Blendon Middle School News

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the district's Early Learning Center located at 936 Eastwind Drive.

Westerville City Schools’ Summer Enrichment Theatre program will now be bringing “Mean Girls the Musical” to the stage this summer. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 22 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville.

Westerville City School District Board of Education members and district leaders will be on hand in front of Hanby Elementary during Uptown Westerville’s 4th Friday event on May 26 to share community stakeholder survey as part of the search for the district’s next Superintendent.

Genoa Middle School’s sixth-grade team earned top honors at a district-wide Battle of the Books competition on May 11 at Westerville North High School’s auditorium.

Westerville City Schools Treasurer/CFO Nicole Marshall presented testimony before the Ohio Senate Education Committee on May 10 on House Bill 33, the state’s budget bill for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

The bill includes proposals to expand eligibility for the state’s EdChoice scholarship program and continue implementation of the Fair School Funding Plan — both of which were the focus of Marshall’s testimony.

Westerville City Schools parents, staff and community members will soon be able to share feedback that will help inform the search for the district’s next Superintendent.

Westerville City Schools students have multiple opportunities to receive meals over the summer. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 8 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville.

The upcoming Westerville Prepared event offers Westerville students and families a unique opportunity to connect with employers in a way that can help shape students’ career path after high school.

The Westerville Education Association honored educators at its annual Spring Reception on Wednesday, recognizing the 2022-23 Educators of the Year and celebrating the 10 teachers retiring this spring.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 1, 2023, at the district's Early Learning Center located at 936 Eastwind Drive.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 24 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville.

Westerville students can dive into the world of robotics and coding, learn about the ecology of Westerville, build friendship skills, design and build marble roller coasters and immerse in Greek mythology through Summer Ignite, a district-wide summer learning series created by Westerville educators and staff. 

More than 200 drawings, paintings, sculptures and other pieces students across Westerville City Schools created this school year are now on display — in-person and virtually — as part of the annual art show sponsored by the district and the Arts Council of Westerville.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 10 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. Board meetings are open to the public. Archived recordings of recent regular Board of Education meetings are uploaded and available for viewing on the district's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/WCSDOhio. The District shall make reasonable accommodation for disabled persons to be able to participate in these activities. Please call 614-797-5756 or e-mail FarrisJ@westerville.k12.oh.us if such accommodations are needed.

Mason Wu, an eighth-grader at Blendon Middle School, competed in the U.S. Chess Federation’s National High School (9-12) Championships last week in Washington, D.C. 

Blendon Middle School educators launched a new award that recognizes students who best demonstrate the skills and aptitudes the community has deemed most important for them to have upon graduation.

More than 130 Westerville elementary and middle school students built their own Lego designs as part of Westerville City Schools’ 17th Annual LEGO Competition on March 11 at Westerville North High School. 

The deadline to contribute gently-used books for Westerville elementary students is April 14.

Westerville Central High School senior Sidney Choo is organizing a book drive, collecting gently-used books from individuals and community members with plans to distribute them to elementary students. 

The Mock Trial teams at Genoa, Heritage and Walnut Springs middle schools came together at the City of Westerville’s City Council chambers on Thursday to practice for the upcoming Mock Trial competition. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 20, 2023, at the district's Early Learning Center located at 936 Eastwind Drive.

The Westerville City School District (WCSD) Board of Education on Monday approved the resignation of Superintendent Dr. John R. Kellogg, who has accepted a new Superintendent in Residence position that will work jointly with Columbus State Community College (CSCC) and the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO).

The Westerville Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), with cooperation from the WCSD Gifted Education Department, has awarded four $325 partial scholarships to the Be WISE Camp at Muskingum University in New Concord this summer. 

Two Westerville middle school students competed in the Ohio State MathCounts competition on March 11 at Columbus State Community College.

Mason Wu, an eighth-grader at Blendon, placed 29th while Anna McCracken, a seventh-grader at Walnut Springs, placed 43rd in the competition that featured 162 competitors across Ohio.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 13 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. Board meetings are open to the public. Archived recordings of recent regular Board of Education meetings are uploaded and available for viewing on the district's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/WCSDOhio. Please call 614-797-5756 or e-mail FarrisJ@westerville.k12.oh.us if such accommodations are needed.

Westerville Parent Council and Roush Honda of Westerville have announced the recipients of the 2022-23 Great Educator Mentor (GEM) Award, which is presented to individuals who go the extra mile to make a positive impact in the classroom and schools.

The Westerville community is invited to this year’s production from Blendon Middle School’s Drama Club: “High School Musical JR,” a theatrical adaptation of the Disney Channel’s smash hit movie musical.

Blendon Middle School students Ava Arnold, Escher Koh and Kai Irwin joined middle and high school oboe and bassoon players in the area for Ohio State University’s Double Reed Workshop on Feb. 25 at the new Timashev Family Music Building.

Westerville City Schools is upgrading its current student medical records program to a new, easy to use, family accessible platform called SchoolCare. SchoolCare adheres to strict privacy regulations (FERPA & HIPAA) to ensure the confidentiality and security of your student’s school required health information. 

Families interested in attending Westerville City School District’s “Parent Prep” on March 4 can show up on the day of the event and attend sessions where space is available. The free workshop series runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Westerville North High School.

For the next six weeks, members of the Girl Talk-Power Circle at Heritage and Genoa middle schools will develop their leadership skills, learn how to advocate for themselves and find their passion.

It’s a journey their peers at Blendon and Walnut Springs middle schools recently completed as part of a new empowerment program for middle school girls that was launched by the Educational Equity Department at the start of the year. 

Westerville City Schools’ Summer Enrichment Theatre program is bringing the musical “Barnum” to the stage. 

Westerville Central High School senior Sidney Choo is organizing a book drive throughout March to support elementary schools throughout Westerville City Schools.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. Board meetings are open to the public. Archived recordings of recent regular Board of Education meetings are uploaded and available for viewing on the district's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/WCSDOhio. Please call 614-797-5756 or e-mail FarrisJ@westerville.k12.oh.us if such accommodations are needed.

Two Westerville middle school students have moved on in the MathCounts competition, advancing to the Ohio State Competition on March 11 at Columbus State Community College.

Only a few days remain for Westerville parents and caregivers to register for the Westerville City School District’s “Parent Prep” event, scheduled for March 4 at Westerville North High School. Registration closes on Feb. 21. 

Westerville students, families, staff and community members are invited to an African-American Read-In hosted by Blendon Middle School from 10-11:30 a.m. on Feb. 25. Register for the event here.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. Board meetings are open to the public. Archived recordings of recent regular Board of Education meetings are uploaded and available for viewing on the district's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/WCSDOhio. Please call 614-797-5756 or e-mail FarrisJ@westerville.k12.oh.us if such accommodations are needed.

Applications are being accepted through Friday, March 10 for the Spring 2023 Westerville City Schools A+ Employee Recognition Program, which celebrates extraordinary staff members.  

The members of Westerville Central High School’s Student Equity Council gathered for the first time on Tuesday, getting to know each other and learning about the issues they want to tackle to make their school a more equitable and inclusive space. 

Westerville City School District’s “Parent Prep” returns to an in-person event this year after two years of a virtual format. The free workshop series provides parents and caregivers the opportunity to take sessions on various topics, including mindful parenting, healthy relationships, substance education, college and career planning and mental health and school resources. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 31, 2023, at the district's Early Learning Center located at 936 Eastwind Drive. The purpose of the meeting is to hold an executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. The Board will enter into executive session after roll call. Executive sessions are not open to the public and no action will be taken.

The playground at Huber Ridge Elementary will soon feature resources to help students play well with each other and resolve conflicts. 

As part of the Peaceful Playgrounds initiative, educators will promote monthly themes around friendship, social and conflict resolution skills on yard signs sprinkled across the playground area. The signs will also feature games and activity ideas for structured play.

Thanks to funding from the Westerville Education Foundation’s fall grant cycle, Huber Ridge staff plan to launch the initiative in March. Peaceful Playgrounds is among 10 projects awarded funding from WEF.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in regular session at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23 at the Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville and in special session at 7 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the Everal Barn for the annual City Council/Board of Education meeting.

Westerville City School District’s “Parent Prep” returns to an in-person event this year after two years of a virtual format. The free workshop series provides parents and caregivers the opportunity to take sessions on various topics, including mindful parenting, healthy relationships, substance education, college and career planning and mental health and school resources. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in an organizational/regular session at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9 in the first floor Sun Room at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville.

The program is coordinated through the Deputy Superintendent’s Office for families who are enrolled full time in the Westerville City School District. Parents or guardians wishing to apply to have their children attend a school different from their school of attendance must complete and submit an Intra-district Open Enrollment Application. Application forms are available at each school building; at the Early Learning Center (936 Eastwind Drive); or at www.wcsoh.org, where general guidelines can also be found.

The sixth-graders in advanced math and science classes at Westerville City Schools’ middle schools were issued a challenge: create a container to ship a single Pringles potato chip to the district’s office in the Early Learning Center.

The goal was to design a package that had the smallest volume and smallest mass, which protected the chip so it would arrive at its destination undamaged. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12 in the first floor Sun Room at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville.

Throughout the district, Westerville students and staff have raised thousands of dollars to support more than 600 children in need during the holidays through Westerville Caring and Sharing. 

Tina Showalter, a secretary at Blendon Middle School, has been named the Westerville Educational Support Staff Association’s Staff Member of the Month for November.

Westerville City School District (WCSD) Treasurer/CFO Nicole Marshall recently informed Board of Education members that the district’s strategic use of federal pandemic relief dollars, combined with a one-time influx of revenue from property tax settlements and increased interest rates on investments, is projected to allow  the district to delay entering deficit spending for at least one more fiscal year.

