Weekly Update - Middle School South
November 3, 2025
Each quarter, Mr. Bonath, MSS Assistant Principal, and I take the time to meet with all students during their Related Arts period in what we call a Grade-Level Community Meeting. In these meetings, we praise what our students have accomplished so far, and we share some items that we hope to clean up a bit moving forward. Each grade level presentation is nuanced, but for your information and hopeful partnership at home, here is a list of the topics Mr. Bonath and I covered on Friday, 10/31:
(-) Praising "Green Team" on their quarter 1 Survivor championship!
(-) Positive shares from each grade level's team of teachers [we highlighted work ethic, care for learning, focus in the classroom, and more]
(-) Strengthening positive behaviors in hallways and with substitute teachers
(-) Building our responsibility by charging chromebooks at home each night
(-) Reinforcing no food in classrooms
(-) Direct talk about tardies to class and the importance of walking with purpose from Point A to Point B.
A very specific behavior we addressed with all grade levels was the new trend of using post-it notes to create and throw paper darts. The primary goal of this trend is to get them to stick in the ceiling. Although this "prank" is relatively harmless, the issue for me is that cleaning up these darts becomes someone else's responsibility (pulling them from the ceiling, clearing them from toilets & plumbing, etc.); consequently, students caught engaging in this prank will receive a consequence (starting with after-school detention). Additionally, students will often use these darts as projectiles that they throw at other students or individuals. Typically, these sticky-note darts are fashioned around a piece of metal (a staple or an unwound paper clip). Any students caught throwing darts containing metal in the direction of someone else will face suspension from school. This is extremely dangerous behavior and can lead to serious injury.
We are certainly proud of the three grade levels and 700+ students we get to host daily and have seen such growth out of our 7th graders and 8th graders when compared to last year! Our 6th graders started very strong and have set their own bar high for behavior and respect. We challenged them to always strive to meet that bar!
It is our belief that with a strong partnership at home, Middle School South can remain an amazing environment for learning, growing, and enjoying the crazy middle school years.
Thank you all for the continued support! We plan to share our talking points each quarter for your awareness and potential partnership!
Please consider joining us for our next meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, November 4th, 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!
Monday, November 10, is our next Professional Learning Day for all GJPS staff; therefore, students will not be in school that day!
We hope all students will enjoy the long weekend!
Every year, GMSS has the distinct privilege of honoring the family members of our South family who have served or are currently serving. Veteran's Day is a day of memories, commemoration, and above all, giving thanks. Please, let us honor the veterans in your families by completing the following Google Form as accurately as possible.
This is to gather information so that we can appropriately recognize and honor all veterans and current military personnel who are related to GMSS students that will be attending the ceremony. More info will come regarding the ceremony itself as we approach Veteran's Day!
Check out our Weekly Career Spotlight!
We should all have a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C for our futures. We will be talking to you about some ideas. Don't forget... it is ok to grow and change your mind as new things interest you.
Big thanks to the students who suggested this week's career: Architect
Architects plan and design buildings such as homes, restaurants, businesses, skyscrapers, factories, theaters, and more! They prepare detailed plans and blueprints, understand structure and building code to make sure what they are building is safe, and work with other professionals such as general contractors, engineers, project managers, and more. Architects are typically creative and excel at math, critical thinking, attention to detail, analyzing operations, and working with others.
To become an architect, you must have at least a bachelor's degree (4 years of college) in either architectural design or a related field. A master's degree (2-3 years extra) and licensure exams help you move up to higher level roles and make more money. For example, some architects might get their bachelor's degree in interior design and real estate then get their master's degree in architectural design. Yearly salary depends on your location, place of employment, and education and license level but averages around $96,000.
Thank you to all of you who suggested amazing career ideas!! We'll be sure to get your ideas featured here on Future Friday!
Visual & Performing Arts Gifted Education Identification
Each year, school districts in Ohio are required to offer an opportunity for students in grades K-12 to be identified as gifted in the area of Visual and Performing Arts. The identified areas of giftedness for Visual and Performing Arts include Visual Arts, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Drama/Theater, and Dance. If you know of a student that may be gifted in an area of the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) learn more about the identification process.
Through our partnership with GRIN (Gahanna Residents in Need), we are happy to be able to offer supplemental food for families need over the weekends.
Click on the link below if your student and your family could benefit from some supplemental provisions, and we'll be in touch soon with what we're able to offer and how we can get these provisions to you!
Supporting one another is just what we do!
Sometimes, it's necessary for a student to ride home on a different bus with another student. This could be for any number of reasons.
Please remember the three necessary components for this to happen:
(1) A signed note from a legal guardian of the student who is changing buses. This note should include the name of the student as well as the name & bus number of the student whom your child will be going home with.
(2) A signed note from a legal guardian of the family "receiving" the student. If Person A is requesting to go home on the bus with Person B, Person's B's legal guardian also has to provide a note acknowledging the request.
(3) Administrative approval & signature.
Again, this is fundamentally a question of student safety, and we appreciate your partnership in this endeavor!
Mark your calendar for the following dates...
Monday, November 10: Teacher Professional Development Day -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28: Thanksgiving Break -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS OR STAFF
Monday, December 22 - Friday, January 2: Winter Break -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS OR STAFF
