CES Chapelfield Communicator
Issue #11: October 23, 2026
Principal Corner
Happy Friday, CES families.
We had a fantastic start to the second quarter this week! Our students are already working hard, setting new goals, and embracing new challenges.
Please check your child’s book bag today for their Quarter 1 Report Card. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child's progress, feel free to email their teacher directly. Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Nikki Miller
Need your HELP with Breakfast Arrival
If you child eats breakfast, we ask that you have them arrive at 7:50 a.m. Instruction begins at 8:05 a.m. We want to make sure they have time to eat and get to class on time.
3rd Grade State Testing
Our 3rd graders will take their state reading test on Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 28. We are so proud of how hard our students have been working to get ready!
Here are a few ways you can help your child do their best:
Make sure they get a good night’s sleep before each testing day.
Eat a healthy breakfast each morning.
Arrive to school on time so they can start the day calmly.
Offer encouragement and confidence—remind them to take their time and do their best!
We know our 3rd graders will shine! 🌟
Naglieri Assessment in Grades 2 & 5
Each year, around this time, students in our district are administered a cognitive ability test in accordance with Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-15.
Students in grades 2 and 5 will take the Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT) assessment during the month of November, and results are expected to be shared with families in December. Our grade 2 students will take this assessment on November 4 and our grade 5 students will take this assessment on November 10.
This is a standardized test given to many students across the country that measures reasoning abilities. The results of this test provides families and teachers with information that can be added to the overall classroom picture/profile of students’ ability, thereby helping to inform instructional decisions.
MAP & Acadience Scores
The fall Acadience Reading and MAP Reading and Math scores will be available for view in the Assessment section of the Parent Portal early next week. If you have questions about specific results, please contact your student’s teacher or building principal.
To access the Assessments section:
Login to the Parent Portal
Choose a Student
Select the Menu icon at the top of the page (three lines on the top, left side)
Select “More”
Select “Assessments”
Home Access to School Resources
Did you know your child can access their online educational apps at home like they do in school? These resources include Lexia and DreamBox, educational accounts to build reading and math skills. Click here to read how.
2026-2027 Gifted Visual & Performing Arts
Each year school districts in Ohio are required to offer an opportunity for students in grades K-12 to be identified as gifted in the area of Visual and Performing Arts. The identified areas of giftedness for Visual and Performing Arts include Visual Arts, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Drama/Theater, and Dance. If you know of a student that may be gifted in an area of the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and would like for them to be screened for possible gifted identification in that particular area, please complete the Visual and Performing Arts Nomination Form found through this link.
Click here to learn more about the two-phase VPA gifted identification process. Please keep in mind that this evaluation is for identification purposes only. There are no specialized classes offered to students identified as gifted in VPA; however, teachers can use this information to differentiate their lessons.
Please note: Once a student is identified as gifted in one of the Visual and Performing Arts categories (instrumental music, vocal music, dance, visual art, theater/drama), the student is not eligible to go through the nomination process again for the same category.
Nominations will be accepted until Sunday, November 15, 2026, and will only be accepted using the Google link above.
If you have any questions, please contact Colleen Boyle at gjpsgifted@gjps.org.
School Counseling Connection with Mrs. Jasin
Dear Families,
As the seasons change, we know that some families may need a little extra support. If your family is in need of resources such as winter coats/hats/gloves, food, or other basic needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out. The school counseling office can help connect you with local programs and community resources. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Best,
Mrs. Jasin
jasink@gjps.org / 478-5575 ext. 22143
Related Arts Corner
Art with Mrs. Karr
It’s been a busy month in the art room! Check out what each grade level has been up to…
Kindergarten and first grade just finished constructing their pinch pots and pinch pot pets. Along with handbuilding strategies like rolling, pinching, scoring and attaching, students also learned where clay comes from and the phases of clay. Construction of a ceramic piece is a longer process than most realize! Once our pieces are bone dry and bisque fired, we will begin bushing glaze onto our pieces next week and they will be fired a second time before they will be ready to enjoy and send home.
Second graders are exploring nature art! Students looked at examples of nature art and discussed its features such as being temporary as well as environmentally friendly. After creating our own nature art outside, we found a stick that we will turn into our own piece of nature art!
Third graders have been learning about the art of weaving. We designed paper strips with design scissors that were woven into a paper loom.
Fourth and fifth graders are both painting and discovering how to mix shades and tints. After a day or two of practice painting, fourth graders are beginning a color wheel painting and fifth graders are starting a monotone painting. I can’t wait to see what they make!
Crochet Club!
This year, fifth grade has an exciting opportunity to learn how to crochet! Once a week on D days during recess, students have the choice to work with Mrs. Karr and learn and practice their crochet skills. This is a mixed ability group with some students having no prior knowledge and others with more advanced skills. It has been great to see students teaching and learning from one another. I can’t wait to see their growth over time!
Fall Party Updates
Our Fall Party and Parade will take place on Friday, October 30 at 1:15 p.m. and we can’t wait to celebrate together! Teachers will be sending out information about in the next 2 weeks.
Parade and Costume Information:
- Students should not come to school wearing their costumes. Costumes may be put on at 1:00 p.m. before the parade begins.
- To ensure a fun and safe day for everyone, please help your child follow these Costume Guidelines:
- Costumes must be school-appropriate — no excessive gore, no weapon-like props, and modest coverage of the body.
- Masks may be worn during the parade only and should be put away once students are back inside the building.
- Staff will monitor costumes, and adjustments may be made if necessary.
