Monthly Update, September 19, 2025

We recently discovered a technical issue that prevented this Friday, September 19, 2025 News to Know District Newsletter from being delivered as intended.

To ensure you don't miss any important updates, we are resending it today. We appreciate your patience and thank you for staying engaged with GJPS!

A new chapter is about to begin! Please mark your calendars for January 10, 2026 as we celebrate the grand opening of our NEW GAHANNA LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL with a special ribbon cutting ceremony.

This is your chance to get a first look at the incredible new building. While we look forward to the future, we also want to honor our past. We'll be offering farewell tours of the old high school, giving everyone a chance to walk the halls one last time.

Stay tuned for a detailed schedule and more information!

Please be aware that construction and repair work at the railroad crossing on Reynoldsburg-New Albany Road will require the road to be closed to traffic at the crossing from September 22-26, 2025 (weather permitting).

This closure will impact several GJPS bus routes. Families whose student's bus route is directly affected should have already received a separate email from our GJPS Transportation Department with details about possible bus number changes, along with pickup and dropoff adjustments.

If your student rides the bus, please check your email carefully for any updates related to this closure. Even if your route is not directly impacted, you may notice some delays. We encourage families to build in a little extra time as our drivers navigate this temporary change.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through these short-term challenges to keep our buses running safely and efficiently.

During the week of October 13, 2025, the GJPS Transportation Department will be conducting our annual state-mandated bus evacuation drills. During these drills, students will learn and practice SAFE bus evacuation procedures to use in the event of an emergency.

School Bus Evacuation Drills will be conducted by all buses on school grounds immediately following MORNING DROP OFF at each school. Please be aware this MAY cause some delay in the morning pickup of some routes as we teach our children important bus safety.

We have our evacuation drills planned for:

All Elementary Schools: October 13, 2025

All Middle Schools: October 14, 2025

Gahanna Lincoln High School: October 16, 2025

Check out some of the efforts happening at Lincoln Elementary to help our students Stay in the Game! They have found great ways to help celebrate September being Attendance Awareness Month.

Having a great start to your school year and want your new teacher to be recognized for going above and beyond? Still can't get over the impact a staff member made on your student at the end of last school year?

NOMINATE THEM for our Heart and Pride Award! The first presentation of the award for this school year will be in October. The application is open year round, so keep the award nomination in mind when you see staff making a difference in our school community.

GJPS is hiring support staff for several substitute positions. If you are looking to make a difference in your community and explore a new role, we would love to have you as part of our team!

Substitute positions are available for:

• Kitchen Staff (Food Service)

Help fuel student success by preparing and serving meals.

• Secretaries

Be the welcoming face of our schools and keep daily operations running smoothly.

• Bus Helpers

Assist students safely to and from school with care and patience.

• Educational Aides/Paraprofessionals

Support classroom learning and provide one-on-one assistance to students.

Our elementary schools all celebrated Start with Hello Week this week! The celebrations, led by each of our elementary school counselors, were centered around teaching empathy and empowering students to end isolation by following three easy steps:

1. See someone alone
2. Reach out and help
3. Start with Hello

There were different types of celebrations all over our elementaries that involved starting the day with "hello" and learning to be more welcoming.

Special thank you to all of our GJPS counselors, staff and volunteers who made this week a truly memorable experience for our students and to all our special friends who showed up with warm welcomes all week!

For Goshen Lane Elementary, Start with Hello Week began with excitement when students were greeted by The Ohio State Drum Major, Joshua Ford. Joshua is a 2022 Gahanna Lincoln High School graduate and a proud Goshen Lane alum!

With high fives, smiles and impressive baton tosses, Joshua reminded our Lions that even the simplest (or over the top) HELLO can spark something meaningful!

Middle School East had a beautiful morning for new friends to come together at their SIXTH GRADE ADVENTURE DAY!

Smiles, friendships and fun... what an awesome way to start 6th Grade! The adventure is just beginning!

Crew Cat from the Columbus Crew stopped by our schools this week, including GLHS, to celebrate Attendance Awareness Month and remind students to STAY IN THE GAME!

GJPS is proud to be an All-Star District with the Stay in the Game Attendance Network and the Columbus Crew, encouraging students to be in school every day, on time and ready to succeed.

Stay tuned for more celebrations highlighting our commitment to helping students excel by STAYING IN THE GAME!

Thousands of Video Tapes Up for Grabs
Saturday, September 27, 2025
(Homecoming Weekend)

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Oct. 2, 2025: PD Day - No School
Oct. 3, 2025: Conference Comp Day - No School
Oct. 20, 2025: Staff Work Day - No School
Nov. 10, 2025: PD Day - No School
Nov. 26-28, 2025: Thanksgiving Break - No School
Dec. 22, 2025-Jan. 1, 2026: Winter Break - No School
Jan. 2, 2026: Staff Work Day - No School
*Jan. 5-8, 2026: High School Schedule Altered for New Building Opening

Jan. 10, 2026: Ribbon Cutting and Community Tours for New GLHS
Jan. 19, 2026: Martin Luther King Day - No School
Feb. 13, 2026: PD Day - No School
Feb. 16, 2026: Presidents Day - No School
Mar. 9, 2026: Staff Work Day - No School
Mar. 20, 2026: Conference Comp Day - No School
Mar. 30-April 3, 2026: Spring Break- No School
May 1, 2026: PD Day - No School
May 22, 2026: Last Day of School for Students
May 23, 2026: Class of 2026 Commencement

2025-26 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)

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.

This nomination form will remain open year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.

In November 2020, voters in the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools district approved a bond and operating levy to fund Phase Two of the GJPS Master Facilities Plan.

Phase Two of the Master Facilities Plan Includes:

• Additions and renovations to High Point and Blacklick Elementary
• Additions and renovations to Middle School East
• New Lincoln High School on current site

Master Facilities Plan & Building Projects Webpage

Phase Two Building Projects Webpage
Phase Two Elementary Projects Webpage

Phase Two Middle School East Project Webpage

Phase Two Lincoln High School Projects Webpage

GJPS has very active Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube accounts.

Please check us out and LIKE US, give us a COMMENT and SHARE us on your channels!

Have a question about something school related? We bet you can find the answer on our Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools website at www.GahannaSchools.org.

The newsletter you are reading (the GJPS NEWS TO KNOW District Newsletter) is emailed to our families and GJPS community each month.

If you live in the GJPS community and want to stay in the know about what's happening in YOUR school district, please SIGN UP for our monthly update.

(Psssst, families of current GJPS students already receive this newsletter, so there is no need to sign up again, but please share with a friend who does not receive it.)