District Newsletter: 01/29/2026

BHS Crowns Back-to-Back Poetry Out Loud Champion

Congratulations to Bexley sophomore Zeke Moses, who won the high school’s Poetry Out Loud competition recently and is now the school’s back-to-back winner!

Congratulations to the competition’s runner-up Gavi Zelkowicz and to finalists Brianna Dekle, Lily MacDonald and Vivien Luckshaw!

Due to a conflict with next week’s performances of the high school musical Urinetown, Zeke will not participate in the regional competition. Gavi, though, will represent Bexley High School in the Poetry Out Loud regional competition next week on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the Thurber House. Good luck Gavi!

Poetry Out Loud participants, from left, include: Brianna Dekle; Zeke Moses; Gavi Zelkowicz; Vivien Luckshaw; and Lily Macdonald.

Elementary Schools Ready to Kick Off Annual Read a Thons

The Bexley Elementary Read a Thons are coming! Once again, Cassingham, Maryland, and Montrose are aligning the dates and theme for this year’s event to enhance our sense of community and celebrate reading!

This year’s theme will take students on an epic reading voyage, and we can’t wait to see our Cubs, Mallards, and Moose explore the extraordinary world of reading! All three school events begin Monday, Feb. 2, and go through Tuesday, Feb.17.

The schools’ PTOs love incorporating literacy into our largest fundraiser of the year! The money raised during Read a Thons support special programs and projects, such as playground improvements, field trips, supplemental curricular materials, and more!

Each school set a goal for total combined number of minutes for students to read during the Read a Thon:  

• Cassingham: 200,000 minutes
• Maryland: 140,000 minutes
• Montrose: 225,000 minutes.

If you are interested in supporting any of the Read a Thons but do not currently have a student at one of the schools, use the following links to donate: Cassingham Read a Thon; Maryland Read a Thon; and Montrose Read a Thon.

After Reaching Four Calamity Days, Schools Move to New Calamity Day Protocol

Bexley Schools have now had four calamity days this school year, which brings the district to a point when teachers will provide review work to students if we encounter another calamity day for whatever reason.

The following states learning opportunities and expectations for students in all grades if we have additional unplanned days off school.

Procedures for Calamity Days 4-6: When the district encounters a 4th, 5th, or 6th calamity day, building administrators and teachers will communicate expectations with students and parents/guardians by 10 a.m. on the day of a calamity day. Additionally, staff members will provide review work to students, as well as host voluntary office hours to support students and families. This may be done remotely.

The following reviews the procedures of our Online Learning Plan that will go into effect if we reach calamity day 7 and beyond this school year. An Online Learning Plan for schools was required by the state to be implemented this year.

Procedures for Calamity Day 7 & Beyond: Per the district’s Online Learning Plan, students will be expected to “attend” some virtual synchronized sessions, as well as asynchronized independent learning activities and complete their assigned work. New instruction, completed assignments, and student feedback will be delivered to students virtually using the school’s learning management system. More information about how we will implement the district’s Online Learning Plan will be provided to parents/guardians and students if it appears the district could reach at least 7 calamity days this school year.

How Are School Emergency Closure Decisions Made?

When making a decision about an emergency closure, the Board policy states that many factors are considered, but specifically points to factors that may affect health and safety, including:

• Weather conditions, both existing and predicted;
• Driving conditions affecting public and private transportation facilities;
• An actual occurrence or imminent possibility of any emergency condition that would make the operation of schools difficult or dangerous; or
• Actual and wind-chill air temperatures.

The policy states that schools may be closed when air temperatures measured reach -15 degrees Fahrenheit or sustained wind chills reach -22 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

BE A CHAMPION

High School Student Recognized as ‘Champion’

Congratulations to junior Darby Crilly, who was recognized last week as a Champion!

Nominated by a high school teacher, Darby was honored for Demonstrating Kindness after she used her study hall time to support a fellow classmate. The nomination shared that Darby didn’t know the student well but gladly gave up time to complete her own homework to assist another student on theirs!

Way to BE Darby! And thank you for Demonstrating Kindness, the second pillar of the schools' mission.

