Blacklick Bulletin
Week of May 5, 2025
A Message from Principal Groves
Dear Blacklick Families:
Our 3rd-5th grade students made it through state testing! Thank you for making sure students arrived to school on time and ready to go! These next few weeks are going to be very busy. We still have a lot of learning that will be taking place in classrooms to prepare our students for their next grade level throughout the end of the school year!
Strides for PRIDE is finally here!
We have an exciting week ahead! We are all REALLY looking forward to our Strides for PRIDE event this Friday! Thank you to all families that made a donation! We so appreciate your kindness! **The event will take place rain or shine on Friday! Look for specific details regarding our Strides event in your email this week!
**If you would still like to volunteer, please click on the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054DADAB2CA6F49-54488671-2025
In addition, it is BLACKLICK STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK! We have such an amazing staff at Blacklick. Thank you to the PRIDE Partner PTO for organizing a wonderful week celebrating our staff. See the details listed below.
Respectfully,
Kristen Groves
Strides for PRIDE - SILENT AUCTION - Starts this WEDNESDAY!
Blacklick Strides for PRIDE Silent Auction Information:
The online auction will be open for bidding beginning Wednesday May 7th at 10:00am, with final bids due Friday May 9th at 7:00pm. With more than 150 items for bid, there is undoubtedly something for every interest and taste!
Find the auction at: https://ourschool.auction/blacklicks4p2025 and start browsing* now! Additional information, including pick-up details can be found below.
*Items subject to slight changes prior to auction start time.
Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization)
All Parents/Guardians are WELCOME and ENCOURAGED to Attend Our PTO Meetings!
The next meeting will be held this Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 6:30 PM in the Blacklick library. We will be finalizing plans for our Strides for PRIDE event.
PTO Officers for 2024-2025
Karen Davidson - President
Kristin Stewart- Vice President
Ashley Dean - Treasurer
Jess Waxler - Secretary
PTO Officers for 2025-2026 voted in during the March 11 meeting:
Kristin Stewart - President
Jess Waxler - Vice President
Laura Valido - Secretary
Emily Smith - Treasurer
Board Elect - Andrea Stump
Need to contact the PTO?
Field Day Volunteers Needed - May 21, 2025
Please volunteer to join us for Field Day on Wednesday, May 21!
We need help running stations for grades 3-5 in the morning and K-2 in the afternoon - or both, if you're really excited about the fun day!
Reach out to Mrs. Ball, Mrs. Perkins, or Mrs. Wolfe with any questions. Thank you!
Related Arts Spotlight - Grade 5
Art in Grade 4
4th graders have been developing their blending skills! We are doing drawings of close up dragon eyes, and students get the choice of working with oil pastel or colored pencil. It has been so fun seeing these elemental dragons come to life with color!
Music in Grade 4
4th graders will be wrapping up their Recorder Karate unit and will be moving on to Ukuleles! Congratulations to all the students who earned a “Black Belt”!
We will end the year by learning basic chords and strumming patterns on the ukulele.
Library in Grade 4
Fourth graders did a poetry blitz of Blacklick this month. They found or wrote poems that they liked and, after approval, hung them around Blacklick.
In May, we will continue to read books and compare them to previous lessons we have learned.
Counseling Corner - From Mrs. Warfield and Mrs. Jenkins
Concord Counseling Services is offering summer groups! Click HERE to get access to early registration.
School Supply Kits to 2025-2026
This year we are offering families a way to order school supplies for the 2025-2026 school year online. You can pre-order your supplies by clicking the link below. The deadline to order is July 1st. All online orders will be shipped to your home.
Summer Family Reading Bingo
Register for Kindergarten for 2025-2026
News from the Cafeteria: Lunch Payments
Please check your child's lunch account balance and add money to avoid negative balances. Students are not permitted to have a negative balance and may not be allowed to get a hot lunch with a negative balance. Use the link below for directions on accessing your child's lunch count.
Share your Thanks for a Blacklick Staff Member!
Dear Parents,
We invite you to share a few kind words or a heartfelt message for your child's teacher or Blacklick staff member. Our staff works tirelessly to provide the best education and support for our children, and your appreciation can make a significant impact on their day.
Please take a moment to express your gratitude, share a positive experience, or simply say thank you.
Your messages will be shared with the staff member to brighten their day and acknowledge their hard work and dedication.
Thank you for your participation and support!
BES Staff Favorite Things
A list has been complied of the Blacklick 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.
News from the Blacklick Cafeteria: Friday Pizza Rotation
ABCD Related Arts Rotation Calendar 2024-2025
GJPS Elementary Student Handbook 24-25
Important Links for Families
Please visit You can find almost anything you need on our website
- Infinite Campus: Please log in to the parent portal and complete the Annual Information Update. Update all Emergency Medical Forms, make sure all contact information is current, apply money to lunch accounts, and more! Click Here for DIRECTIONS
- Bus Information: find your student's bus route, contact information, and download the bus app.
- District Calendar
- Free and Reduced Lunch Applications: Apply for free or reduced price lunch using the Parent Portal. Directions and more information can be found on the Food Service Website. If you need assistance please contact our head cook, Lisa Hughes at hughesl@gjps.org.
- LUNCH MENU LINK with ingredient information.
Blacklick School Events
Mark Your Calendar!
May 9, 2025: Strides For PRIDE
May 16, 2025: Talent Show
May 21, 2025: Field Day
May 23, 2025: Grade 5 Certificate Ceremony @ 9:00 AM
May 23, 2025: Grade 5 Clap Out @ 2:35 PM
May 23, 2025: Last Day of School for Students
Summer Opportunities for GJPS Families
Heart and PRIDE Award Nominations
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. Families are encourage to nominate a staff member today! The Heart & Pride Nomination Form will remain available year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.
Blacklick, Ohio 43004
614-759-5100