The Bexley Board of Education approved a Statement of Facts yesterday evening related to the district’s levy request on the November 5th ballot. The levy, which will appear on the ballot as Issue 36, is a request for a 5-year incremental levy to be phased in between 2025 and 2029.

 

Per guidance of the Ohio Auditor of State, government entities like school districts are only permitted to provide factual information regarding funding requests to the public. This Statement of Facts meets the Auditor’s requirements and serves as an additional tool to help Bexley residents understand the levy.

 

You are encouraged to read the 2-page Statement of Facts, which includes a chart depicting the incremental cost to property owners and answers the following questions:

In addition to the Statement of Facts, additional information also is on the school district’s website. The website provides more information about the levy request and cost to taxpayers, as well as information on Bexley Schools’ finances and how schools are funded in Ohio.

The One Bexley project recently released a new introductory video with a bright and inspiring message from members of the Bexley community. The video is available here and on the project’s new website at onebexley.us.

 

There are many opportunities this Fall for Bexley residents young and old to engage and learn through One Bexley’s dynamic slate of community programming and educational opportunities.

Mark your calendars and join One Bexley partners at the following events:

Coordinated with the support of the City of Bexley, the Bexley City School District, and the Bexley Public Library, One Bexley is an intentional and purposeful program to shape a Bexley that is welcoming to all and provides a sense of belonging for all community members and visitors. To learn more about The One Bexley Project, view the One Bexley introduction video, or visit onebexley.us today!

Congratulations to high school students Alex Smith, a senior, and junior Luke O’Brien, as well as athletic trainer Kennedy Ware, Bexley Schools’ three newest champions!

 

The three were recognized for their efforts to assist when a member of the visiting football team experienced a medical emergency during a recent JV football game. When it was clear an emergency services squad would be needed, staff looked to coaches for responsible players who could help direct traffic and clear the area for EMS to quickly get to the playing field.

It was a team effort and the three were cited for demonstrating Responsibility – one of our seven school district values – by remaining calm and following directions during the hectic situation. Way to BE Alex, Luke, and Ms. Ware!

Donte Woods-Spikes, a local author, artist, mentor, and community advocate shared his story of empathy with Bexley Middle School 8th graders last Friday in the first of several “Voices of Empathy” workshops this school year.

 

Mr. Woods-Spikes shared his story of growing up in Columbus as the quiet kid, who, he said, struggled “internally” until a teacher recognized his struggles and helped him get counseling. He learned upon “opening up” that his voice was indeed strong, and he had plenty to say and share.

The middle school creative workshops, which are generously funded by the Bexley Education Foundation, will allow Mr. Woods-Spikes to work with students to not only “find their voice,” but learn how to tell their story, actively listen, and retell the story of others.

 

With a nod toward the teacher who helped and inspired him years ago, Mr. Woods-Spikes, traversed the Cassingham theater during last week’s event asking students to name a teacher who has impacted them, including the “how” and “why” of their feelings – perhaps this was the students’ first steps to consider what their story may be.

 

Mr. Woods-Spikes also encouraged the students to find creative outlets to tell their stories, sharing that he presented a powerful and well-received TedxColumbus Talk while in school, and went on to film a documentary and author a book.

 

He is a former teacher’s aide in Columbus Schools, and began working with local young people on the Near East side of the city in 2011. He is credited with producing a documentary titled Donte & Day’Mariah, which highlights his mentorship of a young Black girl and the benefits of cross-gendered mentorship. In 2021, he published, So.Long.: Unfinished Good-byes with the Children of COVID-19,” an account of how the pandemic broke the bonds he had developed with his students and is a tribute to the students’ resiliency.

Fans are encouraged to know Bexley Schools’ new athletic events attendance guidelines ahead of tomorrow evening’s first home football game, and consider arriving earlier to allow extra time to enter the stadium prior to kickoff.