Additional Information:
Homeroom Teachers via Room Parents will reach out to families for help and/or supplies for classroom parties.
If it rains, we will announce any parade cancellation at 11:00 a.m.
If the parade is canceled, Room Parents may begin setting up for classroom parties at 1:15 p.m., and parties will start at 1:35 p.m.
Only room parents and volunteers will be allowed to come in for the fall party. You MUST sign up to volunteer.
Thank you for helping us make this a safe and enjoyable celebration for all students!
Veterans Day Celebration
Let's Talk About Attendance! Why Every Minute Matters
Top 10 Reasons To Come to School Every Day 🏆
Check out what the Chapelfield Team has to say about attendance! Sound up!
Joining Classmates on Exciting Field Trips 🚌
2. Don't miss out on hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom, like visits to museums, nature centers, science centers, parks, and performances of all kinds. These enriching experiences help students figure out their passions.
Safety First-Visitor Procedures: MUST READ
If you are visiting Chapelfield for any reason, you will need to enter the building through the front doors.
We kindly ask that ALL visitors follow the steps below each and every time you visit Chapelfield:
1. Once at the front, exterior doors of the school, press the buzzer. A member of the office staff will ask your reason for visiting Chapelfield.
2. Once inside the vestibule, you will enter your drivers' license or state ID into the scanner. ALL visitors/guests/guardians need to scan their drivers license EACH and EVERY time they visit Chapelfield.
3. Once your license has been scanned and processed you will be permitted to enter the main office area to pick up your visitor/volunteer badge.
**As a reminder, if there is a non-guardian planning to visit Chapelfield for any reason (to eat lunch, read a book in the classroom, visit the bookfair, take your child to an appointment etc.), we ask that the guardian email the teacher and front office (gilzows@gjps.org ) to let us know prior to the visit.
Background Checks are needed each year for all volunteers!
To increase safety and security protocols, all GJPS volunteers who may have the potential to interact with students in an unsupervised setting or may have access to confidential information will be required to complete an online application that includes a background check. The district will provide the background checks at no cost to the volunteer. Background checks are required EACH school year. If you completed a background check last school year, you will need to complete the process again for the 2024-2025 school year.
EXAMPLES
- Examples of volunteer experiences include but are not limited to: cafeteria helpers, reading aides, mentors, hall monitors, field day volunteers, library helpers, office helpers, tutors, field trip chaperones, small group or individual student work in the hallway, party helpers, concession workers, fundraising volunteers, book fair volunteers, mobile dentist volunteers, etc.
Interested in Volunteering?
Click on the link below and fill out the necessary information:
Volunteer Form - Link is currently activated for the 25-26 school year!
Drop off and Pick Up reminders
News from the Cafeteria
2026-2027 Food Service Information
A plate lunch is $2.75.
Breakfast is $1.50. *Breakfast runs from 7:50 - 8:05 AM each day at Chapelfield.
Families MUST complete and submit a 2026-2027 Free/Reduced-Priced Meal Application if they believe they may qualify. Families MUST DO THIS EVERY YEAR.
Thank you PTO
PTO Updates
5th grade Committee Fundraiser: Domino's
PIZZA LOVERS… THIS ONE IS FOR YOU! 🍕❤️💙
Chapelfield Elementary is kicking off our Domino’s Donate for Dough Fundraiser, and trust me when I say… THIS IS SUCH A GOOD DEAL! 🙌
For just $20, you get a card that gives you BUY ONE LARGE PIZZA, GET ONE LARGE PIZZA FREE!
And the BEST part?! You can use it OVER AND OVER AGAIN until the card expires! 🤯
I'm telling you, I buy these cards every time! I've literally purchased 10 pizzas and gotten 10 FREE! 🙌 That's a whole lot of pizza savings!
🎄 And with the holidays coming up?! Think family gatherings, parties, sleepovers, football Sundays, and those nights when nobody feels like cooking! 😂
💙💛 BUT HERE'S THE REALLY IMPORTANT PART!
This fundraiser is helping support our Chapelfield 5th graders as they prepare for their BIG move to middle school next year! 🎓🥹
They have a bunch of fun activities and celebrations planned throughout their final year at Chapelfield, and we want to help make those last elementary school memories extra special! 💙💛
So not only are you getting an AMAZING pizza deal, you're helping our 5th graders finish their elementary school journey with some unforgettable experiences!
📅 Fundraiser: October 16–30
💲 Just $20 per card!
🍕 Buy one large pizza, get one FREE!
Scan the QR code on the flyer to get started! 📲
Let's sell some cards, eat some pizza, and make this an amazing year for our 5th graders! 🙌🍕
5th grade committee: Spirt Wear Sale
Sales end on 10/30/26
Community Connections
October Important Dates
Friday, October 23: Report Cards Released
Saturday, October 24:
*PTO and 5th grade outdoor learning space work day (more info coming soon) @ 10 a.m.
Tuesday, October 27: 3rd Grade ELA test part I
Wednesday, October 28: 3rd Grade ELA test part II
Thursday, October 29: Yearbook picture retake and 5th grade class picture
Friday, October 30: Fall Parade and Fall Parties at 1:15 p.m.
- Parade at 1:15 p.m. outside unless it rains. If it rains, it is canceled. All families are welcomed.
- Fall parties begin at 1:35 p.m. Volunteers ONLY are able to attend.
Save the dates
Ohio State Testing Dates are ready for the 2026-2027 school year. Please avoid scheduling vacations or appointments over these dates.
Important District Links
280 Chapelfield Road
Gahanna, OH 43230
614.478.5575
