Happy Friday, Chapelfield families.

It was so nice to see so many families attend parent teacher conferences last night. Don't forget we have one more night of conferences on Thursday, February 27 from 3-7 p.m. We ask that you wait to come in until AFTER dismissal so we do not crowd the office. Don't forget to bring some cash for our amazing bake sale that our 5th grade PTO committee organizes for their end of the year celebrations. THANK YOU PTO for an amazing dinner last night for our staff!

We need HELP for dismissal in the carpool lane. We ask that you call the front office if you have another adult picking up your child in the carpool lane. This will allow us to move quicker at dismissal. It is our responsibility to make sure students are getting home safely and with known adults. We need YOUR PERMISSION to have an alternative driver. Thank you for your support.

Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Nikki Miller

Please help support student council on Friday, February 28 from 6-8 p.m. An adult chaperone must be present and stay the entire time. We can wait to watch Home Alone together!

During parent teacher conferences, we will be handing out NWEA MAP results to families. Students in 2nd-5th grade will have results in Reading and Kindergarten-5th grade will have results in Math. Please see the link for the parent letter about MAP results below. Those families that did not come to parent teacher conferences will have their results mailed home.

OELPA testing will begin Monday, February 3rd for our English Learner students. This test monitors students’ progress in English in the areas of Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. Please click HERE for more information on the test. Please contact Mrs. Melville or Mrs. Sinkey with any questions.

Spring will be here before you know it. As you know, there is a lot of state testing that happens in April. See the dates before for 3rd-5th grade state testing as you make appointments. Thank you for your support.

As you all know, the weather in Ohio is constantly changing. Some days are warmer than others while other days are just plain cold! Please make sure to check the forecast so that your child is prepared as we will be going outside for recess as long as the temperatures are above 20 degrees.

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.

4. If you have NEVER had your driver's licensed scanned at Chapelfield before, this will take a longer time. You will want to plan accordingly.

**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.

The vestibule will be a place you have to wait if you are picking up a student, dropping off a book bag or lunch box.

The office is a busy place and there are times that we are dealing with student confidential issues. The vestibule will be a place to wait. It also allows us to keep our building safe. We want to keep students and staff safe including keeping confidential information safe. Thank you for understanding.

*Spring Flower Sales begin February 25-March 12 . Delivery will be on April 29th. This is right in time for Mothers Day!

*We need a Carnival Chair in order for this event to happen on Friday, May 9th 6:00-8:30. Please email us if you are interested in chairing at Chapelfield.elementary.pto@gmail.com. A few vendors have already been secured! It is a great event to organize. Tina Green can support you and show you the ropes!

*Mark your calendars for Pancakes and Pajamas with The PTO on March 19th 6:00-7:30 p.m.

The PTO needs your support for 2025-2026. Sign up here:

*Please help us with conference dinners. Click the link below to help out.

Dear 5th Grade Families,

The end of the year will be here before we know it, and we will be celebrating our children's last year of elementary school. There will be several fun things to come, and we wanted to get a head start on collecting photos for two separate projects.

1. Baby Photo Guessing Game: Please submit a photo of your child as a baby. The students will walk around and try to identify as many of their classmates as possible as an infant. The student with the most correct matches will win a prize. Please send the attachment with your child's name and homeroom teacher.

2. End of the Year Slideshow: Please submit photos of your children from early childhood through Fifth Grade. These can include extracurricular activities, field trips, class parties, Walk-a-thons, etc. We would like all the kids to feel included, so if you have group photos that would be wonderful as well.

We appreciate your help in making these kids feel celebrated during this really exciting time!

Please submit the photos to chapelfield2032@gmail.com

Sincerely,

The Fifth Grade Committee

GJPS Families,

Please be the biggest cheerleader for GJPS by volunteering for the 2025 Biggest Pep Rally Ever!

Please click on the following link, review available slots and sign up today! Volunteer Sign Up

Thank you for being involved! Go Lions!

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 &

Dr. Colleen Boyle, Curriculum Coordinator of Special Programs

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.

Monday, February 3-March 21: OELPA testing

Thursday, February 27:

*Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30-7 p.m.

*Family Night at the Book Fair 3-7 p.m.

Friday, February 28:

*Learning Communities

*Student Council Movie Night 6:30-8 p.m.

GJPS Elementary Student Handbook 24-25

2024-2025 GJPS District Calendar (PDF)

2024-2025 School Menus

2024-2025 Bus Schedule and Routes

2025-2026 School Calendar