Blacklick Bulletin
**Updated: September 4, 2023
Message from Principal Groves - Week of January 29, 2024
Dear Blacklick Families:
This is our final week of reading Life According the Og the Frog! I hope you have enjoyed reading this book as much as we have! It was been wonderful talking to the students about Og and all of his adventures at Longfellow School! We will have our final two raffles this week on Wednesday and Friday (we added a Wednesday raffle to the original plan). As a reminder, you can find videos of each chapter being read by a Blacklick staff member at https://sites.google.com/gjps.org/oneblacklickonebook23/24.
Students in grades kindergarten, first and second grade will enjoy a performance by the Gahanna Lincoln High School Chorale on Thursday (February 1) of this week. The chorale will be singing four Disney inspired songs for our students.
There will be a Lion's Lunch on Thursday, February 1 for our students! Below is the lunch menu for 2/1/2024:
Cherry Blossom Asian Chicken
Fried Rice
"Far East" Veggie Blend
Dragon Punch Fruit Juice
Fortune Cookie
In addition, Acadience testing will begin for students in grades K-3 this week along with OELPA testing for our English Language learners.
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
Conference Night Dinner Sign Up
Our next round of parent/teacher conferences will be here before you know it! Please make sure to sign up for a parent teacher conference if you have not done so already. Please contact your child's teacher if you need to schedule a conference time.
In addition, the PRIDE Partner PTO is providing dinner for our staff on both conference nights but needs help in providing some extras for the staff. If you are interested in donating an item for one or both conference nights, please click on the links below. Thank you in advance!
Acadience Assessment for Students K-3
All K-3 students will take the Acadience Reading assessment beginning in late January. The assessment window is from January 29 - February 16. Acadience Reading is a universal screening assessment that measures the acquisition of early literacy skills. This assessment provides reliable and valid data to find students who may be at risk for reading difficulties, and helps identify skills to target for instructional support. Classroom teachers will share assessment results with families once the testing window closes.
OELPA Assessment for English Language Learners
Students in our English Learner (EL) program will take the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA) in February. The OELPA is a required test for English Learners in the state of Ohio. There are four parts to the test: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. This will help us know how your child is growing with their English language skills.
Your student does not need to do anything to get ready for the OELPA. What we are doing in school will help them prepare for this test.
The school will receive the test results in May. Families will get an email with their student's results at the end of June. Translated reports can be mailed home to families who ask for them.
The test scores will help us plan your student's English Learner services for the 2024-25 school year. Students who score “Proficient” on this text will exit the EL Program.
If you have questions about this test, please contact Mrs. Garling, 2nd - 5th (garlingr@gjps.org) or Ms. Hoyt, K - 1st (hoyta@gjps.org).
Ohio State Testing Schedule for Students in Grades 3, 4, and 5
The Ohio State Testing schedule is outlined below for students in grades 3, 4, and 5. We kindly ask that you avoid scheduling planned dental and/or doctor appointments on these dates. We really appreciate your support and understanding!
Related Arts: Second Grade News!
Library Update for Second Grade
Along with the rest of the school, second graders have been learning about the ALA Children’s Book Award winners. K-2 will read the Caldecott winner and some Geisel winners as well.
Art Update for Second Grade
2nd Graders are finishing up a very timely Snowy Landscape Value Painting, which features many different tints and shades. Students created all of these values using various mediums, including chalk pastel, tempera paint and collage paper.
Music Update for Second Grade
Mrs. Wolfe is so proud of the 2nd graders’ performance at the Be the Light assembly! We are now moving on to an “intro to ukulele” unit for 2nd graders. Students will learn how to hold the ukulele, identify the 4 strings, and play basic chords!
Valentine's Day Sign Up - Details Below!
The Valentine's party is quickly approaching (February 15th) and we need your help to make it a fun celebration for the entire school!
Right now, we are looking for Lead Classroom Volunteers. If you would like to be the leader for a classroom, please volunteer on the Sign Up Genius below. Once leaders are identified, we will send out another Sign Up Genius for additional classroom volunteers. Any questions... reach out to the PTO (ptoblacklick@gmail.com).
Lead Classroom Volunteer Responsibilities
- Contact your teacher to see if they have any specific requests/ideas for the party, as well as the number of volunteers they would like to have at the party, and if they need any party supplies.
- Reach out to the other parents in your classroom asking if they wish to volunteer to start organizing, planning, and/or signing up for the day to help.
- Plan out the party: Typically, parties consist of 4-5 stations. These can include passing out Valentines, a craft, and games.
- Review and get approval of the party plan approved by the teacher
- Get supplies for crafts and games, if needed.
- HAVE FUN at the party!!
- Help with clean-up.