Westerville City School District’s Parent Prep workshop series is returning to an in-person event March 4 at Westerville North High School.

The members of Blendon Middle School’s eighth-grade boys basketball team headed into their first scrimmage of the season last Thursday thinking they would be without their coach.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21 in the first floor Sun Room at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville.

Westerville North High School senior Dezmon Howard sat among the group of Heritage Middle School sixth-graders, leading them in a discussion about uncommon rewards.

Debbie Henney, an intervention specialist at Mark Twain Elementary and Sarah McPeak, a music teacher at Blendon Middle School have been named Westerville Education Foundation’s October Teachers of the Month.

The Food Services Department will serve its annual home-cooked Thanksgiving Meal at all schools on Nov. 16.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. Board meetings are open to the public. Archived recordings of recent regular Board of Education meetings are uploaded and available for viewing on the district's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/WCSDOhio. ​​​​​​​

Blendon Middle School received an award for their Ohio School Counselor Accountability Report (OSCAR), which highlights the school counseling team’s achievements and impact on students.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. Board meetings are open to the public. Archived recordings of recent regular Board of Education meetings are uploaded and available for viewing on the district's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/WCSDOhio.

The Westerville City School District, in partnership with local first responders, will be conducting a state-required Full Scale Safety Drill on Friday, Oct. 14. The exercise will occur on and around the grounds of Westerville Central High School, Alcott Elementary School, and a nearby church property in Genoa Township. The activity is scheduled to begin at approximately 8 a.m. and conclude at approximately noon. If you happen to be in the area on Friday, Oct. 14, and see what appears to be a crisis situation unfolding, please do not be alarmed.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 Westerville MLK Fouse Award, which recognizes Westerville City School District students in grades 6-12 who have demonstrated tolerance, respect for others and/or bravery in the face of adversity; or whose actions have inspired change in their school community and beyond. Winners will be notified late December and the awards will be presented during the Westerville Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Celebration on Jan. 16. The nomination form can be found here. 

Westerville City School parents and community members can learn more about the programs, projects and initiatives throughout the district's classrooms at the Westerville Education Foundation's first-ever Grow and Glow event at Minerva France Elementary School. 

The Westerville Education Foundation is accepting applications for its Fall 2022 grant cycle through 5 p.m. Oct. 14.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 12 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. Board meetings are open to the public. Archived recordings of recent regular Board of Education meetings are uploaded and available for viewing on the district's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/WCSDOhio.

Westerville South High School physical science and biology teacher Becky Rollo explored the waters of the Caribbean with middle schoolers across the district and observed endangered animals native to South Africa with WCSD high school students over the summer. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 29 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville.

Westerville City School parents and community members can learn more about the programs, projects and initiatives throughout the district's classrooms at the Westerville Education Foundation's first-ever Grow and Glow event at the new Minerva France Elementary School. 

Families whose children are receiving transportation services for the 2022-23 school year may obtain their student’s school bus information through PowerSchool. Available information includes a student's bus number, stop location and stop times. 

It’s been decades since Columbus-based artist Marianne Philip walked through Blendon Middle School but memories of her time in her former school with her school counselor, Jane Howland, have remained long after she graduated.

Westerville City Schools families can now apply online to have their child/children receive free or reduced-price school meals.

Westerville City School parents and community members can learn more about the programs, projects and initiatives throughout the district's classrooms at the Westerville Education Foundation's first-ever Grow and Glow event at the new Minerva France Elementary School. 

Scott Reeves, who has led human resources initiatives and academic efforts for middle and high schools since joining Westerville City Schools more than a decade ago, has been selected as the district’s next Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning.

The Westerville Education Challenge is hosting a Night of Hope 5K and Family Fun Run to promote community, education and unity to raise awareness about mental health as well as combat mental health stigmas.

Students and families in the Westerville City School District are invited to the annual First Time Riders event 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, July 30 at Whittier Elementary, 130 E. Walnut St.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 13 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. Proceedings will also be streamed live over the district's YouTube Channel.

Westerville City School District’s (WCSD) Treasurer/CFO Nicole Marshall presented Board of Education members with a slightly improved Five-Year Financial Forecast to approve during their regular meeting on May 23.  

The Westerville Division of Fire will be conducting training Saturday, May 28 on the Westerville City Schools’ radio tower. The exercise includes placing a rescue dummy on the tower and utilizing an aerial ladder for the rescue simulation.

The Westerville City Schools is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all eligible children free of charge. 

Westerville City School District parents, families and community members are invited to review a variety of middle and high school courses and materials considered for adoption by the WCSD Board of Education.

Students from Blendon, Genoa and Walnut Springs middle schools were recognized for their essays about perseverance, humility and compassion as part of the 2022 Laws of Life essay contest organized by the Better Business Bureau’s Center for Character Ethics.

The gifted program at Blendon and Walnut Springs middle schools launched a program this year that connects students with their peers with special needs.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 23 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville.

The United States Department of Agriculture waivers that have provided no-cost school meals to all students across the nation expire at the end of the school year. This means Westerville City School District families will have to resume paying for breakfast and lunch school meals when students return to class after summer break. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 9 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. 

The eighth-graders at Blendon Middle School got a jumpstart to the school’s annual trip to Washington, D.C. with a visit from an Ohio lawmaker they’d typically seek out while visiting the U.S. Capitol Building. 

Westerville Caring & Sharing will be offering school supplies for qualifying students for the 2022-23 school year.

Blendon Middle School band and choir students received a Superior rating and earned eight trophies, including a Grand Champion trophy for the school’s choir, at King Island’s Festival of Music showcase on April 30.

Westerville City Schools’ Summer Enrichment Theatre program is bringing “Legally Blonde the Musical” to the stage. 

Save money on your back-to-school supplies and clothing by shopping during Ohio’s annual sales tax holiday, which starts midnight Friday, Aug. 5 and runs through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7.

The newest member of the Wildcat family will make its debut on Monday at the side of social worker and mental health specialist Noelle Spriestersbach.

Mason Wu, a seventh-grader at Blendon Middle School, is competing in the U.S. Chess Federation’s National Middle School (K-8) Championships through Sunday, May 1 in Grapevine, Texas.

The third annual Dr. Tombaugh Dash – Family 5K & Fun Run, created in honor of former Westerville City Schools Superintendent and fitness enthusiast Dr. George Tombaugh, will be June 19.

Ohio Rep. Mary Lightbody stopped by multiple classrooms at Westerville South High School, Blendon Middle School and Walnut Springs this week to greet students and connect with teachers.

Westerville City School District residents can help shape the future goals and priorities of the Westerville Public Library by filling out an online survey.

The end of an academic year sometimes brings about change to a school district’s leadership team, particularly at the building level. With the opening of Minerva France Elementary next August, followed by Minerva Park Middle School in 2023-24, several schools will welcome new leadership team members next year.

Those who attended Westerville City Schools’ first-ever Westerville Prepared event on Wednesday are invited to share their feedback in an online form here. People who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card.

Feedback will be helpful in planning next year’s Westerville Prepared event.

Westerville children and teens can submit artwork for the Youth Art & Craft Exhibit at the 47th annual Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce Music & Arts Festival.

Westerville World Wide, a district-wide travel club organized by educators from all three high schools, is hosting Travel Week starting Monday, April 25.

As part of the festivities, students in grades 4-11 can learn about many international educational traveling opportunities during summer 2024.

The Westerville Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 19 for a special session at Westerville North High School for the GEM Awards and for a regular session at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 25 at the Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Dr. Westerville, Ohio. The board will meet on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 7 p.m. for the annual City Council/Board of Education meeting in the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Dr., Westerville, Ohio. 

For the 10th consecutive year, Westerville City Schools has received the Auditor of State Award with Distinction — a rare feat among the 6,000 public entities audited by the state.

Westerville City Schools students and family members can learn about immediate job opportunities and future careers from local employers at Westerville Prepared, a one-of-a-kind event that brings industry leaders, community groups and educators together to build a talent pipeline that starts in the classroom.

Westerville North High School alum Sophia Soisson is leaving their mark in the district — one mural at a time. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 11 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. 

More than 200 drawings, paintings, sculptures and other pieces students across Westerville City Schools created this school year are now on virtual display as part of the annual art show sponsored by the district and the Arts Council of Westerville.

For the month of April, the Westerville Public Library is hosting a living exhibit that celebrates middle school art in Westerville City Schools.

The sixth-graders in advanced math classes at Westerville City Schools’ middle schools were issued the same challenge: create a container to ship a single Pringles potato chip to Caley Nestor Baker, coordinator of Gifted Education and Professional Development at the district’s office in the Early Learning Center.

Westerville City Schools students and family members are invited to a one-of-a-kind event that brings employers, industry leaders, community groups and educators together to build a talent pipeline that starts in the classroom.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Bette Marschall Education Fund of The Columbus Foundation will not award monetary grants during the spring of the 2021-22 school year.  

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 14 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. The Board will also convene in a work session at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 21 at the district's Early Learning Center. 

Westerville City Schools has a 1-hour early release date scheduled for the 2021-22 school year on March 17.

Westerville Parent Council and Roush Honda have announced the recipients of the 2021-22 Great Educator Mentor (GEM) Award, which is presented to individuals who go the extra mile to make a positive impact in the classroom and schools.

Westerville students can dive into the world of video editing, design and build model houses that use solar energy, learn Somali and dissect different creatures through Summer Ignite, a district-wide summer learning series created by Westerville educators and staff. 

The inaugural group of girls in the new Ruling Our Experiences (ROX) program at Westerville North High School has been exploring topics to help them navigate their own relationships, experiences and decisions.

Seven Blendon Middle School students in Jamie Bouscher’s sixth grade English Language Arts class are now published authors. They include: Belle Van Dop, Bailey Cavener, Mattea Panzera-Cochran, Colleen Gates, Harper Hahn, Levi Dew and Salma Shukri.

