Weekly Update - Middle School South
January 26, 2026
How to Know if School is a GO!
As we have entered the colder months of the year, we wanted to share our preparations for the potential impact of inclement weather on our school day. In the event of inclement weather, at approximately 4:15 a.m., a team of District administrators will begin the process of making a decision concerning students safely arriving to school. The group of administrators will analyze the weather, current community conditions and receive updates from the Gahanna Division of Police, with the goal of making a decision for delay or closure by 5:30 a.m.
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.
Text Y to 67587
If you do not currently receive text messages for school closures or delays and would like to sign up, please text a message of "Y" or "Yes" to 67587.
On Thursday, February 5, Middle School South will be hosting its one and only Family Conference Night from 400P - 800P (last conference at 745P).
Please note that these conferences work a little differently from the Fall.
The Winter Conference night is primarily by INVITATION ONLY. That's to say: our teachers at all grade levels will determine which families they feel it necessary to meet with at this time. Grade-level teams are compiling those lists, and I will begin sending out those invitations by the middle of this week.
Then, once we have all "priority families" signed up, we will send out a communication with all remaining available spots, and any family will be able to sign up if they so choose!
So, be on the lookout for communication from your child's teachers, and if nobody reaches out, be on the lookout for the "All Call" message shortly ahead of Conference Night.
On Thursday, February 12, our Student Leadership Team will be hosting its annual DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT after school. Student can form teams of 6 players, and each team will come up with its own school-appropriate team name.
In order to participate, all players on the team must have a completed permission slip.
Click below to check out the forms, and if you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Libby Grubb (grubbl@gjps.org) or Mrs. Julie Baldwin (baldwinj@gjps.org).
We invite you to support an event that directly benefits our students and schools — the Gahanna Gala, the Gahanna-Jefferson Education Foundation’s (GJEF) premier fundraising event!
Your support of the Gahanna Gala helps:
Fund innovative classroom grants across all GJPS buildings
Support student programs and unique learning opportunities
Provide resources beyond traditional school funding
Strengthen educational experiences for all GJPS students
Ways your family can get involved:
Sign up to volunteer before, during, or after the Gala — many hands make light work! Gahanna Gala Volunteer Sign Up
Buy raffle tickets to support your school’s PTO/PTA. Use the QR Code and indicate the school you are supporting.
Donate items from our AMAZON WISHLIST to help make the event a success
Attend the Gala in person for an evening of food, fun, and celebration www.gjef.org
Participate in the virtual auction — registration is free! www.gjef.org
Every level of support makes a meaningful difference. Thank you for being such an important part of the GJPS community and for supporting our mission to promote excellence in education.
Thank you so much!
Dianna and Tricia
Please see this message from GLHS Girls Soccer Coach, Mr. Dave Merrick:
Gahanna Lincoln Girls High School Soccer Info: Interested in playing high school soccer? Please complete the Incoming Player Survey to start receiving info on program dates and happenings. Questions please email Coach Merrick at merrickd@gjps.org
Each year, our students all across the District participate in a series of low-stakes tests called MAP Testing.
Students took their first MAP Test in the August/early September. In January, they will take their second round (of 3).
M.A.P. stands for Measures of Academic Progress, and these tests are designed to assess students' academic progress and growth over time. The data from MAP Growth assessments helps teachers understand where students are in their learning and identify areas where they might need additional support or challenge. This information can then be used to tailor lessons and activities to meet the specific needs of each student, especially in preparation for standardized State Tests in the Spring.
MSS Students will engage in MAP Testing according to the following schedule:
Wednesday, 1/14 : Math 6
Thursday, 1/15: ELA 8
Friday, 1/16: ELA 8
Tuesday, 1/20: ELA 6
Wednesday, 1/21: Math 7
Thursday, 1/22: Math 8
Friday, 1/23: Math 8
Tuesday, 1/27: ELA 7
I share this information simply to keep your family in the loop. No stress or particular preparation required, other than a good night's sleep and a sense of efficacy on the day of!
As Winter gets well underway, our Lions are back at it!
BOYS' BASKETBALL
Monday, January 26
HOME v. Gahanna Middle School East
*** CANCELED DUE TO SCHOOL CLOSURE ***
Tuesday, January 27
AWAY @ Canal Winchester MS
*** CANCELED DUE TO SCHOOL CLOSURE ***
Wednesday, January 28
HOME v. Gahanna Middle School West
7th Grade: 5:30PM
8th Grade: 6:45PM (appx.)
Thursday, January 22
HOME v. Newark Wilson Middle School
7th Grade: 5:30PM
8th Grade: 6:45PM (appx.)
GIRLS' BASKETBALL
Monday, January 26
AWAY @ Gahanna Middle School East
*** CANCELED DUE TO SCHOOL CLOSURE ***
Tuesday, January 27
HOME v. Canal Winchester MS
*** CANCELED DUE TO SCHOOL CLOSURE ***
Thursday, January 29
AWAY @ Gahanna Middle School West
7th Grade: 5:30PM
8th Grade: 6:45PM (appx.)
WRESTLING
BOYS: Wednesday, January 28
AWAY @ Gahanna MIddle School West
5:30PM
Saturday, January 31
AWAY @ Pickerington Ridgeview MS [Invitational]
9:00AM
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...
Wednesday, January 14: Winter MAP Testing begins at MSS
Monday, January 19: Martin Luther King Day -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS OR STAFF
Thursday, February 5: Winter Family Conferences, 4:00P - 7:45P (by teacher invitation only)
Friday, February 13: Professional Development Day -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Monday, February 16: Presidents' Day -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS OR STAFF
