Weekly Update - Middle School South
January 20, 2026
From 6th-Grade Teacher, Mrs. Rhonda Wamsley:
SUBJECT: Save the Date: Costa Rica interest meeting Jan 20th!
Dear families,
Save the date! We're hosting an exciting informational meeting about our upcoming Costa Rica trip (Spring 2027).
Mark your calendars!
Date: January 20
Time: 7:00 PM
Location:Middle School South Library
RSVP here: https://rsvp.eftours.com/5b5zkpz
This is an incredible opportunity for students to explore new places, experience different cultures, and gain lifelong skills like independence and confidence. At the meeting, I'll share all the details including what we'll see and do, hands-on learning activities, academic opportunities, trip costs, and how to secure a spot.
I hope to see you there and look forward to sharing how this trip can be a powerful and unforgettable chapter in your child's life!
On Thursday, February 5, Middle School South will be hosting its one and only Family Conference Night from 400P - 800P (last conference at 745P).
Please note that these conferences work a little differently from the Fall.
The Winter Conference night is primarily by INVITATION ONLY. That's to say: our teachers at all grade levels will reach out to families with whom they feel it necessary to meet. Grade-level teams will begin sending out those invitations by the end of this week.
Then, once we have all "priority families" signed up, we will send out a communication with all remaining available spots, and any family will be able to sign up if they so choose!
So, be on the lookout for communication from your child's teachers, and if nobody reaches out, be on the lookout for the "All Call" message shortly ahead of Conference Night.
To add a little fun to this shortened week, our Student Leadership Team has organized a SPIRIT WEEK for this week, based on the following themes:
TUESDAY, 1/20 -- Pajama Day!
WEDNESDAY, 1/21 -- Mismatch Day!
THURSDAY, 1/22 -- Twin/Multiples Day! (dress like your bestie -- or your group of besties!)
FRIDAY, 1/23 -- Gahanna Spirit Day!
We invite you to support an event that directly benefits our students and schools — the Gahanna Gala, the Gahanna-Jefferson Education Foundation’s (GJEF) premier fundraising event!
Your support of the Gahanna Gala helps:
Fund innovative classroom grants across all GJPS buildings
Support student programs and unique learning opportunities
Provide resources beyond traditional school funding
Strengthen educational experiences for all GJPS students
Ways your family can get involved:
Sign up to volunteer before, during, or after the Gala — many hands make light work! Gahanna Gala Volunteer Sign Up
Buy raffle tickets to support your school’s PTO/PTA. Use the QR Code and indicate the school you are supporting.
Donate items from our AMAZON WISHLIST to help make the event a success
Attend the Gala in person for an evening of food, fun, and celebration www.gjef.org
Participate in the virtual auction — registration is free! www.gjef.org
Every level of support makes a meaningful difference. Thank you for being such an important part of the GJPS community and for supporting our mission to promote excellence in education.
Thank you so much!
Dianna and Tricia
We should all have a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C for our futures. We will be talking to you about some ideas. Don’t forget…it is okay to grow and change your mind as new things interest you.
Big thanks to the students who suggested this week’s career: Artists
Artists are creative professionals who use their imagination and skills to make visual work that can communicate ideas, tell stories, express emotions, or solve problems. Artists work in many different areas from drawing and painting to digital design and creative business projects. Art can be found in books, games, products, advertisements, tattoos, and much more. Some examples of artist careers include:
Graphic Designers create visual designs for websites, logos, posters, apps, products, and advertising. They use tools like computers and tablets to blend creativity with digital technology.
Illustrators make images for books, magazines, comics, games, and educational materials. Illustrators often work with authors and designers to bring ideas to life.
Tattoo Artists design and apply permanent art on skin. Tattoo artists need strong drawing skills, steady hands, creativity, and good communication skills.
Concept Artists & Game Artists develop characters, environments, and visual elements for films, animation, and video games.
Photographers & Videographers use cameras and editing tools to create artistic images and videos for magazines, media, events, and online platforms.
Becoming an artist can involve many types of education and training. Some artists earn bachelor’s degrees in art, graphic design, illustration, animation, or visual communication, while others build skills through art classes, workshops, portfolios, and practice. Important skills include creativity, drawing or design ability, computer skills, critical thinking, and self‑direction. Salaries vary widely depending on the art form, skills, experience, and where you work---ranging from $30,000 to $80,000+.
Each quarter, Mr. Bonath, MSS Assistant Principal, and I take the time to meet with all students during their Related Arts period in what we call a Grade-Level Community Meeting. In these meetings, we praise what our students have accomplished so far, and we share some items that we hope to clean up a bit moving forward. Each grade level presentation is nuanced, but for your information and hopeful partnership at home, here is a list of the topics Mr. Bonath and I covered on Friday, 1/9.
