District Newsletter: 08/20/2026

A Message from the Superintendent

Dear Families:

I know this morning’s situation was challenging with the excessive overnight rain and flooding in many homes in our community. The subsequent call for a 2-hour delay and ultimately all-day closure at Maryland Elementary were necessary to ensure our buildings were safe and dry for students and staff.

When the water intrusion in the lower-level at Maryland Elementary became too great for us to quickly mitigate and sanitize within the 2-hour-delay window, we found it necessary to close Maryland for the day. The good news is that the clean-up and sanitization efforts are nearly complete. We have many dehumidifiers and fans running to help completely dry the spaces.

I know these 2-hour delays and all-day cancellations result in scheduling and workplace difficulties, even hardships, for some families. I take the responsibility to call for these changes to our school-day routines extremely seriously and will take these steps at any time when it is clear student, staff, and/or community safety is, or could be, in question.

Our plan is for all Bexley Schools to be open for faculty, staff, and students tomorrow, with each school following its regular school-day schedule.

Sincerely,

Dr. Katie Nowak, Superintendent

BHS Students Earn Outstanding Scores on 25-26 AP Exams

A huge congratulations goes to Bexley High School students and faculty for their exceptional AP test-score results for the 2025-2026 school year!

• The results, received over the summer, show that 89% of the 899 AP tests taken were passed with a score of 3 or higher!

• A total of 396 students in grades 9-12 took those nearly 900 AP tests, nearly half of the high school population.

In addition, 100% of students passed their AP exams in the following courses:

• European History
• Physics
• U.S. Government
• World History.

 The following subjects also had nearly perfect AP passage rates, with scores of 3 or above:

• English Literature – 98%

• Calculus AB- 97%

• Calculus BC - 97%

• Chemistry – 97%

• U.S. History – 95%

• Computer Science – 94%

• English Language – 93%.

Bexley High School offers 24 AP courses in the following courses: Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, Economics (Macro and Micro), Environmental Science, European History, French, Language & Composition, Latin, Literature & Composition, Music Theory, Physics I, Physics II, Psychology, Spanish, Statistics, Art and Design (2D, 3D & Drawing), U.S. Government & Politics, U.S. History, and World History.

Get Ready for Tomorrow Evening’s First Home Football Game

Many in the Bexley community will gather at Carlton Smith Field tomorrow evening for Bexley’s first home football game of the school year. The Lions will host Linden-McKinley STEM Academy, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.

Adult game tickets are $7 and are available at the gate and online.

Student tickets may be purchased online or at the gate for $5. Students can also purchase a Pride Pass, which grants students free admission to all 2026-2027 middle and high school home athletic events (excluding OHSAA & CBL tournaments), all theatre department productions, and some high school student council events, including homecoming dances. 

Student Game Night Attendance Reminders

• Students cannot play or linger on the Cassingham playground or softball field after dark. This will be enforced.
• Middle School students are expected to sit in the silver bleachers on the north end of the stadium or with their families.
• High School students are expected to sit in the main stands in the designated student section.
• Elementary students are expected to be supervised by their parents, and all elementary students must be accompanied by an adult for admission at the gates.
• Students cannot linger in the “D-ring” track area, which is beyond the end zone on the north end. This is only a walkway between the north gate and the home stands.
• There is no student readmittance to the game if they leave the fenced stadium area.
• All district playgrounds close at dark. This includes the Cassingham playground and softball field.

Cassingham Students Enjoy First Cub Gathering of the School Year

Cassingham students had their first Cub Assembly on Tuesday afternoon in the Cassingham Theatre.

To open the gathering, the students sang their school song and were treated to an amazing performance by a dynamic local vocalist to lead them in singing the chorus to Andra Day’s 2015 song, “Rise Up.”

Led by Columbus’s own Ariyah Wallace, a powerful vocalist, actress, and Ohio State music student, the Cassingham students proudly sang:

 I'll rise like the day
 I'll rise up
 I'll rise unafraid
 I'll rise up
 And I'll do it a thousand times again
 And I'll rise up
 High like the waves
 I'll rise up
 In spite of the ache
 I'll rise up
 And I'll do it a thousand times again.

Student leaders also shared the school’s No Place for Hate Pledge, which the students repeated together. Cassingham Elementary, like all Bexley City Schools, is designated an official No Place for Hate School, reflecting our districtwide commitment to building belonging, addressing bias, and fostering positive school climates.

During the gathering, Principal David Schottner also called upon some of the school’s older students in the audience to share reminders on how to demonstrate respectful behavior during school events. 

He also introduced the school’s newest students in grades 1-5 and shared how classrooms can earn POW points for good behavior. POW points are awarded for Positive Choices, Outstanding Teamwork, and Winning Attitudes.

The event ended with a rousing drum line performed by students and faculty members. 

Many thanks to the Cassingham PTO, which sponsored Ms. Wallace’s performance of “Rise Up.”

 

 

Latest Community Update Was Delivered to Bexley Mailboxes Did you see Bexley Schools’ latest Community Update newsletter that was delivered to residents’ mailboxes recently? The piece features student highlights from the end of last school year, a school finance update, and information on the upcoming ballot issue voters will consider in the November election. If you missed it, click the image to read the latest Community Update.

Bexley Education Foundation

Mark Your Calendars to Mahjong for What Matters!

The Bexley Education Foundation, in partnership with the Bexley High School Mahjong Club, is hosting “Mahjong for What Matters,” a fun afternoon of Mahjong play, laughter and community on Sunday, Sept. 27 in the high school gym. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., with play starting at 1 p.m. and continuing until 4 p.m. Snacks and refreshments will be provided along with the opportunity to win prizes.

To learn about becoming an event sponsor, which includes player reservations, or to secure your seat ($50 for adults, $35 for students), go to mahjforwhatmatters.auctria.events or call the Foundation office at (614) 338-2093.

Proceeds from the event will support projects and programs benefiting Bexley students and staff. Special thanks go to the event’s presenting sponsor, Bobbie’s Shoppe.

Important Dates

Tonight! Aug. 20 (Thurs.) – College Info Night for Seniors & Parents, 6 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

Aug. 24 (Mon.) – High School Play Crew Interviews, 3:30 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

Aug. 24 (Mon.) – Montrose PTO Ice Cream Social & Brick Dedication, 6 p.m., School Playground

Aug. 26 (Wed.) – High School Curriculum Night, 6 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

Aug. 27 (Thurs.) – Elementary School Curriculum Night, 6 p.m., Each Elementary School

Sept. 3 (Thurs.) - Maryland Breakfast Buddies, 7:30 a.m., Back Playground

Sept. 3 (Thurs.) - Middle School Curriculum Night, 6 p.m.