 

You may see the full list of guidelines online, or watch a video outlining the changes. The new procedures include, but are not limited to the following:

Tonight! – Financial Aid Information Night, Thursday, September 12, 6-8 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

Tomorrow! - Cassingham Tailgate, Friday, September 13, 5-7 p.m., Playground

8th Grade Family Meeting for Washington, D.C. Trip, Tuesday, September 17, 6 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

High School PTO Meeting, Tuesday, September 17, 7 p.m., School Library

Middle School PTO Meeting, Wednesday, September 18, 7 p.m., School Library

High School Improv Show, Thursday, September 19, Cassingham Theatre, 7 p.m.

High School Play Auditions, Tuesday, September 24, 6:30 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

Grade 4/5 Musical, “Imagine a Dragon,” Thursday-Saturday, September 26-28, Schottenstein Theatre

High School Play Crew Interviews, Friday, September 27, 3:30 p.m., Schottenstein Theater

Friday, September 20, No School for Students, Teachers/Staff Professional Development Day

Maryland Elementary held its biannual Breakfast with Buddies event this morning, with hundreds of family members, students, and staff taking advantage of beautiful weather for breakfast on the back playground.

 

Twice during each school year – Fall and Spring – members of the Maryland PTO help the staff welcome hundreds of people, families and students, to the much-loved event of pancakes, turkey sausage, fruit, juice, and coffee. There were a few tables and chairs set up, but many took their picnic blankets and together were able to enjoy time with friends, neighbors, and their children.

 

Many thanks to the Maryland faculty and staff and PTO members who helped make this morning’s breakfast so special!

As school principals across the country are trading traditional offices for mobile desks, three Bexley administrators have joined the trend, opting for mobility and the opportunity to be seen throughout their buildings each day.

Montrose Principal Nyesha Clayton began rolling her “desk” through school hallways six years ago while an assistant principal at another school district. New principal David Schottner began working via a rolling desk five years ago during his previous school post and brought the practice to Cassingham this year. Bexley Middle School Assistant Principal Jerome Price, Sr. followed suit this year too, after he worked with a mobile desktop at his former school a few years ago.

“The benefit is two in one,” Mr. Price said of using a mobile desk, “You have the benefit of getting your work done, answering emails and such, and having a presence around the building.” He said students and teachers get to see him on a regular basis, he’s able to get a nice pulse of the school, and it’s great for relationship building.

“I thought I was really present before, but I wanted to be even more visible,” he said.

 

Each of the three said their being available throughout their buildings has been good for faculty and staff interactions. “I think they like the accessibility and collaboration,” said Mr. Schottner, who, like the others, has found that staff often ask questions when they see him, rather than waiting until later to send an email. “Staff get more help and better help,” he said.

 

Ms. Clayton said she recognized years ago that she doesn’t have to be in an office and behind a desk to get work done. 

“I realized that I needed to be visible in the hallways for students and staff,” she explained. “This allows me to interact more, and some students need additional support, so I can help when needed too.”

 

Students now are used to seeing their administrators throughout the hallways. “Our students are so used to seeing me,” Ms. Clayton said. “It’s not a surprise when I roll in (to a classroom) and stay for a few minutes.”

 

Mr. Schottner said his visibility in the hallways helps with students. “Kids know I’m watching,” he said. “This allows me to help put some PBIS things in place to hopefully help kids turn into habits.”

 

Each acknowledged that not everything can be done while traveling and working in school hallways, but they all said they try to be “mobile” for as much of the school day as possible. “I like to be out here up to half of the day,” Mr. Price said. “But sometimes I have to take a meeting or a phone call in my office.”

What are the essentials for traveling with a mobile desk? The consensus: laptop, phone, walkie-talkie, notepad, pen, and water cup.

 

The Cassingham staff even decorated Mr. Schottner’s mobile cart, identifying it for their new “Proud Cub Principal,” and got him a cup holder to add to the mobile stand. “They were tired of me leaving my water cup everywhere,” he said.

