District Newsletter: 04/16/2026

Middle School, High School Students Perform Well on National Latin Exam

The results are in for the National Latin Exam, and Bexley High School and Middle School Latin students’ scores were again noteworthy.

“Over 100,000 Latin students take the exam annually, and our students performed incredibly well,” said Jackie Hillman, Bexley Latin teacher. In citing the students’ achievements, she said they “took on some incredibly fierce competition.”

Congratulations to the following students for their achievements!

Gold Medal winner Charlotte Beam, 7th grader; the Gold Medal is awarded to top scorers.

Silver Medals, recognizing second-place winners, went to senior Sal Kessler, sophomore Julia Whisler, and 7th graders Phinn Pitts and Sophia Tourkow.

Magna Cum Laude awards, recognizing third-place scores, to junior Shari Daugherty, 8th graders Tal Ben-David, Cole Klingler and Theo Smith, and 7th graders Emerson Brown, Nathan Delman, Nathan Montgomery, Kyra Vance, and Ezra Weiner.

Cum Laude awards, recognizing fourth place, to 8th grader Carys Slagle, and 7th graders Isla Bruce, Lydia Camboni, Rhys Kahler, Aurelia Merrell, and David Wapner.

Pictured, from left: Nathan Delman, Ezra Weiner, Phinn Pitts, David Wapner, Aurelia Merrell, Charlotte Beam, and Lydia Camboni

Pictured, from left: Shari Daugherty, Sal Kessler, and Julia Whisler

Pictured, from left: Emerson Brown, Isla Bruce, Sophia Tourkow, Rhys Kahler, and Nathan Montgomery

Pictured, from left: Cole Klingler, Tal Ben-David, Carys Slagle, and Theo Smith

High School Administrator to Depart after This School Year

High School Assistant Principal Kristen Kearns will depart Bexley after the end of this school year to accept a Central Office position with Worthington City Schools.

Mrs. Kearns has served as assistant principal since the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year and has done tremendous work to promote positivity and pride within the school’s culture and to support our students.

The search for a new assistant principal is underway. As always, we value and welcome input and participation in our administrative hiring processes from family members, faculty, staff, and students. If you are interested in participating in the assistant principal search, please complete the online form.

Community Hears Expert Advice to Support Neurodiverse Children

Champion Chat panel members addressed Bexley community members last night. Pictured, from left: Barri Woodfork; Dr. Cheryl Chase; Dr. Aimee White; Dr. Steven Guy; and Rachael Holland.

Nearly 50 community members attended yesterday evening’s Champion Chat at the Bexley Public Library, with many more watching the program online, when neuropsychology experts and some of the district’s special education professionals took part in a panel discussion called Neurodiversity: Building Understanding.

Led by Dr. Aimee White, the district’s Director of Student Services and Accessibility, panel members shared practical advice about neurodiversity – what it is and isn’t – and how to support neurodiverse family members.

The panel included:

Dr. Cheryl Chase - a licensed clinical psychologist based in the Cleveland area, where she specializes in diagnostic and neuropsychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. Her expertise includes ADHD, learning disorders, and emotional concerns.

Dr. Steven C. Guy - a pediatric neuropsychologist in private practice in Columbus. He has served as a clinical instructor at both The Ohio State University and the University of Maryland Medical Center and is a coauthor of Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Second Edition.

Rachael Holland - Bexley Schools’ Parent Mentor works to support local parents’ understanding of special education processes and empowering them to become effective advocates for their children’s educational journeys. She draws upon her lived experience as a Bexley parent of a child with an IEP.  

Barri Woodfork - a nationally certified and independently licensed school psychologist with more than 20 years of experience supporting neurodiverse learners. A member of the Bexley Schools’ staff, she is a Diplomate of the American Board of School Neuropsychology.

Other discussion centered around the importance of nutrition, sleep and physical activity when supporting neurodiverse children, as well as how changing technology impacts how executive functioning dysfunction or functioning is measured, and more.

If you were unable to attend or listen to the live program, you may view it online. The program was recorded and is available on Bexley Schools’ YouTube Channel.

Celebrating the ‘Messy Middle’: Bestselling Author Brad Montague Inspires Bexley

By Chad Hemmelgarn, Leader of Experiential Learning

Bexley City Schools was recently filled with “joyful rebellion” as we welcomed Brad Montague - New York Times bestselling author, illustrator, and creator of Kid President - to our district on March 30. Supported by a BEF Idea Grant, Montague hosted high-energy sessions for our K-5 students and a special book talk for our staff.

During his presentation to 3rd-5th graders, Montague used “scribble art” and stories of his own creative mishaps to remind students that their magic is meant to be shared, even when the process feels messy. 

We also want to give a special shout-out to Katie Appel and Megan Reeve for spearheading the Becoming Better Grownups book club this year and for decorating our spaces so warmly to welcome the author. We also extend a huge thank you to our librarians and teachers for drumming up so much excitement with our students leading up to the big day!

This visit was a living embodiment of the Bexley City Schools Strategic Plan, particularly our mission to Learn with Curiosity, Demonstrate Kindness, and Embrace Equity. Montague’s message centered on reframing failure as a “natural, celebrated part of the learning process.” This directly supports our district goal to ensure students have the social and emotional supports necessary to “recognize that failure is a natural part of learning.” By encouraging students to sign “Permission Slips to Fail,” the experience helped create an environment where creativity, innovation, and critical thinking can truly flourish.

The visit also reinforced our commitment to Equity and Inclusion. Using his book The Circles All Around Us, Montague provided a common language for belonging, showing how our “circles” of care must expand from ourselves to our community and the world. This aligns perfectly with our strategic vision to “nurture belonging, joy, and an ethic of care” and to “celebrate and live a broader definition of success” that reflects the diversity of our student body. Montague’s visit challenged us to ensure that our programs and practices continue to foster an environment where everyone feels safe and supported.

Finally, the visit highlighted our goal to expand student and teacher agency. By empowering students to see their ideas as “Figment Agents” capable of changing the world, the presentation amplified the curiosity and innovation we strive to embed in every classroom. Our staff's engagement with his work also mirrors our initiative to provide professional development that supports “agentic teaching” and the exploration of “intellectual risk-taking.” We are so grateful to the BEF and our dedicated staff for making this transformative experience possible for the entire Bexley elementary community.

What’s Next Bexley?

May 5th Event to Help Support Grade-Level Moves & Post-Secondary Transitions for Students with IEPs, 504s

Don’t miss “What’s Next Bexley” on Tuesday, May 5, when Bexley Schools host a family-friendly event connecting families and students with disabilities to experts, educators, and community partners who can assist with the progression between grades and buildings, and beyond graduation.

Experts will be available to answer questions, listen, and share tools for families of students with disabilities from pre-K through 12th grade and beyond. The evening will include a resource fair with outside experts and agencies, including colleges and universities, deferred graduation opportunities, and other local resources. There also will be panel breakout sessions discussing post-secondary options and school-based transition years. Access more information online

Click Image for More Event Information

BE A CHAMPION

Montrose Teacher Honored as ‘Champion’

Congratulations to Montrose Elementary 5th-grade teacher Angela O’Hare, who was recognized recently as a Champion in the district!

Ms. O’Hare was recognized by a district staff member who showed appreciation for Ms. O’Hare’s Empathy, one of the district’s seven core values.

The nomination spoke of how Ms. O’Hare made a student feel safe and important following a loss in the student’s family, helping “build him up and support him with quiet check ins, little jobs to make him feel important, and the hand-written notes.”

Way to BE Ms. O’Hare!

Pictured: Superintendent Dr. Jason Fine; Angela O’Hare; Nikki Barden, Middle School Building Sub; and Montrose Principal Nyesha Clayton

All Bexley Families Invited

to Next Week’s Children’s Mental Health Fair

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Clinicians to Host Fun, Engaging Sessions for Younger Bexley Students This Summer

Nationwide Children’s Hospital School-Based Clinicians will offer fun and engaging groups this summer designed to support Bexley students’ social-emotional learning and strengthen self‑regulation skills.

Most sessions will take place during June at the Cassingham Complex; the Elementary to Middle School Transition Group will meet in July.

NCH will host four Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) groups for Bexley students in grades 1–5:

• The Social Emotional Learning Group – For Rising 1st-3rd Grade Students (Thursdays in June)
• The Social Emotional Learning Group – For Rising 4th and 5th Grade Students (Thursdays in June)
• Boys’ Group for Rising 3rd-5th Grade Boys – Focused on building healthy communication skills, emotional awareness, and positive peer relationships (June 23)
• Girls’ Group for Rising 3rd-5th Grade Girls – Focused on strengthening healthy communication skills and positive friendships (June 16)

In addition, there will be an Elementary to Middle School Transition Group for students entering 6th grade on Tuesdays in July. These sessions are designed to support confidence, coping skills, and a smooth transition to middle school.

See more information and register online as soon as possible.

Important Dates

Tonight! April 16 (Thurs.) – DLPTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Location is 34 S. Cassady Ave. or by Zoom

Tonight Is Opening Night! 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

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

April 28 (Tues.) – High School Jazz Band Concert, 7 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

April 29 (Wed.) – Orchestra Concert, Grades 4-12, 7 p.m., High School Gymnasium

April 30 (Thurs.) – Band Concert, Grades 5-12, 7 p.m., High School Gymnasium

April 30 (Thurs.) – Board of Education Special Meeting, 6 p.m., Bexley High School Library (No public participation at Special Meetings)