District Newsletter: 05/07/2026

Embracing Equity Newsletter: Spring Publication Reflects on 100 Years of Progress

We are happy to present the Spring edition of Bexley Schools’ Embracing Equity newsletter. This publication highlights the important work done every day in our schools to live our mission to Learn with Curiosity, Demonstrate Kindness, and Embrace Equity.

Our Spring issue reflects upon 100 years of progress built within the Bexley community, highlighting the first person of color to graduate from Bexley High School and how one Bexley family’s journey becomes our own.

The piece also highlights our continuing work as a district of all “No Place for Hate” schools and ways our students, faculty and staff support equity each day.

You may click on the link above or click on the cover image to access the full publication.

Class of 2026

BHS Celebrates Eight Seniors Who Will Pursue an Education in Visual, Performing Arts

Congratulations to eight Bexley seniors who were recognized last Friday during the high school’s annual Arts Signing Day! The event celebrates students who commit to pursuing visual and performing arts in post-secondary education or professionally.

Each senior took their turn signing Bexley High School’s Arts Signing book in front of dozens of family members, friends, and teachers in the high school library. Principal Jason Caudill also read messages of appreciation from each student to their family members and teachers, thanking them for their support.

Those recognized were:

• Vivienne Frank, who will attend Capital University to study music education in voice and pursue a Bachelor of Music Education
• Emmalie Freeman, who will attend Savannah College of Art and Design to study sequential art and pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts
• Duncan Messmer, who will attend the University of Dayton to study jazz and music education and pursue a Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Music Education
• Sylvie Nowlin, who will attend Concordia University to study studio art and pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts
• Ashton Pliskin, who will attend the University of Delaware to study music composition and pursue a Bachelor of Music
• Lucy Robinson, who will attend Elon University to study drama and theater studies and pursue a Bachelor of Arts
• Shadow Salmon, who will attend Columbia College of Chicago to study stage management and pursue a Bachelor of Arts
• Scarlett Waggoner, who will attend DePaul University to study film and television production and pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts

Pictured, from left: Vivienne Frank, Emmalie Freeman, Duncan Messmer, Ashton Pliskin, Shadow Salmon, Scarlett Waggoner, and Sylvia Nowlin. Not pictured: Lucy Robinson.

Submit Your Nomination for the Board’s ‘Friend of Education’ Award; Deadline Is May 29

Nominations are open now for the Board of Education’s Friend of Education Award. Community members, faculty, and staff members are encouraged to nominate someone you believe has made a profound impact upon Bexley Schools.

According to the criteria, the honor is awarded to an individual who has made a significant contribution to public education in the City of Bexley and one who goes above and beyond to give their time to our schools. The award is not given to a current Bexley Schools employee.

The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, May 29. The nomination form is available online.

Once completed, please send the nomination by email to Caroline Rogers at caroline.rogers@bexley.us. All nominations will be forwarded to the members of the Bexley Board of Education for their review and selection.

Torch Staff Members Win Central Ohio Writing Awards

By Julie Horger, English & Journalism Teacher and Torch Advisor

Four members of the Bexley High School Torch staff have been honored for their writing and photography as part of The Martys, a contest sponsored by the Central Ohio Society of Professional Journalists and Dispatch magazines.

The Martys contest recognizes one winner and one runner-up from among Central Ohio high school news publications in five categories: best photography, news writing, feature writing, sports writing, and opinion writing. Torch staff members won three categories and were the runners-up in two categories:

• Best Opinion Writing – Ruthie Gravelle for her Feb. 12, 2026, editorial “Admin should consider student opinion, discourage AI in future policy”
• Best Sports Writing – Emma Schiff for her April 17, 2025, story “Boys lacrosse seniors provide depth through experience”
• Best Photography – Bella Delisio for her Oct. 10, 2025, photo “Homecoming monarchs crowned at football game”
• Feature Writing, Runner-Up – Lily Howes and Bella Delisio for their May 14, 2025, story “Gender stereotypes persist in classroom, social settings”
• News Writing, Runner-Up – Lily Howes for her March 13, 2025, story “District outlines revisions to school bathroom policies following Ohio legislation.”

Ruthie, Emma, and Bella will each receive $200 from the Martys for winning their categories.

The Martys Contest, established in 2011, honors the late Martin Rozenman, who worked for 27 years with the Dispatch’s Suburban News Publications.

Pictured, from left: Senior Lily Howes; senior Bella Delisio; junior Ruthie Gravelle; and senior Emma Schiff

BE A CHAMPION

District Celebrates Two Staff Members as ‘Champions’

Bexley Schools recently recognized two staff members as Champions in the district.

Congratulations to Janae Gibbs, a middle school paraprofessional, and Rachael Holland, the district’s parent mentor!

Ms. Gibbs was recognized for Demonstrating Kindness, the second pillar of the district’s mission. Her nomination, which was submitted by a colleague, called her an “asset in the classroom” and pointed to her patience, kindness and dedication to her students.

Pictured: Beth Jax, Middle School social studies teacher; Janae Gibbs; and Heath Goolsby, Middle School intervention specialist.

