Weekly Update - Middle School South
April 13, 2026
Last week, we had a smooth & successful first round of OST Testing (state testing) when students in all grades completed their ELA (English Language Arts) Tests, Parts 1 and 2.
This week, we get to enjoy a brief rest from testing, but we'll be right back to it next week following the schedule below...
Tuesday, April 21: Math Testing, pt. 1 - all grades
Wednesday, April 22: Math Testing, pt. 2 - all grades
Tuesday, April 28: Science Testing, pts. 1 & 2 - 8TH GRADE ONLY
Please be reminded of the following information about OSTs (Ohio State Tests):
Purpose: Standardized assessments that measure student achievement and ensure schools meet educational standards.
Subjects & Grades: Required for grades 3-8 in ELA and Math, with science in grades 5 and 8.
Format: Computer-delivered, featuring multiple-choice, technology-enhanced questions, and constructed responses.
Timing: Tests are conducted in the spring, often split into two parts.
On these days...
(*) all students in all grades will test at the same time in the MORNING, and then, we will run a modified bell schedule after testing.
(*) on 4/28 specifically, 8th Grade students will test in the morning and then "jump into" their regularly scheduled day when all students have finished testing. Grades 6 & 7 will run on normal bell schedules that day.
IMPORTANT:
State Testing is vitally important. Unfortunately, due to closing testing windows, there is not a lot of time to "make up" tests on the back end in case of student absences.
In advance, thank you for prioritizing attendance on state testing day by avoiding appointments, communicating with the school if your student must be out, and understanding the importance of prioritizing make ups if called out of class to do so. Thank you!
April is "testing season" for everyone, and due to staffing needs at the high school, there will be a few days on which the high school language teachers are being used for proctoring, and therefore, MSS students will not go to the high school.
Here's the breakdown:
Monday, April 20: 🚫 NO LANGUAGE CLASSES AT THE HS due to HS testing.
Tuesday, April 21: ✅ Language classes at the HS as scheduled. Testing at MSS afterward.
Wednesday, April 22: ✅ Language classes at the HS as scheduled. Testing at MSS afterward.
Thursday, April 23: 🚫 NO LANGUAGE CLASSES AT THE HS due to HS testing & Shadow Day!
Friday, April 24: ✅ Language classes at the HS as scheduled.
Monday, April 27: ✅ Language classes at the HS as scheduled.
Tuesday, April 28: 🚫 NO LANGUAGE CLASSES AT THE HS due to HS testing. Science Testing at MSS.
Wednesday, April 29: 🚫 NO LANGUAGE CLASSES AT THE HS due to HS testing.
Thursday, April 30: ✅ Language classes at the HS as scheduled.
Friday, May 1: 🚨 NO SCHOOL -- Professional Development Day for GJPS Staff.
Monday, May 4: ✅ Language classes at the HS as scheduled.
Tuesday, May 5 - Friday, May 8: 🚫 NO LANGUAGE CLASSES AT THE HS due to Washington, D.C. trip & "Experience Week."
If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or your student's language teacher!
As our Counselors go through and finalize their lists of Academic Award Recipients for end-of-year recognition, I wanted to share a few dates with you so that you can begin planning accordingly. Again, no invitations have been extended yet, but if you anticipate that your child may receive academic recognition (3.5 GPA or above) or possibly another award, here are the dates of our celebrations:
Monday, May 18: 8TH GRADE AWARDS NIGHT, 7:00PM, Gahanna Lincoln High School Auditorium.
Please note: This evening will be to recognize 8th-grade students ONLY. This is a departure from past practice.
Wednesday, May 20: 6th Grade Academic Awards, 9:30AM, Middle School South Gymnasium. There will be a livestream option available as well!
Wednesday, May 20: 7th Grade Academic Awards, 10:45AM, Middle School South Gymnasium. There will be a livestream option available as well!
Wednesday, May 20: Awards Lunch with families, 6th, 7th, and 8th Grades. A Middle School South tradition is to let all award recipients leave to enjoy a meal with their families. Students are typically signed out for the day! This special extension will take place for all students on May 20.
6th Grade students can be signed out at the conclusion of their Academic Awards (likely between 10:15 and 10:30); 7th Grade students can be signed out at the conclusion of their Academic Awards (likely between 11:30 and 11:45); 8th Grade students can be picked up anytime after 11:30 (since their Awards will have already taken place on Monday night).
