Blacklick Bulletin

Blacklick Families: Please check your email at the beginning of each week for the most recent school news.

Dear Blacklick Families:

Thank you so much to everyone who came out for Parent-Teacher Conferences last week! It was wonderful seeing so many families in the building.

A special THANK YOU to the Blacklick PTO and our Blacklick families for your generous donations for our staff dinners on both conference nights. What a special treat for our staff. We greatly appreciate your kindness and support.

Upcoming School Break: Please enjoy the long weekend with your family!

• Monday & Tuesday: No School (Enjoy the break!)

• Wednesday, October 21: Classes Resume

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

• The fall Acadience Reading and MAP Reading and Math scores will be available for view in the Assessment section of the Parent Portal early next week. If you have questions about specific results, please contact your student’s teacher or Mrs. Groves.

• To access the Assessments section:

1. Login to the Parent Portal

2. Choose a Student

3. Select the Menu icon at the top of the page (three lines on the top, left side)

4. Select “More”

5. Select “Assessments”

Did you know your child can access their online educational apps at home like they do in school? These resources include Lexia and DreamBox, educational accounts to build reading and math skills. Click here to read how.

Our 3rd graders will take their state reading test on Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 28. We are so proud of how hard our students have been working to get ready!

Here are a few ways you can help your child do their best:

• Make sure they get a good night’s sleep before each testing day.

• Eat a healthy breakfast each morning.

• Arrive to school on time so they can start the day calmly.

• Offer encouragement and confidence—remind them to take their time and do their best!

We know our 3rd graders will shine! 🌟

Each year, around this time, students in our district are administered a cognitive ability test in accordance with Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-15.

Students in grades 2 and 5 will take the Naglieri Nonverbal Abilities Test (NNAT) assessment during the month of November, and results are expected to be shared with families in December. Our grade 2 students will take this assessment on November 4 and our grade 5 students will take this assessment on November 10.

This is a standardized test given to many students across the country that measures reasoning abilities. The results of this test provides families and teachers with information that can be added to the overall classroom picture/profile of students’ ability, thereby helping to inform instructional decisions.

The annual Blacklick Elementary Veterans' Day Assembly is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11th. We will be having two assemblies on this date: 9:30 AM and 10:45 AM.

**Our 5th grade students will be performing at the 9:30 AM assembly.

**Our 3rd grade students will be performing at the 10:45 AM assembly.

**There will be doughnuts and coffee for any parent/family member/guest that is staying for both assemblies. Doughnuts and coffee will be in the cafeteria flex space.

RSVP Forms will be sent home with students in PRIDE folders. Please send in the RSVP form to your child's teacher by November 4, 2026.

You can also RSVP by filling out the google form that is linked below:

RSVP Veterans Day Assembly 2026

We will be recognizing all Veterans and Active Military Guests that attend each assembly.

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming!

November 11-16 will be preview days. During Library class, all students will make a wish list of books, and bring it home with a flyer. Many details will be on this flyer so be sure to ask your student about it if you haven't seen it by Monday the 16th. No sales (and no money) before the 17th.

Nov 17-20 will be shopping days. Students who bring money to school will shop during their library class.

Students can bring cash, check (to Blacklick PTO), Scholastic e-wallet (info on website and wish list). 8% sales tax will be added. Some students have asked about a debit card; if parents give permission, please include a note that details how much they are allowed to spend. If you would like to shop with your student during their library class, you are welcome - if you need details about when that is, feel free to contact me.

If you would like to volunteer to help, please sign up at Blacklick Book Fair Volunteers.

We will also be open for family shopping during:

- the Community Celebration from 6:00-7:30pm on Thursday, Nov. 19

- the Blacklick Bazaar from 8:30am-12:00pm on Saturday, Nov. 21

Our Scholastic Book Fair website will be active from November 11-21. You can use it to set up an e-wallet starting October 21.

You are under no obligation to buy. Purchases support the Blacklick Library. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Mrs. Ball. Thank you!

Save the date! November 19th is Community Night. Come anytime from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. You can wear special clothes! You can bring special food to share! The Blacklick Art Show will be on display! There will be crafts throughout the building. The book fair will also be open and food trucks will be here too! Come celebrate our Blacklick Community!

The Blacklick Bazaar is excited to introduce a special student vendor area called the Mini Makers Market! For the first time, Blacklick students are invited to become vendors and experience what it's like to run their own small business. Please click on the link below to learn more information and fill out an application. Applications are due by October 30.

The Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO is looking for Vendors to participate in the Blacklick Bazaar on November 21 from 8:30 AM- 12:00 PM. Please click on the link below if you are interested in being a vendor or feel free to pass this link along to others that may be interested.

Blacklick Bazaar Application

5th grade students have been participating in cardiovascular endurance exercises to improve their heart and lung health, as well as build stamina. The students participated in the Pacer Test, which is a multi-stage aerobic fitness test that measures their cardiovascular endurance.

5th graders are starting their sewing projects! We are learning how to thread a needle, a running stitch, back stitch and a whip stitch. Students are making ‘ugly dolls’ to alleviate the stress of making something perfect!

Fifth graders are starting some digital citizenship lessons. We talk about how to be safe online, their eventual future on social media, and how important it is to stop and think before doing or sharing anything online.

Fifth graders are getting ready to perform at the Veterans Day assembly!

2026-2027 Gifted Visual and Performing Arts

Each year school districts in Ohio are required to offer an opportunity for students in grades K-12 to be identified as gifted in the area of Visual and Performing Arts. The identified areas of giftedness for Visual and Performing Arts include Visual Arts, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Drama/Theater, and Dance. If you know of a student that may be gifted in an area of the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and would like for them to be screened for possible gifted identification in that particular area, please complete the Visual and Performing Arts Nomination Form found through this link.

Click here to learn more about the two-phase VPA gifted identification process. Please keep in mind that this evaluation is for identification purposes only. There are no specialized classes offered to students identified as gifted in VPA; however, teachers can use this information to differentiate their lessons.

Please note: Once a student is identified as gifted in one of the Visual and Performing Arts categories (instrumental music, vocal music, dance, visual art, theater/drama), the student is not eligible to go through the nomination process again for the same category.

Nominations will be accepted until Sunday, November 15, 2026, and will only be accepted using the Google link above.

If you have any questions, please contact Colleen Boyle at gjpsgifted@gjps.org.

Dear Parents,

We invite you to share a few kind words or a heartfelt message for your child's teacher or Blacklick staff member. Our staff work tirelessly to provide the best education and support for our children, and your appreciation can make a significant impact on their day. Please take a moment to express your gratitude, share a positive experience, or simply say thank you. Your messages will be shared with the staff member to brighten their day and acknowledge their hard work and dedication.

Thank you for your participation and support!

Staff Tribute

As part of a statewide initiative and legal requirement to address chronic absenteeism and keep students on track, GJPS recently mailed attendance letters to families of students who are chronically absent.

We know that regular attendance is key to student success, and we want to work together to support your family. If you have any questions or need support, please contact our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Gillens, at gillensl@gjps.org.

Pursuant to House Bill 96 student attendance is calculated in hours. This includes absences that have been identified as both excused and unexcused by the school, as well as planned absences, tardies and early dismissals. Every minute counts!

If your child is going to be absent for any portion of the school day, please notify the school. You may report an absence by using our Online Absence Reporting available in the Parent Portal in Infinite Campus. To enter a request follow these simple steps:

1.Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.

2. Select your child’s profile.

3. Navigate to the Absence Request section.

4. Fill in the required information, including the date and reason for the absence.

5. Submit your request.

You will be able to view the status of your request using the View Requests button.

You may also call Blacklick at 614-759-5100 or email Mrs. Lindsey, school secretary, at lindseyk@gjps.org to view the status of the request.

Medical excuses from a doctor can be submitted to Mrs. Lindsey or you can send in a paper copy.

Planned absences can be reported by completing this form out and shared with Mrs. Lindsey.

The Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO is looking for interested parents/guardians to serve on the PTO board for the 2027-2028 school year. Questions? Please contact PTOBlacklick@gmail.com.

Available positions include:

• Board Advisor (2 positions, 1 year term)

• Board Elect (2 year term)

• Secretary (2 year term)

• Vice President (1 year term)

• President (2 year term)

Please click on the link to review the Board Application:

PTO Board Application for 2026-2027

Applications are due to the school office by November 10, 2026.

Please click the link below for the 2026-2027 PTO Family Directory. Thank you to the PRIDE Partner PTO for putting this together for our families.

2026-2027 PTO Family Directory

The first PTO meeting of the school year is scheduled for November 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM in the Blacklick library. All parents/guardians are welcome and encouraged to attend! We will be voting on new PTO board members for the 2027-2028 school year at our November meeting.

