Blacklick Bulletin

Dear Blacklick Families,

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful and restful spring break filled with time to relax, recharge, and enjoy moments together.

As we return to school, we are excited to jump back into learning and continue making great progress this school year. The weeks ahead are full of important learning opportunities, activities, and growth for our students, and we look forward to finishing the year strong.

Please help your child transition back into routine by ensuring they are well-rested, prepared, and ready to learn each day. As always, your continued support makes a meaningful difference in your child’s success.

If you have any questions or need anything as we begin this next stretch of the school year, feel free to reach out at 614-759-5100 or by email at grovesk@gjps.org.

Respectfully,

Kristen Groves

State testing begins this week in grade 4! We encourage families to help students come to school well-rested, on time, and ready to show what they know.

We kindly ask that you avoid scheduling appointments on days testing days if at all possible. The testing schedule is listed below for grades 3, 4, and 5.

We are proud of the hard work our students and teachers have put in, and we look forward to celebrating their efforts and accomplishments!

As we head into the warmer spring months, we often see an increase in students wanting to bring items from home to enjoy during recess or share with friends. While we appreciate their excitement, we ask for your partnership in reminding students to make appropriate choices about what they bring to school. Items such as toys, gadgets, and especially any objects that resemble weapons, even if they are toys, are not permitted at school. These items can create concern and disrupt our learning environment and could result in disciplinary action. Thank you for your support in helping us maintain a safe and positive school community for all students.

Child sexual abuse prevention is required to be provided to students in grades K through 6 under Ohio law. Instruction is to occur annually and include information on available counseling and resources for children who are sexually abused. These guidance lessons will begin at Blacklick the week of April 16.

Upon written request of the student's parent or guardian, a student can be excused from taking instruction in child sexual abuse prevention, dating violence prevention, sexual violence prevention and/or suicide awareness and prevention education by completing this opt-out form. If you have any specific questions about these lessons, please reach out to our guidance staff - Mrs. Warfield (warfieldc@gjps.org) and/or Mrs. Jenkins (jenkinsd@gjps.org).

Strides for Pride is our one and only fundraiser of the year that is organized by our PRIDE Partner PTO. We will need many volunteers to make this even successful. There are openings for setting up and tearing down, activity stations and classroom chaperones. Times for each shift are noted.

Please click on the link below to sign up to volunteer:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054DADAB2CA6F49-62970110-2026

The Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO is selling Strides For PRIDE t-shirts for adults! If you are interested, please see below! All Blacklick students will receive a t-shirt the day of the event (May 8). Student t-shirts are paid for by the PRIDE Partner PTO.

2nd Graders wrapped up a pickleball unit. The students developed their ability to use a forehand strike and backhand strike with a paddle. They were able to engage in modified games with a partner and 2v2 games.

PTO Officers for 2025-2026

Kristin Stewart - President

Jess Waxler - Vice President

Emily Smith - Treasurer

Laura Valido - Secretary

Andrea Stump - Board Elect

Need to contact the PTO?

PTOBlacklick@gmail.com

We are thrilled to announce our fundraising partnership with Minted this holiday season. Please support the Blacklick Elementary School Pride Partner PTO by using our unique promo code “FUNDRAISEBLACKLICK” to purchase your holiday cards and gifts from Minted (www.minted.com). You’ll receive 20% off your order and 10% of each purchase will be donated back to the PTO at the end of the year.

The Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO is already planning for Teacher Appreciation Week (that is scheduled for May 2026). If you are interested in donating an item for Teacher Appreciation Week, please click on the link below:

Teacher Appreciation Wish List

Please click on the link for the Blacklick Family Directory 2025-2026.

A big thank you to Mrs. Stump and the Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO for putting this directory together for our families this year!

Please make sure students are dressed warmly for recess as the weather gets colder. We will be outside for recess unless the temperature falls below 17 degrees.

If you need coats, hats, or gloves, please reach out to Mrs. Groves, Mrs. Warfield or Mrs. Jenkins.

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.

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.

BES Favorite Things 25-26

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!

Staff Tribute: Share Your Thanks

2025-2026 Food Service Information

A plate lunch is $2.75.

Breakfast is $1.50. *Breakfast runs from 7:50 - 8:05 AM each day.

Lunch Menu

Breakfast Menu

Families are again asked to complete and submit a 2025-2026 Free/Reduced-Priced Meal Application if they believe they may qualify. Applications are available in the Blacklick school office or online at: GahannaSchools.org. If approved, the completed application will cover the student for the entire 2025-2026 school year, and no other steps will be necessary unless there is an income change during the school year.

Ohio State Testing Dates are ready for the 2025-2026 school year. Please avoid scheduling vacations or appointments over these dates.

Kindergarten enrollment dates have historically varied across Ohio, with districts choosing either an August 1 or September 30 age cutoff. 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 begins February 23, 2026.

The Eastland-Fairfield Career Center is excited to announce registration for summer camp for students entering currently in grades 5-7 on Monday, February 9th. Please note that sessions will fill quickly.

Dates: June 2nd & 3rd

Times: 8:40-11:00am (morning session); 12:05-2:25pm (afternoon session)

Lunch: If you choose both sessions, students will need to bring a sack lunch.

Location: Eastland Career Center, 4465 S. Hamilton Rd., Groveport OH 43125

Price: FREE!!
Transportation: Not provided

Registration: Eastland-Fairfield website (Registration will end on April 10th)

Do you know a staff member who you feel makes a profound impact on students and Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools? If so, nominate them for the GJPS Heart and Pride award. This award is open to any staff member. regardless of position. Each month, the district will take the nominations to the Heart and Pride Committee, which is composed of community members and former staff members. The committee will select two winners a month that will be recognized by our Board of Education at the monthly meeting. If you have a staff member in mind, please complete THIS GOOGLE FORM. Nominations can take place all year.

Mar. 30-April 3: Spring Break- No School

May 1: No School for Students
May 8: Strides for PRIDE Day!

May 15: Talent Show - Grade 5 Students

May 21: Field Day

May 22: Last Day of School for Students

May 26: Teacher Work Day (Last day for staff)

May 28: Report Cards Released to Families