The Lions' Pride

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for our "We Are the World" Night! The turnout was absolutely incredible, and it was truly inspiring to see our community come together to celebrate culture, diversity, and unity.

From the amazing performances to the delicious food and engaging activities, the night was a beautiful reflection of the vibrant and welcoming spirit of our school. Your participation and support made this event a huge success, and we are so grateful to have such a wonderful school community.

Thank you for sharing your time, talents, and traditions with us—we couldn't have done it without you! We look forward to many more opportunities to celebrate and connect as a school family.

Parent teacher conferences are scheduled for February 25th and February 27th. Please sign up here for a conference. We are looking forward to having you attend.

All 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will take part in the OST this year. Please see the schedule below and try not to make any appointments or schedule vacations during these dates. Please reach out to your child's teacher, if you have any questions.

We are excited to share an incredible opportunity to support a meaningful project that will benefit all students in our district. This year, the Gahanna-Jefferson Education Foundation (GJEF) Gala will feature a Fund-A-Need initiative focused on purchasing and installing communication boards at each elementary and preschool playground. We encourage you to support the cause in any way you can.

Communication boards are visual tools that use pictures, symbols, and words to help individuals express their thoughts, needs, and emotions. These boards are particularly useful for students with limited verbal communication, those learning English as a second language, and even young children still developing their vocabulary. Communication boards provide students with an inclusive way to connect and engage with peers during play.

While these boards are an invaluable resource for students with specific communication needs, their benefits extend to every child on the playground. Here’s why:

• Promoting Inclusion: Communication boards foster an environment where all students can participate and communicate effectively, regardless of their language or abilities.

• Encouraging Social Interaction: By providing visual cues, these boards help children initiate conversations, make friends, and engage in collaborative play.

• Building Language Skills: For students developing their vocabulary or learning English, communication boards offer a fun and interactive way to learn new words and phrases.

• Supporting Emotional Expression: Playgrounds are not just for physical activity—they are spaces where children express their feelings and build relationships. Communication boards give all students a voice to share their emotions and ideas.

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How You Can Help: The GJEF Gala is a fantastic way to bring our community together in support of this initiative. Here’s how you can contribute:

• Register for the FREE Online Silent Auction: Includes entry into the raffle for a $250 Amazon gift card.

• Donate to Fund-A-Need: Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to making these communication boards a reality.

• Spread the Word: Share this initiative with family and friends who may also be interested in supporting our schools.

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Together, we can make a lasting impact by creating inclusive spaces where every child feels seen, heard, and valued. Thank you for your ongoing support of our students and schools. We hope to see you at the Gala on February 22, 2025!

Safety is our top priority. We kindly remind all parents and guardians to use the designated car line for drop-off and pick-up. Recently, we’ve had one accident and several near misses involving students in the parking lot.

To ensure everyone’s safety, we will have staff monitoring the entrance to guide cars to the car line and prevent unauthorized use of the parking lot for these purposes. Please be understanding and respectful as we implement this measure to protect our students.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping our school community safe.

Teacher's are planning for our Valentine's Day Celebration which will be on Feb 13th. Teachers will communicate more information to you soon with the details.

Just a reminder from our Student Handbook:

"CELL PHONES & SMART WATCHES

Cell phones are permitted at school, but must remain off and in the student’s book bags throughout the school day. Smart watches are also permitted, but should only be used as a clock while at school. Students are not permitted to send or receive text messages or phone calls on cell phones or smart watches during the day. Additionally, photos may not be taken with cell phones or smart watches at school. On state testing days, smart watches are not permitted to be worn. If a parent/guardian needs to reach their student during the school day, they should call the school office at 614-478-5555. The school is not responsible for cell phones or smart watches that are lost, stolen, or damaged."

Thank you for your help and understanding.

We will be having outside for recess as long as the temperature (including windchill) is 20 degrees or higher. Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for outside play (coat, gloves, hat, etc.).

Get ready to Cheer Loud and Proud for the Future of Gahanna-Jefferson Students!

Whether you’re cheering from the sidelines with a donation or joining the action in person, your contribution will make a game-changing impact for our students. You’ll be supporting classroom grants that allow you, our staff, to INSPIRE, INNOVATE and IMPACT learning for Gahanna-Jefferson students every day.

There are many ways to participate, big and small.....please go to www.GJEF.org to join the fun!

• Attend the Gala on February 22, 2025 at Jefferson Country Club
• Donate an auction item - we are collecting items now
• Buy a raffle ticket
• Join the online Silent Auction for FREE! (auction registration automatically enters you into the raffle for a $250 Amazon gift card)
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Information about the GALA

We would love to have volunteers in the building! Please look through this spreadsheet and see if you are interested in helping in anyway. Please sign up on the spreadsheet here

• Please use the car loop for morning drop off. The front door is for walkers and bike riders ONLY.

• Use only the curb lane until teachers arrive, which is around 7:50. The double line starts ONLY when teachers are there to supervise.

• Please pull all the way up to the car in front of you so more cars can let out.

• Please have children exit quickly so we can keep the car line moving.

• Doors lock at 8:05. If you arrive after this time, please take your child to the front door.

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.