Monthly Update, October 17, 2025

No School for Students on Monday, October 20, 2025!

We are thrilled to introduce you to GJPS In Focus, our new yearlong video series designed to celebrate our incredible students and staff, and explore the vital departments and initiatives that make GJPS a great place to learn and work. Our mission is to give you a behind the scenes look at our District, from the inside; illuminating the ideas and achievements that power our commitment to learning and excellence.

This video series will take the place of our annual State of the Schools, as we want to showcase our schools all year long. Check out our first video on how our tech team is helping prepare for the new high school!

Congratulations to this month's Heart and Pride award winners! Rachel Bauman, physical education teacher at High Point, and Beth Pardi, fifth grade teacher at Chapelfield, were recognized at the October Board of Education meeting for showcasing the Heart of a Lion and the Power of the Pride.

If you know of a staff member, regardless of position, who exemplifies our District values, be sure to nominate them!

The Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) recognizes the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools Board of Education as an OSBA Ohio Board of Distinction. The Board will be honored this November during the upcoming OSBA Capital Conference in Columbus.

The award recognizes school boards for engaging in activities and modeling behaviors that lead to excellence in local district governance in support of quality education. To receive this award, each member of the board must participate in training and service activities. The full board must demonstrate collaborative teamwork in areas such as strategic planning, board self-assessment or policy governance that contribute to District progress.

“This recognition celebrates school boards who not only govern effectively, but also lead with vision — pushing themselves to learn, grow and serve in ways that ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive," said Tom Hosler, OSBA’s chief executive officer.

Collectively, a school board must earn 600 points in a two-year cycle to earn the Ohio Board of Distinction Award, with each board member contributing a minimum of 100 points. The two-year cycle begins in January following school board elections as boards form new leadership teams.

Congratulations President Kara Coates, Vice President Sue Horn, Megan Dimmerling, Dion Manley and Daphne Moehring!

Ohio school districts have the opportunity to receive federal Medicaid dollars through a program called the Ohio Medicaid School Program (MSP). Through this program, school districts can receive Medicaid dollars for therapy services such as Speech, Audiology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Psychology, Counseling and Social Work services. In the process of billing Medicaid for these services, billing information must be shared with the Ohio Department of Medicaid. For Medicaid billing purposes, schools must obtain a one-time signed Parental Consent to Share Health Information for the Ohio School Medicaid Program. After this one-time written consent, you will receive an annual notice of this consent.

Schools request this consent for all students who receive therapy services, even students who may not be currently enrolled in Medicaid. Some health information shared is specific to your student, while other information is related to all students within the entire District. Schools can use this health information to help reduce the costs for services that the District must deliver pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This student specific health information is protected and will be accessed only by people authorized to do so by the school’s Medicaid contract.

Your consent is voluntary. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time (34 CFR Part 99 and Part 300). You are not required to enroll in Medicaid. If your school does bill Medicaid, you will not be required to incur any out-of-pocket expenses such as a deductible or co-pay, decreased lifetime coverage, increased premiums or the discontinuation of benefits, or result in you paying for services.

Regardless of whether you grant consent, refuse consent or revoke your consent, your child will still be provided with an evaluation and/or the services as identified by the school district at no cost to you.

Please contact Healthcare Billing Services, Inc. at (740) 639-4218 with questions regarding the MSP Parental Consent.

We appreciate our principals every day, but especially in October during Principal Appreciation Month!

Flying fog rings, floating beach balls and lightening bolts!

Students at Royal Manor were BUZZING with excitement during the Extreme Science assembly! It was a morning filled with curiosity, laughter and ELECTRIC excitement.

The event was made possible through a generous grant from the Gahanna-Jefferson Education Foundation (GJEF).

Middle School West was alive with creativity, discovery and a potentially stinky furry friend during their annual STEM Fest 2025! Families and students explored hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering and math. Each station mixed curiosity with creativity for a formula that guaranteed fun and a whole lot of smiles!

A big thank you to the MSW staff and volunteers for making this engaging event possible!

We are thrilled to highlight the incredible achievements of our GLHS students! Join us in celebrating these award-winning students who have recently earned prestigious academic honors.

National Merit Semifinalists
Luke Ball
Madelyn Ohl

National Merit Commended Students
Kyren Kerns
Akhil Rao

Ethan LaCross
Alexander Mayeres

Read Complete Articles
National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

National Merit Scholarship Commended Students

Our friends at GRIN are once again offering Thanksgiving food assistance for GJPS residents.

NO APPOINTMENTS ARE NEEDED

Information and distribution dates are on the flyer below.

Join the Cleveland Cavaliers for Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools Day on March 8! Join your neighbors and fellow GJPS families at Rocket Arena in Cleveland as the Cavs take on the Boston Celtics! The team is offering discounted tickets to our community and everyone that purchases a ticket will have the opportunity to watch Early Entry Warmups in the lower bowl! Cheer on the Cavs alongside your community!

Oct. 20, 2025: Staff Work Day - No School
Nov. 10, 2025: PD Day - No School
Nov. 26-28, 2025: Thanksgiving Break - No School
Dec. 22, 2025-Jan. 1, 2026: Winter Break - No School
Jan. 2, 2026: Staff Work Day - No School
*Jan. 5-8, 2026: High School Schedule Altered for New Building Opening

Jan. 10, 2026: Ribbon Cutting and Community Tours for New GLHS
Jan. 19, 2026: Martin Luther King Day - No School
Feb. 13, 2026: PD Day - No School
Feb. 16, 2026: Presidents Day - No School
Mar. 9, 2026: Staff Work Day - No School
Mar. 20, 2026: Conference Comp Day - No School
Mar. 30-April 3, 2026: Spring Break- No School
May 1, 2026: PD Day - No School
May 22, 2026: Last Day of School for Students
May 23, 2026: Class of 2026 Commencement

2025-26 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)

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.

This nomination form will remain open year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.

In November 2020, voters in the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools district approved a bond and operating levy to fund Phase Two of the GJPS Master Facilities Plan.

Phase Two of the Master Facilities Plan Includes:

• Additions and renovations to High Point and Blacklick Elementary
• Additions and renovations to Middle School East
• New Lincoln High School on current site

Master Facilities Plan & Building Projects Webpage

Phase Two Building Projects Webpage
Phase Two Elementary Projects Webpage

Phase Two Middle School East Project Webpage

Phase Two Lincoln High School Projects Webpage

GJPS has very active Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube accounts.

Please check us out and LIKE US, give us a COMMENT and SHARE us on your channels!

Have a question about something school related? We bet you can find the answer on our Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools website at www.GahannaSchools.org.

The newsletter you are reading (the GJPS NEWS TO KNOW District Newsletter) is emailed to our families and GJPS community each month.

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