A Trip Down Goshen Lane

Today's Read-A-Thon kickoff had some extra giggles with Mr. Shrake -- ummm or rather this book character -- giving us a surprise visit! Read-A-Thon begins Monday, March 2nd!

Hello, Families,

Our students and staff have had quite a week with so many things to celebrate.

Today's Town Hall event showcased all of our February perfect attendance winners as well as students' names that were drawn who have exhibited being Safe, Helpful, and Caring this past month.

Thank you to 4th grade parents in Mrs. Thomas' class for attending the read aloud celebration where each student shared their published Survival writing unit story.

Thank you to the PTA for supplying our brand new recess activities for each play ground. From hoolah hoops, to cone ring tosses, to velcro mitts and balls, to tether balls, and more, the playground was a joyful place this week.

Thank you to our staff Read-A-Thon committee and PTA for all of the work they have put in to our March event. Information went home with students. Register online to earn the opportunity to draw for prizes. And thank you to all who have donated such fun items.

Thank you to families who spoiled our staff with your dinner donations during last night's conferences.

Questions to ask your child at the dinner table:

What is your Read-A-Thon goal?
What's your favorite new recess activity to play?

Have a wonderful weekend,

Sharon Suriano

Principal

A large thank you goes to members of the Gahanna Police Department for reading to EACH of our classes this week and providing a book for every single student to keep. Their support of literacy coupled with the personal connections is something special!

It was a packed house last night for our first of two conference nights. We look forward to connecting more with the rest of our parents at the upcoming March 5th Parent-Teacher Conference Night. We'd love to have 100% family attendance!

Congratulations to the following students who exhibited above and beyond interactions in February and earned a Golden Opportunity ticket. Names were pulled from a drawing and announced at our February celebration Town Hall this week.

The following students and one special guest are invited to attend the upcoming Golden Opportunity Donut Celebration next week. These students came home today with a tshirt and certificate that has the celebration details. We're proud of you!

K: Emery, Suli, Elijah

1: Ian, Aliyah, Madison

2: Jamilah, Logan, Arsema

3: Mathewos, Skylar, Eliana

4: Abdelghani, Muhammad, Hamza

5: Leeam, Rista, Mason

We started off February using our media skills to learn about the Olympics. All students started off with a discussion about what they already knew about sports and the Olympics, and what they wanted to know. To dive in we used some practice research questions to learn more. Each class walked through the research question of what are some strange Olympic Sports and learned that tug of war, speed walking, curling, and ski ballet have all been Olympic sports.

Then classes discussed how we can find accurate information on sites outside of infohio. Students learned that some websites like the Official Olympics webpage will provide accurate information because they provide an archive of sports clips and information for people to access. We discussed how using the Olympics page is more accurate than an AI search that other sites provide because AI won’t know every sport or athlete. This gave all students a background that we could further build upon as we looked deeper into researching and better understanding the Olympics and sports that students love.

3rd - 5th grade chose a sport or an Olympian and started to research further. Once they chose their topic, they took notes and found facts that were interesting and important to share. We worked on understanding the difference between a fact and an opinion in order to make sure facts were collected. Students took notes in google docs in order to help them build skills in note taking and google docs. Students then were given a blank slide show to design and practice their google slides skills in order to make a presentation to share their facts with their peers. Then students were given time to present and practice their public speaking skills

2nd graders practiced their research skills by using an Olympics choice board full of digital resources to explore and find new information. Once they were familiar with the board they chose a topic and started to practice taking notes and finding information. Once they had found facts they got to make their notes exciting by changing fonts, and colors, and adding pictures. Through adding new elements, students got to learn the basis of adding and changing things on a google doc to begin learning a new skill.

K-1 got to research through using research questions from sources such as Mystery Science to understand how to have questions to find out more. We talked about researchers and how they find information for people to know more. We found out the youngest Olympian was 10 and competed in the 1896 games. Then we found out there may be an Olympian younger than that.Students also got to create their own Olympic sports, and uniforms to express their understanding. Students got to pretend like we were visiting the games and enjoyed getting to see some of the sports and learn about the sports and the country of Italy. Students also were introduced to a digital choice board in order to prepare them for future lessons and to be another digital tool they understand.

We wrapped up the unit with all classes having discussions as to what they learned over our time conducting research and finding answers to the questions we have. The students worked hard to find the new information that they wanted to know and had such pride in being able to find things out for themselves.

I know its still only February, but here’s some dates to get on your calendar. Spring Book Fair is April 28th-30th. Last day of book check out for the 25-26 school year is April 24th and books will be due by May 15th, but books will be collected up until the last day of school.

Questions to ask your student:

What facts from your research did you find the most interesting?
Would being a researcher be a career you want to do when you are older?
What was your favorite part of the Olympics unit?

Ongoing Fundraisers:

Goshen Lane Spirit Wear

Kroger Community Rewards-- Use code: GA915 for Goshen Lane

Box Tops for Education--Download the app today!

Thank You,

Goshen Lane PTA

Click This Box for All Live Links to PTA Information

GJPS Families-

🎁 You can WIN a $250 Amazon Gift Card — Just by Registering! 🎁

The Gahanna-Jefferson Education Foundation Gahanna Gala Online Auction opens Saturday, 2/21 at 12:00 PM (Noon)!

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Did you know your child can access their online educational apps at home like they do in school? These resources include Lexia and DreamBox, educational accounts to build reading and math skills. Click here to read how.

Lions Locker is an anonymous pantry located at Gahanna Lincoln High School. They provide food, toiletries, school supplies and other basic necessities to PreK-12 students of Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools.

If your family is in need of these basic items please reach out to Mrs. Cellar, School Counselor (cellarl@gjps.org) and she will work with Lions Locker as well as other local organizations to support your family through these need based programs.

If your student is in need of after school care, the YWCA Columbus offers services right here at Goshen Lane. There is an option to receive publicly funded childcare for those who apply and qualify. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact them directly.