A Trip Down Goshen Lane

Hello, Families,

👉 There is no school for students Friday, May 1. 👈

This week our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders experienced their first of three live SOAR (Strength. Ownership. Accountability. Rise.) sessions. "Our dance residencies use live music and clear, structured lessons to build confidence, teamwork, and joy in learning. Movement becomes a tool for growth—helping students rise to their potential while celebrating one another along the way." Students rose to the challenge, broke a sweat, and began learning some lessons about confidence strength, ownership, accountability and rising along the way. To learn more, visit Soar with Dance.

Our 3rd grade mathematicians and 5th grade scientists worked hard on their Ohio State Tests this week. Next week, we cheer on our 4th and 5th grade mathematicians.

We can't wait to dance away with our students this evening at the Goshen Lane Glow Dance Party, 6:00-8:00.

Don't miss information below about next week's Book Fair and Art Show, the upcoming We Are the World event, Teacher Appreciation Week, and more.

Sharon Suriano

This week 4th grade has been exploring Snap Circuits to learn more about electricity and how energy transfers from one form to another. Snap Circuits are an extremely engaging way for students to learn and explore some abstract concepts. The students were creating circuits with so many sounds, flying fans, and lights. Every time they completed a new circuit they were so excited. There was so much learning, laughter and fun with these concepts.

Fourth graders Regan B., Karter J., and Fatimah D. created a Fourth Grade Art Club when students meet once a week to learn about different kinds of art and drawing techniques from each other. As Karter said this week, "Be patient. Art has its own nature. It takes time!" You're one wise young lady, Karter! So proud of all fourth graders in art club for choosing to use one recess a week to learn something new together.

Let’s start this month’s glance at Media class by talking about bookfair! I start by saying we could use volunteers! This event is successful when we have some additional volunteers to help kids shop and find items. If you have a few free minutes in your day please consider coming to help. This event is the main way we fundraise to buy additional books for the library. This year we were able to purchase new sports books in areas such as hockey, snowboarding, skating, and other olympics sports to support our Olympics unit. That purchase would not have been able if it wasn’t for you and your student’s support of our bookfairs. My goal for this bookfair is to purchase additional updated nonfiction books to improve the nonfiction section for our students.

Your student will shop on their library day during their class time, except Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Bojanowski’s class. Mrs. Bojanowski’s class will shop from 9:05- 9:55am and Mrs.Thomas’s class will shop from 12:15-1:00pm.

This year’s book fair will run like last year. It will be cash only. There will be no sales tax to worry about either. Shopping days are 4/28-4/30. Please talk with your student about the expectations they have if they can shop at the bookfair. If they need to buy books or such please make sure they know and have a plan to shop. If your student is allowed to share funds or buy a trinket for a friend please have that conversation so they know if they are allowed to or not.

I have been collecting and gathering items for this year for a year so there will be a wide variety of things for purchase. There will be a mix of new items and gently used items at affordable prices for students. My goal is to make sure students leave with something, be it a book or a small trinket. Through collecting items all year and having a mix of new and gently used items we can control the prices and help keep things affordable for all students. Please know that no refunds can occur, an exchange of items is how things will be handled. If you have children’s books at home you’d like to rehome, consider bringing them in so we can help get more books into our students' hands. If you want to shop with your child you may come during their class time, but remember to check in with the office. Bookfair items will also be available during the We Are The World Night, while supplies last, so there are several chances to shop. If your student misses a shopping day there will be a time to make it up on a student by student basis

With all the bookfair talk out of the way lets look at other things students have been learning this month.This month 2-3 graders looked at trends and breaking down how to look at them critically. We looked at how products can be promoted by influencers and companies in order to get consumers to buy them. Students worked at understanding the Stanley cup trend and thinking through the trend and understanding how people are influenced to buy a new product. Students then looked critically at other ads and videos to understand how they might be influencing people.

4-5 looked at sifting through information to check sources and know what things are truthful and which aren’t. These students looked at a news article to think critically about if it was true or not. We looked at the article about chocolate milk coming from brown cows. Students then used the S.I.F.T method to figure out if the claim was true or false. First they stopped and thought about if the information could be false. Then they investigated and looked at other resources to find if the claim was correct. Then they had to think about it to understand. Students also found out 7 percent of adults believe chocolate milk comes from brown cows. Students were able to understand that the claim was not true and can now investigate on their own instead of just jumping to conclusions that something must be made by AI.

K-1 students have been looking at digital footprints and understanding how when we visit sites or post things online, that it lives on there. We talked about the importance of being careful what you post. We also looked at the algorithm and how it works to figure out things based on clues and other connections. We talked about how it can predict correct connections with a small amount of information.

