East Weekly -- Summer Edition

Hello MSE Families,

I hope you and your family are enjoying a wonderful summer! While I know there is still plenty of summer left to enjoy, I wanted to take a moment to share some important information as we prepare for another great school year. I am looking forward to seeing everyone soon and welcoming our students back to Middle School East!

First, I want to apologize to our 6th grade families who recently received emails regarding Final Forms and fall athletics. I wasn't aware that your email addresses had already been added to my distribution list, and those messages had been scheduled to send before I realized they would also be sent to our incoming families. While there will be countless opportunities for our 6th grade students to get involved, Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) regulations do not allow 6th grade students to participate in middle school athletics.

Thank you for your understanding as we work through our beginning-of-the-year communications. Here is the Incoming Sixth Grade Orientation slide deck for anyone who would like to review the information that was shared in the Spring, or for those who were unable to attend.

For our 7th and 8th grade families, if your student plans to participate in athletics this school year and you have questions or concerns about eligibility, please watch for an email from me in the coming days with additional information. If there are no eligibility concerns then you will not receive an email.

As you scroll through this newsletter, you'll find many important dates for the start of the school year and other events throughout the coming weeks. Please take a few minutes to review them and add them to your calendar.

This school year also brings several new faces to Middle School East. We are excited to welcome a number of outstanding educators and staff members to our team and continue growing the MSE family. I know they will make a positive impact on our students, and I can't wait for you to meet them.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and I look forward to seeing all of our Lions very soon!

Take care,

Megan Kirsten
Principal, Gahanna Middle School East

As we prepare for another exciting school year, we're also celebrating the many professional opportunities our staff members have embraced. Several members of our team have accepted new roles within GJPS, while others are taking on new grade levels or subject areas here at MSE. Although we'll miss seeing some familiar faces in their previous roles, we're proud to support their continued growth and know they will make a positive impact in their new positions.

We are also excited to welcome new staff members to our Lion Pride as we continue building an outstanding team for the 2026-2027 school year.

Aug. 13: Schedule Pickup

• If you are unable to attend schedule pick-up there will be a date scheduled with Mrs. Hinds, our building secretary, to pick-up your schedule and turn in required paperwork.
• More information coming at a later date.

Aug. 20: First Day of School

Aug. 26: 6th grade Open House/Curriculum Night

Sept. 1: Student speaker during the school day!

Sept. 7: Labor Day - No School

MAP Testing- date TBD

Sept. 18: 6th grade Adventure Day-- more info to come

Oct. 6: Parent Teacher Conferences (6th grade families ONLY)

Oct. 8: Parent Teacher Conferences (ALL grade levels)

Oct. 13: Parent Teacher Conferences (ALL grade levels)

Oct. 16: End of Q1

Oct. 19: Conference Comp Day - No School
Oct. 20: Staff Work Day - No School for students

Sixth Grade 2026-27 Supply List (PDF)

Seventh Grade 2026-27 Supply List (PDF)

Seventh/Eighth Grade 2026-27 Related Arts Supply List (PDF)

Eighth Grade 2026-27 Supply List (PDF)

***Update for 8th grade ELA supplies

• 8th grade ELA students needs CHASING SPACE: YOUNG READER’S EDITION BY LELAND MELVIN (PURCHASE OR LOCATE A COPY); NEED IT FOR THE START OF THE YEAR.
• 8th grade ACE ELA (Accelerated) needs Tuesday with Morrie by Mitch Albom.

ESS or FSS - Support Services 2026-27 Supply Lists (PDF)

PTA meetings take place on the 2nd Monday of each month in the GMSE library at 7:00pm. All are welcome!

Meeting dates:

• Dates coming soon!

Help support and fund numerous initiatives for students and staff throughout the year. Stay tuned to our Facebook page, “GMSE Parents” (new members be sure to answer the questions to be admitted), and upcoming newsletters for more information about what we do and how you can help.

Please consider joining the Middle School East PTA.

Thank you to all of the parents who have reached out since the most recent athletic infoirmation was shared. Per the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), students are not eligible to participate in school-sponsored athletics until 7th grade. While our incoming 6th grade students won’t be able to join school teams just yet, they’ll have many exciting opportunities to get involved at East through a variety of clubs and activities — see the 25-26 list included below.

Families, we encourage you to create an account in Final Forms and select ALL sports that your student may be interested in throughout the school year. Doing this early helps avoid the need to re-sign forms later and ensures they receive important updates from coaches and the athletic Department regarding conditioning, tryouts, and other key information.

Below is the link to Final Forms as well as an instruction page.

Thank you for your help in preparation for the upcoming season year!

Final Forms

Final Forms - Parent Instructions

To report an absence, please call the front office at (614)478-5550 or email fischerj@gjps.org by 9:10am if possible.You also have the ability to login into Infinite Campus and mark your child's absence there. Please ONLY do this if your child will be absent for the entire day.

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.

The Heart & Pride Nomination Form will remain available year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.

PTA meetings take place on the 2nd Monday of each month in the GMSE library at 7:00pm. All are welcome!

Meeting dates:

• Dates coming soon!

Help support and fund numerous initiatives for students and staff throughout the year. Stay tuned to our Facebook page, “GMSE Parents” (new members be sure to answer the questions to be admitted), and upcoming newsletters for more information about what we do and how you can help.

Please consider joining the Middle School East PTA.

September 7, 2026: Labor Day - No School

September 21, 2026: PD Day - No School
October 19, 2026: Conference Comp Day - No School
October 20, 2026: Staff Work Day - No School
November 9, 2026: PD Day - No School
November 25-27, 2026: Thanksgiving Break - No School
December 23, 2026-January 1, 2027: Winter Break - No School
January 4, 2027: Staff Work Day - No School
January 18, 2027: Martin Luther King Day - No School
February 15, 2027: Presidents Day - No School
March 8, 2027: Staff Work Day - No School
March 9, 2027: PD Day - No School
March 26, 2027: Conference Comp Day - No School
March 29-April 2, 2027: Spring Break- No School
April 30, 2027: PD Day - No School
May 27, 2027: Last Day of School for Students
May 28, 2027: Staff Work Day - No School
May 29, 2027: Class of 2027 Commencement