Each school year we recognize the “champions” within our schools. Some are students and some are faculty and staff members.

 

This school year’s first champion to be recognized is 6th grader Tori Umphrey, who was recognized by one of her teachers for exemplifying Responsibility, one of our schools’ seven values.

 

Tori was recognized for taking her studies seriously, wanting to be successful in her work, and also asking how she can be helpful. Her nominator wrote, “She is a role model for getting right to work in study hall each day!” 

 

A special breakfast was held last Friday morning to welcome Cassingham Elementary’s new students to the school.

 

More than 20 students in grades 1-5  who are new to Bexley Schools were invited to a breakfast of pancakes (and toppings!) and juices. There were many smiles as the students enjoyed starting the day with their new friends and teachers.

 

Many thanks to the Cassingham staff members who helped make the breakfast event special for everyone!

Tonight! - *Middle School Curriculum Night, Thursday, September 5, 6-8 p.m.

Cassingham PTO Meeting, Tuesday, September 10, 5:30 p.m.

Diverse Learning PTO Meeting, Tuesday, September 10, 6:30-8 p.m., Cassingham Complex Cafeteria

Montrose PTO Room Parent Meeting & PTO Meeting, Tuesday, September 10, 6:30 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Cassingham Tailgate, Friday, September 13, 5-7 p.m., Playground

8th Grade Family Meeting for Washington, D.C. Trip, Tuesday, September 17, 6 p.m.

High School Improv Show, Thursday, September 19, Cassingham Theatre, 7 p.m.

*Curriculum nights were previously known as open houses.

Friday, September 20, No School for Students, Teachers/Staff Professional Development Day

Information is now available on Bexley Schools’ website related to the district’s operating levy request. The levy issue will appear on the November 5th ballot as Issue 36.

 

The district website includes information about the amount of the levy request and what the funds will pay for if approved by voters.

You also can find information about Bexley Schools’ finances and how the district’s spending compares to other districts in the area and around the state. A third section also presents information about how schools are funded in Ohio.

 

Online tools from the Franklin County Auditor are linked on the schools’ site. The tools will help you learn your home’s value, estimate your taxes, and estimate the cost of the levy for your property.

After a long period of fundraising and planning, Montrose families and staff members cut the ribbon on Tuesday evening to celebrate the installation of two shade structures on the school’s playground. The event, which also marked the opening of the school’s new community garden, featured an ice cream social with Johnson’s Ice Cream.

 

Many thanks to the Montrose PTO and Brittany Kozy, who spearheaded the project as Shade Committee Chairperson! She, Principal Nyesha Clayton, and Dianna Contosta, were joined for the ribbon cutting by Pam Glasgow, executive director of the Bexley Education Foundation. 

The Foundation donated funds for the shade project. We thank the many volunteers who helped plan and carry out this week’s event!

 

Bexley Middle School students all took part in PBIS assemblies last week to help set the expectations of safety, respect, and responsibility.

 

Meeting by grade level in three separate events, the students took part in community circles to help students get to know each other and discuss the school’s expectations. The 8th-grade students, for example, broke into 10 small-group circles. With a campfire theme, the students each enjoyed a small cup of graham crackers and marshmallows during their circle time.

 

Assistant Principal Jerome Price, Sr. encouraged the students to share thoughts with their classmates. Starting with icebreaker questions, such as, “What is a dish someone in your family has cooked that you really enjoy,” and, “If you could travel anywhere in the world for a week, where would you go and why?”

 

Community circle conversations were facilitated by the students’ study hall teachers. After the icebreakers, the students moved on to discuss safety, responsibility, and respect. Mr. Price also reviewed athletic eligibility, cell phone policy, office hours, the importance of attendance, and the tardy process.

Energy in the Cassingham Theatre was high last Friday afternoon when students and teachers in all grades gathered for the first Cub Gathering of the year. Music teacher Bill Manchester led a rousing drum line with six of his teaching colleagues to welcome the classes into the theater, setting the students up for a fun time.