Westerville World Wide, a district-wide travel club organized by educators from all three high schools, is hosting Travel Week starting Monday, March 7.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will convene in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28, and then transition to a work session for the purpose of discussing strategic plan priorities. The meeting will take place at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. 

Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is hosting its sixth annual Biannual Community Day from 8 a.m. to noon March 12 at its offices, 5770 N. Hamilton Road, Suite A.

MathCounts teams at Blendon and Walnut Springs middle schools recently competed at the regional chapter competition on Feb. 17, vying for an opportunity to advance to the state competition. 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has asked area school systems for their help in sharing tips with families regarding their 2021 tax returns and the advance Child Tax Credit.

The Westerville Education Foundation is accepting applications for its Spring 2022 grant cycle as well as the Golden Butterfly Award, where the community will “vote” with donations to fund the project of their choosing.

Westerville students, families, staff and community members are invited to a virtual African-American Read-In featuring Marilyn Nelson, an award-winning author, poet and educator at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 26.

Blendon Middle School’s Drama Club is returning to the stage with their upcoming production of Matilda The Musical JR. based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, “Matilda.”

Westerville City Schools students will be featured during The Arts Council of Westerville’s sold-out WesterBall 2022 event on Feb. 26 at The Point at Otterbein University. 

Shira Baumann, an eighth-grader at Blendon Middle School, has been selected to have an original piece published in a poetry anthology, “Pandemic Poetry - Words Of Inspiration.” 

Blendon Middle School counselors Amy Weinrich and Marcia Childs celebrated National School Counseling Week with a series of activities this week.

Middle and high school students interested in exploring math topics can participate in free, virtual workshops with the Ohio State University Department of Mathematics each month.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 14, at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a special board meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23, out of the district's Early Learning Center. 

Westerville parents and community members can learn more about the district’s ongoing initiatives, upcoming priorities, and plans to follow through on work that was interrupted due to the pandemic in a new video series the district launched this month.

The A+ Award was initially intended to acknowledge the contributions of individual employees. Over the years the committee has reviewed nominations that have included a group of employees who worked together and went above and beyond. The award nomination process includes the option of a nominator presenting either an individual employee or a group of employees.

Westerville families can learn more about summer camps and activities for their kids through the Westerville Parent Council’s (WPC) annual Summer Camp Expo 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. March 19 at Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Road.

Starting Feb. 1, Westerville City Schools will cover the $2.75 convenience fee currently paid by parents per transaction when using the EZPay online system to take care of student fees, activity fees, school meals and other fees. 

Counselors at each Westerville high school will visit the district’s middle schools throughout the week of Jan. 31 to share information about scheduling classes for the 2022-23 school year. 

To celebrate Westerville South High School’s upcoming production of The Outsiders, WSHS Theatre Troupe 513 is inviting all middle and high school students to share an artistic response inspired by the characters and plot points of the play.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in regular session at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville.

The four Westerville City Schools middle schools will be hosting another round of parent-teacher conferences on Feb. 17 and 24. Middle school staff will be reaching out to schedule conferences with students and families who need additional academic support. 

The remaining available appointments will be open to all other families beginning Feb. 11. Each middle school will send an email to families that includes a link to schedule a conference and additional conference information. Please note: Families can connect with students' teachers at any time throughout the school year where they can discuss students' progress.

Newly-elected board member Kristy Meyer and re-elected board members Tracy Davidson and Dr. Nancy Nestor-Baker were sworn into office of the Westerville City Schools Board of Education at an organizational/regular meeting on Jan. 10. 

Westerville City School District Board of Education members approved the following 2022 meeting calendar during their Jan. 11 organizational meeting.

High school students, as well as current eighth-graders, interested in learning more about high school courses and activities for the 2022-23 school year can attend the Westerville City Schools High School Academic Information Night and Activities Fair. 

The Westerville Education Challenge’s Mardi Gras Masquerade Dueling Pianos event on Feb. 26 has been canceled due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, leaders announced this week.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in an organizational/regular session at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10 at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville.

Parents or guardians wishing to apply to have their children attend a school different from their school of attendance must complete and submit an Intra-district Open Enrollment Application.

Westerville City Schools is taking steps to move its schools towards becoming trauma-informed and resilience-focused spaces, starting with a series of trainings this year that equip educators and school staff with tools to better understand and support students.

Westerville students, staff and community are invited to nominate district staff and adult volunteers for a Great Educator Mentor (GEM) Award, which is presented to individuals who go the extra mile to make a positive impact in the classroom and schools.

The One Westerville MLK Basketball Classic features four games with Westerville North and Westerville South teams, starting at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Westerville North.

Admission proceeds will go toward the “One Westerville” scholarship fund.

Westerville students can submit original written work to the 2022 Celebrate the Arts Writing Contest sponsored by the Arts Council of Westerville, Westerville Public Library and the ThisWeek Westerville News & Public Opinion newspaper. The entry deadline is March 1.

Due to staffing shortages and product availability, the Westerville City Schools Food Services Department is scaling back the elementary school menu to two options starting Wednesday, Jan. 5.

Recycling bins to start a school recycling program, more diverse books for school and classroom libraries, and math games during indoor recess are among the 16 proposals awarded funding from the recent Westerville Education Foundation (WEF) grant cycle. 

The Westerville City School District Board of Education at its Dec. 13 meeting honored outgoing board member Rev. Rick Vilardo with a resolution of appreciation for his service.

Vilardo, whose term expires Dec. 31, served eight years on the school board, including two years as president and two years as vice president. 

Donors from organizations including Neighborhood Bridges, American Regent Collection and a local health care facility provided gifts and gift cards for more than 400 Westerville City Schools students.

Westerville City Schools is poised to receive $772,772.34 as part of the American Rescue Plan Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Before the budget is finalized, the district is seeking input from the community on how the money could be used to best meet the needs of students with disabilities. 

The current proposal contains funding for two additional specialists, therapies, instructional materials, life skills classroom and two vans equipped with wheelchair accessibility. Community members can provide comments between Thursday, Dec. 16 to Thursday, Dec. 23 form that can be found here. 

Those interested in reviewing the proposed budget can visit here.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education special session scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 16 has been canceled. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 13, at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. Space will be limited to 50 people to comply with health and safety protocols based on CDC guidance. Masks will be required and social distancing observed. Proceedings will also be streamed live over the district's YouTube Channel.

The student leaders in Blendon Middle School’s Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) program have a gift for all their peers to celebrate the halfway mark of the school year.

Next week, they will distribute goodie bags filled with candy and other treats to all Blendon students. WEB leaders came up with the idea at their meeting last month and the school’s PTA donated money to purchase items for the bags.

The special Westerville City Schools Board of Education meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Dec.  7 has been canceled. 

Westerville City Schools is receiving national accolades for its most recent Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR), a document that provides an overview of the district’s finances in a user-friendly approach for the community and other interested parties.

Westerville community partners, civic leaders and Westerville City Schools officials honored the district’s 34 nurses and health aides at a surprise gathering Wednesday at Westerville South High School.

Despite continuing to be underfunded by the State of Ohio, the Westerville City School District’s (WCSD) most recent Five Year Financial Forecast continues to improve due to federal pandemic relief funds, conservative budgeting practices and, most recently, the impact of the state’s new two-year budget, also known as the “Fair School Funding Plan.”

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 22, at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville.

Westerville City School District nurses and health aides were among health care workers across the city that were recognized in a City of Westerville proclamation at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. 

Westerville students in second through seventh grade can learn about all aspects of theatre during Westerville South High School’s Theatre Drama Camp.

Neighborhood Bridges is collecting gently-used or new coats, hats and gloves as part of its annual winter coat drive from Nov. 22 to Dec. 3.

The Westerville Community Bands is performing its “Holiday Reunion” concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19 at Westerville Central High School.

The Westerville Education Challenge is hosting a Mardi Gras Masquerade fundraiser on Feb. 26 for its work in supporting social and emotional wellness initiatives for students at Westerville City Schools.

The Westerville community is invited to donate and cast their vote for their favorite of three Westerville City Schools classroom grant proposals for the Westerville Education Foundation’s first-ever Golden Butterfly Award. 

Schools across Westerville City School District celebrated Veterans Day in various ways, from producing videos to honor those who served in the military to creating informative displays.

The Westerville City School District is partnering with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for children ages 5-11 attending Westerville City Schools.

Westerville City School District has launched a new resource to help parents, caregivers and staff members better understand the district’s COVID-19 processes and protocols.

The Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center at The Ohio State University is seeking new parent and caregiver members for its State Advisory Council. 

Westerville students currently in grades 4-11 can join an international education experience in Panama, London, the Dominican Republic and the Galapagos Islands in 2023.

Families of students who will be attending Minerva France Elementary and Minerva Park Middle School can submit suggestions for mascots and colors in a ThoughtExchange starting Friday, Oct. 29.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2022 Westerville MLK Fouse Award, which recognizes Westerville City School District students in grades 6-12 who have demonstrated tolerance, respect for others and/or bravery in the face of adversity; or whose actions have inspired change in their school community and beyond.

Blendon Middle School was one of three schools in Ohio to receive an award for their Ohio School Counselor Accountability Report (OSCAR), which highlights the school counseling team’s achievements and impact on students.

Two Blendon Middle School seventh-grade students placed third in the 2021 Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Junior National Championship earlier this month in Tennessee.

The Westerville Area Chamber's 35th Annual Fundraiser, traditionally known as the Evening of Elegance, will be pivoting again this year from an in-person gathering to a virtual auction experience: WeCARE 2.0 - your Westerville Chamber Advocating for Resources and Education.  

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 25, at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. 

Minerva France was relatively unheard of in Westerville — until last year.

