District Newsletter: 12/04/2025

Reminders!

Dec. 19 (Fri.) - Last Day of Classes before Winter Break

Dec. 22 (Mon.) - Jan. 2, 2026 (Fri.) - Winter Break

Jan. 5 (Mon.) - No Classes for Students; Teacher Workday

Jan. 6 (Tues.) - Students Return to Class

Join Us for Our Next Champion Chat on Culture-Building and How Love, Empathy & Second Chances Apply to Bexley

How Will Our Champion Chat by LA-Based Speakers Relate to Bexley Schools?

Listen as Bexley School leaders Jason Caudill and Chad Hemmelgarn share how our next Champion Chat on Dec. 11th relates to the goals of Bexley Schools, when leaders from LA-based Homeboy Industries, the world's largest gang intervention and reentry program, talk about culture-building and second chances. 

Join us for this enlightening presentation on Thursday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m. in the Cassingham Theatre.

Board Policy Affects School Delay & Cancellation Decisions

This week’s blast of snow was a reminder that we need to be prepared for how weather may affect school days and students. The following explains how weather-related decisions are made.

School leaders use Board policy to help make decisions. Specifically, the policy permits the superintendent to close schools, dismiss students early, or delay the opening of schools in the event of hazardous weather or other emergencies that threaten the safety or health of students or staff members.

When making a decision about an emergency closure, the policy states that many factors are considered, but specifically points to factors that may affect health and safety. Those are:

• Weather conditions, both existing and predicted;
• Driving conditions affecting public and private transportation facilities;
• An actual occurrence or imminent possibility of any emergency condition that would make the operation of schools difficult or dangerous; or
• Actual and wind-chill air temperatures.
• The policy adds the following regarding temperatures: “Generally, schools may be closed when air temperatures measured at the Port Columbus weather station reach -15 degrees Fahrenheit or -22 degrees Fahrenheit or lower sustained wind chill.”

The superintendent is to consider all of these factors and act after consulting with local authorities and school officials from neighboring districts.

What Can Families Do to Help During Extreme Cold?

For Elementary & Middle School

Temperatures may cause schools to limit recess and some extracurricular activities. We believe outdoor time is important, so cancelling recess is an option we use only during extreme weather conditions. Parents/guardians should ensure that their child is dressed appropriately for the weather conditions and should expect that elementary and middle school students will have outdoor time during school days.

For Older Students

It is also important for families of older students to monitor that their students wear clothing to school that is appropriate for the weather. Too often, older students arrive at school in shorts or without coats during the colder seasons. We cannot predict when a fire alarm or other emergency may require students and staff to exit our buildings unexpectedly. It is important for everyone to be prepared for such situations. Any family needing support providing warm clothing for their students is encouraged to reach out to their school’s administrator, school counselor, or school nurse.

Boys Basketball Players Clear Snow from Residences as Part of Coach’s Challenge

Many thanks and kudos to the Bexley boys basketball program whose players met a special challenge with many Bexley residents being the big winners this past Tuesday!

“The boys stepped up and their efforts helped family members, neighbors, and our community through a small act of kindness,” said Head Coach David Leland. “As a program, the boys cleared a combined total of 149 driveways, walkways and sidewalks.”

Jackson O’Nan

The players cleared residential properties of snow as part of a challenge Coach Leland issued to the players that day. According to the coach, the JV team won the challenge, with a special “honor mention” to one player who was responsible for clearing nine of those on his own!

The results, which were calculated based on number of houses per number of players, showed:

• JV Team: 36 houses cleared by 9 players = 4.0 per player 
• 8th Grade Team: 40 houses cleared by 12 players = 3.33 per player (also built 7 snowmen)
• 7th Grade Team: 31 houses cleared by 12 players = 2.58 per player. The actual total was 27, but they earned a 4-point bonus thanks to Coach Shane Roberts pulling two cars out of the snow.
• Varsity: 24 houses cleared by 11 players = 2.18 per player
• Freshmen: 18 houses cleared by 10 players = 1.50 per player.

Coach Leland told the players, “Thank you again for representing our program. Great job rising to the challenge. Let’s continue to pursue great things on and off the court.”

Coach Leland said he received numerous emails, texts and comments from grateful community members on Tuesday. Giving back is something the boys basketball program has done before, as it was instrumental in helping pack food donations before Thanksgiving for delivery to DARN and local food pantries.

BHS Senior Signs to Play in Division I College Soccer Program 

Bexley High School senior Avery George signed her scholarship agreement recently to play soccer next year at the University of Louisville. Avery was joined by her parents Shari and Jason George at the signing event. 

The gathering took place in the high school library, where a crowd of teammates, teachers, family members and friends looked on and cheered. 

Good luck Avery!

Bexley Jazz Band: ‘We’ll Be with You Shortly. In the Meantime, Enjoy!’

If you call Bexley Schools and happen to be put on hold, we hope you enjoy the fun and beautiful sounds of our jazz band.

To enhance a recent telephone system upgrade throughout the district, jazz band director Logan Pelphrey was contacted and asked about the possibility of the students providing a high-energy musical number for the new system.

In less than a day, Mr. Pelphrey provided a musical clip of Bexley’s talented musicians performing “My Favorite Things,” from the musical The Sound of Music. 