 

Principal David Schottner welcomed everyone to the first Cub Gathering and shared with them how to follow the Cub Code – to be Safe, Respectful, Responsible, and Kind.

 

His presentation included photos of 21 students who are new to Bexley Schools and to Cassingham and the students together clapped loudly and respectfully for their new friends. The event also included a short video clip from Sesame Street that featured actor Samuel L. Jackson and talked about belonging.

Bexley Schools uses School Messenger as its mass communication system. This tool is used to send principal newsletters, the district newsletter, and other email messages on occasion, either from the district or a school.

 

Please be careful not to unsubscribe or block these messages or mark them as spam. If you do so, then you will not receive any newsletters or future school communication.

The Bexley Education Foundation presents its August electronic newsletter. See the latest from the Foundation and the projects the organization has supported already this school year. The newsletter also showcases four new board members. Read the newsletter online now.

*Curriculum nights were previously known as open houses.

As shared previously, Bexley Schools has updated fan attendance procedures for our home athletic events. With the Fall athletic season underway, these new procedures are in effect! Parents/guardians of elementary students should note that they now must stay at an athletic event to supervise children.

 

Secondary Schools Principal Jason Caudill recently shared a short video with students about the changes. You may access Mr. Caudill’s video below or on our YouTube channel.

We are adjusting our community engagement meeting schedule related to our facilities-planning work and will NOT hold community meetings in September. This change to our community meeting schedule will not alter our timeline to present a proposed Facilities Plan to the Board of Education by Spring 2025. 

 

Architects from Perkins&Will, our architectural partners, will be at the November meetings to present refined building options. The November meetings will be:

Updated facilities planning information is on the school website at bex.fyi/DFP.

Bexley has great home-field and home-court environments – some of the best in central Ohio. We thank you for your school spirit and challenge you to bring the spirit back for the 2024-2025 school year!

 

While we want our fans to make it difficult for opponents to play and execute their game plan, we should do so by cheering loudly for our teams, not against our team’s opponents. We must Respect the Game and refrain from commenting or engaging with our opponents and officials. It is inappropriate for fans to cross the line with our opponents and officials. Unacceptable conduct, such as directing personal, insensitive comments to them, will not be tolerated.

 

Any spectators who do not respect the game will be:

Let’s keep a healthy perspective on athletics and be fans who support and encourage those involved in athletic contests. All hard-working student-athletes deserve an environment of safe and healthy competition.

Bexley Middle School administrators and guidance counselors welcomed 17 new students during a special lunch yesterday afternoon. The students, who are each new to Bexley Schools, enjoyed pizza and getting to know classmates who also are getting to know their building and teachers, and meeting new friends. Welcome to Bexley Schools everyone!

 

 

Auditions and crew interviews for upcoming middle school and high school plays are coming up soon, with the middle school up first. See below for the audition and crew interview schedule for each school’s productions.

 

Auditions: August 27, 5-7:30 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

Callbacks: August 28, 5-7:30 p.m., Dargusch Theatre

Crew Interviews: August 29, 3:45-5 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

Performance Dates: October 17 & 19-20*

*No performance on Friday, October 18 due to Homecoming

 

 

High School Play: Production to Be Announced

Auditions: September 3, 3:45-6:30 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

Callbacks: September 4, 5-7:30 p.m., Dargusch Theatre

Crew Interviews: September 5, 3:45-5 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

Performance Dates: November 21-23

 

Information on Bexley’s theater program is available on its website, at bexleytheatrearts.org

*Curriculum nights were previously known as open houses.

Don’t miss your opportunity to celebrate the active duty members or veterans in your family by showcasing them in Bexley’s Hometown Heroes Banner Program. The deadline to participate in this special recognition is tomorrow, Friday, August 23.

 

We love the smiles and excitement from our students and staff!

Several students offered ideas last Spring when High School Assistant Principal Willie Cook asked for recommendations from upper classmen about how to welcome this school year’s freshmen during orientation.