The Westerville City School District has received a $1.7 million grant through the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund to expand students’ access to technology during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Middle and high school students interested in exploring math topics can participate in free, virtual workshops with the Ohio State University Department of Mathematics each month.

The Child Tax Credit is a tax refund designed to help families with the expense of raising a child. This year, the benefit was expanded to help families with the most need, regardless of their level of income. More than 27 million children are newly eligible for the benefit.

The new elementary school slated to open fall 2022 has been named Minerva France Elementary School, its namesake a Westerville native who was among the first Black women to receive a library science degree.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 19, at the Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville.

Board members introduced a motion from the table to conduct only that business on the agenda that requires a Board vote under law. The motion was approved unanimously. The Board proceeded with only the required portions of its meeting, which lasted approximately two minutes and thirty seconds.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 11, at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. 

Westerville City School District is facing food service challenges due to product shortfalls, delivery delays and staffing shortages among food vendors and distributors.

Shelley Seabury, a fifth-grade teacher at Mark Twain Elementary; Lisa Dapoz, a first-grade teacher at McVay Elementary and Lee Rutherford, an English teacher at Blendon Middle School have been named Westerville Education Foundation’s October Teachers of the Month.

Ohioans ages 12 - 25 who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are eligible to enter a drawing for a chance to win a scholarship — including one for $100,000 — to an Ohio college or university for career or technical education.

The Westerville Education Foundation’s StoryBall fundraising event on Oct. 23 has been canceled due to the pandemic.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Bette Marschall Education Fund of The Columbus Foundation will not award monetary grants during the fall of the 2021-22 school year.  

Families are invited to attend Ohio State University’s West Campus Science & Sustainability Festival — or WestFest 2021 — which highlights STEM research, sustainability initiatives and outreach programs at The Ohio State University and beyond.

Kevin Ford, a 2011 Westerville North High School graduate, will run 24 hours and 120 miles or more to cast a spotlight on suicide awareness and prevention and raise money for the Westerville Education Challenge (WEC), which has supported Westerville students through various clubs, programs and activities including providing financial support for the Hope Squad — a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program all high schools have implemented this fall.

Westerville City School District (WCSD) officials today announced the release of the district’s 2021-22 local testing calendar for students, along with an acknowledgment that the testing schedule remains subject to change.

Participants in the recent “Name the Schools” ThoughtExchange overwhelmingly recommended Minerva Park Middle School as the name for the Westerville City School District’s new secondary building.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 27, at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. 

Space will be limited to 50 people to comply with health and safety protocols based on CDC guidance. Masks will be required and social distancing observed. Proceedings will also be streamed live over the district's YouTube Channel. 

Tami Santa, Director of Mental Health & Wellness for Westerville City Schools, has been named the 2021 Advocate of the Year by the Ohio School Counselor Association.

Purchase tickets for Westerville Education Foundation’s StoryBall event on Oct. 23, which supports WEF’s mission and promises to be “an unforgettable night celebrating education in Westerville City Schools.”

The Westerville City School District’s Board of Education is seeking applicants for three open positions on its audit committee, which serves as a professional link between the Board and external auditors. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13, at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. 

The City of Westerville is hosting a special evening observance of the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 at First Responders Park, 374 W. Main St. The exhibits will be on display from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. 

Neighborhood bridges — in collaboration with the City of Westerville, Neighbor2Neighbor, Roush Honda and Re/Max Affiliates — is kicking off the annual “Fundies” drive to support Westerville City School District students in need.  

The Westerville Parent Council (WPC) is hosting a Fall Food Truck Festival to support scholarships for Westerville students and WPC programming.

The festival is 4-8 p.m. Oct. 16 at Westerville North High School’s parking lot. 

Learn more about the council here.

The Westerville Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7783 is accepting submissions for the national VFW youth programs as well as nominations for teachers who promote civic responsibility and patriotism.

Three Westerville middle school students have been selected to join the Capital University Junior Winds, a youth ensemble hosted by Capital University that provides high-level instruction and repertoire for band students in grades 8 and 9. 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Central Ohio (USACE) and the Scioto Area Corps Cooperating Association are hosting a Labor Day event at the Alum Creek Dam, including games, dam tours, concessions and water safety giveaways from Saturday, Sept. 4 to Monday, Sept. 6.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, at the district's Early Learning Center located at 936 Eastwind Drive. The purpose of the meeting is to hold an executive session. The Board will immediately enter into Executive Session after roll call. Executive sessions are not open to the public and no action will be taken.

Tickets are now on sale for Westerville Education Foundation’s StoryBall event on Oct. 23, which celebrates education in Westerville City Schools.

The Westerville Public Library is offering free delivery of library materials to Westerville City Schools students, teachers, and staff throughout the school year. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 23, at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. 

Space will be limited to 50 people to comply with health and safety protocols based on CDC guidance. Masks will be required and social distancing observed. Proceedings will also be streamed live over the district's YouTube Channel.

Blendon Middle School eighth-grader Ava Bennett can relate to this year’s newest members of the Bulldog school family.

Three days before all of Westerville City Schools opened its doors to students, the district’s administrators, educators and support staff got some class time together. 

Three Westerville students competed in the AAU Junior Olympic Nationals Track Meet in Houston on Aug. 2-7.

Those interested in helping to shape the future of Westerville Public Library can apply to become a member of the Board of Trustees. The seven-year term begins Jan. 1, 2022, and the deadline to apply is Sept. 17.

This year’s lunch menu for Westerville City Schools’ elementary, middle and high schools features several new options that may not be so new to students.

Westerville middle and high school students are eligible for free COTA Plus rides from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 9, at the district's Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Drive, in Westerville. 

Blendon Middle School Principal Kendall Harris is part of a state task force charged with identifying best practices that improve educational outcomes for Ohio’s Black children.

Save money on your back-to-school supplies and clothing by shopping during Ohio’s annual sales tax holiday, which starts midnight Friday, Aug. 6 and runs through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8.

The Challenger Division of the Blendon Westerville Little League (BWLL) program is hosting its All-Star Game 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8 at Hoff Woods Park, Diamond 5. 

Six Columbus cultural institutions are offering free or discounted tickets to families who qualify for Special Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) benefits. 

On Saturday, July 31, students and families will have an opportunity to learn about and explore school buses and the MyVan vehicles. This annual event is open to any student who might ride a bus or MyVan for the first time or who is apprehensive about the school transportation experience.

The Westerville City School District (WCSD) Board of Education approved another organizational move during its June 28 regular board meeting as part of the district’s continuing succession planning initiative.

Anne Baldwin became the district’s Executive Director of Secondary Academic Affairs effective July 1, 2021, filling the vacancy created by Scott Reeves’ transition to Executive Director of Human Resources.

Three Westerville students have qualified for the AAU Junior Olympic Nationals Track Meet in Houston on Aug. 2-7.

Brooks Hibbitt and Grant Buzard, two rising seventh-graders at Blendon Middle School, will compete in the National B.A.S.S. Junior Fishing Tournament on October 8 and 9 in Tennessee.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet in a special board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 12, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville.

The Miracle of Mom's Memory (MoMM) Foundation is hosting its Family Fun Night Fundraiser 6-9 p.m. Saturday, July 10 at the Westerville Jaycee Pool.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 28, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville.

Tickets are now on sale for the outdoor production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic Oklahoma! by Westerville City Schools’ Summer Enrichment Theatre program.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education approved another organizational move during its June 14  regular board meeting as part of the district’s succession planning initiative.

Students who were enrolled in the Westerville Virtual Academy (WVA) for the 2020-21 school year are still considered to be enrolled in Westerville City Schools.  

Next school year, all Westerville City School District families will report student absences through a secure system called SafeArrival.  In addition to reducing the time it takes to verify student attendance, this system gives families more options to report a child’s absence and allows our staff to immediately investigate discrepancies. This is especially important when a child is reported absent during attendance and the office has not notified that the student would be missing school that day. 

Westerville Caring & Sharing will be offering school supplies for qualifying students for the 2021-22 school year. 

Eligible families struggling to cover the costs for internet service during the pandemic can participate in the Federal Communication Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit program. 

Families are invited to tune into the RealTalk webinar series, presented in partnership with the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center and the A. Sophie Rogers School for Early Learning at The Ohio State University.

The third annual Diabetes Dash 5K Run/Walk organized by Westerville North High School student Ryan Washburn is Aug. 22 at the Westerville Sports Complex. 

Concord Counseling Services is hosting free summer programs to students and families of Westerville City Schools from June 7 to July 22.

Expansion of voucher program the latest legislative maneuver to fund private education at the expense of Ohio’s local taxpayers, public schools

New clubs to support student needs, school garden projects and an African-American Read-In are among the nine proposals awarded a 2021 Spring Grant from the Westerville Education Foundation (WEF). 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 24, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville.

The Kids Lunch Club will serve meals outdoors on weekdays, rain or shine, from June 1 to August 11.

William Baumann, an eighth-grader at Blendon Middle School, is the school’s first Track & Field state champion in the 110-meter hurdles for the Ohio High School Athletic Association state track and field meet for seventh- and eighth-graders.

The incoming student leaders in the Where Everybody Belongs program at all four Westerville middle schools got their first taste of training just days before the end of the school year.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education approved another organizational move to meet the district’s succession planning needs at its May 10 board meeting.

The first recipients of the One Westerville Scholarship are Chiedza “Chi Chi” Guyo of Westerville Central High School, Emmanuel Okyere of Westerville South High School and Miya Martin of Westerville North High School.

Seven teachers have been awarded grants totaling $2,359 from The Bette Marschall Memorial Education Fund of The Columbus Foundation.

Students from Blendon, Genoa and Walnut Springs middle schools were recognized for their essays about perseverance, humility and compassion as part of the 2020 Laws of Life essay contest organized by the Better Business Bureau’s Center for Character Ethics.

