East Weekly

Hello, as you may know there’s been an increased emphasis on college and career readiness in the state of Ohio. The Ohio Department of Education recently changed its name to include workforce, now known as the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Additionally, a new indicator has been added to the high school and district state report cards around College, Career, Workforce, Military Readiness also known as CCWMR.

To ensure we are providing the best educational experience for our students at Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools, we have voluntarily partnered with the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio to conduct a voluntary career audit review of our career pathway options for students. The purpose of this career pathway audit is to assess current programming alignment, identify strengths, pinpoint barriers that hinder students from accessing opportunities, and explore new possibilities for both students and staff.

The career audit review process includes collecting feedback from students, staff, and families at GJPS. The survey consists of 10 questions and aims to gather meaningful input from families across East, South, and West Middle Schools. With this in mind, I am reaching out to ask for your support by completing the survey link below to share your insight around your student's career pathway experience thus far at GJPS. The information you share will be valuable as we evaluate current programming and look for opportunities to enhance future experiences, ensuring we best prepare students for life through graduation. Thank you in advance for your time in completing this survey.

The Educational Service Center of Central Ohio is conducting a career review audit in Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools—any insight you can provide is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

https://forms.office.com/r/vfT7cpNN9N?origin=lprLink

The GMSE PTA is extending the due date for ONLINE donations. Credit card donations can now be collected through April 5th. In an effort to make up for broken QR code links, power and internet outages, and just plain middle school family distractions, we are allowing donations made through Zeffy to continue to count toward student Fitness Fundraiser incentives through April 5th. Follow this link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/peer-to-peer/2026-gmse-fitness-fundraiser

We now have over 40 raffle prizes to give away at the Fitness Fundraiser awards assembly! Remember, you can earn raffle tickets by donating at least $25 or purchasing tickets with house points through the House store.

We thank everyone for your support of the PTA’s annual fundraiser. Every in-kind prize donation, monetary contribution, corporate match, and shared Zeffy link brings us closer to our shared goal of raising $40,000 for our school’s Parent-Teacher Association.

Money raised during the Fitness Fundraiser allows the GMSE PTA to support our students and staff all year. The PTA pays for incentive items that students can “purchase” in the house store each week using the house points they earn by meeting and exceeding behavioral and academic expectations. We also use donated funds to enhance the middle school curriculum when a teacher or teaching team finds a project, guest teacher, or field trip that will create a new type of learning experience for our children. The PTA shows all of our gratitude by providing treats and meals to teachers and staff to improve the workplace for our magnificent educators and all those who contribute to a healthy, happy school community. And so much more…

Each month, one of our House Families takes the lead in planning a small holiday celebration or craft activity for students to enjoy. For April, Tatonka House is helping us celebrate Earth Day in a creative way! From April 6 through April 17, Tatonka will be collecting clean plastic bottle caps and lids. These caps/lids will be used to create a beautiful bottle cap mural that celebrates Earth Day and reminds us that small actions, like recycling and reusing, can make a big impact on our planet.

March 19: Dine at Five Guys for PTA

Mar. 20, 2026: Conference Comp Day - No School

4/13/26 @ 7pm

5/11/26 @ 7pm

Counselors will be visiting classrooms soon to begin the scheduling process for the 2026–2027 school year for our current 6th and 7th grade students. During these visits, counselors will review courses and walk students through the scheduling process.

The classroom visits will take place on the following dates:

• Monday, March 16: 6th grade during ELA classes

• Monday, March 23: 7th grade during Math classes

This is the first step in helping students think about their courses for next year. Families will receive additional information as the scheduling process continues.

The Eastland-Fairfield Career Center is hosting a no-cost summer camp on June 2nd and June 3rd for students entering grades 6-8. Registration opens on Monday, February 9th: Eastland-Fairfield website (Registration will end on April 10th). For more information, check out this flyer!

You can check out the new website here. Below are directions on how to obtain the correct app.

**No other updates due to no internet.

April 27, 2026 - (6th and 8th Grade Choirs) 7:30 p.m. @ GLHS

*students may leave at the conclusion of the concert

Call times to Choir Room:

7:00 8th Choir

7:15 6th Choir

7th Grade Musical - Title and Audition sign -ups (during WIN) to be Revealed on 3/3/26!!!

May 4, 2026 7-9 p.m. @ MSE (soloist and speaking characters only)- Dress Rehearsal

May 5, 2026 7-9 p.m. @ MSE FULL CAST DRESS REHEARSAL

May 7, 2026 7:30 p.m. Performance @ MSE Cafeteria - Call time to choir room: 7:10 p.m.

All 8th Graders: Please continue to work on securing a Job Shadowing Experience for your student on Thursday, April 23. Packets were sent home via ELA teachers. If you have questions, please reach out to your student’s ELA teacher. Please work with your student to arrange a job shadowing experience for the day and submit the permission slip to 8th grade ELA teachers by Monday, April 13th.

We want our staff to be happy and enjoy coming to work every day. Below are just some of the ways that you can celebrate and recognize our amazing staff at East!

• PTA/Families spoil us!- Click here to join PTA!
• Student and/or family shout outs- Click here if you want to send a shoutout to a staff member!
• Heart and Pride Award- 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.

We’re always looking for ways to connect classroom learning to the real world or allow students to explore the future—and we’d love your help! If you're open to sharing your job title and a brief description of what you do, we’d love to learn more. We’re gathering a list of parents and guardians who might be interested in speaking to students about their careers, allowing students to shadow for a day, or participating in a future career fair.

If this sounds like something you'd consider, please take a moment to fill out this quick google form. Thank you for helping our students dream big!

Mar. 9, 2026: Staff Work Day - No School
Mar. 20, 2026: Conference Comp Day - No School
Mar. 30-April 3, 2026: Spring Break- No School
May 1, 2026: PD Day - No School
May 22, 2026: Last Day of School for Students
May 23, 2026: Class of 2026 Commencement