 

Seniors Preston Parker and Evan Guttman came forward with a thorough and well-thought PLAN – logistics, website, schedule, mentor training, and more.

 

The two seniors originally approached school principals with their proposal in the Spring. “Together we found a way to merge the tangible and tactile needs of school-related skills with fun and creative ideas from the students,” Mr. Cook said.

Preston and Evan are members of student council and when the topic of freshman orientation came up last year, they said they both agreed that their orientation wasn’t beneficial. “We wanted an orientation that was from students’ points of view,” Preston said.

 

Borne from their plan is UMP – the Upperclassmen Mentorship Program. Led by Evan and Parker, 55 upperclassmen mentors participated today to welcome members of the Class of 2028.

 

According to Mr. Cook, UMP is a student-led mentorship team for the freshman class. “The UMP mentors will lead Freshman Orientation and provide impactful advice all year long. Our goal is to equip the incoming freshman with the tools and strategies necessary to navigate high school successfully,” he explained.

 

With rousing music playing in the gymnasium, the day started with high school faculty and staff forming a tunnel and clapping in the new freshmen. Each freshman received a name tag and they continued with activities and ice breakers designed to build school spirit, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging.

 

Upperclassmen mentors, in matching dark blue shirts donated by the Bexley Education Foundation, mingled among the others, encouraging and helping with the fun, including a rock-paper-scissors competition that brought the group together to cheer on their classmates.

 

After that, the 213 members of the Class of ’28 broke into small group for building tours, schedule walkthroughs with two mentors, and lunch together. The day ended with a Class of ‘28 photo.

Dr. Jason Fine and members of Bexley Schools’ leadership team presented an update to the Board of Education yesterday evening regarding student and staff supportive measures.

 

The in-depth presentation was an overview into tangible and collaborative work done by members of the Bexley Education Association and administrators.

Before the presentation, Board of Education President Victoria Powers shared a statement on behalf of the Board.

 

“The Board fully supports the efforts of our teachers, staff, and administrators in this collaborative work,” she said. “This work is based on a firm commitment to our students, teachers, and staff, and that commitment has been and remains fundamental to education in Bexley.”

 

Ms. Powers continued, “Like our community, the board values and cherishes our teachers, our staff, our students, and our families. We are committed to continuing the work to ensure a safe, nurturing, caring, and supportive school environment for everyone, each and every day. I believe that this district is strong because of our teachers, leadership, students, and families. And when we face challenges, we work together to listen, learn, improve, and move forward.”

 

Dr. Fine said ensuring that the safety, health, and well-being of our students, teachers, and staff are at the forefront of our conversations would be addressed in the presentation to the Board.

 

He also shared an important reminder that the schools are guided through Board policy and the schools’ strategic plan, which is in year 2 of 3. “We had over 3,000 data points a year ago to help us decide and determine what (the plan) is exactly,” he said. “Our mission and values, along with the goals and objectives of our district, I think, fit beautifully with the conversation that we're having.”

 

Chief Academic Officer Casey Cosgray, Director of Student Services and Accessibility Barb Gentille Green, and Lizzie Kiser, Special Education Coordinator, focused their presentation on prevention. intervention, and post intervention. 

 

Dr. Fine emphasized at the end of his presentation that this work in support of faculty, staff, and students will continue with the hope and intent to continue working collaboratively in teams with members of the Bexley Education Association.

 Victoria Powers' Comments on Behalf of the Board: 32.12; Dr. Jason Fine Comments: 34.48; Presentation Begins: 39.33

Discrimination, hazing, bullying, and harassment have no place in our schools or among any of our school activities. Anyone who is aware of these actions within our schools, including sports, clubs, or other organizations, is highly encouraged to report the information.

 

Bexley City Schools have clear policies and guidelines prohibiting discrimination, hazing, harassment, and bullying within our schools. Please become familiar with the policies and guidelines, which are available on the district website. Policy AC and policy guidelines AC-R address discrimination; JFCF and policy guidelines JFCF-R address bullying, harassment, and hazing.

