CES Welcome Back Communicator

Welcome Back, Chapelfield families.

It is my absolute honor to welcome back our students and families to the 2026–2027 school year! We hope you had a wonderful and restful summer vacation filled with special memories. I am truly looking forward to supporting the Chapelfield community as we embark on another exciting year together.

This year, our team will be "locked in" on growing our students through active, engaging learning experiences every single day.

Stay Connected: Weekly Newsletters

Beginning Friday, August 21, you can expect to receive a weekly newsletter from me sharing important updates from both the school and our PTO.

Important: This message contains essential information you need to know for the start of the school year. Please read it closely.

Important Dates & Reminders

• Free & Reduced Lunch Applications: Please remember that a new application must be filled out every year, even if your family qualified last year. Applications open on Monday, August 10.

• End-of-Day Dismissal: To help us ensure a smooth, safe ending to our school day, please review and follow our office guidelines.

• Open House: Join us on Tuesday, August 18, from 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM!

  • 1st–5th grade families will have the opportunity to meet their child’s teacher. Kindergarten families can come in to see the kindergarten team.

  • Our PTO will also be there sharing important information about how to get involved this school year.

• First Day of School: The first day of school for 1st–5th grade students is Thursday, August 20.

• Kindergarten Staggered Start: Kindergarten starts on a staggered schedule. Missing your mailed start date? Contact Mrs. Gilzow at 614-478-5575.

We are so excited to open our doors and partner with you to make this school year our best one yet. Enjoy the remaining days of summer, and we will see you very soon!

Sincerely,

Nikki Miller

Hello, Chapelfield Champions!

I am thrilled to serve as the Assistant Principal at Chapelfield Elementary! I bring 21 years of educating to GJPS and I am passionate about working with students and families. I am excited to join the Chapelfield Pride and honor the traditions and achievements that make CES a dynamic learning community! There will be many successes to celebrate together! Be on the lookout soon for ways we can connect, and in the meantime, please reach out anytime to my email dreherr@gjps.org or my phone at 614-269-4611. You are important and valued. It is going to be an amazing year!

Our first-fifth grade homeroom assignments will come out on Thursday, August 13 after 3 p.m. Pay attention to your Infinite Campus email for this information.

Be an Attendance HERO (Here, Every day, Ready On time)! Every minute matters for student success, and we miss our students when they aren't here. It's not the same without all of us learning together!

Please help us follow this schedule:

7:50 a.m.: Doors Open for Students Eating Breakfast At School

7:55 a.m.: Doors Open for All Students

8:05 a.m.: School Starts-Students need to be in their class ready to learn. Students entering the building after 8:05 a.m. will need to be signed in to the office by a parent/guardian.

2:45 p.m.: School Ends; please read the end of the day procedures for more details of when we release students.

Arrival

Our doors open at 7:50 a.m. for students who will be eating breakfast at school ONLY. All other students are able to enter at 7:55 a.m. Buses will dismiss students at 7:55 a.m. Kindergarten, first, and second grade students enter through the doors on the right, if you’re facing the building. Third, fourth, and fifth grade students will enter the doors on the left. Students who are driven to school by parents or guardians may be dropped off beginning at 7:55 a.m. They will exit their vehicle and follow the sidewalk to the front of the building. In the case of inclement weather, students will be permitted to come into the building rather than waiting outside. However, this is not until 7:50 a.m, when student supervision begins.

Dismissal

Buses:

Students riding the bus will exit at the front of the building. Bus riders will leave at 2:42 p.m.

Car Riders/Day Car Shuttles:

Students being picked up by car will use the door near the music room, the west door. These students are dismissed at 2:35 p.m. This is a car rider lane ONLY. It is not for parents or guardians to park and pick students up in person. We kindly ask that you refrain from using your cell phone at this time in order to keep all students safe. We will be extended the pick up lane to make this process faster.

Parent Pick Up & Students Walking Home (NOT IN A CAR): Dismissed at 2:45 p.m.

If you wish to pick your child up in person, and not sit in the car lane, please go to the K-1 playground.

• All students will go out the east side doors to exit onto the K-1 playground. Please wait for your child there.