- Students are not permitted to exchange valentines that contain food or candy. If food or candy is attached to the valentine, they will not be distributed. In addition, no candy or food can be brought into the classroom as treats.
- Funding the party (aka mostly craft and game supplies) can be done in a variety of ways. Either covered by party volunteers or through creating an Amazon Wishlist for any family to purchase.
Blacklick Elementary Parents: Valentine's Day Party (signupgenius.com)
GJPS Community Events: State of the Schools
The State of the Schools and District Information Expo is scheduled for Jan. 31 at Middle School West at 7 p.m. Check out the flyer below for more information on how to join us!
Other GJPS Events
Gahanna Education Foundation Gala
The Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO is selling raffle tickets for the GJEF Gala! The tickets are $10 per raffle ticket or 3 for $25. The raffle is for $1000 CASH! Information about raffle tickets came home in PRIDE Folders last week. Good luck!
The Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO gets back 50% of all raffle ticket sales, so you're directly supporting our PTO with your raffle ticket purchase. The winning ticket will be announced on 2/24/24. The winner does not have to be present at the night of the gala to win! Cash is accepted or a check written out to GJEF!
Other ways to help with the gala are listed below:
- If you'd like to be a donor for the gala or donate an item for the auction, please contact Dianna Bessignano at BessignoanoD@gjps.org or Tricia Mueller at twiggt@gjps.org.
- If you'd like to donate an item to the gala from their Amazon Wish List, here's the link https://tinyurl.com/2024GalaWishlist.
In 2022-2023 this is what the GJEF brought to our school district:
$65,475 awarded to 39 Grants of Excellence
$22,765 awarded in Mini Grants
$14,000 Fund A Need donations for Elementary Sensory Hallways
$33,320 for donor designated programs
$98,400 in Scholarships to 34 students
Thank you for supporting GJEF so that they can continue to support Blacklick and all the schools in our district.
Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization)
The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 6, 2024 in the Blacklick library at 6:30 PM.
The Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO has complied a list of the 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.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Karen Davidson, PTO President, at ptoblacklick@gmail.com.
Outside Recess
As you all know, the weather in Ohio is constantly changing. Some days are warmer than others while other days are just plain cold! Please make sure to check the forecast so that your child is prepared as we will be going outside for recess as long as the temperatures are above 20 degrees.
GJPS Inclement Weather Procedures
As the weather turns colder, it is important for families to know the procedures for closing or delaying school. Closing and delay information will be communicated in the following ways:
Local news stations: WTVN, WCOL (FM & AM/WJFX), WCLT, WKRZ, WMNI-AM, WUFM, WCMH NBC4, WBNS 10TV, WSYX ABC6, WTTE FOX 28, and the Columbus Dispatch. *Look for Gahanna-Jefferson Schools.
Website: www.gahannaschools.org (All delay/closing information is posted on the district homepage).
Facebook: Search @GahannaJeffersonSchools on Facebook to find this page easily
Email/Phone Call: The Infinite Campus system will send an email and make a phone call informing parents/guardians of the closing and/or delay as soon as the decision is made in the early morning.
GJPS Heart and Pride Award
Celebrating Our Staff
We are excited to announce the Heart and Pride staff recognition award! This award is being established to recognize outstanding staff members who make a profound impact on our students and Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools.
This nomination form will remain open year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.
Free/Reduced Price Meal Benefits
If you believe your family may qualify for free/reduced-price meals, please apply online for free or reduced-price meal benefits with these easy steps:
- Sign in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
- Choose "MORE" in the left-hand column.
- Choose "MEAL BENEFITS".
RELATED LINKS
Free/Reduced-Price Meal Benefits Online Application Tutorial (PDF)
Blacklick School Events
Mark Your Calendar!
February 1 GLHS Chorale Performance for grades K, 1, and 2 @ 1:00 PM
February 6 and 8 Parent Teacher Conferences
February 6 PTO Meeting @ 6:30 PM
February 15 Valentines Day Party @ 1:10 PM
February 16 Professional Learning Day for Staff - No School for Students
February 19 President's Day - No School for Students or Staff
March 5, 6, 7 Donuts with Grownups - Sponsored by the PTO - look for details coming soon
March 8 Conference Comp Day - No School for Students or Staff
March 11 Professional Learning Day - No School for Students
March 12 PTO Meeting @ 6:30 PM
March 29 No School for Students or Staff
April 8 - 12 Spring Break
April 16 PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM
May 6-10 Staff Appreciation Week
May 10 Strides for PRIDE Fundraiser
May 17 Talent Show for grades 4 and 5
May 21 PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM
May 23 Field Day
May 24 Grade 5 Recognition PRIDE Talk @ 8:30 AM
May 24 Grade 5 Clap Out @ 2:00 PM
Important GJPS Links
Blacklick, Ohio 43004
614-759-5100