August 25, 2023 Jefferson Journal
One School One Book!
My priority this weekend is to find the prankster who tried to block the entrance to the school this morning with my car! You can help find the prankster by reading with your child each night! Join in the fun of One School One Book as we all read The Terrible Two. Please look in your child's backpack for a packet of information giving you full details about this special event. We read chapters 1-4 today at school. Please feel free to reread chapters 1-4 as a family so you are ready for the first night of reading on Monday. We ask that you please not read ahead!
Kindergarten Families- Popsicles on the Playground!
The Jefferson Elementary community is an awesome place to grow and learn. We know your kindergratener's have come home talking about their new friends. We would like to invite kindergarten students and their families(siblings welcome) to meet and play on the playground and have a popsicle courtesy of the PTO! This is an informal opportunity to meet and socialize with other kindergarten familes. The principal will be on hand as well that evening to welcome familes to Jefferson. The event will take place on Thursday, September 7 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm.
This week I have enjoyed going into 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms to introduce myself to the students and let them know how I will work with them this school year. I have also introduced Gillian Sapp, a Concord Counselor who will be with us 5 days a week, so the kids know who she is and her role here at Jefferson. Next week we will go to kindergarten, 4th and 5th grade rooms. Here is a picture of Miss Sapp with her adorable dog, Jericho.
If you are going through clothes and you have any in good condition you would like to donate, please send them to the clinic. We can use some extras for all sizes kindergarten - 5th grade. With accidents, rips/holes, etc. it's always good for us to have back-up.
GRIN provides food to be sent home on Fridays for families in need. If this is something you would be interested in, please fill out this form and send it back to me. You can also email me at haringah@gjps.org.
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Haringa
If you have a social, emotional concern for your child that impacts them while they are at school and would like to share this with me to see how we can help support your child, please fill out this form.
Negative Balance Policy
Due to excessive negative meal balances across the District, all Gahanna-Jefferson schools will be reinstating a previously used meal charge policy. Starting Sept. 5, 2023, any student with more than five lunch charges this school year will receive a substitute meal in the cafeteria. At the elementary level this means accounts with more than $13.75 in negative charges and at the middle and high school levels, this includes accounts that have accrued more than $15 in debt. The substitute breakfast will consist of a breakfast bar, fruit and milk and the substitute lunch will include a cheese (turkey for dairy substitute) sandwich, fruit and milk.
Families will receive a phone call and/or email starting with the second negative charge to alert you of the deficit in your student's account.
If you need to add funds to your student’s account, you can do so through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal or with a check or cash. Additionally, if you think your family would qualify for free or reduced meals, you can apply via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, print a paper application from the District website or fill out a paper application found in the office at each building. Any student that is approved for free or reduced lunch for the 2023-24 school year will receive a regularly menued meal. Families with a negative balance from a previous school year will be contacted by the District office to ensure full payment by the end of the 2023-24 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 Megan Schweller if you have any questions.
The PTO Spirtwear Store is open. You can save 30% if you order before September 7th. CLICK HERE TO SHOP ALL THE SELECTIONS
Mark Your Calendar...
August 28 One School One Book Reading Begins
September 4 Labor Day No School
September 7 Kindergarten Popsicles & Playground 6:00- 7:00 PM
September 15 Jog for Jefferson
September 16 Whit's Dine Out Event (All day- no flyer needed- just mention Jefferson Elementary)
September 22 Picture Day
September 25 Teacher Professional Learning Day, No School for Students