January 5-9, 2026, Transition week Schedule for High School Students

As students enter the NEW GLHS for the first time, the schedule for the return from Winter Break is different for HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS this year!

January 5: No school for GLHS students
Staff will be moving in and preparing classrooms.

January 6: No school for GLHS students
Staff will be moving in and preparing classrooms.

January 7: Orientation Day for 10th and 12th grade students
No school for 9th and 11th graders

January 8: Orientation Day for 9th and 11th grade students
No school for 10th and 12th graders

January 9: All students attend school on an adjusted 8-period schedule; we'll close the week with a Pep Rally to celebrate our first days together in the new space.

Our GJPS Preschool offers great learning experiences for our students and is the first touchpoint for igniting a passion for lifelong learning. As the program shines, their space will grow. With high school students all being in the high school after winter break, construction will begin on renovating the first floor of Clark Hall to house all of our preschool classrooms. Learn more about the program and the upcoming changes!

As we prepare to welcome students into the new Gahanna Lincoln High School, we are highlighting a foundational partnership that ensured safety was integrated into the building’s design from the beginning.

Our ongoing collaboration with the Gahanna Division of Police has been instrumental in creating a facility that balances rigorous security with a supportive environment for student wellness. By involving law enforcement experts alongside our architectural and construction teams, we have implemented intentional safety features designed to protect our school community while maintaining an open, conducive atmosphere for learning.

Looking ahead, the new Ohio cell phone law, which restricts phone use throughout the entire school day, will take effect on January 1, 2026. The high school will begin transitioning to these new expectations at that time, aligning with the move into the new building. As a reminder, this legal change will not impact elementary or middle school practices.

Additional details and clarifications will be shared with high school families over Winter Break to help students and families prepare for this change.

How to Know if School is a Go!

As we have entered the colder months of the year, we wanted to share our preparations for the potential impact of inclement weather on our school day. In the event of inclement weather, at approximately 4:15 a.m., a team of District administrators will begin the process of making a decision concerning students safely arriving to school. The group of administrators will analyze the weather, current community conditions and receive updates from the Gahanna Division of Police, with the goal of making a decision for delay or closure by 5:30 a.m.

If a delay or closure is deemed necessary due to the weather conditions, families will be notified by:

A phone call, text message and email
A post on Gahanna-Jefferson social media pages
A pop-up alert on the GJPS website, www.gahannaschools.org.
The following media outlets will also be notified: WCMH NBC4, WBNS 10TV, WSYX ABC6, WTTE FOX28, Spectrum News 1 and WTVN/WNCI.

If you are unsure, please be sure to check any variety of these platforms for an official announcement if there is a closure or delay.

GMSE 8th grade American History students recently brought the legislative process to life through an immersive Legislative Branch Simulation! Students drafted bills, revised them using feedback from both chambers and finalized polished legislation that was presented during a congressional hearing. Bills were debated, voted on in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and if passed by a majority, sent to the President for approval or veto.

Mrs. Caudill’s classes represented the House of Representatives, and Mr. Schlabach’s classes served as the Senate. President Mrs. Montgomery presided over the simulation, while her ELA classes served as reporters, analyzing each bill and crafting potential news headlines.

Several class periods were also joined by special guests, including Ohio State Representative Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, who shared her real-world experience in the Ohio House and commended students for their diplomacy and collaboration. Superintendent Dr. Deagle also attended, as students presented bills inspired by real research-based decisions made in our District.

Students not only delivered impressive presentations, but also engaged deeply in authentic civic discourse, collaborating, debating and problem-solving through a real-world process that sparked meaningful discussion and learning.

Join the Cleveland Cavaliers for Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools Day on March 8! Join your neighbors and fellow GJPS families at Rocket Arena in Cleveland as the Cavs take on the Boston Celtics! The team is offering discounted tickets to our community and everyone that purchases a ticket will have the opportunity to watch Early Entry Warmups in the lower bowl! Cheer on the Cavs alongside your community!

Dec. 22, 2025-Jan. 1, 2026: Winter Break - No School
Jan. 2, 2026: Staff Work Day - No School
*Jan. 5-8, 2026: High School Schedule Altered for New Building Opening

Jan. 10, 2026: Ribbon Cutting and Community Tours for New GLHS
Jan. 19, 2026: Martin Luther King Day - No School
Feb. 13, 2026: PD Day - No School
Feb. 16, 2026: Presidents Day - No School
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

2025-26 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)

Building Pride for Our Future

In November 2020, voters in the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools district approved a bond and operating levy to fund Phase Two of the GJPS Master Facilities Plan.

Phase Two of the Master Facilities Plan Includes:

Additions and renovations to High Point and Blacklick Elementary
Additions and renovations to Middle School East
New Lincoln High School on current site

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