January 24, 2025!
Our upcoming Open House event will be a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their classrooms and share their learning experiences with family members! This is an informal event and will be self-guided. Families will have a checklist to help guide them through the open house. Students will guide their families through their educational environment, highlighting the different aspects of their classroom and the school.
While each grade level's task list may be slightly different, families can expect to enjoy a variety of experiences, which may include a fun math game designed to demonstrate the skills students have been developing or revising a recent writing project. Your child will be able to show you around their room so that you can learn about daily routines and gain insights into the learning activities taking place.
You can arrive anytime between 6:00 and 7:00 to begin your open house experience. Please note the event will end promptly at 7:30, so be sure to arrive no later than 7:00 pm. The PTO is sponsoring a Dine Out Night that evening, so feel free to pick up some Raising Cane's and eat in the cafeteria if you so choose.
Jefferson Elementary is excited to celebrate Kindness Week, a time dedicated to spreading positivity and compassion throughout our school community! From February 7th to 13th, students will participate in various activities focused on the importance of kindness and sharing thoughtful messages. The week will culminate with a special visit from author Jason Tharp on February 13th. Join us for classroom parties filled with fun and kindness! This year, there will be no need for Valentine boxes or Valentine exchanges. We have plenty of other activities planned that will be designed to be inclusive for all students. Let’s come together to inspire each other and make kindness a priority!
CALLING ALL WONDERERS! AUTHOR VISIT FEBRUARY 13th with Jason Tharp!
I am an author and illustrator living in Powell, Ohio, and I publish with Scholastic, Simon and Schuster, and Macmillan. In addition to writing, I travel the country speaking to children and adults about positivity, being true to yourself, kindness, and the power of their uniqueness.
I write the books I wished I had as a kid – books that show it's okay to be different; in fact, that's what makes you cool! My aim is to provide some levity during what can be a challenging time for many. I believe it's extremely important to equip children with competencies that will serve them in a world increasingly influenced by social media. These skills are rooted in kindness, inclusion, empathy, and
self-empowerment. As a storyteller, my job is to encourage kids to embrace their inner 'weirdness,' to be courageous in who they are and what they want to be. It's equally important to be honest with them,
letting them know that experiencing pain and bad days is completely normal. They aren't alone, and it's often the 'weird' ones who change the world. That’s why I always say, 'Be the weird you want to see in the world!’
ALL ORDERS ARE FORMS ARE DUE FEBRUARY 3rd
Students grades K-5 will be taking the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment in the area of Math and Reading during the month of January. This is a computerized assessment. Students have as much time as they need to complete the assessment. Please talk to your child about taking their time and doing their best work on this MAP assessment. Parents/guardians will receive the results of the MAP assessments at our February parent/teacher conferences.
All of our students in grades K-3 will be given the Acadience Reading Assessment during the month of January. This is a one-on-one assessment, in which students will work with their teacher to complete the assessment. This assessment assesses student's early literacy skills. We will use the data from this assessment to pull together small groups that focus on specific student needs. Families will receive the results of this assessment at the February parent/teacher conference.
We are looking for enthusiastic and creative volunteers to help plan the Kindness Celebration (Valentine) parties for each grade level on Thursday, February 13th!
Here’s what we need:
We’re seeking two party planners per grade level to take the lead on organizing this special event. As a party planner, you will:
• Plan fun activities for the party.
(no need for Valentine boxes or Valentine exchanges.)
• Create a sign-up list for snacks, supplies, and other needs.
• Communicate plans to the teachers.
• Coordinate and recruit additional volunteers to help during the party.
If you’re interested, please sign up using the link below as spots are limited to two planners per grade level. Don’t worry—this is just the starting point! There will still be plenty of opportunities to help closer to the date.
Thank you for helping us make this Kindness Celebration memorable for the kids!
We are excited to share an incredible opportunity to support a meaningful project that will benefit all students in our district. This year, the Gahanna-Jefferson Education Foundation (GJEF) Gala will feature a Fund-A-Need initiative focused on purchasing and installing communication boards at each elementary and preschool playground. We encourage you to support the cause in any way you can.
Communication boards are visual tools that use pictures, symbols, and words to help individuals express their thoughts, needs, and emotions. These boards are particularly useful for students with limited verbal communication, those learning English as a second language, and even young children still developing their vocabulary. Communication boards provide students with an inclusive way to connect and engage with peers during play.
While these boards are an invaluable resource for students with specific communication needs, their benefits extend to every child on the playground. Here’s why:
Promoting Inclusion: Communication boards foster an environment where all students can participate and communicate effectively, regardless of their language or abilities.
Encouraging Social Interaction: By providing visual cues, these boards help children initiate conversations, make friends, and engage in collaborative play.
Building Language Skills: For students developing their vocabulary or learning English, communication boards offer a fun and interactive way to learn new words and phrases.
Supporting Emotional Expression: Playgrounds are not just for physical activity—they are spaces where children express their feelings and build relationships. Communication boards give all students a voice to share their emotions and ideas.
How You Can Help: The GJEF Gala is a fantastic way to bring our community together in support of this initiative. Here’s how you can contribute:
Register for the FREE Online Silent Auction: Includes entry into the raffle for a $250 Amazon gift card.
Donate to Fund-A-Need: Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to making these communication boards a reality.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with family and friends who may also be interested in supporting our schools.
Together, we can make a lasting impact by creating inclusive spaces where every child feels seen, heard, and valued. Thank you for your ongoing support of our students and schools. We hope to see you at the Gala on February 22, 2025!
Take care,
Sue LeHota, Director of Special Education and Dr. Colleen Boyle, Curriculum Coordinator of Special Programs
Office Volunteer Sign-up
General help at a time that works for you! This can be 30 minutes or three hours! Help make copies, sort papers, organize materials, collect or distribute materials, and other office-type activities needed to support classroom instruction.
Instructions will be provided, so no experience is necessary!
Lunch Helpers Volunteer Sign-up
Our school is in need of volunteers in the cafeteria to help students open food containers, help with general cleanup, and wipe off tables for others.
Playground Helpers- Volunteer Sign-up
Help the staff at Jefferson have extra eyes on the playground. Walk around the playground, monitoring activities, talking with students, or join in and play a game with them!
Mark Your Calendar...
January 24 Family Movie Night 7:00 pm
January 29 State of the Schools Address 7:00 pm Middle School West
February 6 Open House 6:00- 7:30 pm
February 6 Dine Out - Raising Cane's 4:00- 9:00 pm
February 11 PTO Meeting 7:00 PM in the Library (use door #12)
February 13 Classroom Kindness Parties!
February 14 No School- Professional Learning Day
February 25 & 27 Parent Teacher Conferences
ical Link to add Jefferson Calendar to your phone
Heart and Pride Nominations
The Heart and Pride Award recognizes two outstanding staff members each month who make a profound impact on our students and Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools. Families are encourage to nominate a staff member today! The Heart & Pride Nomination Form will remain available year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.
Join our Facebook Group and be part of the community. This group was created for Jefferson families and staff to support and celebrate our students and school. It's also a great place to ask questions of other parents and have support as you navigate the school year.
We are excited to see all the amazing and encouraging ways our families and staff connect with each other! This is a place for positive comments and a helpful resource for families. This is not the place to voice concerns. If you have an issue you would like to discuss, please get in touch with the staff member directly via email or call the school. This is a place to build on the sense of community within our Jefferson Family.