GJPS Preschool Weekly Update

Thank you for all of the time and supplies that volunteers provided to our Valentine's dance! It was such a memorable event!

Dear Families,

Next week we are beginning a new them in our classroom, “Amazing Critters”. Children will learn about insects that crawl. They will learn interesting facts about these crawling creatures, including that some are pests and some are very hard workers. They will also learn how to determine if a creature is indeed an insect.

Next week’s Family Connections activities can be found at:
https://portal2.frogstreet.com/wp-content/uploads/prek2/familyconn/ENG-FC-T7-W1.pdf

Next week’s storybook, “Ants: Natures Busy Bodies” can be found at: https://portal2.frogstreet.com/ebook/?bookname=FS20081_ANTS_eBook.

Looking forward to an exciting week!

Age for Kindergarten: Your child must be 5 by August 1, 2024 to go to Kindergarten.

Enrollment for Kindergarten: If your child is age-eligible to go to Kindergarten and currently attends our preschool, you will NOT need to enroll them for Kindergarten. We will send all information to the building principals.

Pink forms were sent home with age-eligible peer models to communicate if your child will be transitioning. If you are planning on keeping your child in preschool, we MUST receive the form back or communication to hold a spot for your child for the 24-25 school year.

Preschool enrollment for peer models will begin on February 5, 2024 for the 24-25 school year.

• If your child is currently enrolled in our program and you plan to have them attend for the 24-25 school year, we MUST receive communication in order to hold a spot for your child. You can email Mary Ann Stevens at stevensm@gjps.org to communicate if your child will be returning.
• Any siblings/new peer models must complete registration online.

Our preschool licensing rules require us to have an updated medical statement on each student after EACH annual exam. The medical statement form is attached below. Take this form to your child's yearly exam to have completed by their pediatrician. If you need a form sent home, please let us know and we would be happy to print and send it home!

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.

Black History Month

BLACK HISTORY MONTH- Black History Month is an annual celebration of African American heritage and achievements (a time set aside for all to recognize black people’s contributions to the United States). This celebration was the brainchild of Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Woodson, the son of slaves, was a sharecropper who fought many obstacles and went on to become the second African-American to earn a Ph.D from Harvard in 1912. Black History Month started as ‘Negro History Week’ in 1926. The month was selected by Woodson because it contained the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. As early as the 1940s, efforts began to expand this week into a longer event. These efforts were included in the rise of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Since 1976, every President has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

World Hijab Day

February 1st is World Hijab Day, which was established 10 years ago as a day to promote religious tolerance and reduce the stigma and controversies associated with Muslim women and girls who choose to wear hijabs and identify as Hijabi.

Saint Brigid's Day

Saint Brigid's Day is celebrated on February 1st and is an important Irish Festival in Folk Tradition, celebrating fertility, blessings, and protection. St. Brigid’s Day celebrates Ireland’s only female patron.

Additional Notable Dates in February

February 2 - Groundhog Day

February 10 - Chinese New Year/ Lunar New Year

February 10-12 - Losar

February 14 - Ash Wednesday

February 14 - March 28 - Lent

February 14 - Valentine’s Day

February 20 - World Day of Social Justice

February 21 - Presidents' Day

February 24 - Makha Bucha Day/Māgha Pūjā

Feb. 24: The Gahanna Gala

March 8: Comp Day (no school)

March 11: Teacher Work Day (no school for students)

2023-24 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)