Pictured: Dr. Jason Fine; Darby Crilly; and Scott Logsdon, high school science teacher

Key Club Students Take Time to Share Kindness on MLK Jr. Day

Demonstrating Kindness is a pillar of Bexley Schools’ mission and kindness is seen in our schools every day. One shining example of Bexley students’ kindness was seen when members of the high school Key Club and club adviser Marybeth Motasem spent their day off from school, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, living out Dr. King’s belief that “everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”

By honoring Dr. King’s message that “We cannot walk alone,” students spent three hours creating art with disabled adults at the PAL Chrysalis Health Center in Gahanna. The PALS programs provide individuals with the tools they need to be active members of the community and to maintain a high quality of life.

Inside the Den: Culinary Insights with Food Services Director Julianna Carvi

By Chad Hemmelgarn, Leader of Experiential Learning

Our latest “Inside the Den” session offered students a unique opportunity to engage in experiential learning by connecting directly with our own food services expert, Julianna Carvi. “Inside the Den” is a career-focused series where students participate in Q&A sessions with Bexley City Schools experts to explore industries in which they are interested.

Since joining the district in 2013, Ms. Carvi has leveraged her MBA and extensive restaurant background to transform our cafeteria into a space where creativity and innovation flourish.

During the Q&A, Ms. Carvi shared her passion for scratch-made cooking – noting that Bexley Schools are rare for using raw proteins like meatloaf – and her personal love for the “adrenaline” of a busy kitchen. She encouraged students to explore the culinary craft, whether through professional training or starting from the ground up, to find their own creative outlet.

This session directly supports our district goal to celebrate a broader definition of success by exposing students to diverse career pathways and industry mentors. Upcoming planned “Inside the Den” sessions will include finance, public relations, IT, and non-profit work with experts our students see in our hallways every day.

Teen Driver Class with Bexley Police Department
Sunday, Feb. 22, 2-6 p.m., St. Charles Robotics Center

The Bexley Police Department is hosting a Teen Driver Safety Class for teens ages 15–19 to help build safer, more confident drivers. The class is free and lunch is provided but space is limited. Don’t miss a great opportunity to learn safe driving tips from the pros! To learn more or register, email Officer Clayton Adams.

Important Dates

Tonight! Jan. 29 (Thur.) – Montrose Family Library Night, 5-7 p.m., Bexley Public Library

Feb. 2 (Mon.) – Elementary Read-a-thon Kicks Off

Feb. 2 (Mon.) – Cassingham Family Library Night, 5-7 p.m., Bexley Public Library

Feb. 4 (Wed.) – Middle School PTO Meeting, 7 p.m., School Library

Feb. 5 (Thurs.) – High School Musical Urinetown, 7 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre; Tickets

Feb. 6 (Fri.) – High School Musical Urinetown, 7:30 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre; Tickets

Feb. 7 (Sat.) – High School Musical Urinetown, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre; Tickets

Feb. 8 (Sun.) – High School Chorale “Cupid Cabaret,” 5:30 p.m., Jeffrey Mansion Carriage House

Feb. 9 (Mon.) – High School One-Act Play Auditions, 5:30 p.m., Dargusch Theatre; Audition Form

Feb. 13 (Fri.) – No Classes for Students; Teacher Conference Comp Day

Feb. 16 (Mon.) – Presidents Day, No Classes; District Closed

Feb. 17 (Tues.) – Grade 4 & 5 Play Auditions, 3:15 p.m., Cassingham Theatre; Audition Form

Feb. 17 (Tues.) – Montrose PTO Meeting, 7 p.m., School Library

Feb. 18 (Wed.) – Grade 4 & 5 Play Callbacks, 3:15 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

Feb. 19 (Thurs.) – Middle School/High School Orchestra Concert, 7 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

Feb. 20 (Fri.) – Cassingham PTO School Dance (Grades K-1-2 at 5:30-7 p.m.; Grades 3-4-5 at 7-8:30 p.m.)

Feb. 18 (Wed.) – One Bexley Story Slam Event, 7 p.m., Drexel Theatre; Call for Storytellers

New Date! Feb. 22 (Sun.) – Bexley New Resident Open House, 2-4 p.m., Jeffrey Mansion

Feb. 22 (Sun.) – Teen Driver Safety with Bexley Police Department, 2-6 p.m., St. Charles Robotics Center