Blacklick Bulletin

**Updated: September 4, 2023

Message from Principal Groves - Week of October 23, 2023

Dear Blacklick Families,

THANK YOU to all families that attended our Blacklick Community Night /Book Fair last Thursday evening! It was a wonderful event! Our Blacklick Community is absolutely amazing. We greatly appreciate all of your support.

As always, 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

Elementary Report Card Updates

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Elementary Report Card Update

As a result of committee work last spring, our elementary report cards will be issued one additional time each year. This change moves us from trimesters to quarters and means families will be receiving a quarter one report card on Friday, October 27. Elementary report cards will be printed and sent home with students on Friday.

Along with the reporting period change, each grade level has updated competencies to better communicate student progress over the course of the year. In addition, there is one comment box this year instead of individual comment boxes for each subject.

If you have any questions about your student's report card, please reach out to their teacher. You can find all four reporting quarters on our Updated 23-24 School Calendar.

Individual Student SHOUT OUTS!

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As a part of our building PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) system we will be recognizing students each week for showing an area of Blacklick PRIDE (Respectful, Responsible, Positive, Prepared, and Safe). Any staff member can recognize a student for showing Blacklick PRIDE!

Students will receive a Blacklick PRIDE pencil and a print out of their shout out certificate. Families will receive a copy of the shout out in the mail. Our goal is to recognize every student at least once this school year!

Highlights from FOURTH GRADE Related Arts

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Art in Grade 4

4th Grade students are finishing up their expressive paintings. Students were given primary colors, black and white, and needed to make the tints, tones and shades of color that would represent the emotion they wanted to depict. Their creativity and expressiveness is astounding!

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Music in Grade 4

4th grade musicians have been learning “fall-themed” songs and games, as well as playing xylophones, boomwhackers, & drums! 4th graders are learning to sing in a group as a choir.

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PE in Grade 4

The 4th graders are just beginning a unit called Wiffle Ball. They are working on their throwing, catching, fielding, and batting skills. They are also learning how to force out the runner by catching the ball while having at least one foot on the base.

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Library in Grade 4

Fourth graders worked hard for several weeks on their country reports so that they could decorate the hall leading up to the book fair on Community Night! They used quality resources and learned how to format Google Slides, in addition to learning about the country of their choice.

Counselor's Corner: Mrs. Warfield, Mr. Rediger & Mrs. Jenkins

Dear Blacklick Families,

Some parents/guardians have reached out for tips on how to talk to students about violence and war in the news. Try these 5 tips if you need them. Also if you feel like you need more help you can always reach out to your school counselors directly.

Start by asking your child what they know. This will help you understand how much they have already learned about the conflict and how they are feeling about it.
Be honest and direct. It's important to answer your child's questions honestly, even if they are difficult. However, you don't need to go into too much detail, especially for younger children.
Use age-appropriate language. Avoid using complex or graphic terms that your child may not understand. Instead, use simple and clear language to explain what is happening.
Reassure your child that they are safe. Let your child know that you are there for them and that you will do everything you can to keep them safe.
Limit your child's exposure to violence in the media. Too much exposure to violence can be upsetting for children, especially younger ones. Consider turning off the news or limiting your child's screen time when there is a lot of violence in the media.

No matter how old your child is, it's important to let them know that you are there for them and that you are willing to talk about anything that is bothering them.

Veterans' Day Assembly at Blacklick - November 10, 2023

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An Invitation to the Blacklick Elementary Veterans’ Day Assembly

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

Please be sure to send in your RSVP form to your child’s classroom teacher by Friday, November 3rd if you are planning to attend. The RSVP form will go home this week in student PRIDE Folders.

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

Candy for the Troops!

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We will be collecting Candy for the Troops! Do you have extra Halloween candy that you would like to donate to the U.S Military? Please send in all of your extra candy to your child’s classroom teacher by Wednesday, November 8, 2023. We will be partnering with the Buckeye Military Moms Organization out of Worthington, Ohio. This organization will be shipping the candy to US military troops.

Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization)

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The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, 2023 in the Blacklick library at 6:30 PM. Check out the most up to date information from the Blacklick PRIDE Partner PTO by clicking on the link below:

PTO Newsletter - October 2023

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Karen Davidson, PTO President, at ptoblacklick@gmail.com.

Blacklick Pop Tab Collection for the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio

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As a school community we will be collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio. Please check your child's PRIDE folder for information regarding this collection.

WHAT: The Pop Tab Program is a fundraising project that supports Ronald McDonald House Charities. By collecting tabs from aluminum cans, RMHC of Central Ohio is able to recycle them in exchange for money that is then put towards paying the utility bills for the Ronald McDonald House.

WHEN: September 5, 2023 - May 1, 2024

WHERE: Students can drop off pop tabs in the boxes located in each hallway at Blacklick Elementary.

GJPS Heart and Pride Award

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Celebrating Our Staff

We are excited to announce the Heart and Pride staff recognition award! This award is being established to recognize outstanding staff members who make a profound impact on our students and Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools.

This nomination form will remain open year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position. Please nominate a staff member you feel is deserving by September 29, 2023 to be considered for October recognition, but if you miss the deadline, please still submit nominations as this is a monthly award.

GRIN (Gahanna Residents in Need): Snack Bags

Gahanna Residents in Need (GRIN) will once again provide weekend snack bags to families who need support with food. This program is meant for those with a need to supplement food at home for their children.

You may follow this link - https://forms.gle/UBsm7G85rhHaVyg66 - to access and sign-up for the program. Please fill out the form and note any special dietary needs.

Free/Reduced Price Meal Benefits

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If you believe your family may qualify for free/reduced-price meals, please apply online for free or reduced-price meal benefits with these easy steps: