District Newsletter: 02/05/2026

Reminders!

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

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

Student Enrollment Opens Next Week for ‘26-‘27 School Year

New student enrollment for kindergarten and other students new to Bexley Schools, will open on Wednesday, Feb. 11 for the 2026-2027 school year. Students currently enrolled in Bexley Schools do not need to re-register before each school year.

Bexley offers all-day kindergarten for all students who will turn 5 years old by Thursday, Aug. 13, the first day of classes for Bexley Schools for the 2026-2027 school year.

A recent change in Ohio law modifies the kindergarten cut-off date to coincide with each district’s first day of instructional classes. Consequently, the cut-off date for kindergarten will be different each year and may be different by school district.

Bexley Board of Education policy requires all enrolled students to reside within Bexley City School District boundaries.

The website enrollment link will go live on the district’s website on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

Families, please share this date with friends and neighbors if they have a rising kindergartener and have no other children in Bexley Schools.

Parents/guardians of newly enrolled Kindergarten students will receive additional information about the 2026-27 school year later this spring.

Bexley Orchestra Students Shine in Local Solo and Ensemble Event

Bexley High School orchestra students earned top honors during the Ohio Music Education Association’s recent Solo and Ensemble event.

Orchestra director Steven Spangler said 25 students participated, with 17 earning a Superior rating, the highest score. All other student performers received Excellent ratings, the event’s second-highest score.

Mr. Spangler told the students afterward, “I saw students rise to a new level of musicianship, develop a stronger confidence in their instrument, and students pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones. Congratulations to ALL of you. I am proud of what you have accomplished.”

The participating students independently selected their performance pieces and utilized the tools, skills, and knowledge they learned in class to prepare their solos, duets, trios, and quartets, he shared. “This event is the perfect example of students applying what they have learned and accomplishing their goals through collaboration, dedication, and problem-solving,” Mr. Spangler said.

FRONT ROW, from left: Michelle Shanks, Penny Sidel, Isaian Burke, Carter Schehl, Robin Myers, Julia Atkins, and Thomas Curtin | MIDDLE ROW: Isabelle Coey, Ava Macwhinney, Mischa Zytcer, Maya Hernandez-Romito, Indio Silva, Andrey Beam, Charlotte Benson, William Kline, and Mia Myles | BACK ROW: Paloma Perez, Vivien Luckshaw, Amelia Lynch, Harper Dresbach, Rafi Custer-Edwards, and Charlie Howes | NOT PICTURED: Lily Howes, Mychael Robinson, and Chiara Wood

BHS Students Earn Recognition in Regional Scholastic Art Exhibition

Art entries of four Bexley High School students received recognition recently during the Regional Scholastic Art Exhibition at the Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD).

Congratulations to senior Sylvia Nowlin, who won a Gold Key Award, and senior Emmalie Freeman, who won a Silver Key Award.

Junior Isabella Lestini and senior Adrian Schiff were awarded an Honorable Mention for their artwork.

Sylvie’s artwork and that of all Gold Key recipients will be submitted to the national competition.

Gold Key Award

Bite, by Sylvie Nowlin 

Sylvie’s and Emmalie’s award-winning works will also be on display in the Joseph V. Canzani Building on the CCAD campus, 60 Cleveland Ave., beginning Feb. 19 and running through March 5. The recognition ceremony on Feb. 19, begins at 7 p.m.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition is the nation's longest running program for teen artists and is considered the most prestigious program for creative students in grades 7–12.

Silver Key Award

Late Evenings, by Emma Freeman

Honorable Mention

Nightlife, by Isabella Lestini

Honorable Mention

Cloudy Sunshine, by Adrian Schiff

Middle School Recognizes Students, Staff Member in Monthly Core Value Recognition

The Middle School PBIS Committee recently recognized the Staff and Student Core Value of the Month award winners for December/January. The awards recognize three students who stood out for embodying Integrity – “saying and doing the right thing even when no one is watching.”

Integrity is one of the district’s seven core values, which also include Empathy, Equity, Inclusion, Respect, Responsibility, and Well-being.

The monthly awards also recognize a faculty member, who is nominated by students to recognize a teacher who has made a difference in their lives and embodies integrity. 

Congratulations to 6th grader Maxine Tate, 7th grader Lucy Frey, and 8th grader Elijah Lough! Congratulations also to Middle School math teacher Andrew DelRosso!

From left: Middle School math teacher Andrew DelRosso; Maxine Tate; Lucy Frey; and Elijah Lough.

High School Chorale’s Annual Cupid Cabaret Is This Sunday

Don’t miss Bexley High School’s very talented vocalists performing in the annual Cupid Cabaret Sunday, Feb. 8, at 5:30 p.m. at Jeffrey Mansion Carriage House. 

Attendees will enjoy a sweet treat and warm beverage, all while taking in the talents of some of our high school performers.

The event is a fundraiser for the Chorale and tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors, students, and staff members. Venmo, cash, or checks payable to Bexley Music Parents, are accepted. 

