Weekly Update - Middle School South
March 23, 2026
One piece of information that must be corrected, however, relates to 8TH GRADERS WHO TAKE A LANGUAGE IN THE MORNING AT GAHANNA LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL.
On testing days, both at the middle school and at GLHS, LANGUAGE STUDENTS WILL REPORT TO THE HIGH SCHOOL AS NORMAL.
When testing is taking place at the middle school, students will return from the HS and enter testing rooms slightly behind schedule in comparison to their peers. When testing is taking place at the high school (but not at the middle school), World Language teachers are generally not used as proctors so that they can continue to offer class as normal.
If there is a change on the high-school side of this equation, those teachers will be in touch as needed.
I do certainly regret this error and any confusion it may have caused... I simply "jumped the gun" in my communication about this and was trying to rely on my memory of what I recall doing when I worked at the high school instead of double checking. Clearly, my memory is not what it used to be!
Again, LANGUAGE CLASSES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AS SCHEDULED on Middle School and High School testing days (unless something changes on the HS end).
I am resolved to be more careful in my communication going forward!
Spring Break is JUST around the corner -- at the end of next week, in fact! While staff and students alike are dreaming about the upcoming stress-free days and hopefully some weather warmer (be it here or at a destination), we must not forget that State Testing season is just on the other side of Spring Break.
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.
Here are MSS, our OST testing will occur on the following schedule:
Wednesday, April 8: ELA Testing, pt. 1 - all grades
Thursday, April 9: ELA Testing, pt. 2 - all grades
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
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 - usually beginning around 11:00AM each day. The bell schedule will be shared this week.
(*) 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!
As you may know there’s been an increased emphasis on college and career readiness in the state of Ohio. The Ohio Department of Education recently changed its name to include workforce, now known as the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Additionally, a new indicator has been added to the high school and district state report cards around College, Career, Workforce, Military Readiness also known as CCWMR.
To ensure we are providing the best educational experience for our students at Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools, we have voluntarily partnered with the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio to conduct a voluntary career audit review of our career pathway options for students. The purpose of this career pathway audit is to assess current programming alignment, identify strengths, pinpoint barriers that hinder students from accessing opportunities, and explore new possibilities for both students and staff.
The career audit review process includes collecting feedback from students, staff, and families at GJPS. The survey consists of 10 questions and aims to gather meaningful input from families across East, South, and West Middle Schools. With this in mind, I am reaching out to ask for your support by completing the survey link below to share your insight around your student's career pathway experience thus far at GJPS. The information you share will be valuable as we evaluate current programming and look for opportunities to enhance future experiences, ensuring we best prepare students for life through graduation. Thank you in advance for your time in completing this survey.
You are invited to two upcoming events presented by the Newark Granville Symphony Orchestra. Mrs. Ross is performing in both.
Free Family Concert: Sunday, March 22 @ 4PM at the Reese Center, OSU Newark Campus.
Free Tunes & Tales: Saturday, March 28 @ 11AM at the Licking County Library, Newark.
On behalf of the 8TH GRADE Team-
Students learned about Shadowing Day and are bringing information home regarding this. On April 23rd, every 8th grader will go to work with an adult to shadow them in their career. This does not have to be a parent but should be a trusted adult. This experience is to learn more about the workforce, what happens at a job, how what we do in school is a part of the real world, but most of all to discover more about the student's interests. Permission forms are due by April 10.
ST March "Math"ness
Get ready for ST March Mathness!
Throughout the month of March, classes will compete against each other using ST Math. The goal? For classes to have the highest average number of puzzles completed!
That means every single student matters. Classes with the highest average puzzle completion will move on to the next round—so every puzzle solved helps the class.
Winning classes will be shared every Monday, with the final winner being announced the week after Spring Break!
To that end, please remind your students to CHARGE THEIR CHROMEBOOK at HOME each night. Additionally, because every student gets portions of the math section read to them through the computer, now would a good time to begin locating wired headphones!
ALL CALL FOR...
1/ Empty paper towel rolls and toilet paper rolls
2/ Box lids from copy paper boxes
3/ Empty boxes such as cereal boxes, cracker boxes, Pop Tart boxes and the like
4/ Empty 2-liter bottles
You get to off-load some of those items that take up all the room in recycling, our kids have enriched learning experiences... That's called a WIN-WIN!
On Thursday, April 23rd, while our 8th Graders are out exploring careers and future pathways, the rest of our students, along with 5th Graders at Lincoln Elementary and Blacklick Elementary, will be participating in "Move Up Day" here at Middle School South. On Move Up Day, students in both grade levels 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!
More details will be shared as we get closer, but I'm excited to begin getting the word out now!
As we count down these last few days until Spring Break, encourage your student to get in on the FUN of a Spirit Week! We've had posters up all around the building and we've been doing out best to get the word out, but for your information as well, here is what the rest of the week holds...
TUESDAY: "Rhyme without Reason" (ex: Santa & Fanta! Ref & Chef!)
WEDNESDAY: "Floral/Tropical/Beach Vibe"
THURSDAY: "Decades Day"
FRIDAY: "PJ Day"
Thank you to our Student Leadership Team for organizing this!
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
Wednesday, 3/25 - Scrimmage
Home v. Pickerington Central Junior High School [played at Gahanna Middle School West]
5:30PM
BASEBALL, 8th GRADE
Wednesday, 3/25 - Scrimmage
Away @ Pickerington Central Junior High School
5:30PM
SOFTBALL, 7th GRADE
Thursday, 3/26 - Scrimmage
Home v. 8th Grade Softball Team [played at GMSW]
5:30PM
SOFTBALL, 8th GRADE
Thursday, 3/26 - Scrimmage
Home v. 7th Grade Softball Team [played at GMSW]
5:30PM
TRACK & FIELD
*** none this week***
BOYS LACROSSE
Wednesday, 3/25 -- Scrimmage
Home v. Hilliard Memorial Middle School [played at GMSE]
5:30PM
GIRLS LACROSSE
Wednesday, 3/25 -- Scrimmage
Away @ Hilliard Heritage Middle School
5:30PM
BOYS TENNIS
*** none this week***
Please be reminded that there is NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS on the following dates:
MONDAY, MARCH 30 - FRIDAY, APRIL 3 due to Spring Break!!!
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF THIS DOWN TIME!
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...
Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3: Spring Break -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS OR STAFF
Monday, April 6: Classes resume
Wednesday, April 8: ELA Testing, pt. 1 -- all grade levels
Thursday, April 9: ELA Testing, pt. 2 - all grade levels
Tuesday, April 21: Math Testing, pt. 1 -- all grade levels
Wednesday, April 22: Math Testing, pt. 2 -- all grade levels
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
