East Weekly
August 28, 2026
A note from Mrs. Kirsten
📣 RE- Introducing the East Weekly!
We’re excited to introduce the East Weekly, our weekly newsletter designed to help you stay connected and informed about everything happening at GMSE! Each week, you’ll find important updates and helpful information, including:
📅 Save the Dates & Upcoming Events – Make sure you don’t miss important school events, activities, and deadlines.
🌎 Announcements, School News & Updates – Highlights and information from around GMSE.
🏫 PTA & Family Opportunities – Ways to get involved and support our school community.
🏆 Athletics & Activities – Information about sports, clubs, and student activities.
👩🏫 Updates from Staff – News, celebrations, and important classroom updates specific to grade level.
We hope the East Weekly becomes your go-to source for staying connected to GMSE! Be sure to take a few minutes each week to look through the newsletter and click on the links for more information. 💙💛
Save the date:
Upcoming Dates:
Sept. 7: Labor Day - No School
Sept. 8: Student speaker during the school day!
Sept. 9: Math MAP Assessment Day -- adjusted schedule
Sept. 11: 6th grade Adventure Day -- more info to come
Sept. 21: Staff Professional Development - No School for studentsOct. 6: Parent Teacher Conferences (6th grade families ONLY)
Oct. 8: Parent Teacher Conferences (ALL grade levels)
Oct. 13: Parent Teacher Conferences (ALL grade levels)
Oct. 16: End of Q1
Oct. 19: Conference Comp Day - No School
Oct. 20: Staff Work Day - No School for students
ATTENTION PARENTS!!
REMINDER: Drop off/Pick-up procedures
PTA Updates/Opportunities
PTA meetings take place on the 2nd Monday of each month in the GMSE library at 7:00pm. All are welcome!
Meetings 7:00-8:00 pm
September 14
October 12
November 9
December 14 - Virtual
January 11
February 8
March 8
April 12
May 10
Help support and fund numerous initiatives for students and staff throughout the year. Stay tuned to our Facebook page, “GMSE Parents” (new members be sure to answer the questions to be admitted), and upcoming newsletters for more information about what we do and how you can help.
Please consider joining the Middle School East PTA.
Athletics/Other Activities
Updates from staff
6th Grade:
The 6th grade students seem to be enjoying middle school! We had a busy first week getting to know each other, learning routines, and figuring out the new building and schedule.
We appreciated all the parents/guardians who came out to Open House! Here are the Open House slides from each teacher and more about House/WIN.
Here is the 6th grade launchpad link for you to bookmark: Launchpad. This tracks the daily work and homework.
Today, the principals had a grade level meeting to talk about school-wide expectations to help students be successful! They also discussed potential consequences, and our book signature policy is linked here. On the other hand, when students are ready, responsible, and respectful, they have an opportunity to earn House points!
On Monday 8/31 students will bring the following papers home in their yellow take home folder:
- Adventure Day information & permission slip
- The Outsiders movie permission slip for ELA (gold slip)
- Information sheet for parent access to House Points (blue)
Please send permission slips back signed with your child by Friday! Thank you!
Ace 7/8 students have begun Chapter 1: Problem Solving. Next week we will investigate patterns made with graphs and numbers.
COMPETITION ROBOTICS - Is your student interested in building, coding, or teamwork? The Competition Robotics Team is expanding! This year, we are welcoming 6th graders into the program and forming an all-girls "Girl Powered" team for grades 6–8. Robotics Info & Application Here
Our first meeting of the season will be held on Friday, 9/4 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in GMSE Room 105 (See flyer above for additional dates).
If your student is interested or if you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Merrick at Merrickd@gjps.org
7th Grade:
Ace 7/8 students have begun Chapter 1: Problem Solving. Next week we will investigate patterns made with graphs and numbers.
Math 7 - What a great first week! Students have been working in their study teams to practice procedures, review 6th grade content, and build classroom community.
ELA: Students have begun reading Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie, the first book of 7th grade. Ask them about how they are enjoying the book so far & how they are coming on their jot tasks!
COMPETITION ROBOTICS - Is your student interested in building, coding, or teamwork? The Competition Robotics Team is expanding! This year, we are welcoming 6th graders into the program and forming an all-girls "Girl Powered" team for grades 6–8. Robotics Info & Application Here
Our first meeting of the season will be held on Friday, 9/4 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in GMSE Room 105 (See flyer above for additional dates).
If your student is interested or if you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Merrick at Merrickd@gjps.org
8th Grade:
ELA - Students are close to finishing their first class novel, Chasing Space. Ask students about some of author Leland Melvin’s accomplishments! Next week students will finish their books and begin writing their application essay. The essay will be due 9/8 in class.
ACE ELA - Students are close to finishing their first class novel, Tuesdays with Morrie. Ask students about some of Morrie's aphorisms! Next week students will finish their books and begin writing their application essay. The essay will be due 9/8 in class.
American History- 8th grade students have begun learning about the British colonies in North America. They have filled out a map of the 13 colonies in their notebooks. There will be a quiz over this map on Friday 9/4! We have also been doing notebook work. Ask to see their notebooks if you want to see the awesome work they have completed so far!
Math 8: Students should have their 1-inch binders and 5-pack of divider tabs by 9/2 so we can set up and get their binders organized for the year!
COMPETITION ROBOTICS - Is your student interested in building, coding, or teamwork? The Competition Robotics Team is expanding! This year, we are welcoming 6th graders into the program and forming an all-girls "Girl Powered" team for grades 6–8. Robotics Info & Application Here
Our first meeting of the season will be held on Friday, 9/4 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in GMSE Room 105 (See flyer above for additional dates).
If your student is interested or if you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Merrick at Merrickd@gjps.org
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Pizza Rotation
Always here!
Attendance and Planned Absences
To report an absence, please call the front office at (614)478-5550 or email fischerj@gjps.org by 9:10am if possible.You also have the ability to login into Infinite Campus and mark your child's absence there. Please ONLY do this if your child will be absent for the entire day.
The GJPS Heart & 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.
District Dates:
September 7, 2026: Labor Day - No School
September 21, 2026: PD Day - No School
October 19, 2026: Conference Comp Day - No School
October 20, 2026: Staff Work Day - No School
November 9, 2026: PD Day - No School
November 25-27, 2026: Thanksgiving Break - No School
December 23, 2026-January 1, 2027: Winter Break - No School
January 4, 2027: Staff Work Day - No School
January 18, 2027: Martin Luther King Day - No School
February 15, 2027: Presidents Day - No School
March 8, 2027: Staff Work Day - No School
March 9, 2027: PD Day - No School
March 26, 2027: Conference Comp Day - No School
March 29-April 2, 2027: Spring Break- No School
April 30, 2027: PD Day - No School
May 27, 2027: Last Day of School for Students
May 28, 2027: Staff Work Day - No School
May 29, 2027: Class of 2027 Commencement