 

Additionally, the Bexley City School District also utilizes two online reporting tools for students and/or families to report situations, events, or matters of concern.

Students or family members also may talk to a teacher, coach, counselor, or school principal to report an incident. Please remember, too, that anyone who witnesses an emergency or dangerous situation that is occurring in real time should call 911 for an immediate police and/or emergency medical response. 

 

Be assured that we are committed to the highest level of confidentiality about what we discover through any reported incidents and about to whom and what type of consequences are imposed, if any. This is to protect the privacy of all people involved. 

 

To reinforce safety guidance shared in the past, we ask parents/guardians to remind their student walkers and bicyclists to do the following to increase their safety:

Safety features intended to increase student safety when walking or bike-riding to and from school will continue in Bexley neighborhoods and around school buildings. Additional safety information, including on bicycling and walking to school, is available on Bexley Schools’ website.

 

The City of Bexley employs the following safety measures:

Note: By City of Bexley Code, stopping within marked-off areas near the intersections in front of and nearby the Cassingham Complex is forbidden. Drivers are not permitted to drop off or pick up students within the marked zones.

Convocation, Bexley Schools’ annual all-staff meeting to kick off a new school year, celebrates the work everyone does before welcoming students to our buildings. It’s also an opportunity to celebrate our students and the connections they have with their teachers.

 

During this year’s Convocation on Monday, we welcomed back BHS Class of ’24 alum Jordan Steinbrook and his mother, Molly Pauken. The talented duo’s music – Jordan on piano and Molly on bass guitar – filled the theatre and was a welcome surprise to staff as they made their way into the Schottenstein Theatre for the event. Jordan will be a freshman at Ohio State beginning next week, where he will pursue a degree in music and music education. Thank you to Jordan and Molly for their performance!

 

Convocation ended with a video of amusing and sincere clips of our students, hosted by three now seniors at Bexley High School – Kendal Johnson, Mia Fine, and Henry Pitts. The video is available below or on the school district’s YouTube channel.

Join the fun this Sunday at the Bexley Minority Parent Alliance Block Party! The event is from 5-7 p.m. and takes place at the corner of South Cassingham Road and Astor Avenue in South Bexley.

 

Everyone is welcome and attendees are encouraged to take a side dish to share. You may want to take folding chairs as well.

 

The Block Party is the continuation of the organization’s annual back-to-school event, and includes games, prizes, and free food, including burgers, hot dogs, chips, and drinks. 

 

More information on the BMPA website or its Facebook event page. Attendees are asked to register on the Facebook event page if possible, so they can plan for enough food.

Bexley Schools will offer free breakfast for all students again this school year.

 

In order for breakfast to be free, a student must select a whole breakfast consisting of one item from three of the four food groups: grains, fruits, vegetables, and milk. The following are examples of a whole breakfast that would be free:

Breakfast options vary day to day, but a variety of options are always available, including a hot item, such as a breakfast sandwich or breakfast burrito. The schools’ breakfast menu is available online.

 

Students who select a single food item rather than a whole breakfast will need to pay for that item individually.

 

The universal free breakfast program is ongoing after the Bexley Board of Education approved its continuation in April. Board authorization also requires the program to be reevaluated if the cost is projected to exceed $125,000 in a given year. The program began in January 2023 as a pilot program.

 

Breakfast will be served in each school building cafeteria at the following times:

Parents and guardians, please note we have updated our visitor safety guidelines for all Bexley schools for the coming school year. It is important to our safety plan that visitors exit the school building promptly after a scheduled meeting or dropping off something for your child at a building office.

 

Please note that visitors are not permitted to go to other areas or enter classrooms other than what was stated upon arrival and recorded when they signed in at the Cassingham security entrance, or at the Maryland or Montrose school offices. It is important to remember that visitors are not permitted to stop by a classroom without a scheduled appointment.

