District Newsletter: 07/30/2026

Bexley Students to Have Staggered Start to School Year

For the third straight year, Bexley Schools will have a staggered start to begin the school year.

Thursday, Aug. 13

Bexley students in the following grades only will attend all day:

• Grades 1-5 at all elementary schools;

• 6th graders at Bexley Middle School;

• 9th graders at Bexley High School; and

• Partial roster of kindergarten students at each elementary school.

Friday, Aug. 14

• All students in grades 1-12 will attend classes all day

• Partial roster of kindergarten students at each elementary school.

There will be intentional orientation and acclimation activities and less-crowded environments to help set up our kindergarten, 6th grade, and 9th- grade students for success as they transition to new schools.

Monday, Aug. 18

• All students, kindergarten through 12th grade, attend.

Kindergarten Students

With half of kindergarten students in attendance each of the first two days, kindergarteners will experience their new classes and schools in small groups. Families of incoming kindergarten students will receive an email notification of their student’s start date.

Bexley Middle School & High School

Classes begin on Thurs., Aug. 13, for middle and high school students entering 6th and 9th grades only. Students in these transitional grades will attend a full school day, 8:35 a.m. - 3:24 p.m., and will be involved in activities to help them transition to their new school. Students will have an abbreviated version of their schedule and all students should plan to remain on campus for lunch on this day.

Meet Dr. Katie Nowak, Bexley’s New Superintendent, on Monday Evening

Meet new Superintendent, Dr. Katie Nowak, this coming Monday, Aug. 3! Stop by the Cassingham Elementary playground between 5-7 p.m. to say hello and enjoy some sweet treats. Dr. Nowak and members of her leadership team look forward to greeting students and families, so stop by for a free scoop of Johnson’s Ice Cream. We hope to see you there! Please note that the meet-and-greet event will be in the Cassingham cafeteria if inclement weather is in the area. Watch for messages or check our Facebook or Instagram pages for updates if rain is expected in the area that afternoon or early evening.

Change to Cellphone, Personal Device Use for Middle School Students Takes Effect This School Year

Beginning on the first day of classes of the upcoming school year, middle school students will not have access to cellphones or other personal devices throughout the school day, including during their lunch periods. This provision is a change from last school year and is different than what is required of high school students.

For Students in Grades 6-8

Non-district-owned personal devices, including cellphones and smart watches, are prohibited throughout the school day, including lunchtime. Personal devices taken to school must be turned off and stored in students’ backpacks, lockers, or other district-provided storage areas. 

For Students in Grades 9-12

Non-district-owned personal devices are prohibited throughout the instructional school day, including during class changes in the hallways. Personal devices taken to school must be turned off and stored in students’ backpacks, lockers, or other district-provided storage areas. High school students may use their personal devices during lunchtime.

For Elementary Students

Like the past two school years, all students in grades kindergarten through 5 will keep their phones and smartwatches in their backpacks, lockers, or on their teachers’ desks throughout the school day.

To encourage digital wellness, kindergarten and 1st-grade students will keep their school-issued devices at school throughout the school year. Second-grade students will also keep their school-issued devices at school during the first semester, but will begin taking them home after Winter Break, following Digital Wellness lessons provided by Bexley staff during the first semester.

Exceptions

Students who have an IEP or 504 plan that documents a purpose for personal-device use will be permitted to use their cellphone or other documented personal device.

Further, a student may use a personal device to monitor or address a health concern if the district receives a written statement from the student’s physician requiring such use.

Personal Device Definition

Board policy defines a personal device as any non-district-owned portable electronic device, including, but not limited to, cellular and wireless phones, digital cameras, smartphones, smartwatches, headphones, tablets, e-readers, gaming devices, computers, laptops, other Wi-Fi-enabled or broadband access devices, and devices that allow a person to record, access and/or transmit on either a real-time or delayed basis, data, sound, video or still images, text, or other information.

Board Policy JFCK (Use of Cellphones and Electronic Communications Devices by Students) is available online.

Application Open for Assistance with Cost of School Meals

Families in need of assistance with the cost of school meals are encouraged to apply for free meals. The USDA’s eligibility requirements for free or reduced-price school meals are income-based, and families must apply for assistance each school year.

It’s important to note that Bexley Schools provide free school meals to any student whose family is eligible for reduced-price meals.

If you believe your family may benefit from this program, please complete the application. The application and instructions are on the BSCD Food & Nutrition page and linked below. Please contact Food Services Director Julianna Carvi if you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process.

Application

Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Free & Reduced-Cost Meals  

School Meal Prices Hold Steady for Third Year

The cost of school lunches holds steady for the 2026-2027 school year. Prices are:

• Breakfast: $2.65*

• Elementary Lunch: $3.70

• Middle School Lunch: $3.95

• High School Lunch: $3.95

• Adult Lunch: $4.95

*Note! The district’s universal free breakfast program will be offered again this coming school year. Students must purchase a complete breakfast in order to receive it at no cost. 