Several Westerville middle school students are now published authors.

Tami Santa, director of Mental Health & Wellness for Westerville City Schools, is joining speakers from across the country in a national workshop, “Back in School: Addressing the Well-Being of Students in the Wake of COVID-19,” which will look at the impact of COVID-19 on students’ learning and mental health.

The Alpha Group will hold its signature fundraiser, the Zoom Duck Derby, on Sunday, July 25 where 5,000 rubber ducks race down Zoombezi Bay Water Park’s lazy river.

Westerville City Schools is committed to collaborating with all stakeholders in the creation of the district’s Portrait of a Graduate. 

Otterbein University and the Westerville Division of Fire will be hosting a community-wide vaccine clinic for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine from 12-7 p.m. on Monday, May 17 at Otterbein’s Clements Recreation Center, 180 Center Street.

Thanks to a sponsorship from Alliance Data Card Services and other local sponsors, the Westerville Education Foundation is accepting applications for the next round of the Many Voices: Diverse Classroom Library project in Westerville City Schools.

The second annual Dr. Tombaugh Dash – Family 5K & Fun Run, created in honor of former Westerville City Schools Superintendent and fitness enthusiast Dr. George Tombaugh, will be June 20.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 10, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville.

Students from 11 different schools earned the top spots in Westerville City School District’s 15th Annual LEGO Competition, which remained virtual this year. The competition is open to elementary and middle school students from Westerville City Schools and St. Paul School. Competitors can build anything they want, as long as they design it themselves; No pre-packaged LEGO sets are permitted to be built.

May 5th is National Bike to School Day, which celebrates active commuting while building a sense of community and school spirit. The event also brings attention to the importance of creating safe routes to school. More than 60 percent of past Walk and Bike to School Day organizers said their events led to policy or environmental changes in their communities.   

Grady Hogan, a sixth-grade student at Blendon Middle School, will represent Westerville City Schools in the National History Day contest June 13 to 19, advancing from the statewide National History Day in Ohio contest that was held April 24.

Ten Westerville City Schools employees were honored for their contributions to students, dedication to their schools and their commitment to district values as part of the A+ Award recognition at Monday’s school board meeting.

Westerville students can dive into the world of gaming, design and build model houses that use solar energy, go on a simulated dig to explore fossils, and learn how to start their own podcast through Summer Ignite!, a new district-wide summer learning series created by Westerville educators and staff. 

Several Westerville middle school students are now published authors.

If Westerville Police Officer Mark Wojciechowski has stopped by your school, then you’ve probably seen the newest member of the Division’s K-9 Program.

Chloe, a year-and-a-half-old English Labrador Retriever, is training to become the first-ever therapy dog for the Westerville Division of Police.  She will work with both the Westerville City Schools and the community.

The Westerville North High School community is dedicating next week to Faith Pruden, a Westerville student who passed away in 2010 from brain cancer at age 7. She would have been a senior at WNHS this year.

As a tribute to his late wife and former Westerville North High School teacher Natalie J. Schaublin, Mike Schaublin is walking 56,000 steps (or 28 miles) across Westerville on Saturday, April 24 — the two-year anniversary of her passing from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). She was 56.

The City of Westerville’s 2021 State of the Community is now available online.

Students in seven Westerville schools received top honors in the 2020-21 Ohio PTA Reflections award program, which recognizes student achievement in literature, music, dance, film production, photography, music composition and visual arts.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 26, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education approved two more organizational moves to meet the district’s succession planning needs at its April 12 board meeting.

Westerville’s Food Services department will be testing some new menu options at elementary schools across the district, starting Monday, April 19.

The countdown has started on when the living eggs will hatch in Deb Bergmann’s room at Genoa Middle School — a process all Westerville teachers and students can watch through a 24-hour livestream on the incubated eggs.

Westerville middle and high school students are eligible for free COTA Plus rides from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. COTA Plus is an on-demand service that can be hailed via the COTA Plus App or by calling COTA’s Customer Care hotline at 614-228-1776.

Westerville City Schools’ Summer Enrichment Theatre program is bringing the musical “Oklahoma!” to the stage. 

The summer production, open to all Westerville middle and high school students, will be housed at Westerville South High School and performed July 15-18, 23 and 24 at the amphitheater in Alum Creek Park.

All of the district’s high schools will be holding commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2021 in their respective stadiums on Saturday, May 29. High schools are also planning for Prom on May 8, which will comply with the newly streamlined Health Department orders that call for wearing masks and physical distancing.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 12, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville.

For years, Westerville City Schools and the Arts Council of Westerville have hosted an annual art show in April to recognize the work of students and their teachers.

Instead of an in-person event, the organizers decided to create a virtual art show this year where parents, educators and community members can view video slideshows featuring more than 160 drawings, paintings, sculptures and other pieces students created during the 2020-21 school year. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmers to Families program will hold a free drive-through grocery distribution from noon to 2 p.m. (or while supplies last) April 11 at Hawthorne Elementary, 5001 Farview Road

Middle and high school students can participate in the Spring Student Leader Series, an interactive online workshop that covers various leadership topics such as decisiveness, integrity, relationship building, problem solving and dependability.

Blendon Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society raised more than $400 for the Friends of Faith Pruden Foundation during the school’s Spirit Week last month. 

Westerville City Schools Superintendent Dr. John Kellogg on Monday announced the district’s comprehensive approach to addressing the academic and social-emotional needs of students and staff because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Charley Jones was a third-grader at Whittier Elementary when she saw her words published for the first time. 

She submitted a story about a greedy turkey named Bob whose behavior led him to become a Thanksgiving entree for a writing contest sponsored by the Westerville Public Library. She didn’t win the contest but the story was printed in a book — an empowering moment she and her mother, Leanne, wanted to extend to others.

So they launched My Favorite Story, a nonprofit organization that gives young writers facing adversity the opportunity to creatively work through challenges by publishing their stories. 

Cynthia DeVese, coordinator of Educational Equity at Westerville City Schools, shared the district’s equity work and implicit bias training with Inspire, a podcast created by Ohio State University’s College of Education and Human Ecology.

Incoming sixth-grade students and their families can learn more about the transition from elementary to middle school during the district’s virtual Moving Up Night on Wednesday, April 28. More information about the event will be sent to families the week following Spring Break.

The Westerville City School board approved school fees for the 2021-22 school year at their March 22 meeting. The fees, which include supplies, instructional materials, tests and athletics, will not increase next school year.

Applications for monetary grants from The Bette Marschall Education Fund of The Columbus Foundation are being accepted for worthy 2020-2021 school year projects not otherwise supported within the school budget.

Nineteen students at Genoa and Blendon middle schools are advancing to the statewide Ohio History Day contest on April 24, after being selected from the recent regional competition. 

Thirty students across Westerville’s middle schools are moving onto the regional 2021 Laws of Life essay contest, which challenges young people to discover through reflection and writing what matters most to them in their own lives and the principles they believe should guide their behaviors and choices.

Westerville City Schools is partnering with Health Heroes, Inc. to offer meningitis and Tdap vaccinations for any upcoming or current 7th-and 12th-grade student enrolled in the district. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 22, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville.

WCSD students competed in the Pythagorean Contest Division during this year’s 39th annual event. The competition consisted of five meets in which students were challenged to complete six multi-step problems in just 30 minutes.

Mason Wu, a seventh-grader at Blendon Middle School and Nathan Bell, an eighth-grader at Walnut Springs Middle School will represent the district in the virtual MathCounts state competition this month, vying for a seat in the virtual national competition May 8-10th. 

Westerville City Schools has qualified for the Auditor of State Award with Distinction following its state audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. It is the ninth consecutive year the district has received the commendation.

Westerville City School officials announced the release of an updated Spring 2020 local testing calendar for students. 

Westerville Parent Council and Roush Honda have announced the recipients of the 2020-21 Great Educator Mentor (GEM) Award, which is presented to individuals who go the extra mile to make a positive impact in the classroom and schools.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education approved another organizational move to meet the district’s succession planning needs at its Feb. 22 board meeting.

Tami Santa now serves as the director of Mental Health & Wellness, assuming some of the responsibilities of Debbie Meissner, director of Health and Safety, whose retirement is effective July 31. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 8, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville. Proceedings will be streamed live over the district's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/wcsdohio to comply with virtual meeting requirements. Additional meeting details are available online at the www.wcsoh.org/VirtualBOE web page.

Avery Long, a sixth-grader at Blendon Middle School, has been invited to compete in a regional spelling competition this spring sponsored by Ohio University School of Business after taking first place in a school-wide competition.

Several Westerville middle school students are now published authors.

Westerville City Schools is committed to collaborating with all stakeholders in the creation of a Portrait of a Graduate. During a year filled with unpredictability and challenges, it is clear that students not only need to engage in learning experiences aligned with state standards, but they also need experiences that promote a variety of skills and competencies.

Applications are being accepted through Friday, March 12, for the spring 2021 Westerville City Schools A+ Employee Recognition Program, which celebrates extraordinary staff members. 

Westerville City School District Board of Education members on Monday discussed the merits of boycotting this year's administration of mandated state tests. They then unanimously approved a resolution urging the Ohio General Assembly to waive all state-mandated standardized testing requirements for the current school year. The resolution also encourages lawmakers to request a testing waiver from the U.S. Department of Education and declares the Board's support for House Bills 67 and 40. These bills would fulfill both requests and declare an emergency, thereby making the measures effective immediately.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet for a special meeting in a hybrid virtual work session 6 p.m. on Monday, March 1, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss board operations. 

Since the start of the school year, the entire Westerville school community has taken steps to better understand the racial climate in their buildings and examine the barriers that prevent underrepresented students from access to opportunities. Across the district, school leaders, educators, staff members and parents have dived into the Be the Change!: Implicit and Institutional Bias training which explores implicit bias and racial equity in schools.