What a tremendous effort by the members of the BHS boys and girls soccer teams to support Pelotonia’s One Goal to End Cancer! Together, the two athletic programs raised more than $4,200 during their car wash fundraiser for TeamBexley at the end of July.

 

From Suzanne Kondracke: “Watching you work so hard to raise funds for transformative cancer research is inspirational, beyond words. Thank you for the extraordinary effort you put forth  ?  all of you! This tradition, which has been in place since 2012, means a lot to so many people and the impact you are making is immeasurable.” Ms. Kondracke is a captain of TeamBexley along with Todd Evert. They also organized the car wash, which is hosted by Rubino’s each year.

 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the fundraiser, including the many families who helped during the event! (Photos by BexLeo; see more photos online.)

Bexley Schools welcomed 17 new staff yesterday during our annual new staff orientation. The opening segment of the day started in the high school library, where they heard from Superintendent Dr. Jason Fine and Casey Cosgray, chief academic officer. Department directors also met with staff to share information about school district operations.

 

At lunch time, staff were greeted by members of the greater Bexley community, including Board of Education members, city council members, the Diverse Learning PTO, and the Bexley Minority Parent Alliance.

 

Sen. Hearcel Craig and State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells also addressed the new staff members, offering words of encouragement, support, and appreciation for their work in public education. The Bexley Education Foundation’s Pam Glasgow also shared information about the important support the Foundation provides to classroom teachers.

 

> List of Bexley Schools New Faculty & Staff Members

Congratulations to Bexley Schools’ Food Services staff for recent recognition from the Action for Healthy Kids organization and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service.

 

Led by Food Services Director Julianna Carvi, Bexley’s Food Services team received the Healthy Meals Incentive’s Innovation in the Preparation of School Meals Award for their work to incorporate menu items that are prepared from scratch.

 

To qualify for the award, their made-from-scratch foods are prepared using a local agricultural product or USDA food in accordance with the government standards.

 

Our cooks work extremely hard to provide a variety of nutritious and appetizing meals at each of our schools that are tailored to the typical tastes of young students and older students. It is common for our students and staff members to enjoy scratch-made soups and entrees on a daily basis.

 

We know that healthy school meals are an essential part of our schools and access to them improves students’ health, growth, development, and educational outcomes. 

Mark your calendar to join the fun at the Bexley Minority Parent Alliance Block Party on Sunday, August 18, from 5-7 p.m. The event takes place at the corner of South Cassingham Road and Astor Avenue in South Bexley.

 

The Block Party is the continuation of the organization’s annual back-to-school event, and includes games, prizes, and free food, including burgers, hot dogs, chips, and drinks. Everyone is welcome and attendees are encouraged to take a side dish to share. You may want to take folding chairs as well.

 

More information on the BMPA website or its Facebook event page. Attendees are asked to register on the Facebook event page if possible, so they can plan for enough food.

Bexley city officials asked us to share information on the community’s Hometown Hero Banner Program. The deadline to participate in this wonderful recognition is Friday, August 23.

 

 

 

 

To help provide smoother transitions for students entering new schools this coming year, the Bexley City School District is implementing a staggered start to the 2024-2025 school year. 

 

Classes begin on Thursday, August 15, for Bexley students in the following grades only; students will attend all day:

All students in grades 1-12 will attend classes on Friday, August 16. A partial roster of kindergarten students at each elementary school will attend on this day.

 

We believe this plan, with intentional activities and less crowded environments, will help to set up our Kindergarten, 6th grade, and 9th grade students for success as they transition to new schools.

Beginning Monday, August 19, all students – kindergarten through 12th grade – will attend daily.

 

With half of kindergarten students in attendance each of the first two days, kindergarteners will experience their new classes and schools in small groups. Families of incoming kindergarten students will receive an email notification of their student’s start date.

