GMSS -- Back-to-School Reminders
August 13, 2025
In that spirit, I wanted to send out one last message before we get underway. This message contains some reminders and a few bits of new information as well.
Thank you for your attention to these items. I promise you that we're going to make this year as great as possible!
Kris Fuller
MSS Principal
Flexibility is key in life, too, but ESPECIALLY at the start of a new year or new endeavor.
Every year, the first couple days of school can bring about a great many of emotions: excitement, happiness, comfort, relief ... but also frustration, confusion, and uneasiness.
Buses might be late, the drop-off line might be extra long, a student might lose their schedule, the bells might be off, the cafeteria might be chaotic, and students may be turned around. These things happen, but the good news is that they always resolve themselves with time and as wrinkles get ironed out!
The additional good news is that our teachers & staffs are PROS and are here to support your student through anything that comes up, no matter how frustrating it might feel in the moment.
We are one Middle School South community, and we've got this!
This message is for students taking French, German, or Chinese
8th Graders taking French, German, or Chinese at Lincoln High School will have a slightly different beginning to the day...
World Language classes at the High School begin at 8:35AM. All language classes are in "L Building," which faces Havens Corner Rd.
Students must ride the High School neighborhood bus to GLHS.
Families who choose to drop off their student at the HS must abide by the traffic flow map linked below. No exceptions.
Students will be dismissed from class at around 9:20AM and will board BUS 49 to return to Middle School South. Shuttle buses back to the middle schools will be waiting directly outside of "L Building."
Teachers will, of course, guide students through this whole process on Day 1!
The bell schedule above reflects an exciting change for our District beginning this year: all three Middle Schools -- South, East, and West -- are transitioning to a common bell schedule!
OUR GOAL:
To align instructional practices across all middle schools in the district
WHY THIS MATTERS:
It's important for all GJPS students to have the same opportunities and access to instruction & intervention regardless of which building they attend. This schedule alignment ensures a more equitable and cohesive student experience across East, South, and West.
WHAT'S NEW FOR OUR STUDENTS:
In addition to aligning daily schedules, we have added two key components to enhance student learning and support: a WIN Block for all students and a Rotation Period for 8th-grade students.
WIN BLOCK -- "What I Need":
All students will have a WIN Block build into their day. WIN is a structured period where students will work individually to enrich or reinforce current content, and staff can work with students individually or in small groups to:
- offer targeted interventions based on MAP and OST assessment data
- enrich current content
- support executive functioning skills (organization, time management, etc.)
- provide specially designed instruction for students with specific learning needs
The WIN Block ensures that all students receive the personalized academic support and enrichment they need without missing core instruction.
8TH GRADE ROTATION PERIOD:
In 6th and 7th grade, students have blocked ELA and Math classes, meaning each subject spans two class periods. However, in 8th grade, students no longer have these blocked classes due to the addition of a world-language course as a daily part of their schedule. With ELA and Math returning to a single-period format, this creates additional flexibility in the day, which led to the creation of "Rotation."
In addition to WIN, 8th-grade students will also have a Rotation Period, giving their core content teachers an opportunity to meet with students one additional time each week.
Rotation is a flexible period used to:
- reinforce or extend classroom content
- conduct lab work or small-group collaboration
- dive into problem-based or project-based learning
- adapt instruction based on student needs and interests for the specific class
At Middle School South, Rotation will place during 7th Period each day, following this weekly schedule:
Monday -- students see their 1st or 3rd Period academic teacher (whichever is not a related-arts class)
Tuesday -- students see their 4th Period teacher
Wednesday -- students see their 5th Period teacher
Thursday -- students see their 8th Period teacher
Friday -- students see their 9th Period teacher
This change was made through a thoughtful and collaborative process that included Building Principals, Curriculum Directors, Instructional Coaches, Team Leaders, and Staff.
Middle School South is GROWING! Unfortunately, the number of lockers we have available has not changed. In order to combat the lack of lockers as well as the number of students stopping at their lockers while all three grades transition every period, 8TH GRADE STUDENTS ONLY will be permitted to carry backpacks with them throughout the day.
On Monday, August 25th, our Assistant Principal, Mr. Bonath, will send out a Google Form to 8th-grade students to offer an opportunity to get a locker. We encourage 8th-grade students to try out the backpack system for at least a full week before deciding if they would like a locker or not.