The band, which frequently collaborates with local musicians, is pictured above.

Middle School Recognizes November’s Core Value of the Month Award Recipients

The Middle School PBIS Committee recently recognized the Staff and Student Core Value of the Month award winners for November. The awards recognize three students who stood out for embodying Responsibility – “owning your successes and failures by giving your best to everything you do.”

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

The monthly awards also recognize a faculty member, who is nominated by students in recognition of a teacher who has made a difference in their lives and embodies responsibility. 

Congratulations to 6th grader Leon Silverman, 7th grader Lucie Kaplansky, and 8th grader Iris Jones! Congratulations also to Middle School Social Studies teacher Mason Warner!

Pictured, from left: Mason Warner; Iris Jones; Lucie Kaplansky; and Leon Silverman.

BE A CHAMPION

Two Staff Members Recognized as ‘Champions’

Congratulations to Bexley Schools staff members Mindy Canupp and Jamie Szulc, the district’s newest Champions!

This week we celebrate the recognition of Ms. Canupp, an occupational therapist, and Ms. Szulc, a speech pathologist, who were recognized for their Integrity – one of the district’s seven core values.

Nominated by colleagues, Ms. Canupp and Ms. Szulc were lauded for consistently going above and beyond to collaborate with staff at all levels to ensure that student needs are met. 

Pictured from left: Montrose intervention specialist Olivia Pfund; Montrose instructional coach Simina Albaiu; Mindy Canupp; Jamie Szulc; and Montrose Principal Nyesha Clayton.

Their colleagues shared, “Despite working in multiple buildings and juggling large caseloads, they are fully engaged and present with each student and always available to support staff and students. Jamie and Mindy show kindness in everything they do and are integral parts of our team. We are so grateful for them!”

Way to BE Ms. Canupp and Ms. Szulc!

Five Recognized as Bexley Distinguished Alumni

Five highly regarded Bexley High School alumni were recognized by the Bexley Education Foundation recently during a high school assembly in the Schottenstein Theatre.

Those recognized were:

Stanley Cohen M.D., Class of 1965 – Dr. Cohen is a physician, researcher, author and poet. He is a founding member of GI Care for Kids, a leading pediatric practice for gastrointestinal, liver, and nutritional problems and his research has led to advances in the use of the pill camera, as well as nutritional and medical therapies. Dr. Cohen co-founded Nutrition4Kids.com, a website with articles, videos, and tools about feeding kids well.

Nathaniel Borenstein PhD, Class of 1975 – Dr. Borenstein is a computer scientist and internet pioneer who is best known as an original designer of the MIME protocol for formatting multimedia internet electronic mail and sending the first email attachment. He has held positions at IBM and Mimecast and taught at the university level. He continues to lecture on technology and the ethics of the internet and artificial intelligence.

Andy Ruben, Class of 1991 – Mr. Ruben’s work has transformed the way companies operate to support brand growth while integrating sustainability into their business strategy. After spearheading transformational efforts at Walmart, he founded Trove, which offers cutting-edge technology, logistics and expertise to empower brands to tap into the secondary market for their products.

Kacy King PhD, Class of 1997 – Dr. King is widely recognized as a rising star in higher education athletics. She currently serves as executive director of Ohio State’s Student-Athlete Support Services Office and as a senior associate athletics director. A former college student-athlete herself, Dr. King served as dean of undergraduate studies and associate athletics director at Florida State University before joining Ohio State.

Sam Marcellino Esq., Class of 2005 – Mr. Marcellino is an attorney specializing in labor and employment issues at Nager, Romaine & Schneiberg and also serves Bexley on Bexley City Council. From his law school days at The University of Toledo, he said he has maintained the belief that everyday good deeds done by regular people can make the world a better place. Mr. Marcellino serves on the boards of Wexner Heritage Village, the Final Third Foundation and Kid’s Chance of Ohio.

Pictured, from left: Dr. Stan Cohen; Andy Ruben; Dr. Kacy King; Sam Marcellino; and Dr. Nathaniel Borenstein.

Support Bexley Music Parents Fundraiser

Important Dates

Dec. 6 (Sat.) – Montrose Festival of the Arts, 1-4 p.m., Montrose Gymnasium

Dec. 7 (Sun.) – Middle School/High School Orchestra Winter Concert, 2 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

Dec. 7 (Sun.) – Vocal Ensemble and 8th Grade Choir at Bexley Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5 p.m., Drexel Circle

Dec. 9 (Tue.) – Montrose Winter Concert, 7 p.m., School Gymnasium

Dec. 10 (Wed.) – Bexley Board of Education Meeting, 6 p.m., Bexley City Hall

Dec. 10 (Wed.) – Cassingham Winter Concert, 7 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

Dec. 11 (Thurs.) – Bexley Schools’ Champion Chat, “The Power of Love, Compassion, and Second Chances,” 7 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

Dec. 11 (Thurs.) – Maryland Winter Concert, 7 p.m., School Gymnasium

Dec. 12 (Fri.) – High School Improv Show, 7:30 p.m., Cassingham Theatre

Dec. 14 (Sun.) – High School Choir Winter Concert, 2 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

Dec. 14 (Sun.) – Bexley Menorah Lighting, 6:30 p.m., Drexel Circle

Dec. 19 (Fri.) – End of Second Grading Period