Jeff Bower, Blacklick PE teacher, has decided to retire after many years in education! Mr. Bower's last day with students will be Thursday, February 13, 2025. We very much appreciate Mr. Bower's service and dedication to the students, staff, and families of Blacklick Elementary! Together, the students and staff will be celebrating Mr. Bower in February! We wish him all the best in his retirement. He will be missed!
Roger Whittaker will be stepping in to teach PE classes beginning on February 17, 2025 to finish this school year. Mr. Whittaker is the head girls track coach at GLHS and has extensive experience in elementary education. He is a former 5th grade teacher in Gahanna and stepped in to support Blacklick students as assistant principal in 2023 when Mrs. Gillens was on maternity leave. Our students are very familiar with Mr. Whittaker. We look forward to a seamless transition as Mr. Whittaker steps in to teach PE.
Parent teacher conferences are scheduled for February 20 and February 27 at Blacklick. We always look forward to meeting with families and sharing the progress of our students. Please make sure to sign up for a conference with your child's classroom teacher.
If you would like to schedule a conference with a member of our related arts staff, please click on the link that is provided below. Mr. Bower will not be available for conferences (due to his retirement).
As you know, Ohio weather is all over the place and can change from week to week/ day to day/ and even hour to hour! Some days are pleasant while other days can be down right COLD! We will be going OUTSIDE for recess as long as the temperature (including windchill) is 20 degrees or higher. Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for outside play (coat, gloves, hat, etc.).
Students will be taking the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment during the month of January. Students in kindergarten and grade 1 will take the MAP Math Assessment. Students in grades 2 -5 will take the MAP Assessment in both Reading and Math. Students will complete this assessment on a chromebook. Students have as much time as they need to complete the assessment (there is not a time limit). This assessment is part of the Third Grade Reading Guarantee requirements for our grade 3 students.
Parents/guardians will receive the results of the MAP assessments at our February parent/teacher conferences.
The assessment schedule is listed below for your reference:
January 28: 1st Grade Math MAP @ 9:00 AM + Grade 3 Math MAP @ 9:45 AM
January 29: 2nd Grade Reading MAP @ 10:30 AM
January 30: 2nd Grade Math MAP @ 10:30 AM
All of our students in grades K-3 will be given the Acadience Reading Assessment during the month of January. This is a one on one assessment where students will work with their teacher to complete the assessment. This assessment assesses students early literacy skills. We will use the data from this assessment to pull together small groups that focus on specific student needs. Families will receive the results of this assessment at the February parent/teacher conference.
It's time for our annual school-wide Valentine's Day party at Blacklick Elementary.
The parties will be held on Thursday, February 13 from 1:15 - 2:30 p.m in each classroom. Your teacher will reach out to get volunteers to plan the party for their class.
It is extremely important that you and any parents who plan to attend the party complete the volunteer application/background check as soon as possible. Gahanna-Jefferson Schools Volunteer Application
As a volunteer there are a few things that you are responsible for:
- Contact your teacher to see if they have any specific requests/ideas for the party.
- Collaborate with the other volunteers for your classroom to start organizing.
- Plan out the party - Typically, parties consist of four to five stations. These can include passing out Valentines, crafts, and games. Having a parent or two help lead each station is helpful.
- Review and get approval of the party plan approved by the teacher
- Get supplies for crafts and games
- HAVE FUN at the party!
- Help with clean up
Things to know:
- Students are not permitted to exchange valentines that contain candy or food due to the district food policy. If candy or food is attached to the valentine, they will not be distributed.
- Funding the party (mostly craft or game supplies) can be done in a variety of ways.
- Covered by the party volunteers
- Creating an Amazon Wishlist for any family to purchase
If you have any questions, please reach out to the PTO at ptoblacklick@gmail.com.
Get ready to Cheer Loud and Proud for the Future of Gahanna-Jefferson Students!
Whether you’re cheering from the sidelines with a donation or joining the action in person, your contribution will make a game-changing impact for our students. You’ll be supporting classroom grants that allow you, our staff, to INSPIRE, INNOVATE and IMPACT learning for Gahanna-Jefferson students every day.
There are many ways to participate, big and small.....please go to www.GJEF.org to join the fun!
- Attend the Gala on February 22, 2025 at Jefferson Country Club
- Donate an auction item - we are collecting items now
- Buy a raffle ticket
- Join the online Silent Auction for FREE! (auction registration automatically enters you into the raffle for a $250 Amazon gift card)
We are excited to share an incredible opportunity to support a meaningful project that will benefit all students in our district. This year, the Gahanna-Jefferson Education Foundation (GJEF) Gala will feature a Fund-A-Need initiative focused on purchasing and installing communication boards at each elementary and preschool playground. We encourage you to support the cause in any way you can.
Communication boards are visual tools that use pictures, symbols, and words to help individuals express their thoughts, needs, and emotions. These boards are particularly useful for students with limited verbal communication, those learning English as a second language, and even young children still developing their vocabulary. Communication boards provide students with an inclusive way to connect and engage with peers during play.
