East Weekly

We've had a great week at school, and we're looking forward to an even better weekend ahead! If you choose to attend the football game tonight, please be aware that our high school will be celebrating Homecoming. It's sure to be a fun and exciting event, and we hope to see many of you there to show your support!

Take care,

Megan Kirsten

Principal

Gahanna Middle School East

September

September 23: -- No School -- Staff Professional Development

September 23: PTA Rusty Bucket Dine Around Fundraiser

September 24: Parent/Teacher Conferences (6th grade only!)

October

October 1: Parent/Teacher Conferences (all grade levels) @ 4:00-8:00

October 1: Gahanna Lincoln Instrumental Music Boosters (GLIMB) Meeting, 7:00pm @ GLHS

October 2: Picture Day/Retakes

October 10: Parent/Teacher Conferences (all grade levels) @ 4:00-8:00

October 13: Dash & Stash - GJEF Fundraiser

November

November 11: Veterans Day Program (morning time TBD)

Grades are starting to go into Infinite Campus. We realize grades are new to 6th graders (and their parents), so we have spent time in gold period going over how to check their grades and the comments that teachers make. Checking the launchpad is more proactive, but checking Infinite Campus can also give students good feedback. Assignments can often be turned in late for partial credit if you see a “missing flag.” This is the Infinite Campus slideshow we shared with students.

Students brought home a salmon parent-teacher conference letter this week. Please return it ASAP and let your child’s House teacher know if you have any questions.

No updates.

8th Grade science classes are busy doing LOTS of labs! This means they are looking for more paper towel donations. Please send some in with your child next week if you have the ability to donate a roll of paper towel!

8th grade math: Students will have their Chapter 1 assessment on Tuesday, 9/17. They are bringing home their study guide which was started in class. Students will have a review day on Monday, 9/16.

All grade level staff members are working on their conference times. More information on how to schedule conferences will be shared out next week.

SmartPass is a digital hall pass system that helps schools track and manage student movement throughout the day. By using SmartPass, we can ensure students are where they need to be, improving safety and accountability within the school. Parents, please be on the lookout (coming soon) for access to the platform, which will allow you to monitor your student's pass usage and stay informed.

At Gahanna-Jefferson schools, our band and orchestra directors provide a level of music education and a continuity of relationship with their students from 6th-12th grades that is unmatched in most school districts. Students are not only offered top-notch instruction that leads to great performances, but they are also encouraged to develop a love of playing music, and to see how that skill can improve their lives and their communities.

Gahanna Lincoln Instrumental Music Boosters (GLIMB) exists to support those goals. You might hear “music boosters” and think of raising funds for uniforms, instrument repair, accessing music, helping students take amazing trips, or reducing/ funding the fees for unique clinics that inspire them. And you would be right.

However, GLIMB members understand that our school’s instrumental music program has a significant positive impact on student’s lives and futures, and we want every single student to fully benefit from it.

Playing in an ensemble has been shown to benefit students in all areas of their wellness…things like better listening skills and memory, greater social connection, improved self-confidence, and development of gross and fine motor skills, just to name a few.

Because of the excellence of GJPS programs, the benefits are enhanced. Some of the life skills that students learn from participating in our district ensembles include:

• Leading others effectively

• Receiving constructive feedback in a healthy way

• Developing self-discipline and time management skills

• Cooperating with a group to achieve a larger goal

• Serving their community

• Face-to-face, in-person social engagement skills

• Taking responsibility for and pride in their work

• Handling stress in a healthy way

• Awareness of responsibility towards others

• Confidence in their ability to express themselves creatively

• Staying motivated when life gets challenging

• Developing flexibility and resilience in changing circumstances

When more families from 6th-12th grades actively participate in GLIMB, more students can fully experience all of the benefits and opportunities that our band and orchestra programs provide.

Participating in GLIMB is an investment in your student’s future as well as that of hundreds of other students, the entire Gahanna community, and the communities your students end up in eventually.

I hope that you’ll join GLIMB, and make an investment in our students and our community. Please come to our meetings on the first Tuesday of each month, sign up to volunteer at our fundraising events, and follow us for more information and to view our calendars at these websites and social media pages:

glimb.weebly.com

gahannabands.org

gahannaorchestras.org

GLIMB Facebook page

Gahanna Bands and Gahanna Orchestras Facebook pages

To report an absence, please call the front office at (614)478-5550 or email fischerj@gjps.org by 9:10am if possible.You also have the ability to login into Infinite Campus and mark your child's absence there. Please ONLY do this if your child will be absent for the entire day.

As a district, we use the Talking Points platform to communicate via text. You can download the app on your phone to receive quick messages as needed.

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.

The Heart & Pride Nomination Form will remain available year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.

PTA meetings take place on the 2nd Monday of each month in the GMSE library at 7:00pm. All are welcome!

Meeting dates:

• October 14

• November 11

• December 9

• January 13

• February 10

• March 10

• April 14

• May 12

Help support and fund numerous initiatives for students and staff throughout the year. Stay tuned to our Facebook page, “GMSE Parents” (new members be sure to answer the questions to be admitted), and upcoming newsletters for more information about what we do and how you can help.

Please consider joining the Middle School East PTA.

Sept. 23, 2024: PD Day - No School
Oct. 21, 2024: Comp Day - No School
Oct. 22, 2024: Staff Work Day - No School
Nov. 8, 2024: PD Day - No School
Nov. 27-29, 2024: Thanksgiving Break - No School
Dec. 23, 2024-Jan. 2, 2025: Winter Break - No School
Jan. 3, 2025: Staff Work Day - No School
Jan. 20, 2025: Martin Luther King Day - No School
Feb. 14, 2025: PD Day - No School
Feb. 17, 2025: Presidents Day - No School
Mar. 10, 2025: Staff Work Day - No School
Mar. 31-April 4, 2025: Spring Break- No School
April 18, 2025: Comp Day - No School
May 2, 2025: PD Day - No School
May 23, 2025: Last Day of School for Students
May 24, 2025: Class of 2025 Commencement