District Newsletter: 05/21/2026

Note: Next week’s District Newsletter will be published on Friday, May 29

It will be the last issue of this school year

Attention Families of Returning Students!

Student Verification Process for 2026-2027 School Year Begins Tomorrow

Parents/guardians of students returning to Bexley Schools for the 2026-2027 school year need to complete the annual “Student Verification” form. 

Starting tomorrow, May 22, parents/guardians will receive a link sent in their email to complete the verification process in PowerSchool Registration. The email address that the message will be sent from is powerschoolemail@bexley.us. The subject line will say, “Student Verification for (Firstname Lastname).” 

Please complete the verification process for every student in your family. Each student’s information must be verified prior to the 2026-2027 school year.

If your child will not be enrolled in Bexley Schools next school year, then please send an email to Pam Moenter, the district’s information system administrator, as soon as possible. She can be reached at pam.moenter@bexley.us.

If you have more than one student in the school district, the system will allow you to save time by “snapping over” basic shared information for your family when starting another student’s verification. 

Also, if you or anyone you know needs assistance with this process due to language barriers or technology use or issues, please notify your building principal so we may offer assistance.

Please complete your student’s online student verification process soon!

Bexley High School Graduation Is Sunday Morning

The Class of 2026 graduation ceremony is this weekend for about 160 Bexley High School seniors. The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 24, at Carlton Smith Field. The stadium gates open at 8 a.m.

The ceremony will feature five student addresses by graduating seniors, as well as performances by the Bexley Symphonic Band and Vocal Ensemble.

The event will be livestreamed on the Bexley City Schools’ YouTube Channel.

Board Approves Two Resolutions Related to Bexley Facilities Ballot Issue & Potential Statewide Issue

Members of the Bexley Board of Education approved two resolutions last week:

Resolution of Necessity

The Board approved a resolution declaring it necessary to finance the construction and acquisition of certain permanent improvements to the school district’s facilities through the issuance of general obligation bonds and an increase in additional school district income tax revenue. This resolution was a required step before the Board can move forward with putting a ballot issue on the November 2026 ballot. 

Resolution Declaring Time and Resources to Be Proper Public Purpose

The Board approved a resolution determining school district actions and expenditures to educate and raise awareness of the proposed Constitutional Amendment to eliminate property taxes statewide are reasonably related to funding the school district’s statutory duties. By declaring that educating the public on the impact of the proposed Constitutional Amendment, its lack of a revenue replacement, and resulting school district impacts to be a proper public purpose, school staff may legally provide information on how such a ballot issue may affect public schools and other public entities. According to Treasurer Kyle Smith, there is no expectation of actual dollars being spent on community education, though it is possible some administrative staff members may use work time on the matter.

Maryland 2nd Graders Become Junior Zoologists at Endangered Animal Showcase

Maryland 2nd graders recently explored interactions within habitats between living and non-living things, by examining the consequences when an organism’s needs are not met.

Throughout this lesson, students researched endangered species and documented their findings in a Traveler’s Notebook. The project culminated in a presentation for fellow students and family members in the school gymnasium, where students showcased their research and practiced their public-speaking skills.

The 2nd graders also visited the Columbus Zoo recently to observe habitat interactions and learn about conservation efforts.

This project was part of Bexley Schools’ 2nd grade “signature learning experiences,” which are designed to encourage intellectual risk-taking, individual pursuits, and learning through failure.

BHS Students See Big Results after Pouring Their Hearts into a Cause Dear to Them

The kind-heartedness of three Bexley High School students called upon nearly 30 fellow students to support the Bexley Against Blood Cancer campaign this school year, an effort raising more than $55,000 in less than three months!

It started when juniors Luke Helon, Julia Olson, and Mary Claire (MC) Thrush were drawn to the Blood Cancer United Student Visionaries Program, a national campaign for high schools to develop leadership skills, raise awareness and research funds, and support those fighting blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. 

Members of Bexley Against Blood Cancer were recognized for their work supporting blood cancer research during a local Blood Cancer United Visionaries of the Year event, which also recognized the work of other Central Ohio high school teams. 

This is the third year BHS students have contributed to the Bexley Against Blood Cancer effort and the students worked hard this school year to obtain the backing of local businesses and national corporations by sending emails and letters asking for support. Seven business sponsors answered the call for financial support, giving them a great start at fundraising, and eight others provided materials donations. The team also hosted a mahjong tournament, Chipotle night, and bake sale to raise money for the cause.

In mid-February, the Bexley team hosted the showing of Win(d) Over Cancer, a short documentary, at the Drexel Theater. The documentary was created by Bexley’s Langolf family in 2021. The film was created via the family’s non-profit organization More Kids on Sailboats, to raise research funds for blood cancer. The ticket sales for the film’s showing raised another large portion of the proceeds due to a significant and enthusiastic turnout by the Bexley community.

The student leaders are fully invested in this effort. Luke, who has worked on this project for two years, explained he toured Nationwide Children’s oncology floor and also talked with blood cancer researchers about their work, sparking a personal interest in how nuclear engineering affects cancer research.

Much of the Bexley team’s fundraising will go to support pediatric blood cancer research, a pillar of the student visionary program they decided to pursued. The students also provided toys and coloring books to young children battling cancer and care bags for oncology nurses at both NCH and The James Cancer Center at Ohio State.

“When talking at our events, pitches, and even when telling someone about the campaign, it has been important to me and the team to talk about the local research and impact, the long-term solutions, and how our interest in research has motivated us to pour our time and energy into the campaign,” Luke said.

