September 12, 2025

"Start with Hello" Week is an annual initiative by Sandy Hook Promise to combat social isolation and promote a culture of connection and kindness in schools and youth organizations. This special week helps students build connections, practice kindness, and make sure everyone feels included. Throughout the week, students will take part in activities that encourage smiling, greeting others, and reaching out to new friends.

To add to the fun, we’re also celebrating with Spirit Wear Days:

We can't wait to see our students showing kindness and school spirit!

We hope your child enjoyed their treat today from Humphrey! Only 4 more chapters left- keep up that nightly reading and setting great, great, great reading habits!

Small group counseling opportunities will be starting soon at Jefferson Elementary, facilitated by School Counselor Mrs. Bills and Concord Prevention Specialist Ms. Sydney.

Groups are available to all Jefferson students and will focus on key areas including:

• Friendship and social skills

• Emotional regulation

• Coping with anxiety

• Executive functioning skills

If you are interested in having your student participate, please contact Mrs. Bills at billss@gjps.org

On-Time Arrival
We ask that all students are in the building by 8:00, The tardy bell rings at 8:05 a.m.. If your child arrives after 8:05 an adult must sign them in at the office. Please help your child build strong habits by arriving on time each morning. Being on time sets the tone for the entire day, allowing students to start focused, confident, and ready to learn.

Why Attendance Matters

• Students who attend regularly are more likely to achieve academic success.

• Good attendance builds responsibility and shows commitment.

• Being on time helps create a calm, positive start to the day.

Together, we can help every child “stay in the game” by making attendance and punctuality a priority. Take the pledge now to stay in the game at Jefferson: https://stayinthegame.org/pledge/! Thank you for teaming up with us to make every school day count!

A reminder that all donations are due by the end of the day Friday, September 19th (the day of the Jog!)

The week after, digital raffle tickets will be distributed to all students - remember, for every $25 raised, your student earns 1 raffle ticket! This year's raffle prizes are still coming in, but here are a few to get the students excited!

- Cleveland Cavaliers Cavs Pack

- 9-hole round of golf

- Signed Blue Jackets Poster

- COSI Tickets

- Gahanna Lions spirit wear

- Glow Putt Passes

- Zipzone passes

- and TONS more!

We'll send home a letter in the future that explains in greater detail how our Digital Raffle Tickets will work.

Have a great last week of fundraising, and we're so excited to see all of our students run their best during our Jog For Jefferson on September 19th!

The students at Jefferson Elementary are lacing up their sneakers and getting ready to run their best at our annual "Jog for Jefferson"!

In support of their Jog, students will raise money, which helps support our school's Music, Art, Phys Ed and Library, brings in special guests, supports technology & equipment upgrades & allows the school to have fun events like our school dance & movie night!

Last year, students raised over $40k and were able to:

- renovate the teacher's lounge to enhance our administration's experience!

- refresh the school's landscaping and playground

- install an outdoor learning experience

- approve additional equipment and funds for teachers, library, gym and music

- bring in an Author to visit the school

- just to name a few!

This is our main fundraiser of the year! This is not a "per-lap" fundraiser - each student just does their best in the allotted amount of time they have to run their jog, so any donation you make is a one-time donation. It's simply a donation to encourage them to do their best that day! The jog itself is a great day full of camaraderie and joy for the students and all involved.

Our students also earn a raffle ticket for every $25 they raise, to attempt to win fun prizes like sports gear, trading cards, gift cards, local experiences, and more!

If you are able to participate in our Fundraiser in other ways, such as providing an in-kind donation for our Raffle, please contact us at gahannajeffersonelementarypto@gmail.com.

We appreciate your support of Jefferson Elementary, our students, and the community. Thank you for being a part of our children’s education.

CLICK THIS LINK TO VISIT THE JOG FOR JEFFERSON WEBSITE AND LEARN ALL ABOUT OUR ONLINE DONATION OPTION.

Looking for opportunities to support your Jefferson student and the amazing teaching through the PTO?! There are several volunteer opportunities available to assist the students and our amazing network of teachers/staff at Jefferson. A link is included for you to peruse and complete regarding those options. This is not a commitment, but just sharing interest. Future communications regarding PTO volunteer opportunities will be steered based on your completion. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DKP59B5

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.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP

September 19 Jog For Jefferson Event (Sept. 26th rain date)

September 23 School Picture Day(individual) & 5th Grade Group Picture

September 25 Parent Teacher Conferences

September 30 Parent Teacher Conferences

October 2 Teacher Professional Learning Day, No School for Students

October 3 Teacher Comp Day, No School for Students

• Jefferson Elementary Events Calendar

2024-25 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)