Needless to say, we will provide many more details as the date gets closer, but I at least wanted to share these dates for planning purposes.
Friday, May 22: Last day for students!
👏👏 8th Grade Clap Out -- appx. 10:45AM. 8th Graders will leave the building and proceed on to their traditional "Pool Day"
6th and 7th Grade students will enjoy a FIELD DAY in the afternoon.
Again, more details will come out as we get closer!
On Thursday, April 23rd, while our 8th Graders are out exploring careers and future pathways during their "Shadow Day," the rest of our students, along with 5th Graders from GJPS Elementary Schools who will be attending this school next year, will be participating in "Move Up Day" here at Middle School South. On Move Up Day, students in 6th and 7th grade will have a chance to get some "face time" with the teaching teams of the next grade level and learn about what exciting things await them next year.
Our 6th Grade Team will welcome 5th Graders into the building to talk about life in Middle School, classes, expectations, exciting program, and LUNCH.
On the evening of the 23rd, we will open our doors to 5th Grade FAMILIES to come in and get their first taste of the Middle School experience! This event will take place from 6:00PM - 7:00PM here at South, beginning in the gymnasium and then spilling over into breakout rooms and an Open House of the building!
Speaking of end-of-year traditions, it's time to start getting excited for the annual 8th Grade Dance!! This event will take place on Thursday, April 30 from 6:00PM until 7:30PM. (No school for students on Friday, May 1).
More information about this event will be coming out soon, but for now, please mark your calendars!
Spring tends to be our BUSIEST season for Athletics in the District, and we LOVE it!! Come check out the Lions doing their thing this week...
BASEBALL, 7th GRADE
Tuesday, 4/14
Away @ Upper Arlington Jones Middle School
5:30PM
Wednesday, 4/15
Away @ Dublin Grizzell Middle School
5:30PM
Thursday, 4/16
Away @ Big Walnut Middle School
5:30PM
BASEBALL, 8th GRADE
Tuesday, 4/14
Home v. Olentangy Berlin Middle School [played at GMSW]
5:30PM
Thursday, 4/16
Home v. Olentangy Shanahan Middle School [played at GMSW]
5:30PM
SOFTBALL, 7th GRADE
Wednesday, 4/15
Away @ Worthington Kilbourne Middle School
5:30PM
Thursday, 4/16
Home v. Dublin Eversole Run Middle School [played at GMSW]
5:30PM
Saturday, 4/18
Away @ Delaware Dempsey Tournament
Time: TBD
SOFTBALL, 8th GRADE
Tuesday, 4/14
Home v. Westerville Heritage Middle School
5:30PM
Wednesday, 4/15
Away @ Big Walnut Middle School
5:30PM
Thursday, 4/16
Home v. Westerville Minerva Middle School
5:30PM
Saturday, 4/18
Away @ Delaware Dempsey Tournament
Time: TBD
TRACK & FIELD
Tuesday, 4/14
Home v. Canal Winchester Middle School
5:30PM
BOYS LACROSSE
Wednesday, 4/15
Away @ Worthington McCord Wolves Middle School
5:30PM
GIRLS LACROSSE
Wednesday, 4/15
Home v. Olentangy Berlin Middle School
5:30PM
BOYS TENNIS
Wednesday, 4/15
Away @ Delaware Dempsey Middle School
5:30PM
Thursday, 4/16
Home v. Dublin Eversole Run Middle School [played at Blacklick Athletic Complex]
5:30PM
Is there a Staff Member out there you believe is deserving some praise?!
Let us know about it!
Click on the button below to send some positive vibes to a staff member so that we can celebrate that person, too!
Mark your calendar for the following dates...
Tuesday, April 21: Math Testing, pt. 1 -- all grade levels
Wednesday, April 22: Math Testing, pt. 2 -- all grade levels
Thursday, April 23: 8th Grade Shadow Day -- no school for 8th-grade students
Tuesday, April 28: Science Testing -- 8th Grade only
Friday, May 1: NO SCHOOL -- TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
Tuesday, May 5 - Friday May 8: 8th Grade Trip to Washington, D.C.
Friday, May 22: Last Day of school for Students