Julia, who wants to study medicine, shared that she spent time as a young girl visiting her father, a physician, in hospital settings, helping her understand both the “human side of patient care and the importance of medical progress.” She said she hopes to do medical research in the future and shared, “Ultimately, I am motivated by the idea that research has the power to improve and save millions of lives.”

For MC, the effort was personal, after watching the treatment struggles of a grandmother who battled blood cancer. “Seeing the lack of research specialized to her situation was brutal, and it opened my eyes to how many individuals are even less fortunate than her, without a viable treatment available,” MC said. Fortunately, her grandmother overcame her illness and has had an excellent recovery. “I am both grateful for the research that allowed for this success, but also aware of the problems around blood cancer treatments,” she shared.

The students will continue their commitment to the Bexley Against Blood Cancer cause, with Luke and MC becoming co-chairs of the Central Ohio leadership committee of the Blood Cancer United Student Visionaries Program. The regional program includes 13 teams from local high schools, including Bexley. Together they raised about $800,000 this school year. 

Watch for information about the students’ efforts in next school year’s Bexley Against Blood Cancer campaign.

Congratulations to BHS team members of Bexley Against Blood Cancer!

You did incredible, meaningful work!

Montrose 3rd Grader Recognized as Champion, along with 4 High School, Middle School Staff Members

This week we celebrate five Champions in Bexley Schools!

Congratulations to Montrose 3rd grader Niles B., who was recognized this week for his Empathy, and how he treats his fellow classmates.

Empathy, one of the district’s seven core values, was cited by a teacher as a meaningful way Niles helps others. “Niles's empathetic heart is palpable in ways that go far beyond his years,” she wrote. “Niles is incredibly inclusive when he works to support his peers,” saying he is quick to jump to his friends’ aid when he notices them feeling down and suggests ways they can get support. Way to BE Niles!

The district also recognized high school science teacher Jennifer Messerly for Responsibility, another of the schools’ core values. Mrs. Messerly was honored by an administrator for stepping up when asked to take on a tiered study hall. Her nomination stated, “As a result of her consistent communication and responsibility, her study hall students show an average positive increase in their quarter GPA and a significant decrease in the amount of missing work from quarter 2 to 3! The MTSS team is incredibly thankful for her dedication to her role and students.”

BMS staff members Sarah Lynch and Suzanne Klingelhofer were also recognized for Demonstrating Kindness, the second pillar of the district’s mission. Mrs. Lynch, the middle school secretary, and Mrs. Klingelhofer, BMS attendance secretary, were honored for their hard work collaborating with middle school staff members to ensure the daily needs of the students, staff and families are met. They also care for students, families, and visitors when visiting the office, ensuring everyone feels welcome.

High School intervention specialist Anne Gieser, too, was recognized for Responsibility, for the work she does to fill in for another staff member who is on leave. Her nomination stated, “Anne has shown excellent leadership, understanding and compassion with our most vulnerable students. Anne has shown she is more than capable to lead our classroom while upholding and surpassing standards set for not only our students but our teachers as well.”

Way to BE ladies!     

Pictured: Meredith Stone, Montrose literacy coach; Niles B.; and Emily Gates, Montrose 3rd-grade teacher

Pictured: Sara Revetta, BHS school counselor; Melissa McCreary, high school math teacher; Jennifer Messerly; Dr. Michelle Rogers, high school English teacher; Stephanie Krosnosky, BHS school counselor; and Kristen Kearns, BHS assistant principal

Pictured: Michael Barnett, high school paraprofessional; Anne Gieser; and high school paraprofessionals Kayla Rocchio and Amy Brown

Pictured: BMS Principal Jerome Price; Sarah Lynch; Suzanne Klingelhofer; and Superintendent Dr. Jason Fine

Middle School Recognizes Student, Staff Core Value Winners for April/May

Congratulations to 6th grader Cassie Schmidt, 7th grader Anderson Merkle, and 8th grader Joshua Gomez-Acosta and to Middle School social studies teacher Michelle Rowley-Welsch, who were all recognized by the Middle School PBIS Committee last week!

The awards recognize three students who stood out for embodying Empathy – “sharing an understanding of the perspectives, emotions, and experiences of others.”

Pictured, from left: Joshua Gomez-Acosta, 8th grade; social studies teacher Michelle Rowley-Welsch; Cassie Schmidt, 6th grade; and Anderson Merkle, 7th grade.

Empathy is one of the district’s seven core values, which also include Equity, Inclusion, Integrity, Respect, Responsibility and Well-being.

The monthly awards also recognize a staff member, who is nominated by students to recognize an adult who has made a difference in their lives and embodies empathy.

Important Dates

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

May 24 (Sun.) – Class of 2026 Graduation, 10 a.m., Carlton Smith Field; Gates Open at 8 a.m.

May 27 (Wed.) – Middle School 8th Grade Recognition Ceremony, 2:30 p.m., High School Gymnasium

May 27 (Wed.) – High School Vocal Ensemble Farewell Concert, 7 p.m., Temple Israel, 3100 E. Broad St., Bexley; Admission is free, please RSVP

May 28 (Thurs.) – Montrose Elementary 5th Grade Rising Up Ceremony, 10 a.m., School Gymnasium

May 28 (Thurs.) – Maryland Elementary 5th Grade Rising Up Ceremony, 1:45 p.m., School Gymnasium

May 29 (Fri.) – Cassingham Elementary 5th Grade Graduation, 9 a.m., Schottenstein Theatre

May 29 (Fri.) – Last Day of School for Students and Teachers/Staff; End of Fourth Grading Period