Weekly Update - Middle School South
September 8, 2025
Starting strong in September makes a big difference for the whole school year. Research shows that students who miss just 1-2 days in the first month are much more likely to become chronically absent later on. That’s why we’re working together to build positive attendance habits now!
When students come to school every day they:
build routines that help them feel confident
stay connected with friends and teachers
have the best chance to succeed academically and socially
This year, as an All-Star District in the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network we are celebrating Attendance Awareness Month as a part of our campaign. Each week, we’ll celebrate attendance with fun activities, and students will have chances to:
- Win prizes sponsored by the Columbus Crew
- Be featured on Stay in the Game! social media
Most importantly, we want you to know that we are here for you. If your child faces challenges getting to school, please reach out. Together, we can find solutions, because showing up today builds a stronger tomorrow. Inspiring Learners. Building Futures.
Check out this message from GJPS Superintendent, Dr. Tracey Deagle below, and THANK YOU for being our partners in helping every student become an Attendance All-Star!
It's hard to believe, but Basketball Season (and tryouts!) are right around the corner!
If your students are interested in trying out for Basketball, please make sure they're prepared by being sure they're signed up in FINAL FORMS and that they're keeping an eye on the Roar Report, my newsletters, and further in-house communication regarding Open Gyms, tryouts, and practices!
Through our partnership with GRIN (Gahanna Residents in Need), we are happy to be able to offer supplemental food for families need over the weekends.
Click on the link below if your student and your family could benefit from some supplemental provisions, and we'll be in touch soon with what we're able to offer and how we can get these provisions to you!
Supporting one another is just what we do!
After today, Monday, 9/8, our first session of MAP Testing is officially behind us... So, what's next?
Remember: MAP Testing is a diagnostic tool we use as a predictor for success on more high-stakes exams - most notably the End-of-Course Exams (State Tests) that students will take in the Spring.
As MAP Test data come pouring in, our academic coaches and teachers will begin to identify which supports and interventions our students need, and we will begin implementing those interventions by October during students' WIN Period!
We will hold THREE Family Conference nights in the fall. This is a chance for your family to come in and have a more in-depth & individualized conversation about your student and their progress in class so far.
Family Conference Nights will be on September 23, September 25, and October 1, from 4:00P - 8:00P.
Details on how to sign-up were shared in a separate email from me last week! If that email got lost in the shuffle, let me know and I can resend it!
Only a legal parent/ guardian of a student can dismiss a student from school. Siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, or other non-guardians, including step-parents who aren't designated as a "guardian" in Infinite Campus, cannot request dismissal. If someone other than a parent/guardian is picking your student up, you must include this information in your note/message/phone call.
When you arrive to pick your student up from school, please report to the main office to sign your student out. You must present an ID for verification. Then, your student will be called down to the office for dismissal.
No student will be released from the building and to a vehicle without being accompanied by the adult who is picking up the student.
Thank you for your understanding and support in the need to ensure the safety of all of our students.
Sometimes, it's necessary for a student to ride home on a different bus with another student. This could be for any number of reasons.
Please remember the three necessary components for this to happen:
(1) A signed note from a legal guardian of the student who is changing buses. This note should include the name of the student as well as the name & bus number of the student whom your child will be going home with.
(2) A signed note from a legal guardian of the family "receiving" the student. If Person A is requesting to go home on the bus with Person B, Person's B's legal guardian also has to provide a note acknowledging the request.
(3) Administrative approval & signature.
Again, this is fundamentally a question of student safety, and we appreciate your partnership in this endeavor!
Each year, our students all across the District participate in a series of low-stakes tests called MAP Testing. 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:
Tuesday, 9/2: Math 6
Wednesday, 9/3: Math 8
Thursday, 9/4: Math 8
Friday, 9/5: Math 7
Monday, 9/8: ELA 6
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!
The use of personal technology, including cell phones, smart watches, and headphones/earbuds is severely restricted at all middle schools.
While these items are permitted to be at school, but they must remain powered off and put away at all times during the day. This includes in class, at lunch/recess, and in the hallways.
Headphones/earbuds may not be worn in the hallway. If a teacher has instructed a student in 6th or 7th Grade to bring headphones to class for an activity, students must CARRY their headphones to the class. 8th Graders must keep their headphones/earbuds in their backpack at all times while in the hallways as well as during class unless explicitly directed by a teacher to use them for an activity.
Students are permitted to use cell phones while riding the bus.
Smart watches are also permitted, but should only be used as a clock while at school.
Students are not permitted to send or receive text messages or calls on cell phones or smart watches during the day. Additionally, photos may not be taken with cell phones or smart watches at school. On state testing days, smart watches are not permitted to be worn.
Infractions may result in a student’s device being taken by building staff and kept in the office until the end of the day. Multiple infractions of these policies will result in the parent/guardian of the student having to come retrieve the device in the main office as well as progressive discipline for the student.
If a parent/guardian needs to reach their student during the school day, they should call the school office.
The school is not responsible for cell phones or smart watches that are lost, stolen, or damaged.
The Fall is a huge time for Lions Athletics! Here's what our athletes are up to in August... Come cheer them on with us!
GIRLS' GOLF
9/8 -- Away vs. Marysville Bunsold
9/11 -- Home v. New Albany Middle School (played at Gahanna Municipal Golf Course) - 5:15PM
GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL
9/8 -- Away @ Lancaster Sherman MS -- 5:30PM
9/10 -- Home v. Newark Liberty MS -- 5:30PM
GIRLS' TENNIS
9/9 -- Away @ Delaware Dempsey MS -- 5:30PM
9/10 -- Away @ Dublin Davis MS -- 5:30PM
CROSS COUNTRY
9/9 -- "Battle of Gahanna" XC Meet (run at GMSE) -- 5:30PM
8th GRADE FOOTBALL
9/11 -- Home v. Westerville Minerva Park MS (played at GMSW) -- 5:30PM
7th GRADE FOOTBALL
9/10 -- Away @ Westerville Minerva Park MS -- 5:30PM
BOYS' GOLF
9/9 -- Away v. Canal Winchester MS (played at Westchester Golf Club) -- 5:00PM
9/10 -- Away v. Fairfield Christian MS (played at The View Golf Course) -- 5:00PM
Mark your calendar for the following dates...
Monday, September 1: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
Tuesday, September 2: First PTO Meeting of the Year!! (6:00P -- in person at MSS Library & Virtual Option available as well)
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)
