East Weekly

Each year our district celebrates Spread the Word to End the Word Day! For those of you new to the district or in need of a refresher, Spread the Word is a national campaign that started to decrease the use of the r-word and has grown to a global engagement campaign committed to creating socially inclusive places to learn, work, and live. This campaign has become very important to the Gahanna community and we love celebrating it each year! The theme for this year is, Celebrate Minds of All Kinds.

We are again selling merch as the biggest annual fundraiser for the FSS and ESS programs. Just go to this link to place your order. Please toggle to MSE for 'Location to Deliver Item For Pick Up'. All purchases will be delivered to MSE for distribution so be sure to list your student's house teacher to ensure your item is delivered correctly.

Orders will be accepted now through March 18th.

Each month, one of our House Families takes the lead in planning a small holiday celebration or craft activity for students to enjoy. For April, Tatonka House is helping us celebrate Earth Day in a creative way! From April 6 through April 17, Tatonka will be collecting clean plastic bottle caps and lids. These caps/lids will be used to create a beautiful bottle cap mural that celebrates Earth Day and reminds us that small actions, like recycling and reusing, can make a big impact on our planet.

Mar. 9, 2026: Staff Work Day - No School

March 10: Spring Sports Team Pictures

March 16- March19: Fitness Fundraiser Collections Days!

March 16: High School Football Meeting (see flyer below)

March 19: Dine at Five Guys for PTA

Mar. 20, 2026: Conference Comp Day - No School

3/9/26 @ 7pm

4/13/26 @ 7pm

5/11/26 @ 7pm

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 ok to grow and change your mind as new things interest you. If you have an idea for a career for us to showcase, fill out the google form attached :)

This week’s career focus is…Actor!

Check out the links and videos below to learn more about being an actor!

• How to Become an Actor with NO EXPERIENCE! (Auditions, Agents, Castings & Acting Career Tips)
• HOW TO START ACTING AS A TEENAGER | ACTING ADVICE WITH ELIANA GHEN
• Actor | Careers That Work

Actors are performing artists who portray characters in films, television shows, theater productions, and commercials. They bring scripts to life by using their voice, body language, and emotions to communicate a story and connect with an audience. Actors often spend time auditioning for roles, rehearsing scenes, memorizing lines, and collaborating with directors and other performers. They may work in theaters, film studios, television sets, or on location, and their schedules can vary widely depending on the project. Becoming an actor does not require a specific degree, but many actors pursue training through acting classes, theater programs, or a bachelor’s degree in drama or performing arts. Success in the field often depends on talent, persistence, networking, and experience. Job opportunities can be competitive, and earnings vary greatly, but the average yearly income for actors is roughly $40,000 to $80,000, with some actors earning much more depending on their roles and recognition.

We hope you learned something new about this career this week! Fill out the google form above to have a career you are interested in highlighted during Future Friday! Thank you to all of you who suggested amazing career ideas!! We'll be sure to get your ideas featured here on Future Friday!

Have a WONDERFUL Weekend!!

-GMSE School Counselors
Shayla Upchurch and Loni Wiliams

Counselors will be visiting classrooms soon to begin the scheduling process for the 2026–2027 school year for our current 6th and 7th grade students. During these visits, counselors will review courses and walk students through the scheduling process.

The classroom visits will take place on the following dates:

• Monday, March 16: 6th grade during ELA classes

• Monday, March 23: 7th grade during Math classes

This is the first step in helping students think about their courses for next year. Families will receive additional information as the scheduling process continues.

The Eastland-Fairfield Career Center is hosting a no-cost summer camp on June 2nd and June 3rd for students entering grades 6-8. Registration opens on Monday, February 9th: Eastland-Fairfield website (Registration will end on April 10th). For more information, check out this flyer!

You can check out the new website here. Below are directions on how to obtain the correct app.

**No other updates due to no internet.

April 27, 2026 - (6th and 8th Grade Choirs) 7:30 p.m. @ GLHS

*students may leave at the conclusion of the concert

Call times to Choir Room:

7:00 8th Choir

7:15 6th Choir

7th Grade Musical - Title and Audition sign -ups (during WIN) to be Revealed on 3/3/26!!!

May 4, 2026 7-9 p.m. @ MSE (soloist and speaking characters only)- Dress Rehearsal

May 5, 2026 7-9 p.m. @ MSE FULL CAST DRESS REHEARSAL

May 7, 2026 7:30 p.m. Performance @ MSE Cafeteria - Call time to choir room: 7:10 p.m.

8th grade- Students are creating mini mixed media works around the theme "culture".

7th grade- We are curating our own mini art galleries so ask students which artworks they are re-creating!

6th grade- We are learning how to blend oil pastels, use the color wheel to help our art stand out, and arranging interesting compositions.

Science: Mr.Goody’s classes will have a Parade of Rooms in the GMSE Library on Tuesday (March 17th) next week. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend! An email was sent to all families on Tuesday of this week describing the details of the event and inviting you to attend!

ELA: All students got a new historical fiction book club book. Ask to see their reading plan. They will have jotting homework most nights, discussed in class and posted on the Study Hall Homework Board, which all students and parents can access.

Math 7: Students will have their Chapter 7 Assessment on Monday.

Social Studies: Social studies classes are currently either beginning or finishing up their African Kingdom Zines. Be sure to ask your student about their project and the kingdom they chose to research! Once these projects are complete, students will begin a new unit on the Renaissance. During this unit, students will learn how the Renaissance in Europe sparked revolutionary ideas and led to important cultural, scientific, and social changes that shaped the modern world.

All 8th Graders: Please continue to work on securing a Job Shadowing Experience for your student on Thursday, April 23. Packets were sent home via ELA teachers. If you have questions, please reach out to your student’s ELA teacher. Please work with your student to arrange a job shadowing experience for the day and submit the permission slip to 8th grade ELA teachers by Monday, April 13th.

ACE ELA: We are beginning The Jungle by Upton Sinclair next week! If you are purchasing/renting a copy of the novel for your student, please be sure to have this ready for class by Tuesday, March 17th.

American History (Schlabach): Students recently wrapped up their Sectionalism essays and worked very hard on them! We are now beginning our new unit on the Civil War. During this unit, students will learn about the major causes of the war, key battles and leaders, and how the conflict ultimately changed the United States.

We want our staff to be happy and enjoy coming to work every day. Below are just some of the ways that you can celebrate and recognize our amazing staff at East!

• PTA/Families spoil us!- Click here to join PTA!
• Student and/or family shout outs- Click here if you want to send a shoutout to a staff member!
• Heart and Pride Award- 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. The Heart & Pride Nomination Form will remain available year-round and is open to any member of our staff, regardless of position.

We’re always looking for ways to connect classroom learning to the real world or allow students to explore the future—and we’d love your help! If you're open to sharing your job title and a brief description of what you do, we’d love to learn more. We’re gathering a list of parents and guardians who might be interested in speaking to students about their careers, allowing students to shadow for a day, or participating in a future career fair.

If this sounds like something you'd consider, please take a moment to fill out this quick google form. Thank you for helping our students dream big!

Mar. 9, 2026: Staff Work Day - No School
Mar. 20, 2026: Conference Comp Day - No School
Mar. 30-April 3, 2026: Spring Break- No School
May 1, 2026: PD Day - No School
May 22, 2026: Last Day of School for Students
May 23, 2026: Class of 2026 Commencement