reach out to Rachel Garling (garlingr@gjps.org) or Rebecca Bush (bushr@gjps.org).

Doing a little fall clean-out? If you have any extra playground balls (kickballs, basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, etc.) gathering dust in your garage, we’d love to take them off your hands! Our students would greatly appreciate the extras during recess. Gently used or new donations can be dropped off in the front office. Thank you for your support!

2nd grade students have taken their kicking skills from soccer and are now using them in a game called “Big Base”. This is a kickball style game. The students are kicking a rolled ball then running bases. The fielding team makes “force outs” at first base and tagging players out at second, third, and fourth base. Students are working together to get three outs and when they are kickers working on strategically placing the ball to get runners to advance to the next base.

Each year, around this time, students in our district are administered a cognitive ability test in accordance with Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-15.

Students in grades 2 and 5 will take the Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT) assessment during the month of November, and results are expected to be shared with families in December. Our grade 2 students will take this assessment on November 5 and our grade 5 students will take this assessment on November 12.

This is a standardized test given to many students across the country that measures reasoning abilities. The results of this test provides families and teachers with information that can be added to the overall classroom picture/profile of students’ ability, thereby helping to inform instructional decisions.

We will be collecting Candy for the Troops! Do you have extra Halloween candy that you would like to donate to the U.S Military? Please send in all of your extra candy to your child’s classroom teacher by Friday, November 7, 2025. We will be partnering with the Buckeye Military Moms Organization out of Worthington, Ohio. This organization will be shipping the candy to US military troops.

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.

**There will be doughnuts and coffee for any parent/family member/guest that is staying for both assemblies. Doughnuts and coffee will be in the cafeteria flex space.

RSVP Forms were sent home with students in PRIDE folders. 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.

November 12-17 will be preview days. During Library class, all students will make a wish list of books, and bring it home with a flyer. Many details will be on this flyer so be sure to ask your student about it if you haven't seen it by Monday the 17th. No sales (and no money) before the 18th.

Nov 18-21 will be shopping days. Students who bring money to school will shop during their library class.

Students can bring cash, check (to Blacklick PTO), Scholastic e-wallet (info on website and wish list). 8% sales tax will be added. Some students have asked about a debit card; if parents give permission, please include a note that details how much they are allowed to spend. If you would like to shop with your student during their library class, you are welcome - if you need details about when that is, feel free to contact me.

If you would like to volunteer to help, please sign up at Blacklick Book Fair Volunteers.

We will also be open for family shopping during:

- the Community Celebration from 6:00-7:30pm on Thursday, Nov. 20

- the Blacklick Bazaar from 8:30am-12:00pm on Saturday, Nov. 21

Our Scholastic Book Fair website will be active from November 12-21. You can use it to set up an e-wallet now.

You are under no obligation to buy. Purchases support the Blacklick Library. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Mrs. Ball. Thank you!

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!

We would like to make a collection of photos and videos for Community Night (November 20). The videos can have your family reading poems or picture books that teach us about your family or culture. They can be in other languages. They can be about special days or special places. They can teach an important history. The photos can be of your family celebrating anything. Photos will be displayed on screens during Community Night. You can share photos or videos with Mrs. Honeycutt (honeycutta@gjps.org). You can also email her if you have any questions!

**There will be special activities to participate in! There will be food trucks on site - Tortilla, Burgers N Smiles, and Kona Ice! The Blacklick book fair will be open in the library during this event! Details are listed below!

A list has been complied of the Blacklick staff's favorite things. It is important to understand the teachers are not asking for gifts. We know that many parents might want to get their child's teacher a gift and this list is to help you select something the teacher would like. Please do not feel obligated to buy a gift for your child's teachers/staff members. A thoughtful note from you and/or your child at any time of the year is appreciated just as much or more as any gift.

BES Favorite Things 25-26

We are thrilled to announce our fundraising partnership with Minted this holiday season. Please support the Blacklick Elementary School Pride Partner PTO by using our unique promo code “FUNDRAISEBLACKLICK” to purchase your holiday cards and gifts from Minted (www.minted.com). You’ll receive 20% off your order and 10% of each purchase will be donated back to the PTO at the end of the year.

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

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.

Gopuff is offering up to $50 in SNAP-eligible groceries for free during November, split into two $25 credits. Users must link their SNAP EBT card to their Gopuff account and use promo code SNAPRELIEF1 between Nov. 1 - 15 and SNAPRELIEF2 between Nov. 16 - 30 to receive the discount and free delivery. The offer is limited to 200,000 users per wave.

Additional community-based nonprofits, faith centers and mutual aid groups may also offer emergency food assistance. SNAP recipients are encouraged to reach out early, as demand is expected to climb quickly if benefits pause.

Source: Channel 10- How to get food assistance and meals if SNAP benefits halt

Go Puff Website

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 November 11, 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.

Each year, school districts in Ohio are required to offer an opportunity for students in grades K-12 to be identified as gifted in the area of Visual and Performing Arts. The identified areas of giftedness for Visual and Performing Arts include Visual Arts, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Drama/Theater, and Dance. If you know of a student that may be gifted in an area of the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) learn more about the identification process.

Nov. 2 Grade 2 Naglieri (9:30 AM)

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. 12 Grade 5 Naglieri

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