Couldn't attend the meeting? Click the link below to read over the October meeting minutes.

October 13, 2026 PTO Meeting Minutes

PTO Officers for 2026-2027

Kristin Stewart - President

Jess Waxler - Vice President

Emily Smith - Treasurer

Laura Valido - Secretary

Lauren Conte - Board Elect

Need to contact the PTO?

PTOBlacklick@gmail.com

$25 Amazon Gift Card! This year, the PTO will be giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to the classroom with the highest parent representation at our PTO meetings! Attendance will be tracked at each meeting throughout the school year. The classroom teacher with the most parents in attendance by the end of the year will win the gift card. We hope to see you at our next meeting!

7:50 AM Breakfast offered in the cafeteria for interested students.

7:55 AM Students enter classrooms.

8:05 AM School starts - Students are to be in classrooms and ready to learn by 8:05 AM! Students entering the building after 8:05 AM will need to be signed in to the office by a parent/guardian.

2:35 PM Dismissal begins.

If you are visiting Blacklick for any reason, you will need to enter the building through the front doors.

We kindly ask that ALL visitors follow the steps below each and every time you visit Blacklick:

1. Once at the front, exterior doors of the school, press the buzzer. A member of the office staff will ask your reason for visiting Blacklick.

2. Once inside the vestibule, you will enter your drivers' license or state ID into the scanner.

3. Once your license has been scanned and processed you will be permitted to enter the main office area to pick up your visitor/volunteer badge.

**As a reminder, if there is a non-guardian planning to visit Blacklick for any reason (to eat lunch, read a book in the classroom, visit the bookfair, take your child to an appointment etc.), we ask that the guardian email the teacher and front office (lindseyk@gjps.org) to let us know prior to the visit.

Background Checks are needed each year for all volunteers!

To increase safety and security protocols, all GJPS volunteers who may have the potential to interact with students in an unsupervised setting or may have access to confidential information will be required to complete an online application that includes a background check. The district will provide the background checks at no cost to the volunteer. Background checks are required EACH school year. If you completed a background check last school year, you will need to complete the process again for the 2026-2027 school year.

EXAMPLES

• Examples of volunteer experiences include but are not limited to: cafeteria helpers, reading aides, mentors, hall monitors, field day volunteers, library helpers, office helpers, tutors, field trip chaperones, small group or individual student work in the hallway, party helpers, concession workers, fundraising volunteers, book fair volunteers, mobile dentist volunteers, etc.

Interested in Volunteering?

Click on the link below and fill out the necessary information:

Volunteer Form - Link is currently activated for the 26-27 school year!

A plate lunch is $2.75.

Breakfast is $1.50. *Breakfast runs from 7:50 - 8:05 AM each day at Blacklick.

Breakfast Menu

Lunch Menu

*There will be 2 hot lunch options available for students to choose from for lunch each day. Please see the lunch menu for details. Students not interested in the hot lunch options will be able to select Yogurt/roll, Garden Salad, Cheese Sandwich, Wowbutter sandwich or a Turkey Sandwich.

Families are again asked to complete and submit a 2026-2027 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 2026-27 school year, and no other steps will be necessary unless there is an income change during the school year.

Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools Food Service Department is committed to assisting families and making this transition back to normal operations as easy as possible. Please feel free to contact Food Service Supervisor Stephen Ismael (Ismaels@gjps.org) if you have any questions.

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 6-8pm

Every Wednesday 10am - Noon

Every Saturday 9am - 11am

Questions? Contact Benth Bentley,, Program Director at pd@grin4gahana.org

"Grin is an equal opportunity provider."

Ohio State Testing Dates are ready for the 2026-2027 school year. Please avoid scheduling vacations or appointments over these dates.

October 19 Conference Comp Day - No School for students or staff

October 20 Teacher Work Day for Staff - No School for Students

October 23 Report Cards for Quarter 1 go home with students

October 27 and October 28 Ohio State Test in Reading for Grade 3 Students

Nov. 9: Staff Professional Development Day - No School

Nov. 16- 21: Blacklick Book Fair

Nov. 19: Community Night (6:00 - 7:30 PM)

Nov. 21: Blacklick Bazaar (8:30 AM - Noon)

Nov. 25-27: Thanksgiving Break - No School

Dec. 23 - Jan. 4: Winter Break - No School (Jan. 4: Teacher Work Day)

2026-2027 GJPS District Calendar

2026-2027 Blacklick School Calendar

Bus Schedule and Routes