District Newsletter: 03/26/2026

Two Bexley High School Musicians Perform in Prestigious All-State Ensemble

Congratulations to Bexley High School musicians Duncan Messmer and Dovi Weiner, who were selected to perform with the Ohio All-State Jazz Ensemble, the state’s highest-level student performing group!

Duncan, a senior, served as the 1st chair jazz trombone in the ensemble, where he was one of five trombone players accepted. The senior also is a regular member of the top local ensemble Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra, where he plays lead trombone. Duncan plans to pursue music performance next year at either University of Dayton or The Ohio State University.

Dovi, a junior, was one of eight percussionists selected to the prestigious All-State group. 

Pictured: Dovi Weiner; Duncan Messmer; and Director of Bands Andy Johnson

He also performs with numerous other honor ensembles, including Capital Youth Symphonic Band and the Blue Lake Fine Arts international camp. 

The All-State ensembles receive hundreds of student-musician applications per instrument each year and acceptances are highly selective in nature.

Don’t Miss the Middle School Performances of Footloose The Musical, Youth Edition

Mark your calendar and don’t miss the Middle School musical production of Footloose, Youth Edition! Opening night is Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. in the Schottenstein Theatre, with three more performances that weekend.

The Story:     

One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the live stage with exhilarating results. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise control over the town’s youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid.

The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. The musical includes the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated Top 40 score (the soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 17 million copies!). Augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind. 

Performances - Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m.; Friday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m. AND at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online and at the door.

Livestream Will Be Available for April 15th Champion Chat

The district’s next Champion Chat, “Neurodiversity: Building Understanding,” will be in person at the Bexley Public Library Auditorium beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15. The event also will be livestreamed via Zoom. The link will be provided soon.

Don’t miss learning from a panel of six neurodiversity experts when they discuss understanding neurodiverse student behavior, including signs of neurodivergence. The group also will address challenges and strategies; self-regulation; executive functioning; and neurocognitive skills. 

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.

BE A CHAMPION

Middle School Staff Member Honored as ‘Champion’

Congratulations to Middle School staff member Brooke Smith, who was honored as a Champion in the district!

Mrs. Smith was recognized by a colleague for Embracing Equity, the third pillar of the district’s mission. Her nomination stated that Mrs. Smith’s strongest asset is how she “tirelessly advocates for students.” Specifically, the nomination said, “She does individualized lesson plans every single day for each of her students, which is the ultimate nod to embracing equity. She does the things that go beyond teaching to ensure her students' educational experiences are equitable.” Way to BE Mrs. Smith!

Pictured: Superintendent Dr. Jason Fine; Brooke Smith; and Kim Ranft, 7th grade English/Language Arts teacher.

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 last few months, a school finance update, and information on the recommended Facilities Phase I plan that will be placed on the November ballot.

Click the image to read the Community Update.

Important Dates

Tomorrow! March 27 (Fri.) – Cassingham PTO Meeting, 8:35 a.m.; check in at office

April 1 (Wed.) – Middle School PTO Meeting, 7 p.m., School Library

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

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

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

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