The Black History Month programs at all three Westerville high schools this year share a common inspiration: the widespread protests over the death of George Floyd and the racial unrest that followed.

The students behind the programs at Westerville Central, Westerville North and Westerville South high schools have taken different approaches to respond to the conversations from the summer. 

Three Westerville middle school students have moved on in the MathCounts competition, advancing to the Chapter Invitational at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25.

Mason Wu, a seventh-grader at Blendon Middle School; Peyton Householder, an eighth-grader at Blendon; and Nathan Bell, an eighth-grader at Walnut Springs, were part of the MathCounts teams at both schools that competed in the virtual Regional Chapter Competition Feb. 6. The competition was sponsored by the Franklin County Chapter of the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE).

Westerville students in grades K-8 are invited to participate in the Westerville City Schools’ 15th annual LEGO competition, which is virtual this year. The competition is open to elementary and middle school students from Westerville City Schools and St. Paul School. Competitors can build anything they want, as long as they design it themselves; No pre-packaged LEGO sets are permitted to be built.

Westerville students currently in grades 4-11 can join an international education experience during the Summer of 2022. One option for those in grades 4-7 is a marine conservation service-learning opportunity in the Dominican Republic while another for grades 7-11 features an exploration into the history, cultures, geology and ecology of South Africa. The experience also includes a safari. 

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will meet for a hybrid virtual meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 22, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville. Proceedings will be streamed live over the district's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/wcsdohio to comply with virtual meeting requirements. Additional meeting details are available online at the www.wcsoh.org/VirtualBOE web page.

Westerville City Schools has received the Children’s Hunger Alliance Child Nutrition Award for the Food Services department’s work in feeding students during the pandemic. 

As part of the Westerville City School District’s Parent Prep workshop series, parents and caregivers can take sessions on various topics including mindful parenting, pandemic parenting, equity, substance education and LGBTQ+ education. 

To celebrate National School Counselor Week, the Student Well Being and Mental Health team kicked off the week with a pick-up breakfast for counselors. Tami Santa, coordinator of Student Well Being and Mental Health, and Anne Baldwin, coordinator of Career Tech and College Readiness, later gave counselors tumblers engraved by one of the district’s middle school engineering teachers.

Westerville City School District Superintendent Dr. John R. Kellogg on Monday announced the district’s “Together Again Plan” that will return all students to their schools and classrooms just prior to the final quarter of the 2020-21 academic year.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 8, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville.

The Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for Westerville City Schools’ Fiscal Year 2019-20 is now available to the community.

Westerville City Schools has received the highest rating in Auditor of State Keith Faber’s new approach to monitoring transparency in government and measuring compliance to Ohio’s open records laws.

As part of the Westerville City School District’s Parent Prep workshop series, parents can take sessions on various topics including mindful parenting, pandemic parenting, equity, substance education and LGBTQ+ education. 

Westerville students, families, staff and community members are invited to a virtual African-American Read-In featuring author Zetta Elliott at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 20.

All Magnus Hunter knew about Uncle Joseph was his name and that he was a prince.

When Robert Frost Elementary English Learners teacher Breanne Reamsnider wanted to profile his ancestor in the school’s Black History Month program this year, Hunter discovered that Uncle Joseph was Joseph Hannibal Caulker — the third Black student to attend Otterbein University. He traveled from Sierra Leone to attend Otterbein in 1896. 

As part of Black History Month activities, Westerville City Schools’ Educational Equity office is hosting an opportunity where families and middle and high school students can connect with Dr. Hasan Jeffries, an associate professor of history at The Ohio State University. 

The Westerville Parent Council is hosting a Multicultural Food Truck Festival where families can pick up pre-ordered food and learn more about upcoming summer camps.

Westerville students currently in grades 8-11 can join an international education experience in either Spain and Portugal or Belize during Spring Break in 2022. 

MathCounts teams at Blendon and Walnut Springs middle schools will compete at the regional chapter competition on Feb. 6, vying for an opportunity to advance to the state competition. 

Blendon Middle School counselors Amy Weinrich and Marcia Childs are planning a series of activities as part of National School Counseling Week, which starts Feb. 1.

Shira Baumann, a seventh-grader at Blendon Middle School, has been selected as the winner of the seventh-grade essay competition in the 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Art, Essay & Multimedia contest hosted by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.

In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, Westerville City Schools is starting a month-long video series in February where WCS families and community members can learn alongside educators on issues around race, diversity, equity and inclusion.

Due to parent-teacher conferences, classes will not take place at Westerville’s middle and high schools on Friday, Feb. 19. School will be in session at usual times, however, in all elementary school buildings.

Classes for all students will resume on Monday, Feb. 22. All middle school students will be in remote learning on March 3 to accommodate the conference schedule.

In addition to its tremendous support for the Westerville City School District’s new “Hope Squad” suicide prevention initiative, the Westerville Education Challenge (WEC) organization is launching a community education component open to anyone interested in acquiring the skills needed to help prevent suicide as well as learn more about mental health.

In conversations with student well being staff this year, Westerville students said they need help managing stress, organizing their school work, and keeping track of their day-to-day activities. 

In response, the district’s Office of Student Well Being and Mental Health launched a new webpage that features 11 videos with tips and strategies to help students manage stress and develop skills to manage their tasks.

Three Westerville students are now college-bound after receiving full four-year scholarships through QuestBridge’s National College Match, a program that connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with scholarships to the country’s top universities.

Westerville students, staff and community members are invited to join a virtual author talk with Jason Reynolds at 4 p.m. on January 24, 2021.

Westerville City School District Board of Education members approved the following 2021 meeting calendar during their Jan. 11 organizational meeting.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 25, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville. Proceedings will be streamed live over the district's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/wcsdohio to comply with virtual meeting requirements. Additional meeting details are available online at the www.wcsoh.org/VirtualBOE web page.

Families can sign up to receive meals for their students during their remote learning weeks.

Westerville City Schools joins more than 700 school districts throughout Ohio to celebrate January as School Board Recognition Month. 

Westerville City School District Superintendent Dr. John R. Kellogg this week announced a restructuring of his district-level leadership team, which is intended to address succession planning needs, as well as strengthen academic and operational support.

An effort to launch a racial equity group in the Greater Westerville community includes several Westerville City School District educators, administrators, and a board member.

In all, 30 community members across various sectors in the area will serve as a launch team to establish the organization and hire a community chief diversity officer.

The backseat and trunk of Serena Casale’s SUV are packed with plastic bags filled with packaged meat, milk, eggs, cereal, fruit cups, noodles, juice and other food items for several students at Mark Twain Elementary.

Casale, a school counselor, has often visited students at home since the start of the pandemic, dropping off what families struggle to pick up: Chromebooks, class assignments, school supplies or — as was the case last Friday — food.

More than 900 books will be distributed throughout Westerville schools as part of the Westerville Education Foundation’s Many Voices: Diverse Library Project.

The foundation was able to fund each of the 33 project requests in 15 schools. Collections will be delivered to teachers this month for use in their classrooms this winter.

Whether Westerville students are in school or working remotely from home, they need to be fed. 

For the district’s Food Services department, it has meant adapting to the ever-changing environment this school year, from how they plan menus to adjusting their operations to ensure students have the meals they need.

Manager of Food Service and Purchasing Kari Dennis said that preparing meals with a cohort of students in school, another cohort at home, and those enrolled in Westerville Virtual Academy has sometimes been difficult. However, her staff has risen to the challenge.

Parents or guardians wishing to apply to have their children attend a school different from their school of attendance must complete and submit an Intra-district Open Enrollment Application. 

Westerville students, staff and community are invited to nominate district staff and adult volunteers for a Great Educator Mentor (GEM) Award, which is presented to individuals who go the extra mile to make a positive impact in the classroom and schools.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual organizational/regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 11, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville.

Across the Westerville City Schools, students, teachers, staff members have rallied around charitable projects to support local community groups and school families for the holidays.

Longfellow kindergartner Bridget Moreno Serrano likes superheroes, mermaids and monkeys — all of which have the makings for an interesting story. 

After learning more about Serrano, Patrick McNally and Juliana Reising, two Ohio State students enrolled in Honors Spanish Composition, each created personalized children’s stories written in English and Spanish so Serrano’s parents who are native Spanish speakers can read it to her at home.

Westerville South High science teacher Mark Schmidley admits the membrane transport unit in his biology class is not the most exciting topic.

“It’s hard to get some people fired up about ‘Oh man, glucose moving against the gradient. Transport proteins,’” he said.

The Neighbors of Westbury Woods (NOWW) community have organized several holiday giving projects for years. This year, they've helped a family in need, collected coats, hats, gloves and other winter apparel for those who are homeless and supported Westerville families and children.

Their latest effort will reach students across Westerville City Schools. Through their donation of $1,080, the neighborhood group has been able to resolve the school meal debt for all students in the district.

Westerville City Schools was the highest-ranked school district in the nation in a contest that recognizes progressive and environmentally-committed transportation fleets. 

TJ Potterf, a teacher at Pointview Elementary; Katie Summers, a teacher at the ELC Preschool and Leslie Alicea, a teacher at Cherrington Elementary have been named Westerville Education Foundation’s December Teachers of the Month.

Teachers recognized for the foundation’s November Teachers of the Month award include Jennifer Steinher at Emerson Elementary, Angela Faust at Whittier Elementary and Kelly Balaz at Hanby Elementary.

The Westerville Education Foundation’s Honor Roll program allows community members to recognize educators who have made an impact on their lives. More than 30 sponsors have provided financial support for the program as well as WEF grants for innovative programs in the Westerville City School District. 

Parents who missed last month’s Parent Prep workshop series or wanted to revisit topics can now watch the recorded sessions online.