 High School Principal Assumes Chief Academic Officer Role in District

This week, former Bexley High School Principal Jason Caudill begins his new role as the district’s Chief Academic Officer. Mr. Caudill has served in Bexley Schools for the past 16 years, after beginning as assistant principal at Bexley Middle School in 2010. He went on to serve as middle school principal and served two years as Principal of Secondary Schools, overseeing both the middle school and Bexley High School. He served as Bexley High School principal last school year. Mr. Caudill began his career in Olentangy Local Schools, serving as a coach and middle school teacher. He also served Olentangy as a secondary curriculum supervisor. Mr. Caudill holds master’s degrees in educational leadership and in curriculum and instruction.

New Administrators Take over at Bexley High School & Maryland Elementary

This school year, we welcome three new educators as building leaders. Please join us in welcoming them to Bexley! 

Dr. Jaime Stewart, Bexley High School Principal

Dr. Stewart has 28 years of experience in education, with nearly 20 years spent as an administrator, serving previously as principal of Davis Middle School in Dublin City Schools, and an assistant principal at Dublin Coffman and Dublin Jerome High Schools. She was recognized by Dublin Schools in 2024, with the district’s Golden Shamrock award, which is a one-time honor for those staff members who made noteworthy contributions to the district. Dr. Stewart also was honored by the Ohio Association of Secondary School Principals/National Association of Secondary School Principals in 2014, as Ohio’s Assistant Principal of Year. 

Pearl Chan, High School Assistant Principal

Mrs. Chan was previously a teacher and administrator in New York City, a Dean of Students and high school assistant principal in Seattle, and most recently a middle school assistant principal in Olentangy Local Schools. She has been praised for her ability to form relationships and utilize a team-based approach, as well as her extensive knowledge and experiences with special education, and her overall instructional knowledge.

Shawn Komara, Maryland Elementary Principal

Before joining Bexley, Mr. Komara served as a dean of students/assistant principal in Parma Schools, where he managed operations, attendance, and budgeting. He also worked to implement curriculum, professional development, and student discipline and intervention. He began his elementary teaching career in the Cleveland Schools and later served in the DeKalb County Schools in Georgia.

Students, Families Encouraged to Report Concerning Incidents at Any Time

Discrimination, hazing, bullying, and harassment have no place in our schools, nor within any of our school activity groups. Anyone who is aware of these actions within our schools, including sports, clubs, or other organizations, is strongly encouraged to report the information.

Bexley City Schools have clear policies and guidelines prohibiting discrimination, hazing, harassment, and bullying within our schools. Please become familiar with the policies and guidelines, which are available on the district website. Policy AC and policy procedures AC-R address nondiscrimination; policy JFCF and policy procedures JFCF-R address bullying, harassment, and hazing.

A Safety & Reporting link is displayed at the top of every page of the school district’s website. Clicking on the link or hovering over the link will display two options: “Stay Safe. Speak Up!” and “Equity Reporting”.

“Stay Safe. Speak Up”

The “Stay Safe. Speak Up” tool is available for students and families to report any type of safety concern. This tool is monitored 24/7 to monitor any information that suggests students or staff might be in imminent danger. Certain administrators are notified immediately of any urgent situations.

Equity Incident Reporting Tool

The schools’ Equity Incident Reporting Tool can be used to report incidents related to discrimination based upon the following protected classes: disability, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, race/color, gender identity, sex or age.

If you SEE something, please SAY something!

In addition to these online tools, students or family members may talk to a teacher, coach, school counselor, or school principal to report an incident. Please remember, too, that anyone who witnesses an emergency or dangerous situation that is occurring in real time should call 911 for an immediate police and/or emergency medical response.

Be assured that we are committed to the highest level of confidentiality about what we discover through any reported incidents. This is to protect the privacy of all involved.

Updated Student Immunization Records Due Before School Begins

By Cindy Tyson, RN, Bexley Nurse Supervisor

As we look forward to a vibrant and active new school year, our top priority remains creating a safe, healthy environment where all of our students learn, play, and grow together.

A vital part of keeping our school community protected from preventable illnesses is ensuring everyone is up to date on their immunizations. To help us prepare for a smooth and healthy start to the year, please review our state-required health guidelines below and submit your child’s updated immunization records before the first day of school.

See more information from the Ohio Department of Health regarding the state's student immunization requirements.
 

Important Dates

Aug. 3 (Mon.) & Aug. 6 (Thurs.) – Kindergarten Meet & Greet at Each Elementary School; Sign up by individual elementary school

Cassingham Sign Up | Maryland  Sign Up | Montrose Sign Up

Aug. 3 (Mon.) – Meet Superintendent Dr. Katie Nowak and Enjoy Free Johnson’s Ice Cream, 5-7 p.m., Cassingham Playground

Aug. 6 (Thurs.) – Middle School Schedule Pick Up, Middle School Gymnasium

• • 10 a.m. – Noon – Students with Last Names A-L
  • 2-4 p.m. – Students with Last Names L-Z
  • 4-6 p.m. – Open to All Students

Aug. 6 (Thurs.) – New Elementary Family Welcome & Orientation at Each Elementary School, 6 p.m.

Aug. 10 (Mon.) – High School Students Can View Class Schedules via PowerSchool

Aug. 10 (Mon.) – Freshman Parent/Guardian Meeting, 6 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre