March 7, 2025

It is great to be welcoming the warm weather, and we should celebrate the end of cold winter days and indoor recess. With the sunshine and rising temperatures, it’s important that we remain committed to our Jefferson Leader expectations of being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible. While these goals encompass a lot, I want to highlight two areas, keeping our hands and feet to ourselves and staying focused on our academic work.

Typically, when the temperatures rise, so do our energy levels, which can lead to some impulsive behaviors. The simple expectation of keeping hands and feet to ourselves can help avoid many other problems.

When grade cards come home next week, please take the time to review them with your child. This is a great opportunity to discuss their progress and to set some academic goals as we finish the last nine weeks of the school year strong!

I encourage you to support our efforts in reviewing these expectations by discussing them at home with your children.

Enjoy the long weekend, and remember that students will return to school on Tuesday.

Thank you for your continued support!

Class Picture day is Tuesday. Students will be photographed head to toe as a whole class. Check your email for details from HR Imaging or go to their website to order. https://shop.hrimaging.com/pws/orghome.aspx?oid=10854

A few safety reminders and traffic expectations:

1) 20 MPH School Zone Speed Limit along Carpenter Road from Shull Ave to North High Street.

2) Right Turn only when leaving the student pick up and drop off line. (Traffic Light Exit)

3) Use your turn signal to indicate you are turning into parking lots.

4)No cell phone use in the car drop-off or pick-up line. We need your undivided attention on the surrounding area. Phone Down- It's The Law.

Senate Bill 288 has recently altered Ohio Revised Code 3313.60 in regard to prescribed curriculum. More specifically Ohio Law, now requires that developmentally appropriate instruction in child sexual abuse prevention, dating violence prevention and sexual violence prevention be included in schools' prescribed curriculum. Instruction and information provided cannot be connected in any way to any individual, entity or organization that provides, promotes, counsels or makes referrals for abortion, or abortion-related services.

Grades K-6:

Child sexual abuse prevention is required to be provided to students in grades K through 6. Instruction is to occur annually and include information on available counseling and resources for children who are sexually abused.

Parent/Guardian Excusal

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.

Learn more about House Bill 123 and Senate Bill 288 at GJPS.

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

We are in need of a few volunteers to assist us with end of the year events. Please review the email below and email the contact teacher listed if you are interested in volunteering.

Thank you!

The Fifth Grade Teachers

Volunteer Needed:

5th Grade Slideshow!

Each year, on the last day of school, fifth graders, with any special guests, enjoy reflecting on their elementary school days by watching a 10-15 minute slideshow of pictures set to music. The fifth grade team is looking for a volunteer to put the slideshow together. Teachers will coordinate collecting pictures and share them via a folder on Google Drive with the slideshow creator by April 11th. The slideshow will need to be ready May 14th.

*Previous experience with creating slideshow is highly recommended!*

The fifth grade teachers will draw a name if there are multiple people interested in the job! We’ll reach out to you by March 12th!

Please email Mrs. Higginbotham at higginbothamv@gjps.org if you are interested in this role by March 10th!

Party-Planners Needed:

5th Grade Party

The Jefferson PTO sponsors a celebration for the fifth graders in May of every year! In previous years our fifth graders enjoyed time at Skate Zone 71 or Urban Air during the school day and had a blast!

We are looking for a team of volunteers who will organize, collect donations, and then attend our fifth grade celebration for this school year. Members of the team will need to communicate often with the fifth grade teachers about the event.

We are hoping to have at least one representative from each classroom to help plan the party. If we have several volunteers, we will draw names out of a hat with a max of 6 party-planners for the grade level! The fifth grade teachers will reach out to you by March 12th.

Please email Mrs. Keyes at keyesa@gjps.org that you are interested by March 10th.

Thank you!

*if you are interested in donating items for the party or just volunteering to be at the party - be on the lookout for a Sign Up Genius in May!

Below is our spring Ohio State Testing Schedule for grades 3, 4, and 5 students. Testing will begin in the morning. We kindly ask that you avoid planned absences or planned medical appointments on these dates. Thank you for your support and understanding.

*4th grade link now added!

Check for emails from Miss Raynewater for full details.

Click below to RSVP for the performances.

FIRST GRADE RSVP

SECOND GRADE RSVP

THIRD GRADE RSVP

FOURTH GRADE RSVP

4th grade RSVP will be available at a later date.

See details below.

Each PTO Board Member and Committee Chair term has been reduced to one year. Therefore, all Board and Committee Chair positions are open for the 2025-2026 school year!

Please review all positions & descriptions within the following form. By signing up for one or more slots, you are simply expressing interest and are not yet committed to the role. The PTO Board will be in touch to discuss further and answer any questions you may have. Feel free to reach out to Mr. Schmidt with questions as well.

March 10 No School Teacher Work Day

March 11 Class Group Panoramic Picture Day

March 11 Skate Party

March 12 PTO Meeting 7:00 pm (DATE CHANGE!)

March 14 Reports Cards Sent Home

March 18 1st Grade Music Performance @ 6:00 pm
March 18 2nd Grade Music Performance @ 7:00 pm

March 19 Zupa Dine Out Night
March 25 3rd Grade Music Performance @7:00 pm with 5th Grade Choir

Spring Break Monday, March 31- Friday, April 4
April 15 4th Grade Music Performance @7:00 pm with 5th Grade Choir

April 18 No School Conference Comp Day

April 24 5th Parent Orientation Meeting at Middle School East, 5:30 pm

April 25 School Dance: Grades K-2 6:00- 7:10 pm. (Free Event)

April 25 School Dance: Grades 3-5 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm (Free Event)

• Jefferson Elementary Events Calendar

ical Link to add Jefferson Calendar to your phone

LUNCH MENU LINK with ingredient information.

2024-25 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)

Pizza Rotation for Jefferson Elementary

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.

Please visit www.gahannaschools.org 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.
• 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, Kim Karshner Karshnerk@gjps.org

Join our Facebook Group and be part of the community. This group was created for Jefferson families and staff to support and celebrate our students and school. It's also a great place to ask questions of other parents and have support as you navigate the school year.

We are excited to see all the amazing and encouraging ways our families and staff connect with each other! This is a place for positive comments and a helpful resource for families. This is not the place to voice concerns. If you have an issue you would like to discuss, please get in touch with the staff member directly via email or call the school. This is a place to build on the sense of community within our Jefferson Family.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP