District Newsletter: 04/02/2026

BHS Orchestra Students Take Top Honors in Columbus Symphony Orchestra Youth Competition

Two Bexley High School orchestra students stood out among more than 20 other musicians when they competed in the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Young Musicians Competition recently.

Congratulations to sophomores Jonah Davis, who took top honors in the Concerto Division with his performance of the Barber Violin Concerto! Additionally, sophomore Everett Martin took second place in the same division! 

As the winner of the Concerto Division, Jonah received the Lois H. Allen Concerto Prize of $1,000. 

Jonah Davis

Everett Martin

He also will perform as a violin soloist with the Columbus Symphony during one of its 2025-2026 Young People’s Concerts.

Everett’s cello performance of Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, received a $500 cash prize for his second-place performance.  

The CSO’s Young Musicians Competition provides an opportunity for students in grades 3-12 to perform for professional feedback from Columbus Symphony musicians and collegiate faculty from around Central Ohio. More than 80 students participated from across the area in three divisions. Only the Concerto Division is competitive.

Get to Know Our Kindergarten Program at April 23rd Orientation 

All registered kindergarten parents/guardians are invited to kindergarten orientation in their respective elementary school libraries on Thursday, April 23, from 6-7 p.m. This event is for adults only.

Students will be invited to a Meet and Greet session with kindergarten teachers, which will take place the week before school starts in August.

Montrose 5th Graders Share Feelings and Inspiring Messages through Art

“Let Your Heart Guide You.” “Help People to Help People.”

Walk through the front doors of Montrose Elementary School and you cannot miss the stunning and meaningful art display created by the school’s 5th graders.

The display is centered around the school’s banner identifying it as a No Place for Hate building. Pause for a moment and you can feel the students’ heartfelt, personal messages.

Some messages encourage positivity ─ “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully.” “Love Everyone.” “Everyone Should Get a Chance.” Other pieces of artwork offer messages inspiring resiliency, like, “It Will Be Okay,” “You Can Do It,” and “You Belong Here.”

Students crafted their artwork over a few months, taking their time to consider the message they wanted to depict and learning the intricacies of printmaking. The project used a form of printmaking called a collagraph, creating a beautiful relief print.

The inspiration for the students was the book Say Something!, by Peter H. Reynolds. Longtime Montrose art teacher Emily Reiser first read the book to the students, generating a conversation with the students about how they can use their voices to create a better world.

The author describes his picture book as “an empowering story about finding your voice and using it to make the world a better place. The world needs your voice. If you have a brilliant idea... say something! If you see an injustice... say something!”

“Children see the world the way they want the world to be,” Ms. Reiser said. “We need to give kids a way to express the things they feel.”

The results are beautiful pieces of art showcasing not only the students’ craft, but also theirs hearts and minds.

Join Us on April 15th for an Important Panel Conversation on Neurodiversity

Have a Topic You Would Like Panelists to Address?

Let us know and we will inform our panelists. Topics should be general in nature and not specific to a particular person or child. Submit your topic request online at bex.fyi/championchat or scan the QR code in the flier.

Nominations Are Being Accepted for the 2026 Bexley Educator of the Year Award

Nominations for the 2026 Bexley Educator of the Year Award are due next Friday, April 10th

The award has been given each year for the past 30 years by the Bexley Education Foundation and is funded by an endowment established by the family of Robert A. Glick at the Columbus Jewish Foundation.

Nominators must submit information regarding their award nominee online and include a narrative (limited to 500 words) on how the nominee’s leadership, dedication, extraordinary achievements and commitment to the classroom and the community have made a significant difference in children’s lives. The nomination must include a separate letter of support from an individual other than the nominator.

Contact Foundation Executive Director Pam Glasgow if you have questions.

BE A CHAMPION

Two BMS Faculty Members Recognized as ‘Champions’

Congratulations to Middle School teachers Rachel Lovely and Michael Vincent, who were recognized as Champions for exemplifying Inclusion, one of the district’s seven core values!

Mrs. Lovely, an English/Language Arts teacher, and Mr. Vincent, a design teacher, were recognized by a school leader for their important work supporting the middle school’s WEB program. The WEB program serves as an orientation initiative and helps 6th graders transition to their new school.

Pictured, from left: Superintendent Dr. Jason Fine; Rachel Lovely; Michael Vincent; and Jerome Price, middle school principal.

Their Champion nomination said, “The program trains mentors from our 8th grade class and sets the tone for a positive middle school student experience, beginning with orientation on the first day of school. Mrs. Lovely and Mr. Vincent began training last spring and continue to work with our 8th grade WEB leaders building their capacity to support of 6th graders.” Way to BE Mrs. Lovely and Mr. Vincent!

Voter Registration Deadline Is Monday for May Primary Election

This coming Monday, April 6, is the voter registration deadline to vote in Ohio’s May 5th primary election. Need to register or update your address information? Access the needed form online.

Important Dates

Tomorrow! April 3 (Fri.) – No Classes; District Closed

April 8 (Wed.) – Board of Education Regular Meeting, 6 p.m., Bexley City Hall

April 14 (Tues.) – Montrose PTO Meeting, 7 p.m., School Library

April 15 (Wed.) – Champion Chat “Neurodiversity: Building Understanding,” 6:30 p.m., Bexley Public Library AND Livestream; Open to the Public

April 16 (Thurs.) – Middle School Musical, Footloose Youth Edition, 7 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre; Tickets

April 17 (Fri.) – Middle School Musical, Footloose Youth Edition, 7:30 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre; Tickets

April 18 (Sat.) – Middle School Musical, Footloose Youth Edition, 2 p.m. AND 7:30 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre; Tickets

April 21 (Tues.) – Maryland PTO Meeting, 7 p.m., School Library

April 23 (Thurs.) – Kindergarten Orientation, 6 p.m., Each Elementary School Library

April 24 (Fri.) – Cassingham PTO Meeting, 8:35 a.m.; Check in at office

April 24 (Fri.) – High School Improv Show, 7:30 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

April 25 (Sat.) – High School One-Act Play, Play in a Day, 7:30 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

April 26 (Sun.) – Circle of Excellence, Bexley Minority Parent Alliance, 3:30 p.m., Bexley Public Library Auditorium