Gahanna Middle School South
September 14, 2026
Please see this message below from Mrs. Nicole Schmidt, a teacher at Gahanna Lincoln High School, who is organizing an incredible opportunity for our students to travel to JAPAN!
This trip is open to current 8th Grade students (through current 11th-grade students).
An informational meeting will take place on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH, in the first-floor Media Center at Gahanna Lincoln High School, from 6:30PM - 7:15PM.
For any questions, please reach out to NICOLE SCHMIDT (schmidtn@gjps.org).
I sent the following message via Infinite Campus Messenger & e-mail last Tuesday, September 8, but in case you missed it, I am including this information here as well:
Later this month, we will be hosting our annual "Family Conferences," and we're excited to welcome you in for this event! These conferences are a valuable opportunity for families and teachers to come together to support student learning and growth.
Conferences are by appointment only.
Our Conference nights this fall will be on: Wednesday , September 23 from 4:00PM - 8:00PM, Tuesday, September 29, from 4:00PM - 8:00PM, and Thursday, October 1, from 4:00PM - 8:00PM.
By signing up for one conference slot, each family will meet with their child's team of teachers to hear about progress, celebrate strengths, and discuss next steps for success this year. We encourage every family to participate in these meaningful conversations that strengthen the connection between home and school.
Below, please follow the links to sign up for your desired date & time. Remember: your child's teachers will come to YOU; you do NOT need to sign up for conferences with each individual teacher.
Each year, our students all across the District participate in a series of low-stakes tests called MAP Testing. M.A.P. stands for Measures of Academic Progress, and these tests are designed to assess students' academic progress and growth over time. The data from MAP Growth assessments helps teachers understand where students are in their learning and identify areas where they might need additional support or challenge. This information can then be used to tailor lessons and activities to meet the specific needs of each student, or identify students who may interventions during our WIN Period in preparation for standardized State Tests in the Spring.
This year, MAP Testing will look a little different at South. Instead of using multiple days over the course of the "MAP Window" to offer different portions of the MAP Test, we will run two "test days" -- one for ELA and one for Math -- during which all students will take the MAP Test simultaneously. The advantage of this is efficiency (only 2 days of disruption) and true preparation, since offering the MAP Test in this format best replicates the actual testing conditions for the state test in the Spring.
We completed ELA MAP Testing last Thursday, and the day went very well.
We will administer the MAP Test for Mathematics on Tuesday, September 15.
Tomorrow, we will run an internal 2-hour delay schedule. Students will report to school at their normal time! 8th Graders who take a language course at the HS WILL STILL ATTEND THEIR HS CLASS on that day; they will report to their testing rooms upon their arrival at MSS.
I share this information simply to keep your family in the loop. No stress or particular preparation required, other than a good night's sleep and a sense of efficacy on the day of!
You may have noticed a surge in "squishies" -- these soft, foam or silicone squeeze toys that come in all shapes, sizes, and characters, which are currently a major trend among middle schoolers.
We fully recognize that fidget items can be helpful tools to support focus and regulation for some of our students during the school day. However, when these items become a distraction to learning or take up significant space, whether it's mental space or physical space in classrooms, on desks, and in common areas, they lose their educational value.
To help us maintain an environment focused on learning, please note our ground rule for these items: Any fidget or "squishy" brought to school must be small enough to fit completely in the palm of one's hand.
Items larger than palm-sized (including oversized squishies, plushies, and large sensory toys) are not permitted in classrooms and should be left at home. We appreciate your partnership in talking through this guideline with your child so we can keep our focus right where it belongs: on learning!
Each year, it is our profound honor to recognize the contributions and sacrifices of our Veterans as we join the District in celebrating Veterans' Day.
Middle School South's Veterans' Day Ceremonies will take place on actual Veterans' Day, Wednesday, November 11th.
We will share more details as we get closer, but this event usually starts at around 9:30AM.
I wanted to get this date out to you as soon as possible so that you might join us on that special morning!
Mark your calendar for the following dates...
Monday, September 21: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS -- Staff Professional Development Day
Wednesday, September 23: Family Conferences (4P - 8P)
Thursday, September 24: 6th Grade Adventure Day @ Hannah Park
Tuesday, September 29: Family Conferences (4P - 8P)
Thursday, October 1: Family Conferences (4P - 8P)
Thursday, October 8: October PTO Meeting, Middle School South Library, 6:00PM
Thursday, October 15: 6th Grade "Fun Night," 4:00PM - 5:30PM
Friday, October 16: End of Quarter 1
Monday, October 19: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS -- Conference Compensation Day
Tuesday, October 20: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS -- Teacher Work Day
Wednesday, October 21: First day of the 2nd Quarter