(-) Praise for "Red Team" on their quarter 2 Survivor championship! Their reward: a PIZZA PARTY hosted by Mr. Bonath.
(-) Celebrating growth shown by our 6th graders -- so much so that they will have a second shot at choosing their seats at lunch in the very near future. Celebrating our 7th Graders' consistent living up to expectations and demonstrating responsibility in the classroom. Rejoicing in the arrival of Official Snack Time for our 8TH GRADERS during 4th period (since their lunch is so late in the day), under teachers' direction.
(-) A reminder to continue strengthening positive behaviors in hallways, especially during the transition right after lunch (this goes for all grade levels).
(-) Reminders about the importance of charging chromebooks at home each night, especially as we get into "testing season."
(-) Reminders about lunchtime and recess procedures
(-) Reminders about the importance of powering down devices before entering the building each day as well as about the restricted use of headphones. Headphones should be carried at all times, and only if directed by a teacher to bring them to class. Otherwise, they should remain in lockers and backpacks, and may not be worn as an accessory around the head or neck.
ONE GLOBAL FOCUS FOR Q3: HALL PASSES
There are times throughout the day when it seems that we have high numbers of students essentially just roaming the halls (sometimes taking the scenic route back to class, sometimes making a pass to go one place and simply going to another...). I reminded students that everyone must have a pass to be in the hallways during class time. Our preferred pass system is SMART PASS (a digital hall pass system), but in a pinch, a handwritten pass from a teacher could suffice. Having a hall pass is a matter of accountability, responsibility, and ultimately, liability, and throughout the second half of the year, this will be an area of targeted enforcement by teachers and administrators.
If a student is found in the hallway without a pass, that student will face a pass restriction over the course of a few days. For subsequent infractions, students will face further pass restrictions as well as a 30-minute after-school detention.
It is our belief that with a strong partnership at home, Middle School South can remain an amazing environment for learning, growing, and enjoying these middle school years.
Thank you all for the continued support! We plan to share our talking points each quarter for your awareness and potential partnership!
Please see this message from GLHS Girls Soccer Coach, Mr. Dave Merrick:
Gahanna Lincoln Girls High School Soccer Info: Interested in playing high school soccer? Please complete the Incoming Player Survey to start receiving info on program dates and happenings. Questions please email Coach Merrick at merrickd@gjps.org
Each year, our students all across the District participate in a series of low-stakes tests called MAP Testing.
Students took their first MAP Test in the August/early September. In January, they will take their second round (of 3).
M.A.P. stands for Measures of Academic Progress, and these tests are designed to assess students' academic progress and growth over time. The data from MAP Growth assessments helps teachers understand where students are in their learning and identify areas where they might need additional support or challenge. This information can then be used to tailor lessons and activities to meet the specific needs of each student, especially in preparation for standardized State Tests in the Spring.
MSS Students will engage in MAP Testing according to the following schedule:
Wednesday, 1/14 : Math 6
Thursday, 1/15: ELA 8
Friday, 1/16: ELA 8
Tuesday, 1/20: ELA 6
Wednesday, 1/21: Math 7
Thursday, 1/22: Math 8
Friday, 1/23: Math 8
Tuesday, 1/27: ELA 7
I share this information simply to keep your family in the loop. No stress or particular preparation required, other than a good night's sleep and a sense of efficacy on the day of!
As Winter gets well underway, our Lions are back at it!
BOYS' BASKETBALL
Tuesday, January 20
AWAY @ Gahanna Middle School West
7th Grade: 5:30PM
8th Grade: 6:45PM (appx.)
Thursday, January 22
HOME v. Newark Wilson Middle School
7th Grade: 5:30PM
8th Grade: 6:45PM (appx.)
GIRLS' BASKETBALL
Tuesday, January 20
HOME v. Gahanna Middle School West
7th Grade: 5:30PM
8th Grade: 6:45PM (appx.)
WRESTLING
GIRLS: Wednesday, January 21
HOME v. Teays Valley West
match held at GMSE
5:30PM
BOYS: Wednesday, January 21
HOME v. Teays Valley East
match held at GMSE
5:30PM
Is there a Staff Member out there you believe is deserving some praise?!
Let us know about it!
Click on the button below to send some positive vibes to a staff member so that we can celebrate that person, too!
Mark your calendar for the following dates...
Wednesday, January 14: Winter MAP Testing begins at MSS
Monday, January 19: Martin Luther King Day -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS OR STAFF
Thursday, February 5: Winter Family Conferences, 4:00P - 7:45P (by teacher invitation only)
Friday, February 13: Professional Development Day -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Monday, February 16: Presidents' Day -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS OR STAFF
