Gahanna Middle School South
Back-to-School Update, August 1, 2025
All students and families are invited to come into the building on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, to pick up student schedules, get their school photo taken, get access to their locker, and to walk the building.
Schedule pick-up will take place from 9:00AM - 12:00PM and from 1:00PM - 6:00PM. (Building closed for lunch from 12:00PM - 1:00PM)
If your family cannot attend schedule pick-up, you may stop by the building any time after August 6th to complete this process (make-up student photos will take place on August 19 during the school day).
ACTION ON INFINITE CAMPUS IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO SCHEDULE PICK-UP. PLEASE SEE BELOW!
The bell schedule above reflects an exciting change for our District beginning this year: all three Middle Schools -- South, East, and West -- are transitioning to a common bell schedule!
OUR GOAL:
To align instructional practices across all middle schools in the district
WHY THIS MATTERS:
It's important for all GJPS students to have the same opportunities and access to instruction & intervention regardless of which building they attend. This schedule alignment ensures a more equitable and cohesive student experience across East, South, and West.
WHAT'S NEW FOR OUR STUDENTS:
In addition to aligning daily schedules, we have added two key components to enhance student learning and support: a WIN Block for all students and a Rotation Period for 8th-grade students.
WIN BLOCK -- "What I Need":
All students will have a WIN Block build into their day. WIN is a structured period where students will work individually to enrich or reinforce current content, and staff can work with students individually or in small groups to:
- offer targeted interventions based on MAP and OST assessment data
- enrich current content
- support executive functioning skills (organization, time management, etc.)
- provide specially designed instruction for students with specific learning needs
The WIN Block ensures that all students receive the personalized academic support and enrichment they need without missing core instruction.
8TH GRADE ROTATION PERIOD:
In 6th and 7th grade, students have blocked ELA and Math classes, meaning each subject spans two class periods. However, in 8th grade, students no longer have these blocked classes due to the addition of a world-language course as a daily part of their schedule. With ELA and Math returning to a single-period format, this creates additional flexibility in the day, which led to the creation of "Rotation."
In addition to WIN, 8th-grade students will also have a Rotation Period, giving their core content teachers an opportunity to meet with students one additional time each week.
Rotation is a flexible period used to:
- reinforce or extend classroom content
- conduct lab work or small-group collaboration
- dive into problem-based or project-based learning
- adapt instruction based on student needs and interests for the specific class
At Middle School South, Rotation will place during 7th Period each day, following this weekly schedule:
Monday -- students see their 1st or 3rd Period academic teacher (whichever is not a related-arts class)
Tuesday -- students see their 4th Period teacher
Wednesday -- students see their 5th Period teacher
Thursday -- students see their 8th Period teacher
Friday -- students see their 9th Period teacher
This change was made through a thoughtful and collaborative process that included Building Principals, Curriculum Directors, Instructional Coaches, Team Leaders, and Staff.
Middle School South is GROWING! Unfortunately, the number of lockers we have available has not changed. In order to combat the lack of lockers as well as the number of students stopping at their lockers while all three grades transition every period, 8TH GRADE STUDENTS ONLY will be permitted to carry backpacks with them throughout the day.
8th-grade students who would like a locker may request one in the Main Office.
Being able to carry backpacks requires awareness and a sense of responsibility. 8th-grade students who demonstrate that they cannot be responsible with their backpacks will have this privilege taken away!
Infinite Campus must be updated prior to getting a schedule on August 6th. Families must update EMAs (Emergency Medical Authorizations) and may pay fees. The can be done before coming into the building. The step must be completed each year, regardless of anything needing to be changed. This online registration is now up and running as of August 1. Please note that updates made to EMAs might take up to 24 hours to "process."
Below, please take a moment to read this update sent out by the GJPS Technology Team in early July regarding Fee Payments through Infinite Campus.
Upcoming Changes to Fee Payments through Infinite Campus
July 10, 2025
Dear Gahanna-Jefferson Families,
We want to inform you of an important update regarding the Infinite Campus Payment Portal. Beginning this month, Infinite Campus is transitioning to “Stripe” as its new merchant service provider. This change affects how online payments are processed for food service accounts and student fees (including instructional, athletic and technology fees).
To help you prepare, please review the important dates and action steps below.
Action Required
Portal Reopens: July 23
When the payment portal returns, you'll need to update your payment information and re-enter any recurring payments, as your previous data will not carry over.
Add Payment Method(s): Payment methods are used for both food service and school fees. Your current payment information will not be transferred. For security reasons, you must manually re-enter your payment methods.
You can add:
- Credit/debit cards
- Bank accounts
- To validate bank accounts:
- Automatic Validation: Log into your bank to confirm.
- Manual Validation: A 24-48 hour delay for confirmation.
Steps to Add a Payment Method:
- Go to "Food Service" in the Infinite Campus menu.
- Click on "My Accounts."
- Select the "Payment Methods" box.
- Click the blue "New" button, enter your info, and hit "Save."
Re-establish Recurring Food Service Payments
Recurring payments will not carry over for security reasons. You must reconfigure them using your newly established payment method.
Steps to Set Up Recurring Payments:
- Click on "Food Service" in the Infinite Campus menu.
- Select "My Accounts."
- Click the "Recurring Payments" box.
- Under "Food Service," click "View."
- Set your frequency, amount and payment method.
- Click "Save."
For more detailed instructions, including screenshots, please see the attached document. There are no other changes to the way you experience online payments.
We appreciate your attention to this important update. If you have any questions or need help, please fill out the Infinite Campus Help Form.
How to Add Fee Payments to Infinite Campus
Thank you,
Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools
Mark your calendar for the following dates...
Wednesday, August 6: Schedule Pick-Up (9A - 12P; 1P - 6P)
Wednesday, August 6: Student Photos (during Schedule Pick-Up)
Thursday, August 14: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS!
Tuesday, August 26: 6th Grade Open House (5:30P - 7P)
Monday, September 1: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
Thursday, September 4: 7th & 8th Grade Open House (5:30P - 7P)
Tuesday, September 23: Family Conferences (4P - 8P)
Thursday, September 25: Family Conferences (4P - 8P)
Wednesday, October 1: Family Conferences (4P - 8P)
