High Point Highlights
October 16, 2026
School Attendance
Dear High Point Community,
This week I want to take a moment to address some of the common questions that have come up about attendance this week, especially from families who signed their children out after the Walk a Thon last week.
First, I want to acknowledge that we could have provided better communication around the signing out. If you have any additional questions after reviewing this information, you are welcome to reach out via email at elkinsa@gjps.org or by replying to this email.
Signing Out Early
When a student is signed out early from school we do mark that student absent. This includes leaving early from school events, field trips and class parties. These absences are marked as unexcused, as they are not one of the reasons for an excused absence outlined in the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools Elementary Student Handbook. Absences are marked with the times that students are absent from school, so an absence of an hour counts as an hour, not as a half or full day.
State Attendance Laws
Under recent changes to state attendance laws, we are now required to track student attendance and inform families when students are on track to be considered chronically absent. Chronically absent is defined as missing 10% of the school year, whether those absences are excused or unexcused. In Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools we send monthly communication if a student is on track to be chronically absent. More specifically, we notify families when students have missed at least 10% of the school year so far. As the school year progresses, the number of absences that triggers a notification will increase but will stay at 10% of the school year so far.
In summary, a single unexcused absence does not trigger a notification to a family nor does it carry negative consequences for a child. Families are able to make the decision to sign students out early, but we are required to track those absences and they are considered unexcused. We do not expect families to sign students out early on event days.
Thank you for your understanding as we look forward to the second quarter of the school year.
Anthony Elkins, Principal
The Salvation Army Christmas Cheer Toy and Food Program
Franklin County families are able to sign up for the The Salvation Army Christmas Cheer Toy and Food Program beginning November 2. Registration can be either in person or online. For more information, see the attached flyer.
High Point's 22nd Annual Veterans Day Celebration will be here before we know it! High Point LOVES our Veterans. This is one of our most cherished days of the year! We invite any relative or friend of a High Point student or staff who has served, or is currently serving our country, to join us on Friday, November 13th at 1:00pm so we can honor them for their service. Veterans are invited to dress in uniform or join us in red, white or blue attire!
Click here to sign-up your Veteran(s) to attend our Veterans Day Program!
Each individual Veteran only needs one form, but please include all students the Veteran is representing on the one form. The Deadline is November 6th, 2026.
*Additional info will come home the week of the program for those who registered.
**We also will honor High Point Veterans that cannot attend in person. Look for a separate form for those Veterans in the coming weeks.
If you have any questions please reach out to Mrs. Bauman.
Our 3rd graders will take their Ohio State Test in English Language Arts 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!
More information about Ohio's State Tests can be found at https://oh-ost.portal.cambiumast.com/families.html
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 once every 365 days. If you completed a background check more than a year ago or your expiration date is approaching, 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, etc.
Interested in Volunteering?
To volunteer, complete the following steps:
- Review the Volunteering in GJPS Schools information on the district web site, available by clicking on this link.
- Express interest in volunteering at High Point by reviewing some of our volunteer opportunities and completing the form below.
- Once completing the form, the school will reach out with additional information and provide you a link to complete the background check process.
GRIN (Gahanna Residents In Need) is a valuable resource for GJPS families. GRIN provides supplemental weekend food bags for families in need. If this is something that will help your family, please complete the attached permission form and return it to Mrs. Cellar, School Counselor. Bags go home with students on the last school day of each week.
Our daily school bell schedule is below:
7:50 a.m.: Doors Open for Students Eating Breakfast At School
7:55 a.m.: Doors Open for All Students
8:05 a.m.: School Starts-Students need to be in their class ready to learn. Students entering the building after 8:05 a.m. will need to be signed in to the office by a parent/guardian.
2:45 p.m.: School Ends; please read the end of the day procedures for more details of how we release students.
In addition, each grade level has their lunch, recess, and specials classes at the following times:
Friday, October 16: End of First Quarter
Monday, October 19: No School, Conference Comp Day
Tuesday, October 20: No School, Teacher Work Day
Tuesday, October 27: Third Grade Ohio State Test
Wednesday, October 28: Third Grade Ohio State Test
Friday, October 30: Classroom Fall Parties
Tuesday, November 3: Picture Re-takes
Wednesday, November 4: Naglieri Testing, Second Grade
Monday, November 9: No School, Staff PD Day
Tuesday, November 10: Naglieri Testing, Fifth Grade
Friday, November 13: Veterans Day Program