 

Classes begin on Thursday, August 15, for middle and high school students entering 6th and 9th grades. Students in these transitional grades will attend a full school day, 8:35 a.m. - 3:24 p.m. and will be involved in activities to help them transition to a new school. Students will attend an abbreviated version of their schedule and all students should plan to remain on campus for lunch on this day. All other students in grades 7, 8, and 10-12 will attend daily beginning Friday, August 16.

Bexley Schools recently collaborated with members of the Bexley Police Department, officials from other Central Ohio school districts, and the Bexley Schools Athletic Board to review, update, and create standard safety and security policies for local athletic contests. This work and the changes we will implement will help ensure safe and enjoyable experiences for all who attend school athletic events.

 

The new procedures are effective immediately and will be implemented beginning with athletic scrimmages in early August. The guidelines will be strictly enforced by Bexley Schools for all athletic contests hosted at our athletic venues.

 

You may see the full list of guidelines online. The new procedures include, but are not limited to the following:

Students, parents/guardians, and fans are encouraged to allow extra time to enter an athletic venue prior to the event’s start.

and Custodians. Learn More Now.Click the image to go to the Employment Opportunities page on the district website.

Families in need of assistance with the cost of school meals are encouraged to apply for free meals.

The USDA’s eligibility requirements for free or reduced-price school meals are income-based and families must apply for assistance each school year.

 

It’s important to note that Bexley Schools provide free school meals to any student whose family is eligible for reduced-price meals. The State of Ohio picks up the cost of reduced-price meals.

 

If you believe your family may benefit from this program, please complete the application. The application and instructions are on the BSCD Food & Nutrition page and linked in the buttons below. Please contact Food Services Director Julianna Carvi if you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process. 

Many thanks to every member of Bexley Schools’ custodial, maintenance, and groundskeeping teams who have worked nonstop over the summer to make our spaces shine before the new school year. It’s a race every year and they’re nearly to the finish line! While we cannot picture every staff member here, we want to acknowledge their hard work. We are grateful for each staff person’s effort to repair, clean, and sanitize our classrooms, hallways, and offices!

The cost of school lunches holds steady for the 2024-2025 school year! Prices are:

*Note that Bexley Schools will continue its universal free breakfast program. Students must select a complete breakfast, made up of at least four food groups, in order to get a free breakfast. There is a cost for a la carte selections or any food selections that do not equal a complete breakfast. Our Food Services staff will help guide students in choosing foods that equal a complete, free breakfast.

Ohio’s recently signed cell phone legislation charges public school districts with adopting policy by July 2025 addressing student cell phone use in school. The legislation does not ban cell phones in public schools. Rather, it requires schools to adopt policy that thoughtfully regulates cell phone use, so that students maintain focus on learning. You can read more about the legislation online.

 

In the coming months, Bexley Board of Education members and administrators will consider what should be addressed in our student cell phone-use policy, collaborate with our learning community, and evaluate relevant data and information, including that provided by the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce on this subject.

 

As outlined in each family/student handbook, personal electronic devices are not permitted in Bexley Schools’ classrooms unless there is a documented accommodation for a student. This applies to cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, and other electronic devices. Students are encouraged to leave devices in their locker, or if they choose to keep a device in their backpack, it must be turned off for the duration of class.

 

Students may use their devices before school, after school, and in a classroom with teacher permission. Also, students must avoid wearing headphones and/or earbuds on both ears while they are in school. Blocking sound from others is a safety concern; students must be able to hear what is going on around them. Students who fail to comply with these restrictions may face consequences. 

 

Digital wellness is not a new matter in our schools. Our technology staff created an online course not only for students, but also for parents and guardians that can be utilized to help even young students learn to use electronic devices safely and appropriately. The Digital Wellness course launched last school year. Our staff continues its work to develop appropriate digital wellness tools to be unveiled during the coming school year.

 

We look forward to continued discussions with our Superintendent’s policy committee and our learning community, and will meet the July 2025 deadline to develop a policy that makes sense for Bexley Schools.