March 15, 2024

Jefferson Families,

I hope this message finds you well. As the principal of Jefferson Elementary, I would like to extend an invitation to all parents to get involved in our school's activities. We are currently looking for nominations to serve on the PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization). If you have any questions or would like to learn more information before committing, please feel free to reach out to me or any current PTO board member. Your involvement will greatly benefit our school community and the education of our children. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

-Mr. Schmidt

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at 614-478-5560 or by email at schmidts@gjps.org.

This notice is to serve as notification that Senate Bill 288 has altered Ohio Revised Code 3313.60 to require that children in grades kindergarten through six receive annual developmentally appropriate instruction in child sexual abuse prevention.

School districts must notify the parents and legal guardians of the following information:

• Instruction in child sexual abuse prevention is a required part of the district's curriculum;

• Upon request, parents and legal guardians may examine instructional materials (see below);

• Upon written request of the student's parent or guardian, a student can be excused from taking instruction in child sexual abuse prevention.(see link below)

As recommended by the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce, our district will be using the SPEAK UP lessons developed by The Foundation United. The materials are available for review at the link below. After reviewing the material if you would like to excuse your child from receiving instruction in child sexual abuse prevention please complete the form by by Sunday, March 17th.

Opt-Out Link

*Instruction will be delivered by Mrs. Haringa, our school guidance counselor. Attached below are the slides that will be used to present the information to students as well as an overview of the program.

LINKS:

Program Overview

K-2 Presentation

3-5 Presentation

Opt-Out Link

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Haringa (haringah@gjps.org) or Mr. Schmidt.

The Jefferson PTO is looking to fill the VICE PRESIDENT and SECRETARY positions for the 2024-2025 school year. They are also looking to add an Assistant Treasurer. Use the link below to submit your name, make a nomination or just to learn more about this service opportunity.

Any Jefferson Family member of a K–5th grade student for the 2024-2025 school year may nominate themselves or another individual for the position.

Please visit https://www.gahannaschools.org/families/enrollment for information on how to enroll your incoming Kindergartener for next year. Please help spread the word to your neighbors and friends who have a child who will be 5 by August 1st.

Jefferson Elementary's Kindergarten Kick-Off Open House event for parents and students will be Thursday, May 9th from 5:30 - 6:30.

Roarrrr! Little Lions, are you ready to join our PRIDE? GJPS Preschool enrollment is NOW OPEN for the 2024-25 school year! 👧‍👦 Let's play, learn and have fun together!

Click Here for all the information and to register for our GJPSPreschool!

Lost and Found: The weather in Ohio is never the same from day to day, and that is especially true in the spring. Our lost and found is overflowing with clothing items. Please encourage your child to check out the lost and found while they are in the cafeteria. Please contact the office if you would like to make arrangements to stop in and look for items in the lost and found.

Transportation 2024-25: Please look for an email from the transportation department concerning the 24-25 school year. They ask that you complete a bus rider intent form to help create efficient bus routes. If, in the past, you have chosen to drive your child to school, I would ask you to consider having them ride the bus. Our transportation department is working with an outside vendor to create all new bus routes for the 24-25 school year that optimize efficiency and limit the amount of time children are on the busses. All students eligible to ride a GJPS school bus to a GJPS school or GJPS school program are asked to register for transportation by midnight on March 26, 2024.

March 29 No School for Students or Staff

April 8-12 Spring Break

April 26 School Dance Grades K-2 6:00 -7:10

April 26 School Dance Grades 3-5 7:30 - 9:00

April 30 2nd Grade Music Performance "Colors" 7:00 pm

May 7 1st Music Performance "A Day at School" 7:00 pm

May 9 Kindergarten Kick-off Event 5:30 - 6:30 pm

May 17 Carnival

May 22 Field Day

May 24 Last day of School

2023-24 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. Families are encourage to nominate a staff member today! The Heart & Pride Nomination Form will remain available year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.

The state-required testing in grades 3-5 will take place from the end of April through the beginning of May. You will hear these tests referred to as "OST" which stands for Ohio State Tests. We ask that you make every attempt to have your child at school on these testing dates and avoid doctor appointments or unnecessary absences.