Weekly Update - Middle School South
January 5, 2026
As we welcome the New Year, I would like to wish all of our families a happy, healthy, and joyful 2026. A new year offers a fresh start; it's an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and to look ahead with optimism and purpose. I am grateful for the continued partnership between home and school and for the trust you place in us each day. As we begin the second half of the school year, we look forward to renewed energy, continued growth, and many moments of learning and connection. Thank you for all you do to support our students, and best wishes to you and your loved ones in the year ahead.
Kris Fuller
Please be reminded that the 2nd Semester return looks a little different due to the opening of the new building...
Monday, January 5: STAFF ONLY AT GAHANNA LINCOLN; NO STUDENTS
Middle School students will report directly to MSS at 9:00.
Tuesday, January 6: STAFF ONLY AT GAHANNA LINCOLN; NO STUDENTS
Middle School students will report directly to MSS at 9:00.
Wednesday, January 7: FIRST DAY IN THE NEW BUILDING FOR 10TH & 12TH GRADERS
Middle School students will have language class at GLHS.
Students will be met by their teachers at the entrance of the building and will be walked out at the end of class.
Thursday, January 8: FIRST DAY IN THE NEW BUILDING FOR 9TH & 11TH GRADERS
Middle School students will have language class at GLHS.
Students will be met by their teachers at the entrance of the building and will be walked out at the end of class.
Friday, January 9: ALL HS STUDENTS ATTEND CLASS
Middle School students will have language class at GLHS.
Students will be met by their teachers at the entrance of the building and will be walked out at the end of class.
At Middle School South, we are so fortunate to benefit from a strong & engaged Parent Teacher Organization.
Please consider joining us for our next meeting this Tuesday, January 6, 2025 at 6:00PM in the Middle School South Library.
Can't join us in person? Consider joining us VIRTUALLY by clicking the link below!
In any case, we hope to see you soon!
Truly just an FYI...
On Wednesday, January 7, our yearbook partners from H.R. Imaging will be in the building to take group photos of our athletes, musicians, and club members. We have an internal schedule that we'll use to call these various groups down for their group photo.
H.R. Imaging photographers will also be around during lunches, recess, and transitions to grab some candid photos of our students living their best MSS life.
I share this only in case you want to remind your student to run a brush through their hair just one more time that morning :)
Each year, our students all across the District participate in a series of low-stakes tests called MAP Testing.
Students took their first MAP Test in the August/early September. In January, they will take their second round (of 3).
M.A.P. stands for Measures of Academic Progress, and these tests are designed to assess students' academic progress and growth over time. The data from MAP Growth assessments helps teachers understand where students are in their learning and identify areas where they might need additional support or challenge. This information can then be used to tailor lessons and activities to meet the specific needs of each student, especially in preparation for standardized State Tests in the Spring.
MSS Students will engage in MAP Testing according to the following schedule:
Wednesday, 1/14 : Math 6
Thursday, 1/15: ELA 8
Friday, 1/16: ELA 8
Tuesday, 1/20: ELA 6
Wednesday, 1/21: Math 7
Thursday, 1/22: Math 8
Friday, 1/23: Math 8
Tuesday, 1/27: ELA 7
I share this information simply to keep your family in the loop. No stress or particular preparation required, other than a good night's sleep and a sense of efficacy on the day of!
This year, we are happy to join in on the Ronald McDonald House's annual Pop Can (Soda Can) Tab collection!
Bring in your soda can tabs to your WIN Class all throughout the month of January.
These tabs get donated to the Ronald McDonald House (located near Nationwide Children's Hospital), which then get recycled and turned into some serious money to support the Ronald McDonald's House's endeavors of providing housing and resources to families whose children are hospitalized at NCH.
The WIN Class that collects the most pop tabs will earn a Popcorn Party!
On December 11, High School counselors welcomed 8th Grade parents in for an informational meeting regarding the scheduling process at Lincoln High School. Amongst the variety of topics, counselors spoke with families about the path to graduation (graduation requirements), required courses (for Freshman Year), application/audition courses, electives, the structure of the school day, P.E. waivers, College Credit Plus, and more!
Then, on Friday, December 12, counselors from the High School came to speak directly with our 8th Grade students about many of the same topics. During this presentation, they also passed course-planning informational guides.
I am happy to share all of the materials that counselors shared with students.
If you have any questions about the scheduling process, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's Middle School counselor or their future High School counselor (alphabet breakdowns by last name are in the slide decks).
Remember:
Course requests are due in Infinite Campus by January 11, and High School counselors will return to Middle School South to review students' course requests the week of January 26.
As Winter gets well underway, our Lions are back at it!
BOYS' BASKETBALL
Tuesday, January 6
AWAY @ Reynoldsburg Waggoner MS
7th Grade: 5:30PM
8th Grade: 6:45PM (appx.)
Thursday, January 8
HOME v. Teays Valley East Middle School
7th Grade: 5:30PM
8th Grade: 6:45PM (appx.)
GIRLS' BASKETBALL
Tuesday, January 6
AWAY @ Lancaster Thomas Ewing MS
7th Grade: 5:30PM
8th Grade: 6:45PM (appx.)
Thursday, January 8
AWAY @ Teays Valley East MS
7th Grade: 5:30PM
8th Grade: 6:45PM (appx.)
WRESTLING
GIRLS: Wednesday, January 7
AWAY @ Delaware Dempsey MS
5:30PM
BOYS: Wednesday, January 7
HOME v. Walnut Springs MS
match held at GMSE
5:30PM
Is there a Staff Member out there you believe is deserving some praise?!
Let us know about it!
Click on the button below to send some positive vibes to a staff member so that we can celebrate that person, too!
Mark your calendar for the following dates...
Wednesday, January 7: Q2 grades finalized by teachers
Friday, January 9: 2nd Quarter Report Cards available
Wednesday, January 14: Winter MAP Testing begins at MSS
Monday, January 19: Martin Luther King Day -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS OR STAFF
Thursday, February 5: Winter Family Conferences, 4:00P - 7:45P (by teacher invitation only)
Friday, February 13: Professional Development Day -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Monday, February 16: Presidents' Day -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS OR STAFF