Please note with the change of times, we may monitor and adjust our plan. Please continue to read for updates.

The front office is a bustling place! To help us keep our school day running smoothly and ensure all students stay safe, please keep these quick guidelines in mind:

• Vestibule Waiting Area: If you are dropping off a forgotten item or picking up a child, please wait in the front vestibule until a staff member assists you.

• Be On Time: Please ensure your child arrives before 8:05 AM, when our learning day officially begins.

• Plan Transportation Ahead: Please make all end-of-day transportation plans with your child before they leave home in the morning.

• Cut-Off Time for Changes: If an emergency change is unavoidable, please call the office before 2:00 PM.

• Dismissal Closure: The front office closes at 2:15 PM until all students are safely dismissed. We will reopen the doors at 2:45 p.m.

Thank you so much for your partnership in making the start and end of our school day a success!

Your students' bus route for the 202-27 school year is available on Transfinder. The web-based service provides Gahanna-Jefferson families 24/7 flexibility and access to route information based on their home address!

Be sure to enter only the street number and street name. Do not enter zip code, grades or school. (Entering more than the street number and name may cause inaccurate information to display.)

When you receive your bus information, please check over it carefully. If something does not make sense, please contact transportation at (614) 751-7581.

We are excited to offer the mobile device app Here Comes the Bus. This app allows families to view the real-time location of your child's school bus on a smartphone, tablet or computer using GPS technologies with which each school bus is equipped.

How to Get Started with Here Comes the Bus:

1. Download the Here Comes the Bus app or visit www.HereComesTheBus.com.
2. Click the “SIGN UP” button at the bottom of screen.
3. Follow directions on screen to create an account using the GJPS school district code: 29231
4. You will be sent an email to verify your email address and activate your account.
5. Return to app and add your child’s last name and STUDENT ID number.
   (STUDENT ID NUMBER IS THE SAME AS STUDENT CAFETERIA PIN NUMBER)
6. Click “ADD STUDENT” to add other children in your household.
7. You are now ready to begin following the location of your child’s bus!

If your student is in need of after school care, the YWCA Columbus offers after school services right here at Chapelfield. If you are interested, please follow the link to the website to register. or call Ms. Hill at 614.806.6444.

New to Chapelfield and want to have a look around before the school year gets under way? Please join our school counselor, Krysten Jasin, for a brief tour on Friday, August 14th at 10 AM or 1 PM. This is for students that are new in 1st-5th grade. Please contact the office at (614) 478-5575 to add your child's name to the list if you are interested.

Infinite Campus is our parent portal and student information system. This site will allow parents/guardians to access school information electronically. For example, Infinite Campus will allow you to update email addresses and other important information regarding your child as well as view your child's report card electronically.

ALL Families (either new to Chapelfield or returning families) need to update your information in the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus. Directions for how to update Infinite Campus are linked below:

1. Log into the Parent Portal on Infinite Campus at: https://gahannajeffersonoh.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/gahanna_jefferson.jsp

2. Click MORE from the left hand column

3. Click on ONLINE REGISTRATION from choices on the right

4. Click START next to "Existing Student Registration"

5. Go through each step to complete the registration

Families New to Chapelfield Elementary: If you are a new family to Chapelfield (including all of our kindergarten families), you will receive an email from Mrs. Gilzow, school secretary, soon detailing directions on how to log into the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus to update your information.

Returning Families: If you need assistance - please call the school office at 614-478-5575. Mrs. Gilzow will be happy to help.

Dear Gahanna-Jefferson Families,

Here are the ways to pay school fees and for school meals:

1. 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:

1. Go to "Food Service" in the Infinite Campus menu.

2. Click on "My Accounts."

3. Select the "Payment Methods" box.

4. Click the blue "New" button, enter your info, and hit "Save."

2. 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:

1. Click on "Food Service" in the Infinite Campus menu.

2. Select "My Accounts."

3. Click the "Recurring Payments" box.

4. Under "Food Service," click "View."

5. Set your frequency, amount and payment method.

6. Click "Save."

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

Please review the checklist that is listed below to ensure that your family is ready for the new school year:

____ Log in to Infinite Campus and update your child's information for the 2026-2027 school year. This is a requirement for ALL families (new families and returning families).