As part of a seven-week professional development series for Westerville’s gifted educators, Marc Smolowitz met with teachers on Wednesday to discuss his documentary, “The G Word,” currently in post-production.

Westerville educators interested in bringing more diverse books in their classroom libraries can still apply to the Westerville Education Foundation’s Many Voices: Diverse Classroom Library project. The deadline to apply is Dec. 15.

Westerville students, staff and community members are invited to participate in a shared book read across the district and city to inspire conversations around race and social justice.

Westerville Central High School senior Ruthanne James was looking forward to her school’s annual assembly in December that features performances by the Jazz Central, orchestra, band and American Sign Language students.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14.

Westerville Central High School has been named a Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) School Recycling Champion thanks to science teacher Anthony Forrest and his efforts in building a sustainable and comprehensive school recycling program. 

A girls empowerment program, classroom sets of ukuleles, and a community-wide reading initiative focused on books about anti-racism are among the 11 proposals awarded a 2020 Fall Grant from the Westerville Education Foundation (WEF). 

To show support for Westerville teachers, staff and administrators, the Westerville Education Challenge (WEC) created more than 1,300 “rocks of support” that feature messages of encouragement for their work during the pandemic.

Aliyah Giles, a senior member of Westerville North High School’s Notables and Symphonic Mixed Choir, will be among the performers featured in Bowling Green State University’s Falcon Choral Festival at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Blendon Middle School embraced World Kindness Day on Nov. 13 with staff wearing shirts that featured positive or kind sayings and students encouraged to “Be the ‘I’ in Kind.”

Beginning December 7 and continuing through December 18, WCSD will resume Blended Learning, which allows each cohort of students to receive five more days of in-person instruction prior to Winter Break. WVA students will continue to receive their instruction through that program. Click the headline to read the Superintendent's message to families.

To support the social and emotional needs of students in the Westerville City School District, the Westerville Education Challenge (WEC) launched an online social-emotional resource center available to students, families and staff on Tuesday.

Westerville City Schools Treasurer Nicole Marshall and Superintendent Dr. John Kellogg presented testimony before the Ohio House Finance Committee on Nov. 17 in support of the Fair School Funding plan, a new school funding formula that would reduce the state’s overreliance on local taxpayers to pay for public education and provide a more equitable state model for funding schools.

Twenty Westerville City Schools employees were honored for their contributions to students, dedication to their schools and their commitment to district values as part of the A+ Award recognition at Monday’s school board meeting.

Last spring, school systems across the nation were challenged to quickly assess, address, and adapt to the worldwide pandemic. Whether implementing remote instruction models to keep students learning, modifying meal service to keep students fed, stockpiling personal protective equipment to keep students and employees safe, or shifting resources to maintain operations, these rapid adjustments left school leaders concerned about the overall impact the coronavirus could have on their respective districts.

Members of Blendon Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society helped collect granola bars for the Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM). 

The Rotary Club of Westerville recognized its November 2020 Students of the Month during a virtual meeting Nov. 5.

The Westerville City Schools transportation department needed to find a way to lock the buckle on a seat belt harness specifically used by special needs students after learning a student was able to unbuckle the belt and leave his seat on the bus.

Susie Lehman paused when she saw the black cloud billowing over a home along her early morning bus route through Huber Ridge neighborhood. At 6:45 a.m. on Oct. 29, it was pitch black with a mist of rain falling and she wasn’t sure if she saw low-hanging fog or smoke creeping above the ranch-style home.

Over the coming months, Westerville City Schools will be rolling out a new peer-led initiative focused on mental health and suicide prevention/education.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville. Proceedings will be streamed live over the district's YouTube Channel to comply with virtual meeting requirements and ensure compliance with the state's extension of its mass-gathering ban. Additional meeting details are available online.

Westerville City School District (WCSD) Superintendent Dr. John R. Kellogg today announced to staff and families that the district would extend a planned, temporary return to Remote Instruction through at least December 4, 2020, due to worsening health conditions in the region.

Several WCSD schools revamped their Veterans Day programs this year to align with health and social distancing guidelines, creating school-wide virtual events to honor those who served in the military.

At each start of the school year, the counselors at Blendon Middle School hold “minute meetings” with every student as a way to get a pulse on how they are feeling, what concerns they have, and if they have a safe and trusted adult to talk to while at school.

Six teachers have been awarded grants totaling $2,121 from The Bette Marschall Memorial Education Fund of The Columbus Foundation. The fund was established in honor of former Westerville teacher and principal Bette Marschall, who died in 2001.

The Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board of Franklin County is conducting a community needs assessment to gauge needs surrounding mental health. 

Olivia Bechtel, a first-grade teacher at McVay Elementary; Lisa Huelskamp, gifted education coordinator for Blendon and Walnut Springs middle schools; and Natalie Martin, a second-grade teacher at Mark Twain Elementary have been named Westerville Education Foundation’s October Teachers of the Month.

The school nurses at Westerville City School District have collaborated on communication to help families better understand the procedures they are following in school related to COVID-19.

Renovated learning spaces at Pointview Elementary and Westerville North High School have been recognized for their innovative design in the Fall 2020 Learning By Design Architectural and Interior Design Awards of Excellence.

Families can add Westerville South High School as part of their Beggar’s night festivities.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville.

The Rotary Club of Westerville recognized its October 2020 Students of the Month during a virtual meeting Oct. 1. Throughout the school year, from October through May, the Club honors four students from local high schools each month. Working with the school principals and counselors, one student each month is chosen from Westerville Central, Westerville North, Westerville South and St. Francis DeSales high schools. The students, their parents, and the school administrators are introduced and honored at the Rotary Club’s first weekly luncheon each month.

Westerville North Cheerleading is collecting pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes as part of a fundraising drive for training and equipment needs for their competition and sideline teams. The shoe drive runs through Nov. 30.

All students enrolled in the Westerville City School District can receive free school meals through the end of the 2020-21 school year.

The update stems from a decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the free meal program for the rest of the school year.

Westerville City School District (WCSD) officials this week provided families with preliminary information about enrolling their students in the Westerville Virtual Academy (WVA) for the second semester, or in the case of those already enrolled in WVA, how to withdraw and change to the established instructional model that is based upon and determined by regional health data.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville. 

Due to parent-teacher conferences, classes will not be held at Westerville elementary schools or the Early Learning Center preschool on Thursday, Oct. 29 or Friday, Oct. 30. District middle schools will only be closed on Friday, Oct. 30. They will be in session on Thursday, Oct. 29. School will take place as usual at all three high schools – Westerville Central, North and South. Classes will resume on Monday, Nov. 2.

As part of the Westerville City School District’s Second Annual Parent Prep workshop series, parents can take sessions on various topics including technology, mental health, the college application process and adjusting to a changing school environment due to COVID-19.

Applications are being accepted through Friday, Oct. 23, for the fall 2020 Westerville City Schools A+ Employee Recognition Program, which celebrates extraordinary staff members. 

After completing only two meetings last spring, work of the volunteer community committee tasked with developing attendance boundaries for the district’s new elementary and middle school buildings came to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Emma Flynn, a Blendon Middle School eighth-grader attending Westerville Virtual Academy, is now a published author.

Jeff Bracken, a chemistry teacher at Westerville North High School, and Mary Taylor, a retired teacher from Emerson Elementary and the founder of The Friends of Faith Pruden Foundation, were named Kindness Heroes for their service to the Westerville community and beyond at Neighbor2Neighbor Westerville’s Kindness Rally.

Susannah Lee, an English teacher at WCHS, Catherine Stathulis, an English teacher at WNHS, and Lauren Sefton, a science teacher at WSHS have been named Westerville Education Foundation’s September Teachers of the Month.

Westerville City Schools is partnering with Health Heroes, Inc. to offer flu vaccination clinics this year for any student enrolled in the district.

WCSD faculty, staff and students with an innovative idea or project that needs financial support can apply for a Westerville Education Foundation Fall Grant. Applications are due Friday, Oct. 16 at 5 p.m.

Westerville South High School has received the Purple Star designation for its commitment to serving military-connected students and their families, officials with the Ohio Department of Education announced this week.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, October 5, 2020, in the Skybox of the Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive. Upon convening the meeting, the Board will vote to go into Executive Session to consider the employment of an employee. No action will be taken.

The Westerville North Warriors were up by two touchdowns with several minutes left in last Friday’s game against Canal Winchester. 

Ty O’Hearn and several other seniors on the football team approached Coach Bryan Johnson on the sidelines. 

“Coach, it’s Pash’s time,” O’Hearn said. “Let’s get him in there.”

The MLK Legacy Project is hosting a virtual Poetry Night Oct. 1 as part of its annual series of events to promote a better understanding of race and racism in the Westerville community.

The group — which started as a Leadership Westerville subcommittee that focused on the annual breakfast in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. — wanted to increase awareness of social justice through poetry with their upcoming event.

Given the success of last year’s inaugural Parent Prep workshop series, Westerville City School District (WCSD) officials are finalizing details for a multi-day, all-virtual Parent Prep event later this fall. 

“Although we’re not yet ready to release specific dates or sessions, we simply want families to know that another Parent Prep event is in the works,” said Tami Santa, WCSD's coordinator of student well-being and mental health. “Feedback following last year’s workshops was so positive and supportive that we’re committed to overcoming the challenges before us and providing the experience virtually this year.”

Applications for monetary grants from The Bette Marschall Education Fund of The Columbus Foundation are being accepted for worthy 2020-2021 school year projects not otherwise supported within the school budget. The grants are available to teachers, students, administrators, and non-teaching staff within the Westerville City School District. The submission deadline is midnight on Oct. 23.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville. Proceedings will be streamed live over the district's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/wcsdohio to comply with virtual meeting requirements and ensure compliance with the state's extension of its mass-gathering ban. Additional meeting details are available online at the www.wcsoh.org/VirtualBOE web page.

