Family Update

Due to excessive negative meal balances across the District, all Gahanna-Jefferson schools will be reinstating a previously used meal charge policy. Starting Sept. 5, 2023, any student with more than five lunch charges this school year will receive a substitute meal in the cafeteria. At the elementary level this means accounts with more than $13.75 in negative charges and at the middle and high school levels, this includes accounts that have accrued more than $15 in debt. The substitute breakfast will consist of a breakfast bar, fruit and milk and the substitute lunch will include a cheese (turkey for dairy substitute) sandwich, fruit and milk.

Families will receive a phone call and/or email starting with the second negative charge to alert you of the deficit in your student's account.

If you need to add funds to your student’s account, you can do so through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal or with a check or cash. Additionally, if you think your family would qualify for free or reduced meals, you can apply via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, print a paper application from the District website or fill out a paper application found in the office at each building. Any student that is approved for free or reduced lunch for the 2023-24 school year will receive a regularly menued meal. Families with a negative balance from a previous school year will be contacted by the District office to ensure full payment by the end of the 2023-24 school year.

Some of you may notice that your student's lunch account is draining quicker than you might imagine. It is most likely due to the fact that students are allowed to buy "extras" during lunch. If you do not want you student to purchase extras please let me know and I will notify the cafeteria staff.

Gahanna Middle School West (GMSW) has partnered with GRIN to send home packages of food with students for the weekend. We are excited by the opportunity to work with such a wonderful community organization to assist GMSW families. The food packs consist of primarily shelf-stable, non-perishable foods that students can enjoy over the weekend. There is a possibility that the food packets will include fresh produce or items that students may need to microwave. Participating students will receive these packs in the front office on Friday afternoons or on the last day of the school week.

If you are interested, please complete this form and return it to school with your child as soon as possible. Please reach out to the school counselors if you would like a paper copy.

Cara Boettner (A-L) and Paige Verma (M-Z)

BoettnerC@gjps.org or VermaP@gjps.org

Students had their school photo taken on Monday, August 21 during their math class. If you are interested in ordering photos it is not too late. You can order at https://hrimaging.com/#shop

Picture makeup day for students who were absent will be on Thursday, September 28th in the morning.

Prodigy Information Page

• ACE Ohio Flyer
• ACE Application Step-by-Step Guide
• ACE Federal Poverty Level Chart

If you would like to volunteer on Kona Ice days, here is the link. GMSW PTO: Kona Ice Volunteers (signupgenius.com), Once you are signed up out PTO President will let me know and I will send you a link for a background check. Background checks are valid for one calendar year.

Two.Fifty.Four is sponsoring an event tomorrow. Here is a link with information about this free event.

I will be in the dunk tank at 1:30, come on out and take your best shot!

Take a look at West Spirit Wear. You can also visit the school's PTO Facebook Page

A reminder that students may only use phones and earbuds before and after school, outside the building, students do not have to power their phones off or put them in their lockers when they enter the building. Students can place their phones in their pockets or small bags to be carried throughout the day; but will not be permitted to use them unless the teacher has a classroom activity requiring them to do so. No devices will be allowed during class changes, lunch, recess, and bathroom breaks.

Read more about the why...

September 1 6th Grade Adventure day

September 4 Labor Day No School

September 20 Parent Teacher Conference

September 25 Teacher PD Day No School for Students

September 27 Parent Teacher Conference

2023-24 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)