Blacklick Bulletin

Dear Blacklick Families:

We are really looking forward to Donuts with Grown Ups that is scheduled for this week. In order to accommodate all of our families, we kindly ask that you follow the schedule below:

Tuesday, 3/5/24 – Last name A – F

Wednesday, 3/6/24 – Last name G – M

Thursday, 3/7/24 – Last name N – Z

We ask for all families to enter the building through the doors which enter into the new cafeteria flex space. Doors will open at 7:20 AM. Students will be dismissed to go to class at 7:45 AM.

In addition, there is no school for students on Friday, March 8 and Monday, March 11. I hope you enjoy the long weekend.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at 614-759-5100 or by email at grovesk@gjps.org.

Respectfully,

Kristen Groves

This is to serve as notification that Senate Bill 288 has altered Ohio Revised Code 3313.60 to require that children in grades kindergarten through six receive annual developmentally appropriate instruction in child sexual abuse prevention.

School districts must notify the parents and legal guardians of the following information:

• Instruction in child sexual abuse prevention is a required part of the district's curriculum;

• Upon request, parents and legal guardians may examine instructional materials (see below);

• Upon written request of the student's parent or guardian, a student can be excused from taking instruction in child sexual abuse prevention.

As recommended by the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce, our district will be using the SPEAK UP lessons developed by The Foundation United.

If you DO NOT want your child to participate in this lesson, please complete the OPT OUT Form that is linked below:

HB123 & SB288 Parent Opt-Out Form

**Please complete the Opt Out form by Friday, March 8.

**This is the same opt out form that was included in a district email last Friday.

*Instruction will be delivered by Mr. Rediger in grades K-2 and Mrs. Warfield in grades 3-5. Mr. Rediger and Mrs. Warfield are our school guidance counselors. Attached below are the slides that will be used to present the information to students as well as an overview of the program.

LINKS:

Program Overview

Senate Bill 288 Information and Resources

K-2 Presentation

3-5 Presentation

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Groves (grovesk@gjps.org), Mrs. Warfield (warfieldc@gjps.org) or Mr. Rediger (redigern@gjps.org).

Is your child missing a coat, sweatshirt, hat, waterbottle, lunchbox? It might be in the lost and found. Our lost and found in the back hallway is OVERFLOWING!

Please click on the link for detailed photos of items currently in the lost and found at Blacklick: https://photos.app.goo.gl/U4moHSbLzbZdT5ox6

Thank you to Mrs. Miller for organizing our lost and found area! We appreciate your time!

The Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO is looking to fill the VICE PRESIDENT and TREASURER POSITIONS for the 2024-2025 school year. The nomination form can be picked up in the school office.

Any Blacklick staff member or parent of a K – 5th grade student for the 2024-2025 school year may nominate themselves or another individual for the position.

Detailed information for each position is outlined below for anyone interested:

Treasurer. The Secretary shall (a) receive all monies of the PTO and deposit said monies in the appropriate accounts of the PTO, (b) be an authorized signatory of all checks of the PTO, (c) pay out funds in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and the approval of the PTO Board, (d) keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures of the PTO, (e) prepare a budget of the PTO for the following school year, (f) present such budget for discussion and approval at the annual meeting of the PTO in May, (g) prepare and present a written financial report of the PTO at all regular meetings and at such other times requested by the PTO Board, (h) prepare and present the PTO Board Report at the August meeting of the PTO for the previous fiscal year, (i) prepare and file the Form 990 of the PTO, (j) be prepared for an audit of the books of the PTO at any time by two members of the PTO appointed by the PTO Board, and (k) perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the PTO Board.

*Completed forms need to be turned into the school office by Wednesday, March 6th at 3:30 PM. Voting will take place at the March 12 PTO meeting at 7:00 PM.

Finding out what goes on at school from your child can be hard. YOU ask a question and get a simple one word answer. Try the discussion starters pictured below. They are designed to engage you child and get them to expand sharing. Try them out and let us know if they work!

Check out our latest safety video featuring GJPS Superintendent Dr. Deagle and Gahanna Division of Police Chief Spence talking about firearm storage safety and highlighting the risks of look-alike weapons.

The Ohio State Testing schedule is outlined below for students in grades 3, 4, and 5. We kindly ask that you avoid scheduling planned dental and/or doctor appointments on these dates. We really appreciate your support and understanding!

WHAT IS STRIDES FOR PRIDE?

• Strides for PRIDE is our one and only fundraiser of the year that is organized by our

PRIDE Partner PTO. This year it is on May 10th!

• Students rotate to various activities and games outside, walk on a designated track, and

visit vendor stations with their classmates and teacher.

• ALL students receive a FREE Strides for PRIDE t-shirt from the PTO. Parents can purchase

one for themselves for $12.

• Students can earn prizes for participation.

HOW IS MONEY RAISED?

• Donations – Students collect money from family, friends, and/or familiar neighbors/community members.

• Corporate Sponsor Contributions – watch for information in your child's PRIDE folder in the coming weeks.

• Silent Auction Items – Family and Friends can bid on items in ourvirtual auction - 100% of proceeds goback to Blacklick!

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

• Parents/guardians are welcome to attend the event at the school on May 10th.

• Classroom chaperones will be needed to escort the children from activity to activity.

• Volunteers will be needed for setup and activity stations.

• Parents/guardians/family members/friends can bid on dozens of Silent Auction Items

The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, 2024 in the library at 6:30 PM.

BES Staff Favorite Things

The Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO has complied a list of the staff's favorite things. It is important to understand the teachers are not asking for gifts. We know that many parents might want to get their child's teacher a gift and this list is to help you select something the teacher would like. Please do not feel obligated to buy a gift for your child's teachers/staff members. A thoughtful note from you and/or your child at any time of the year is appreciated just as much or more as any gift.

If you believe your family may qualify for free/reduced-price meals, please apply online for free or reduced-price meal benefits with these easy steps:

1. Sign in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
2. Choose "MORE" in the left-hand column.
3. Choose "MEAL BENEFITS".

RELATED LINKS

GJPS Food Service Webpage

Free/Reduced-Price Meal Benefits Online Application Tutorial (PDF)

Free/Reduced-Price Meal Benefits Paper Application (PDF)

March 5, 6, 7 Donuts with Grownups - Sponsored by the PTO - Please RSVP

March 8 Conference Comp Day - No School for Students or Staff

March 11 Professional Learning Day - No School for Students

March 12 PTO Meeting @ 6:30 PM

March 29 No School for Students or Staff

April 8 - 12 Spring Break

April 16 PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM

May 6-10 Staff Appreciation Week

May 10 Strides for PRIDE Fundraiser

May 17 Talent Show for grades 4 and 5

May 21 PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM

May 23 Field Day

May 24 Grade 5 Recognition PRIDE Talk @ 8:30 AM

May 24 Grade 5 Clap Out @ 2:00 PM

Updated 2023-2024 School Calendar

2023-2024 School Menus

BUS SCHEDULE AND ROUTES FOR 2023-24