The YWCA Kids Place School Year Program is offering Before and After School programs for students in Cohort A and Cohort B at several Westerville elementary schools. The YWCA will also offer an All-Day program for students when they are not in their classroom.

All WCSD students can receive free school meals through December 31 or until federal funding runs out — whichever comes first. The changes came from a decision by the United States Department of Agriculture to extend free meal benefits.

With classes starting remotely this year, Genoa Middle School teacher Lee Smith was looking for ways to provide hands-on learning experiences for his engineering students from home.

His counterparts at the district’s other middle schools were doing the same. So they decided to work together, taking a cohesive approach to curriculum for all middle school engineering students for the first time.

“We can’t do what we’ve done before,” Smith said. 

These middle school engineering classes give students a foundation on the problem-solving and critical-  and creative-thinking skills needed to thrive in engineering programs in high school and beyond. By shifting from in-person to remote learning, the engineering teachers have had to put into practice what they preach: think outside of the box to find innovative solutions for real-world problems.

Dylan Woodruff is eager to meet the group of sixth-graders he’s been paired to support and mentor at Blendon Middle School this school year.

Woodruff, one of Blendon’s 40 eighth-grade student leaders in the Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) program, recalls how helpful his WEB leaders were when he first came to middle school.

“The WEB leaders were my inspiration and who I looked up to,” he said. “They said I would be perfect for it so I’ve been wanting to do this since sixth grade.”

The Westerville City School District’s Board of Education is seeking applicants for two open positions on its audit committee, which serves as a professional link between the Board and external auditors.

A new broadband access pilot will provide refurbished computers and internet hotspots with a year’s worth of prepaid unlimited internet service, to low-income households with students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Westerville City School District launched a new dashboard in response to a state mandate requiring all Ohio school districts to report cases of COVID-19 among its school populations.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville. Proceedings will be streamed live over the district's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/wcsdohio to comply with virtual meeting requirements and ensure compliance with the state's extension of its mass-gathering ban. Additional meeting details are available online at the www.wcsoh.org/VirtualBOE web page.

It wasn’t long into Principles of Biomedical Science at Westerville Central High School (WCHS) when Kendel Seabury knew she was all in on the district’s health pathway program. 

She was fascinated by lessons on how the body works and considered applying her interest in science to becoming a teacher. But the more classes she took — including Diana Arko’s Medical Interventions course — the more she realized that nursing better aligned with her interests in health care and working with people.

Westerville City Schools had previously announced Sep. 24, Nov. 12, Jan. 28, and March 11 as early release dates. Under traditional school year operations, students would be released from school one hour earlier than normal dismissal times to allow for staff professional development.

Westerville South High School Troupe 513 is kicking off its 2020-21 season opener with “Ranked,” a musical set in a dystopian world where class rank — determined by grades and test scores — defines each students’ worth.

Seven Westerville seniors are semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, according to a recent announcement by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

During performances for Walnut Springs Middle School’s orchestra, Alexandre Hedrick noticed students sharing instruments and sitting out for different songs for an opportunity to play. 

He learned there weren’t enough instruments for all students and the realization sat with him as he considered a leadership service project for his bid to become an Eagle Scout. 

On Saturday, Hedrick is leading a car wash to raise money for used instruments for Walnut Springs’ music program. While there, he is also taking donations of instruments to share with the school. 

When Westerville Central High School social studies teacher Matt Rees stumbled onto an article outlining how videos with copyrighted music are taken down, he immediately thought of his peers who are creating videos for their classes and students. 

He said teaching is considered “fair use” and an exception for copyright protection but the software that catches it and the companies that take it down don't check that. 

Rees, a singer/songwriter away from the classroom, is offering a resource he hopes can be useful to fellow educators: instrumental versions of his original music.

Students from Genoa, Heritage and Walnut Springs middle schools were recognized for their essays about perseverance, humility and compassion as part of the 2020 Laws of Life essay contest organized by the Better Business Bureau’s Center for Character Ethics.

To help connect Westerville students and families to social-emotional support services this year, the district’s counseling team set up virtual offices that aim to engage students while maintaining a semblance of a school environment.

The Westerville City School District’s nurses are working with local agencies to help students get their required vaccinations.

Westerville City School District officials today announced details regarding how students will transition to a Blended Learning model of instruction beginning Monday, September 21, 2020, after approximately one month of fully remote instruction

The Westerville City School District Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Sept. 2, 2020, via videoconference. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. and will be streamed over the district’s YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/wcsdohio to comply with virtual meeting requirements, as well as to ensure compliance with the state’s recent extension of its mass-gathering ban. The purpose of the special meeting is to consider the district's transition to a Blended Learning model of instruction for the 2020-21 academic year.

This year, Westerville’s high schools launched new courses that approach topics such as Black history and culture and social justice in a way that has never been done before in the district. 

The Westerville City School District is reviewing its attendance policy to adapt to remote instruction for the 2020-21 school year. 

Due to recent state-ordered restrictions on event attendance and venue capacity, the Westerville City School District (WCSD) will not be issuing athletic passes to staff this fall and community members holding a Superintendent’s Gold Appreciation Card (Gold Card) cannot be guaranteed admission to events.

Westerville City School District (WCSD) officials today announced the release of the district’s 2020-2021 local testing calendar for students, along with an acknowledgment that the testing schedule remains subject to change.

This year, a dozen of the 47 new educators are returning to the site that inspired them to pursue a career in education. They were athletes, student council leaders, class representatives, choir, and band members. 

They left a Westerville graduate. Now, they are a Westerville teacher. 

Meet some of the Westerville alumni who’ve returned to the district as an educator this year.

Westerville City School District (WCSD) will be part of a virtual community discussion, “King's Dream Revisited: Where do we go from here - Chaos or Community?” at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28.

The Westerville City Schools Board of Education will hold a hybrid virtual regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, out of the district's Early Learning Center, located at 936 Eastwind Drive in Westerville. Proceedings will be streamed live over the district's YouTube Channel to comply with virtual meeting requirements and ensure compliance with the state's extension of its mass-gathering ban. The opportunity to submit public comment will open at 12 p.m. on Friday, August 21, and be received electronically using the process detailed at the www.wcsoh.org/VirtualBOE web page.

As part of state budget cuts to offset the loss of tax revenue stemming from the coronavirus crisis, Westerville City Schools saw a total reduction of $5.6 million as of July 31 -- with more state budget cuts anticipated for the future. 

Treasurer Nicole Marshall outlined the financial impact of COVID-19 on the district’s budget at the Aug. 10 board meeting. 

Monday marked the return to school for all Westerville educators and staff and across the district, families and students took to the streets to show just how much their school teams mean to them.

Greg Viebranz, executive director of communication and technology for the district, has been honored by the Ohio School Public Relations Association with their 2020 Innovator Award, which recognizes individuals who have introduced or utilized new methods of communication to impact school public relations locally, in the state or nationwide.

Westerville’s principals recorded a special message to students and families ahead of the 2020-21 school year. 

Due to recent decisions by the United States Department of Agriculture, Westerville families must opt-in for a school breakfast and/or lunch during virtual and/or blended instruction in the 2020-21 school year.

Westerville City School District led the region in raising the most money in The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Central Ohio Chapter’s Pennies for Patients campaign while three schools -- Wilder Elementary, Genoa Middle School and Mark Twain Elementary -- were among the top 10 Central Ohio schools that raised the most money for the campaign during the 2019-20 school year.

The Westerville City Schools website is getting a facelift.

Starting the evening of Aug. 14, wcsoh.org will feature new tools to allow visitors to customize their viewing experience, whether it’s on a computer, tablet or phone, based on their personal needs. The site will adapt and function well regardless of the type of device thanks to an enhanced responsive design.

Westerville City School District Superintendent Dr. John R. Kellogg announced Wednesday, July 29 that district officials have decided to open the 2020-21 school year in a 100% remote instructional model, rather than the blended learning model originally announced. 

As the Westerville City School District prepares to reopen schools for the 2020-21 academic year, members of the leadership team have taken a multifaceted approach to address concerns about COVID-19 and safeguard the health and well-being of students and staff.

At the Board of Education’s direction to develop a fully remote learning option for students, the Westerville City School District is pleased to offer the Westerville Virtual Academy to families interested in an alternative to in-person learning for the 2020-21 school year.

High school and middle school parents can visit their school’s website for details on fall sports.

Superintendent John Kellogg today released to staff and families the Westerville City School District’s proposed plan to reopen schools for the 2020-21 school year.

The plan, which represents months of work by a variety of teams and reflects input gathered during surveys of families and staff, outlines educational delivery scenarios, including a fully-online option, as well as health and safety measures that will be put in place when students return for in-person learning. The plan includes the following:

WNHS Notables alumni create musical magic with virtual performance  

A recent Facebook post by Meredith Rea Casto shared a project that she and her friends from the 2004-2005 Westerville North Notables had been working on since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak. Fifteen years later and “they still got it.” Casto provides additional background on the musical project in her post, which is viewable at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/170500053/posts/10100596102239836/

Westerville City Schools’ Treasurer/CFO Nicole Marshall today announced that a Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the district’s Fiscal Year 2018-19 is now available to the community.

REDIRECT to: www.wcsoh.org/covid19

The future opening of a new elementary and a new middle school in the Westerville City School District has created a need for the realignment of attendance boundaries at those instructional levels. Two committees, one to develop elementary boundaries and one to develop middle school boundaries, will begin their work in February 2020.

Westerville City School District Board of Education members approved the following 2020 meeting calendar during their January 13, 2020, organizational meeting:

Courtesy of Dennis Blair, Westerville Sunrise Rotary.