While these boards are an invaluable resource for students with specific communication needs, their benefits extend to every child on the playground. Here’s why:
Promoting Inclusion: Communication boards foster an environment where all students can participate and communicate effectively, regardless of their language or abilities.
Encouraging Social Interaction: By providing visual cues, these boards help children initiate conversations, make friends, and engage in collaborative play.
Building Language Skills: For students developing their vocabulary or learning English, communication boards offer a fun and interactive way to learn new words and phrases.
Supporting Emotional Expression: Playgrounds are not just for physical activity—they are spaces where children express their feelings and build relationships. Communication boards give all students a voice to share their emotions and ideas.
How You Can Help: The GJEF Gala is a fantastic way to bring our community together in support of this initiative. Here’s how you can contribute:
Register for the FREE Online Silent Auction: Includes entry into the raffle for a $250 Amazon gift card.
Donate to Fund-A-Need: Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to making these communication boards a reality.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with family and friends who may also be interested in supporting our schools.
Together, we can make a lasting impact by creating inclusive spaces where every child feels seen, heard, and valued. Thank you for your ongoing support of our students and schools. We hope to see you at the Gala on February 22, 2025!
Take care,
Sue LeHota, Director of Special Education and Dr. Colleen Boyle, Curriculum Coordinator of Special Programs
Dear Parents,
We invite you to share a few kind words or a heartfelt message for your child's teacher or Blacklick staff member. Our staff works tirelessly to provide the best education and support for our children, and your appreciation can make a significant impact on their day.
Please take a moment to express your gratitude, share a positive experience, or simply say thank you.
Your messages will be shared with the staff member to brighten their day and acknowledge their hard work and dedication.
Thank you for your participation and support!
Art in Grade 5
5th Graders have been hard at work on their capstone clay project, a ceramic mug! We were inspired by the trend of tiki mugs from the 50’s and 60’s, and discussed cultural appropriation and the importance of understanding where the origin of cultural items are made, and who is profiting from it. Students had the choice of what type of mug to make afterwards. We used a clay slab technique, and students were able to use any glaze colors they wanted to adorn their piece. Some students glazed their mugs so well that they ended up ‘food safe’ meaning they are able to drink and eat out of their mugs! Great work, 5th graders!
Music in Grade 5
5th grade musicians are beginning to work on their recorder playing again this year! We will be learning new songs, reviewing songs from last year, and will be choosing our performance songs for the 5th grade end-of-year PRIDE Talk!
Library in Grade 5
It’s an exciting time of year in the library world! The children’s book awards will be announced on Monday the 27th. We have been talking about not only the Caldecott and the Newbery but also the Coretta Scott King Award and the Sibert Award. We’ve read some past winners and will be excited to explore the winners in upcoming weeks!
Dear Blacklick Elementary Families,
Gahanna Residents In Need (GRIN) has partnered with Blacklick Elementary to offer a “Weekend Snack Pack” program for our students.
The program is to benefit families who are experiencing food insecurity or who NEED supplemental food at home for the weekend.
If you would like to participate in this program you will receive a bag of non-perishable food items that will be sent home from school with your child every Friday. No refrigeration is required.
In order to participate, please complete the form below. If you have more than 3 students complete the form until you have entered all children.
Mark Your Calendar!
Feb. 11, 2025: PTO Meeting @ 6:30 PM in the library
Feb. 13, 2025: Valentines Day Celebrations @ 1:15 PM
Feb. 14, 2025: PD Day for Staff - No School for Students
Feb. 17, 2025: Presidents Day - No School
Feb. 20, 2025: Parent/Teacher Conferences
Feb. 27, 2025: Parent/Teacher Conferences
Mar. 10, 2025: Staff Work Day - No School
Mar. 11, 2025: Grade 5 Group Photo @ 1:00 PM
Mar. 11, 2025: PTO Meeting @ 6:30 PM in the library
Mar. 31-April 4, 2025: Spring Break- No School
April 8, 2025: PTO Meeting @ 6:30 PM in the library
April 18, 2025: Comp Day - No School
April 24, 2025: Grade 5 Field Trip to Gahanna Middle Schools
April 29, 2025: Grade 5 Field Trip to BizTown
May 1, 2025: Kindergarten Open House (for new kindergarten students for 2025-2026)
May 2, 2025: PD Day - No School
May 9, 2025: Strides For PRIDE
May 16, 2025: Talent Show
May 21, 2025: Field Day
May 23, 2025: Grade 5 Certificate Ceremony @ 9:00 AM
May 23, 2025: Grade 5 Clap Out @ 2:35 PM
May 23, 2025: Last Day of School for Students
The Heart and Pride Award recognizes two outstanding staff members each month who make a profound impact on our students and Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools. Families are encourage to nominate a staff member today! The Heart & Pride Nomination Form will remain available year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.