Being able to carry backpacks requires awareness and a sense of responsibility. 8th-grade students who demonstrate that they cannot be responsible with their backpacks will have this privilege taken away!
The use of personal technology, including cell phones, smart watches, and headphones/earbuds is severely restricted at all middle schools.
While these items are permitted to be at school, but they must remain powered off and put away at all times during the day. This includes in class, at lunch/recess, and in the hallways.
Headphones/earbuds may not be worn in the hallway. If a teacher has instructed a student in 6th or 7th Grade to bring headphones to class for an activity, students must CARRY their headphones to the class. 8th Graders must keep their headphones/earbuds in their backpack at all times while in the hallways as well as during class unless explicitly directed by a teacher to use them for an activity.
Students are permitted to use cell phones while riding the bus.
Smart watches are also permitted, but should only be used as a clock while at school.
Students are not permitted to send or receive text messages or calls on cell phones or smart watches during the day. Additionally, photos may not be taken with cell phones or smart watches at school. On state testing days, smart watches are not permitted to be worn.
Infractions may result in a student’s device being taken by building staff and kept in the office until the end of the day. Multiple infractions of these policies will result in the parent/guardian of the student having to come retrieve the device in the main office as well as progressive discipline for the student.
If a parent/guardian needs to reach their student during the school day, they should call the school office.
The school is not responsible for cell phones or smart watches that are lost, stolen, or damaged.
The Fall is a huge time for Lions Athletics! Here's what our athletes are up to in August... Come cheer them on with us!
GIRLS' GOLF
8/18 -- Home v. Bexley MS (played in Blacklick) -- 5:10PM
8/20 -- Away v. Granville MS -- 4:45PM
8/25 -- Away v. Bexley MS (played in Blacklick) -- 5:10PM
8/28 -- Home v. Marysville Bunsold MS (played at Gahanna Municipal Golf Course) -- Time TBD
GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL
8/14 -- Scrimmage @ Pickerington Ridgeview MS -- 5:30PM
8/18 -- Home v. Big Walnut MS -- 5:30PM
8/20 -- Away @ Pickerington Lakeview MS -- 5:30PM
8/25 -- Away @ Reynoldsburg (MS TBD) -- 5:30PM
8/27 -- Home v. Canal Winchester MS -- 5:30PM
GIRLS' TENNIS
8/18 -- Home v. Eversole Run MS (played at Blacklick Athletic Complex) -- 5:30PM
8/19 -- Away @ Marysville Bunsold MS -- 5:30PM
8/21 -- Home v. New Albany MS (played at Blacklick Athletic Complex) -- 5:30PM
8/25 -- Home v. Pickerington Lakeview MS (played at Blacklick Athletic Complex) -- 5:30PM
8/27 -- Away @ Pickerington Ridgeview MS -- 5:30PM
8/28 -- Away @ Upper Arlington Hastings MS -- 5:30Pm
CROSS COUNTRY
8/18 -- New Albany Invitational -- 5:00PM
8/23 -- Whitehall Rosemore Invitational -- 9:00AM
8/26 -- Away @ Canal Winchester -- 6:00PM
BOYS' GOLF
8/14 -- v. Genoa MS (played in Blacklick) -- 4:30PM
8/19 -- v. Jackson MS (played in Blacklick) -- 4:30PM
8/25 -- @ Big Walnut -- time TBD
8th GRADE FOOTBALL
8/21 -- Home v. Harvest Prep Academy (played at GMSW) -- 5:30PM
8/27 -- Away @ Westerville Heritage & Genoa MS (played at Westerville Central HS) -- 6:00PM
7th GRADE FOOTBALL
8/14 -- Scrimmage v. Pickerington Ridgeview MS (played at GMSE) -- 5:30PM
8/20 -- Away @ Walnut Springs MS (played at Westerville South HS) -- 5:30PM
8/27 -- Home v. Westerville Heritage MS (played at GMSE) -- 5:30PM
Mark your calendar for the following dates...
Thursday, August 14: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS!
Tuesday, August 26: 6th Grade Open House (5:30P - 7P)
Monday, September 1: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
Thursday, September 4: 7th & 8th Grade Open House (5:30P - 7P)
Tuesday, September 23: Family Conferences (4P - 8P)
Thursday, September 25: Family Conferences (4P - 8P)
Wednesday, October 1: Family Conferences (4P - 8P)
