District Newsletter: 09/17/2026

 

 

Reminders!

Monday, Sept. 21 - No Classes for Students & Teachers

Tuesday, Sept. 22 - No Classes for Students; Teacher/Staff Professional Development Day

Facilities Improvements & Issue 5: Why Now?

Click image to view video

Community Information Meetings Begin Next Week 

Architect Meetings Next Week – Tuesday, Sept. 22 & Wednesday, Sept. 23

Join architects next week to learn how the process to design a new middle school would work if funding is approved. The meetings are also opportunities to give feedback to the architects regarding the possible design process. Building tours of the Cassingham Complex will also be offered.
 

Tuesday, Sept. 22 – 6:30 p.m., Cassingham Complex, Schottenstein Theater (Building tours, including the infrastructure and operational equipment, will be offered Wednesday, Sept. 23 – 9:30 a.m., Jeffrey Mansion Carriage House

Note: No design work has been completed for the proposed middle school, and the architects’ design work is dependent upon funding being secured.

 

District Community Information Meeting – Monday, Sept. 28

Bexley Schools will host a community information meeting regarding Issue 5 on Monday, Sept. 28, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the High School Library. Building tours will be offered. 

 

Click on the above image to learn about Issue 5

Do You Know?

Building Options Considered During Planning Phase

FACT: A new middle school was not the first or only option considered when the district collaborated with faculty, staff, students, parents, and community members during the facilities-planning process.

The planning work initially focused on renovating the Cassingham Complex before three things occurred:

1. Planning participants were adamant that they did not want Bexley students to be in portable classrooms during construction and renovation work.
2. With portable classrooms not an option, then students would need to remain in the Cassingham Complex classrooms during construction.
3. With this scenario, our architects told us that we could expect the renovation process to take up to seven years, putting our students, faculty and staff in a construction zone for a lengthy period of time.

With this information, the planning work pivoted to consideration of constructing a new middle school.

Adding a floor onto the Cassingham Complex was evaluated and structural engineers told us that only two small parts of the Complex could have a floor added to the top. District officials also spoke with Capital University officials to inquire about available buildings or land that could be purchased. Capital offered one building and a small parcel of land, neither of which were determined to be adequate or affordable for the district.

Other options were also considered before a new building was determined to be the best option. You are encouraged to learn more about this part of the district’s facilities planning online at bex.fyi/issue5. Information can be found on the “In Depth Answers to Your Questions” page.

Cassingham PrinciPALs Program Helps Build Student Leadership Skills

Mr. Schottner made PrinciPAL assignments yesterday and instructed the students on how to do their assigned jobs.
 

Some of the district’s younger students may have just submitted their first job application and lined up their first personal reference. That’s what Cassingham Elementary 4th and 5th graders were asked to do to apply for the school’s PrinciPALs program.

Started last year by Principal David Schottner, the program promotes service learning among the school’s older students and gives them opportunities to model positive behaviors and develop leadership skills.

“There are so many leadership opportunities for our Cubs, and so many willing students who want to contribute to their community,” Mr. Schottner said. “It’s so important for our Cubs to feel like a part of their school family, and helping take care of others and the school are great ways to do that!”

Interested students were asked to submit the PrinciPALs application by last Friday and state why they should be chosen as a PrinciPAL. Students also had the option to submit an adult reference statement on their application from a parent or teacher stating why the student would be a successful PrinciPAL.

To qualify for the program, students must be meeting classroom expectations and following the Cub Code of being Safe, Respectful, Responsible, and Kind.

A total of 27 students were selected to be PrinciPALs and will take on regular responsibilities on assigned days. Typically, their jobs take 10-15 minutes before school begins or at the end of the school day.

PrinciPAL Jobs 

Library Leaders – Help Katie Bucco, Cassingham’s librarian, with end-of-day tasks, including straightening materials and assisting with book checkout.

Locker Supervisors for Kindergarten & 1st-Grade Students – Assist younger Cubs at their lockers during the first five minutes of arrival daily

Lost & Found Managers – Fold and organize the lost-and-found table and racks daily

Lunch Cart Corral – Check the cafeteria at the end of the day and return lunch carts to classrooms as needed

Playground Equipment Managers – Scour the playground and field daily to make sure all equipment is taken inside and placed on carts by the gym

Tour Guides – Give new students and their families tours of Cassingham upon request; could occur at any time but typically in the Spring

Zen Den Keepers – Organize and clean the school’s Zen Den daily

Safety Drill Update

From Mike Aurin, Director of Safety, Facilities & Operations

This week, students and staff across the district reviewed the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) using resources from the I Love U Guys Foundation. The focus was on reinforcing the five SRP actions—Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter—with particular attention to understanding the difference between Hold and Secure.

At the elementary level, teachers used age-appropriate materials to review the SRP and practiced Hold and Secure with students. At the middle and high school levels, students reviewed the SRP through the I Love U Guys training video and classroom discussion. The goal of the review was to ensure students and staff can recognize the announced action and know how to respond.

This work supports the district’s ongoing commitment to consistent safety language, preparedness, and age-appropriate practice across all buildings.

Last Call to Register for the Foundation’s Mahjong Event 

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 next weekend, 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 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. 

Voter Registration Deadline Is Oct. 5 for November General Election

Monday, Oct. 6, is the voter registration deadline to vote in Ohio’s Nov. 3 General Election. Need to register or update your name or address information? Access the needed form online.

You can also check your voter registration status online with the Franklin County Board of Elections.

Important Dates

Tonight! Sept. 17 (Thurs.) – High School Financial Aid Information Meeting, 6 p.m., Schottenstein Theater

Tonight! Sept. 17 (Thurs.) – Middle School 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip Information Meeting, 6 p.m., Cassingham Theater

Sept. 21 (Mon.) – No Classes for Students & Teachers

Sept. 22 (Tues.) – No Classes for Students; Teacher/Staff Professional Development Day

Sept. 26 (Sat.) – High School Play, Witches!? In Salem?!, 2 p.m. AND 7 p.m., Schottentstein Theater

Sept. 27 (Sun.) – Mahjong for What Matters, Bexley Education Foundation, 1 p.m., High School Gymnasium

Sept. 27 (Sun.) – High School Play, Witches!? In Salem?!, 2 p.m., Schottentstein Theater

Oct. 3 (Sat.) – Cassingham Cardboard Challenge, 8:30-11:30 a.m., School Playground

Oct. 4 (Sun.) – 8th Grade/High School Choral Concert, 2 p.m., Schottenstein Theater

Oct. 10 (Sat.) – Montrose Cardboard Challenge, 9-11 a.m., School Playground

Oct. 10 (Sat.) – High School Homecoming Dance, 7 p.m., School Gymnasium

 

Quick Links

2026-2027 School Year Calendar Athletic Events Calendar School Meals/Menus Who to Contact Flier Connection Bexley Education Foundation