BE A CHAMPION

Food Services Staff Member Recognized as ‘Champion’

Congratulations to Kelly McCabe, one of the district’s beloved Food Services team members, who was recently honored as a Champion! Ms. McCabe was recognized for Empathy, one of the district’s seven core values.

Her nomination stated, “Kelly took the time to talk with a student who was feeling unseen. She knew the student from elementary school when she worked at Montrose. Knowing someone remembers you, likes you and will take the time to share a memory makes a connection like none other. Kelly does this all the time without effort or forethought.” Way to BE Ms. McCabe! And thank you for the care you provide to our students!

Pictured, from left: Rachelle Jackson; Meagan Dement; Food Services Director Julianna Carvi; Kelly McCabe; Amber Wise; and Angelina Peters

Professional Exchange Brings Brazilian Educators to Bexley Schools

In a follow up to their Rotary-sponsored professional exchange in Brazil last summer, Maryland Elementary 5th-grade teacher Margaret Cieply and Middle School gifted intervention specialist Crystal Carley welcomed five educators from the Brazilian Rotary to the schools recently.

Ms. Carley and her colleagues made a presentation about Bexley Schools, answered their guests’ questions and walked along as they toured the building, stopping to talk with high school and middle school faculty members, as well as at the BMS library and student wellness room.

“They were interested in learning about gifted and special ed classes, as well as how we help students who have anxiety or issues with emotional regulation,” Ms. Carley said.

At Maryland, student hosts escorted the international educators around the school where the guests had many opportunities to learn of the special activities and excellence within the Maryland school culture, including:

• Kindergarten students sharing their narrative writing skills
• 1st-grade students working with music teacher Diane Paul to sing and dance to Ilarie by Xuxa, a song in Portuguese
• 3rd graders sharing their Kindness core activities
• 5th graders sharing a video they made highlighting the school, which included Portuguese subtitles
• Cieply’s 5th-grade class collaborating with art teacher Lisa Viney to create handmade art for the visitors, with canvas paintings representing Ohio and Brazil.

Maryland’s faculty invited their visitors to the library for snacks and conversation to end their visit and 3rd-grade teachers Anna Strahan, Jessica Fether, and Monica Sutermaster shared their lesson planning at the request of the guests.

“We had an amazing talk about similarities and differences between our educational systems,” Mrs. Cieply said. “We left with an understanding on how similar students are across the world in their strengths and goals.”

See “Local Rotary Club Supports Two Bexley Teachers in Brazilian Professional Exchange” article in the Sept. 4, 2025, district newsletter.

Maryland Staff & Students Welcome International Guests

Get Your Tickets Now for the Bexley Education Foundation’s Premier Event, ‘A Spirited Evening’

The Bexley Education Foundation will host “A Spirited Evening” on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Middle West Spirits Office located at 1165 Alum Creek Drive.

Guests will enjoy building Jenga towers with the blocks personalized by students from each of the elementary schools during the event and the three Jenga games will be raffled off.

“A Spirited Evening” will feature tasty savory and sweet treats, live music, a make-your-own bouquet at the Bloom Bar and silent-auction shopping. The silent auction is filled with a variety of interesting items and fun experiences for adults, children and families.

The silent auction opens for bidding next week, on Friday, Feb. 13. You do not have to attend the event to bid on auction items but you must register a credit card at auctria.events/aspiritedevening to participate in the auction.

Event sponsorships range from $500 to $5,000 and tickets are $150 per person and are now available for purchase online (please note that space is limited at Middle West). For questions about event sponsorships, tickets and/or how to donate an item to the silent auction, contact Allison Simons at allison.simons@bexley.us or call (614) 338-2093.

Proceeds from the event support Foundation grant-funded projects and programs to elevate the educational experience for Bexley students of all ages and grade levels across the school district. 

You’re Invited to the 2026 Bexley State of the Community

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 6 p.m., St. Charles Preparatory School Brotherhood Center, 2010 E. Broad St.

Building community starts together! Join Superintendent Dr. Jason Fine, Mayor Ben Kessler, and Library Director Ben Heckman at the 2026 State of the Community at the new St. Charles Brotherhood Center. Hear how our community leaders are partnering to strengthen what makes Bexley feel like home.

New this year is a community resource fair and light refreshments beginning at 6 p.m. The full address starts at 6:30 p.m. Come to connect, learn, and be part of what’s building next for Bexley. REGISTER ONLINE

Important Dates

Tonight! 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

Feb. 23 (Mon.) – Board of Education Regular Meeting, 6 p.m., Bexley City Hall

Feb. 25 (Wed.) – State of the Community, 6:30 p.m., St. Charles Brotherhood Center

Feb. 26 (Thurs.) – Middle School/High School Orchestra Concert, 7 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

Feb. 27 (Fri.) – Maryland’s Got Talent, 6 p.m., Maryland Elementary Gymnasium