*If you do not have access to the internet or are unable to download the information, please call the school office during summer office hours, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Mrs. Gilzow our school secretary, will be available to assist families in updating information in Infinite Campus.

______ Lunch Menu (Online now at gahannaschools.org). Students can choose to pack their lunch or eat a lunch provided by the school cafeteria.

______ Chapelfield Calendar of Events is on the Gahanna Schools website (gahannaschools.org), and included in our weekly emails throughout the year.

_______Chapelfield School Supply List **Available on the Gahanna Schools website - on the Chapelfield page - gahannaschools.org or by clicking the links below:

2026-2027 Chapelfield School Supply List (PDF)

______Bus Transfer Request Form (Return only if applicable to your child, if your daycare provider says that you ride a Gahanna bus, you must complete this form; available on Gahanna website under transportation tab)

______ Medication Form (If your child will be taking medication at school including over the counter medication; on Gahanna Schools website under health services).

______ Food Allergy Forms (must indicate online and have a written doctor’s note with alternatives (You will turn in the doctor's note to the school office).

______ Pay School Fees through Campus Payment in Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

______ GJPS/Chapelfield Student Handbook (acknowledge on Infinite Campus; a copy of the GJPS Student Handbook is located on the Gahanna Schools website.

If you are visiting Chapelfield for any reason, you will need to enter the building through the front doors.

We kindly ask that ALL visitors follow the steps below each and every time you visit Chapelfield:

1. Once at the front, exterior doors of the school, press the buzzer. A member of the office staff will ask your reason for visiting Chapelfield.

2. Once inside the vestibule, you will enter your drivers' license or state ID into the scanner. ALL visitors/guests/guardians need to scan their drivers license EACH and EVERY time they visit Chapelfield.

3. Once your license has been scanned and processed you will be permitted to enter the main office area to pick up your visitor/volunteer badge.

**As a reminder, if there is a non-guardian planning to visit Chapelfield for any reason (to eat lunch, read a book in the classroom, visit the bookfair, take your child to an appointment etc.), we ask that the guardian email the teacher and front office (gilzows@gjps.org ) to let us know prior to the visit.

Background Checks are needed each year for all volunteers!

To increase safety and security protocols, all GJPS volunteers who may have the potential to interact with students in an unsupervised setting or may have access to confidential information will be required to complete an online application that includes a background check. The district will provide the background checks at no cost to the volunteer. Background checks are required EACH school year. If you completed a background check last school year, you will need to complete the process again for the 2024-2025 school year.

EXAMPLES

• Examples of volunteer experiences include but are not limited to: cafeteria helpers, reading aides, mentors, hall monitors, field day volunteers, library helpers, office helpers, tutors, field trip chaperones, small group or individual student work in the hallway, party helpers, concession workers, fundraising volunteers, book fair volunteers, mobile dentist volunteers, etc.

Interested in Volunteering?

Click on the link below and fill out the necessary information:

Volunteer Form - Link is currently activated for the 25-26 school year!

2026-2027 Food Service Information

A plate lunch is $2.75.

Breakfast is $1.50. *Breakfast runs from 7:50 - 8:05 AM each day at Chapelfield.

Breakfast Menu

Lunch Menu

Families MUST complete and submit a 2026-2027 Free/Reduced-Priced Meal Application if they believe they may qualify. Families MUST DO THIS EVERY YEAR. These forms will go LIVE on Monday, August 10. Applications are available in the Chapelfield school office or online at: GahannaSchools.org. If approved, the completed application will cover the student for the entire 2026-2027 school year, and no other steps will be necessary unless there is an income change during the school year.

Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools Food Service Department is committed to assisting families and making this transition back to normal operations as easy as possible. Please feel free to contact Food Service Supervisor Stephen Ismael (Ismaels@gjps.org) if you have any questions.

PIN Numbers Will Be Used. Students in 1st-5th grade will need to know their student ID number to access their lunch accounts in the cafeteria. ID numbers can be found on Infinite Campus under your child's profile. Please help them start to memorize this number prior to school starting. Teachers and staff will assist students for the first couple of weeks.

