Blacklick Bulletin
Week of December 15, 2025 - Issue #20
Dear Blacklick Families,
.
This week is the last week for the WHEEL OF PRIDE! It has been such a treat to watch the excitement of our students to spin the wheel of PRIDE throughout the month of December! Classrooms earn 20 PRIDE Tickets by showing Blacklick PRIDE - Respectful, Responsible, Positive, Prepared and Safe - and then come to the office to spin the wheel to earn a prize! It has been a wonderful way to recognize our students for making positive choices!
THANK YOU to all of our Blacklick families that donated socks for our sock drive. We are continuing to collect socks through December 19. We appreciate your generosity and support!
As a reminder, WINTER BREAK runs from December 20- January 4, 2026. We will welcome students back in the building on Monday, January 5. I hope you have a wonderful winter break filled with time with family and friends.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at 614-759-5100 or by email at grovesk@gjps.org.
Respectfully,
Kristen Groves
THANK YOU to all of the families that have signed up to donate cookies or sweet treats for our staff. We are providing staff with treats on Wednesday, December 17th. Donations can be dropped off to the school office on Monday, December 15th or Tuesday, December 16th. Thank you for your help!
Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A084AAFAA2DAA8-61005006-blacklick
PE in 3rd Grade
3rd graders have been working on their basketball skills, through a variety of skill based activities. Shooting is a big focus with shooting elbow in and holding their follow through. Students have also been working on dribbling in various games with a focus on keeping the ball waist high or slightly below.
Library in 3rd Grade
Third graders worked on the Hour of Code on code.org this week, part of a national initiative to encourage coding. We talked about how you might have to try several ways of doing something before you find something that works but it is okay to fail, as long as you try again.
Music in 3rd Grade
At the end of each class, 3rd graders have been reading Dan Brown’s book Wild Symphony where students hear music and learn about the 4 families of the orchestra: Brass, Percussion, String, and Woodwind. Each page includes an animal playing a new instrument to learn about that day!
Art in 3rd Grade
Please make sure students are dressed warmly for recess as the weather gets colder. We will be outside for recess unless the temperature falls below 17 degrees.
If you need coats, hats, or gloves, please reach out to Mrs. Groves, Mrs. Warfield or Mrs. Jenkins.
Do you know a staff member who you feel makes a profound impact on students and Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools? If so, nominate them for the GJPS Heart and Pride award. This award is open to any staff member. regardless of position. Each month, the district will take the nominations to the Heart and Pride Committee, which is composed of community members and former staff members. The committee will select two winners a month that will be recognized by our Board of Education at the monthly meeting. If you have a staff member in mind, please complete THIS GOOGLE FORM. Nominations can take place all year.
2025-2026 Food Service Information
A plate lunch is $2.75.
Breakfast is $1.50. *Breakfast runs from 7:50 - 8:05 AM each day.
Families are again asked to complete and submit a 2025-2026 Free/Reduced-Priced Meal Application if they believe they may qualify. Applications are available in the Blacklick school office or online at: GahannaSchools.org. If approved, the completed application will cover the student for the entire 2025-2026 school year, and no other steps will be necessary unless there is an income change during the school year.
All Parents/Guardians are WELCOME and ENCOURAGED to Attend Our PTO Meetings!
PTO Officers for 2025-2026
Kristin Stewart - President
Jess Waxler - Vice President
Emily Smith - Treasurer
Laura Valido - Secretary
Andrea Stump - Board Elect
Need to contact the PTO?
The Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO is already planning for Teacher Appreciation Week (that is scheduled for May 2026). If you are interested in donating an item for Teacher Appreciation Week, please click on the link below:
For food assistance, please come to GRIN. No appointment needed. Come during the listed pantry hours. Bring your photo ID & proof of residency. You may come 2 times/month for canned foods, fresh produce, dairy, meat, toiletries & cleaning supplies.
Pantry Hours:
Every Tuesday 6-8:00 PM
Every Wednesday 10 am - Noon
Every Saturday 9 am - 11:00 am
Questions? Contact Beth Bentley, Program Director at pd@grin4gahanna.org.
"GRIN is an equal opportunity provider."
The Gahanna-Jefferson Education Foundation “Promotes Excellence” by funding innovative projects beyond traditional school budgets. Since 2004, GJEF has funded over $3.4 million in educational programs for our students.
💰 Raffle Details
Grand Prize: $1,000 CASH
Ticket Prices:
1 Ticket = $10
3 Tickets = $25
50/50 Raffle: 50% of ticket sales go to the Blackick PTO
🌟 Drawing: 2/28/2026 🌟 Need not be present to win 🌟 Open to everyone
The flyer for raffle tickets will be coming home with your student.
Thank you for supporting Blacklick Elementary and the Gahanna-Jefferson Education Foundation! Questions? Contact: Cara Platt (carajplatt@gmail.com) or Kellie Bodle (leisk3@gmail.com).
Mark Your Calendar!
Dec. 19 End of Quarter 2
Dec. 20 - Jan. 4: Winter Break - No School
Jan. 2: Staff Work Day - No School
Jan. 5: First day for students after winter break
Jan. 10: GLHS Ribbon Cutting and Community Tours
Jan. 12: Yearbook Group Photos
Jan. 16: Be the Light PRIDE Talk (Details coming soon)
Jan. 19: Martin Luther King Day - No School
Feb. 3, 4, and 5: Donuts with Grown Ups (Details coming soon)
Feb. 13: Professional Learning Day for Staff - No School for Students
Feb. 16: Presidents Day - No School
Feb. 28: GJEF Gala
March 6: End of Quarter 3
March 9: Staff Work Day - No School
March 20: Conference Comp Day - No School for Students or Staff
Mar. 30-April 3: Spring Break- No School
May 8: Strides for PRIDE Day!
May 15: Talent Show - Grade 5 Students
May 21: Field Day
May 22: Last Day of School for Students
May 26: Teacher Work Day (Last day for staff)
May 28: Report Cards Released to Families