Her nominator wrote, “Ms. Gibbs makes students feel valued and teachers feel supported each day.”

Mrs. Holland was recognized for Embracing Equity, the third pillar of the district’s mission. Her nomination came from the staff of the Bexley Education Foundation, which cited Mrs. Holland’s role as a champion of equity in our schools and pointed to her communication board project as a “perfect physical representation of her mission.”

The nomination shared that the communication boards are available on the elementary school playgrounds, benefiting students and community members.

Pictured: Rachael Holland; Pam Glasgow, executive director of the Bexley Education Foundation; and Wendy Hauswirth, Director of Alumni & Donor Relations for the Foundation.

Way to BE Ms. Gibbs and Mrs. Holland!

Bexley Students Hack Their Way to Innovation

By Chad Hemmelgarn, Leader of Experiential Learning

Innovation and problem-solving took center stage recently as high school teacher Patrick Cummins led 14 Bexley students to the 2026 Upper Arlington High School Hackathon. This annual tradition, which has grown steadily since its inception in 2019, saw more than 80 participants from various schools gathering to tackle technical challenges ranging from entry-level coding with Raspberry Pi microcomputers, to generative AI study, to coding to break out of virtual escape rooms to advanced script development and more. The event provided a unique platform for students of all skill levels - including Bexley’s own computer science enthusiasts - to test their mettle, earn prizes, and build technical fluency in a high-energy environment.

This hands-on experience beautifully mirrors our district’s mission to “learn with curiosity.” By engaging with professional mentors, our students participated in what the district defines as an authentic and meaningful experiential learning opportunity. Whether they were competing in challenges or collaborating on new software, the Hackathon served as a real-world classroom where students were encouraged to embrace intellectual risk-taking and see how much they could accomplish in a single day.

For the students involved, the Hackathon was an essential departure from the traditional classroom. Zephyr Reynolds-Wing noted that the event allowed students to reach out and engage in experiences they don’t usually have the opportunity to access: “It’s good to do these types of experiences because... it presents you with a wider opportunity, and allows you to get out of your comfort zone, but also discover what you might like.”

Fellow student Nole Jackson highlighted the unique atmosphere of the event, citing a strong “sense of community” where everyone is gathered for the same purpose and enjoys similar interests. Nole emphasized that these competitions are a vital way to “expand your horizons” and interact with people outside of one’s usual social circle. Both students agreed that the Hackathon provided a perfect venue to push personal boundaries and embrace challenges through complex coding projects.

Beyond the code, the event highlighted the value of career connections and community partnerships. By working alongside industry experts and students from surrounding districts, our students gained exposure to role models and mentors who represent diverse areas of expertise. As our students navigated complex problems and celebrated their successes, they demonstrated the very creativity, innovation, and critical thinking we strive to see flourish in all our learners. 

Register Your Young Student for the City of Bexley’s Bike, E-Bike, E-Scooter Course

Register your young rider or aspiring rider for the City of Bexley’s upcoming e-bike/e-scooter training class on May 17 at 1:30 p.m., when Bexley officials will educate kids on Bexley’s bike/e-bike/e-scooter laws, as well as provide safe riding tips, safety equipment requirements, and best practices. Kids will also have an opportunity to register their e-bike in order to be compliant with Bexley’s e-bike law. 

For more information on Bexley’s e-bike/e-scooter laws, check out bexley.org/ebike. To register your rider for the class, click here.

Important Dates

Tonight! May 7 (Thurs.) – Elementary School Spring Art Hop Extravaganza, 5-7 p.m., Each Elementary School

May 12 (Tues.) – Middle School Jazz Band Concert, 7 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

May 12 (Tues.) – Montrose Elementary PTO Meeting, 7 p.m., School Library

May 13 (Wed.) – Board of Education Monthly Meeting, 6 p.m., Bexley City Hall

May 14 (Thurs.) – Middle School PTO Meeting, 7 p.m., School Library

May 14 (Thurs.) – A Tale of Two Jacks, Grades 4-5 Play, 7 p.m., Cassingham Theatre; Online Tickets

May 15 (Fri.) – A Tale of Two Jacks, Grades 4-5 Play, 7 p.m., Cassingham Theatre; Online Tickets

May 16 (Sat.) – A Tale of Two Jacks, Grades 4-5 Play, 2 p.m. AND 7 p.m., Cassingham Theatre; Online Tickets

May 17 (Sun.) – High School Orchestra Spring Concert, 2 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

May 18 (Mon.) – Class of 2026 Senior Awards Ceremony, 3:45 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

May 22 (Fri.) – Cassingham Elementary PTO Meeting, 8:35 a.m.; check in at the office

May 22 (Fri.) – Maryland Elementary Memorial Day Observance, 10:30 a.m., Outdoors (Weather Permitting)

May 22 (Fri.) – Class of 2026 Graduation Rehearsal, 9 a.m., High School Gymnasium & Stadium

May 22 (Fri.) – Montrose Elementary Fun Run & Dash, 2 p.m., Playground Area