Pursuant to House Bill 410, student attendance is calculated in hours. This includes absences that have been identified as both excused and unexcused by the school, as well as planned absences, tardies and early dismissals. Every minute counts! Look for information coming soon on how you can be an Attendance HERO (Here, Every day, Ready, On time)! We have a goal to make sure every Chapelfield Champion is at school, learning and growing every day, and we appreciate and value your partnership, families. We are better together!

If your child is going to be absent for any portion of the school day, please notify the school. You may report an absence by using our Online Absence Reporting available in the Parent Portal in Infinite Campus. To enter a request follow these simple steps:

1.Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.

2. Select your child’s profile.

3. Navigate to the Absence Request section.

4. Fill in the required information, including the date and reason for the absence.

5. Submit your request.

You will be able to view the status of your request using the View Requests button.

You may also call Chapelfield at 614-478-5575 or email our secretary at gilzows@gjps.org.

Medical excuses from a doctor can be submitted to Stephanie Gilzow, our school secretary, through email (gilzows@gjps.org) or sending in a paper copy.

If you have a planned absence, please fill this form out and send it to Stephanie Gilzow at gilzows@gjps.org. Although they are not encouraged, we know that this does come up.

GJPS Elementary Student Handbook 26-27

*Meet our 2026-2027 PTO Board members!

• Elizabeth Faasse-President
• Cheryl Glenn-Vice President
• Erica Wright-Secretary
• Taylor Winslow- Co-Treasurer
• Britney Murphy- Co-Treasurer
• Kristen Muenster- Communications
• Holly Williamson-Volunteer Coordinator

*5th grade Committee Meeting at CES library-August 13th 4-5 p.m.

*Icee Social hosted by the PTO will be during the Open House event on Tuesday, August 18 from 3:30-5 p.m.

• Please stop by the PTO booth to get a sweet treat and sign up to help us to provide wonderful events for our school community.

*Kindergarten Popsicles on the Playground Event-August 22nd 11 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Bring your kindergartener and an adult to meet the newest class of Chapelfield students.

*Breakfast with Buddies: Join us on Friday, September 4th from 7:30 a.m.-8:05 a.m. for all students' whose last name starts with A-L and their family. Come have breakfast with your child/ren. M-Z will be on September 11th.

*Saturday, September 5th is our first restaurant night at Whit's all day!

*Our first PTO meeting will be Tuesday, September 8th at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. This will also be our Title 1 parent meeting.

Schedule Pick-up - August 13, 2026 1-7 p.m.

Open House - August 18, 2025 from 5-6 p.m for 6th grade

Take Your Child to Work Day - April 22, 2027

*More details will be sent from Dr. Lamarr, the Middle School West principal

Thursday, August 13:

*1st-5th grade homeroom teachers announced on Infinite Campus at 3 p.m.

*5th grade committee meeting 4 p.m. in the library. Enter by the gym doors.

Friday, August 14:

*10 a.m. or 1 p.m.: 1st-5th grade NEW STUDENT TOURS

Tuesday, August 18: Welcome Back Open House 3:30-5 p.m.

Thursday, August 20: First Day of School for 1st-5th grade students

Thursday, August 20-25: Staggered Start for Kindergartners; please refer to the letter sent.

Saturday, August 22: PTO Kindergarten Popsicles on the Playground 11-12 p.m.

Tuesday, August 25: Kindergarten Curriculum Night @ 5:30 p.m. Adults ONLY.

Thursday, August 27: First Day of School for ALL Kindergartners

Friday, September 4: PTO Breakfast w/Buddies for families with last names starting A-L @ 7:30 a.m.

Monday, September 7: Labor Day-NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, September 8: PTO and Title 1 meeting in the cafeteria at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, September 9: School Pictures

Friday, September 11: PTO Breakfast w/ Buddies for families with last names starting M-Z @ 7:30 a.m.

Ohio State Testing Dates are ready for the 2026-2027 school year. Please avoid scheduling vacations or appointments over these dates.

2026-2027 District Calendar

2026-2027 School Calendar

Student Handbook

Bus Schedule and Routes