The last day for book check out for all students is Friday 4/28. Please make sure that your student starts to bring all their missing books back before the end of the school year. We will have time in class in the month of May to go through the shelves and books that need repaired in order to make sure all lost books are returned and accounted for. If you aren’t sure what your student is missing, a slip will be going home in May. Remind your student to double check their cubbies and backpacks, bookshelves at home as well. Thanks for your support in helping get books returned.

Questions to ask your student:

What has surprised you about being a digital citizen online?
Did you think chocolate milk came from brown cows?

The time is here for We Are the World! Goshen Lane hosts this family event each year to celebrate cultures and art at our school. We hope you join us on Wednesday, May 6th from 5pm - 7pm for an evening full of family fun and learning! Bring some food to share and try some things from another culture! There will be an art show, small book fair, and a variety of activities. We hope to see you there!

At Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools, we have traditionally used an August 1 cutoff for kindergarten eligibility.

Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, new state legislation creates a single, statewide standard. Children must be five years old on or before the first day of instruction in the enrolling district to be eligible for kindergarten. For GJPS, this means children must be five years old on or before August 20, 2026 to be eligible for kindergarten registration.

Registration for new GJPS kindergarten students for the 2026-27 school year is open.

If you have an incoming Goshen Lane kindergartner in 2026-27, SAVE THE DATE for our Kindergarten Kickoff May 12, 6:00-7:00. We can't wait to welcome our newest Little Lions!

Click Here for GJPS Kindergarten Enrollment Information

Special Education Survey Available

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) would like to invite you to participate in a short, 25 question survey about your involvement in your student’s education.

Research suggests that parental involvement is a key predictor of positive educational outcomes. You may be eligible to participate if your child has an IEP and receives special education services. The purpose of collecting this information is to improve services for students with disabilities across Ohio.

If you are eligible to participate and you enroll in the study, you will be entered in a drawing for several $50 Amazon gift cards. Please click on this link to find out more about the survey and if you are eligible.

Enrollment Balancing Survey Reopened

Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools is reviewing enrollment patterns and building capacities across our schools. Given the details of the enrollment report presented at our February Board of Education meeting, it is important for the District to begin evaluating ways to provide relief to buildings that are at or near capacity and develop a plan that provides better utilization of our spaces.

As we work through this process, we want to hear from you. Please weigh in with what you think the priorities should be while working on balancing enrollment between our buildings.

Please note that this is your opportunity to have your voice heard in this process. The deadline to complete the survey is April 27, 2026.

As plans are developed, families at impacted schools will receive additional information. Any changes made would not take effect until the 2027-28 school year.

Complete the Survey!

Registration is now open and spots are limited! Join this free summer event and grow your love for reading, too! This year’s theme celebrates the USA’s 250th birthday, and they've created a patriotic, kid‑friendly reading adventure to match.

Brutus’ 2026 Summer Reading Challenge

As we approach our upcoming Ohio State Tests, we want to thank our students and families for the continued support in helping our learners do their best each day. These assessments provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their growth and the skills they have been building throughout the year. We encourage families to help students come to school well-rested, on time, and ready to show what they know. Please schedule appointments on days your student is not testing. We are proud of the hard work our students and teachers have put in, and we look forward to celebrating their efforts and accomplishments!

Please see the Grade 3-5 testing details below.

Ongoing Fundraisers:

Goshen Lane Spirit Wear

Kroger Community Rewards-- Use code: GA915 for Goshen Lane

Box Tops for Education--Download the app today!

Thank You,

Goshen Lane PTA

Click This Box for All Live Links to PTA Information

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.

Lions Locker is an anonymous pantry located at Gahanna Lincoln High School. They provide food, toiletries, school supplies and other basic necessities to PreK-12 students of Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools.

If your family is in need of these basic items please reach out to Mrs. Cellar, School Counselor (cellarl@gjps.org) and she will work with Lions Locker as well as other local organizations to support your family through these need based programs.

If your student is in need of after school care, the YWCA Columbus offers services right here at Goshen Lane. There is an option to receive publicly funded childcare for those who apply and qualify. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact them directly.

Mark Your Calendars!

April 24 - School Dance

April 28 - 30: Book Fair

May 1 - PD Day, No school for students

May 4-8 - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 6, 5:00-7:00 We Are the World, Art Show

May 12, 6:00-7:00 Kindergarten Kickoff

May 12, 7:00 PM - PTA Meeting

May 19, 1:30-2:40 - Senior Clap Out

May 20 - Field Day

May 22: Last Day of School

May 28: Quarter 4 Report Cards

Important District Links

2025-2026 District Calendar

Student Handbook

Bus Schedule and Routes

A Trip Down Goshen Lane