Weekly Update - Middle School South
September 15, 2025
Starting strong in September makes a big difference for the whole school year. 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. Each week, we’ll celebrate attendance with fun activities, and students will have chances to:
- Win prizes sponsored by the Columbus Crew
- Be featured on Stay in the Game! social media
Most importantly, we want you to know that we are here for you. If your child faces challenges getting to school, please reach out. Together, we can find solutions, because showing up today builds a stronger tomorrow. Inspiring Learners. Building Futures.
Check out this message from GJPS Superintendent, Dr. Tracey Deagle below, and THANK YOU for being our partners in helping every student become an Attendance All-Star!
Between these times, although the bus loop might appear clear of bus traffic, our buses are regularly arriving in waves (this includes late buses and shuttle buses bringing our South students back from programs in other buildings). Any vehicles parked in the loop, even if only briefly, can become disruptive to the effective flow of bus traffic.
Between 8:35AM and 9:35AM, please always respect the traffic pattern prescribed in the map below.
Thank you for your assistance in this!
Check Out our Future Monday Series
Each week, we will highlight a different career each week on your child's Google Classroom. Students will also have the chance to request a career for us to post via google form, so our hope is to share all different kinds of careers.
This week's career is: Marine Biologist
Check out this video to learn about the day in the life of a marine biologist who works at an aquarium where he feeds animals, cleans the tank from INSIDE, and makes sure everything in the aquarium stays healthy. To become a marine biologist, a minimum of 4 years of college is required. This job is growing, which means there are likely going to be a lot of job openings in the future! The average yearly salary for marine biologists is $93,330. To learn more, click here.
Throughout the year, we love to take our South students off campus to engage in learning experiences beyond the classroom.
Next week for starters, our entire 6th Grade Class will be heading to Hannah Park for its annual Adventure Day!
These experiences cannot happen for students, however, if we do not have an Emergency Medical Authorization Form ("EMA Form") on file for your student.
If you have not completed your EMA for this year, please prioritize doing so!
Any 6th Grade student that does not have an EMA completed by next week will NOT be able to participate in Adventure Day on 9/25.
To access & complete this form, please go to your Parent Infinite Campus portal. Then, at the bottom of the menu on the left, click on "More," and from there, click on "Online Registration." That is where you'll find this form.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter!
It's hard to believe, but Basketball Season (and tryouts!) are right around the corner!
If your students are interested in trying out for Basketball, please make sure they're prepared by being sure they're signed up in FINAL FORMS and that they're keeping an eye on the Roar Report, my newsletters, and further in-house communication regarding Open Gyms, tryouts, and practices!
Through our partnership with GRIN (Gahanna Residents in Need), we are happy to be able to offer supplemental food for families need over the weekends.
Click on the link below if your student and your family could benefit from some supplemental provisions, and we'll be in touch soon with what we're able to offer and how we can get these provisions to you!
Supporting one another is just what we do!
After today, Monday, 9/8, our first session of MAP Testing is officially behind us... So, what's next?
Remember: MAP Testing is a diagnostic tool we use as a predictor for success on more high-stakes exams - most notably the End-of-Course Exams (State Tests) that students will take in the Spring.
As MAP Test data come pouring in, our academic coaches and teachers will begin to identify which supports and interventions our students need, and we will begin implementing those interventions by October during students' WIN Period!
We will hold THREE Family Conference nights in the fall. This is a chance for your family to come in and have a more in-depth & individualized conversation about your student and their progress in class so far.
Family Conference Nights will be on September 23, September 25, and October 1, from 4:00P - 8:00P.
Only a legal parent/ guardian of a student can dismiss a student from school. Siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, or other non-guardians, including step-parents who aren't designated as a "guardian" in Infinite Campus, cannot request dismissal. If someone other than a parent/guardian is picking your student up, you must include this information in your note/message/phone call.
When you arrive to pick your student up from school, please report to the main office to sign your student out. You must present an ID for verification. Then, your student will be called down to the office for dismissal.
No student will be released from the building and to a vehicle without being accompanied by the adult who is picking up the student.
Thank you for your understanding and support in the need to ensure the safety of all of our students.
Sometimes, it's necessary for a student to ride home on a different bus with another student. This could be for any number of reasons.
Please remember the three necessary components for this to happen:
(1) A signed note from a legal guardian of the student who is changing buses. This note should include the name of the student as well as the name & bus number of the student whom your child will be going home with.
(2) A signed note from a legal guardian of the family "receiving" the student. If Person A is requesting to go home on the bus with Person B, Person's B's legal guardian also has to provide a note acknowledging the request.
(3) Administrative approval & signature.
Again, this is fundamentally a question of student safety, and we appreciate your partnership in this endeavor!
The use of personal technology, including cell phones, smart watches, and headphones/earbuds is severely restricted at all middle schools.
While these items are permitted to be at school, but they must remain powered off and put away at all times during the day. This includes in class, at lunch/recess, and in the hallways.
Headphones/earbuds may not be worn in the hallway. If a teacher has instructed a student in 6th or 7th Grade to bring headphones to class for an activity, students must CARRY their headphones to the class. 8th Graders must keep their headphones/earbuds in their backpack at all times while in the hallways as well as during class unless explicitly directed by a teacher to use them for an activity.
Students are permitted to use cell phones while riding the bus.
Smart watches are also permitted, but should only be used as a clock while at school.
Students are not permitted to send or receive text messages or calls on cell phones or smart watches during the day. Additionally, photos may not be taken with cell phones or smart watches at school. On state testing days, smart watches are not permitted to be worn.
Infractions may result in a student’s device being taken by building staff and kept in the office until the end of the day. Multiple infractions of these policies will result in the parent/guardian of the student having to come retrieve the device in the main office as well as progressive discipline for the student.
If a parent/guardian needs to reach their student during the school day, they should call the school office.
The school is not responsible for cell phones or smart watches that are lost, stolen, or damaged.
The Fall is a huge time for Lions Athletics! Here's what our athletes are up to in August... Come cheer them on with us!
GIRLS' GOLF
9/18 - Home v. Pickerington Ridgeview MS (played at Gahanna Municipal Golf Course) - 4:00PM
GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL
9/15 - Home v. Pickerington Ridgeview MS - 5:30PM
9/17 - Away @ Teays Valley West MS - 5:30PM
GIRLS' TENNIS
9/15 - Home v. New Albany MS (played at Blacklick Athletic Complex) - 5:30PM
9/16 - Home v. Dublin Grizzell MS (played at Blacklick Athletic Complex) - 5:30PM
9/17 - Home v. Big Walnut MS (played at Blacklick Athletic Complex) - 5:30PM
CROSS COUNTRY
9/20 -- Pickerington Ridgeview Invitation -- 10:20AM
8th GRADE FOOTBALL
9/18 -- Home v. New Albany MS (played at GMSW) -- 5:30PM
7th GRADE FOOTBALL
9/17 -- Away @ New Albany MS -- 5:30PM
Mark your calendar for the following dates...
Tuesday, September 23: Family Conferences (4P - 8P)
Thursday, September 25: Family Conferences (4P - 8P)
Wednesday, October 1: Family Conferences (4P - 8P)
Thursday, October 2: Teacher Professional Development Day -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Friday, October 3: Conference Compensation Day -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS OR STAFF
