bexley high school

326 s. CASSINGHAM ROAD – BEXLEY, OH 43209

l I O N N E W S

2011-2012

School Office FAX

(614) 231-4591 (614) 338-2087

HS Attendance Line 237-4273 or 237-4309 (select 8 then 6)

Website

www.bexleyschools.org

HARLEY WILLIAMS – Principal

KRISTIN ROBBINS – Asst. Principal

MOLLY FEESLER – Athletic Director

UPDATED 8/12/11

The high school bell schedules have been

changed. Please see page 7 for this revised

information.

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of Bexley High School, with the combined efforts of home and community, is to graduate students prepared for post-high school education and careers. Our emphasis on academic excellence and integrity in a supportive environment fosters graduates who demonstrate * respectful attitudes * the ability to apply technology * problem-solving skills * effective communication skills * civic and personal responsibility * life-long learning

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

aUGUST

17 – Freshmen Orientation & Screenings – 1:00-4:00 PM

18 – New Student Orientation (10th

-12th

graders) – 1:00-2:00 PM

17 & 18 – Schedule Pick Up Nights – 4:00-7:00 PM

24 – First Day of School – AM Assembly Schedule * new bell schedules info for 2011-2012 inside

25 – School Picture Day – during study hall and lunch time

30 – College Information Night for Seniors – 7:00 PM

31 – College Kick-Off for Juniors – 7:00 PM

sEPTEMBER

1 – College Night for Sophomores & Freshmen – 7:00 PM (Please note that this event

replaces “Critical Tests for College-Bound Underclassmen” shown on the district calendar for

September 22.)

5 – NO SCHOOL – Labor Day

13 – LATE START DAY – 8:58 AM 18 – Suburban College Fair @ Otterbein – 1:00 PM

22 – PTO Open House – 7:00 PM

29 – NO SCHOOL – Rosh Hashanah

OCTOBER

11 – LATE START DAY – 8:58 AM

12 – REVISED BELL SCHEDULE - PSAT & PLAN testing

13 – School Picture Make-up Day – lunch time only

13 – HS & MS Fall Orchestra Concert – 7:30 PM

20 – HS & MS Fall Choral Concert – 7:30 PM

21 – NO SCHOOL – Staff In-Service Day

22 – Fall Homecoming Dance

24-28 – Ohio Graduation Tests (juniors & seniors only)

28 – End of 1st Nine Weeks

29 & 30 – Vocal Ensemble Cabaret

NOVEMBER

3 – HS Marching Band Concert – 7:30 PM

4 – Grade cards distributed

6 – TURN CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR - Daylight Savings Time Ends

8 – NO SCHOOL - Staff In-Service Day

10 – Parent-Teacher Conferences – 4:00-7:30 PM

11 – AM ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE

17 – Parent-Teacher Conferences – 4:00-7:30 PM

23 -25– NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Break

December

7 – Financial Aid Information Night – 7:00 PM

8 – HS Orchestra Winter Concert – 7:30 PM

13 – LATE START DAY – 8:58 AM

13 – HS & MS Band Winter Concert – 7:30 PM

15 – HS Winter Choral Concert – 7:30 PM

19 – January 2 – NO SCHOOL – Winter Break

SCHEDULE PICK UP NIGHTS

August 17 and 18, 2011

The following letter will be mailed home to all high school parents the week of August 8.

August 4, 2011 Dear Parents and Students: The high school is hosting Schedule Pick Up Nights (SPUN) on August 17 and 18, 2011. Students= schedules will not be mailed home. There will be a variety of opening-school activities included in the agenda. All forms must be completed and submitted before the opening of school. Schedule information in PowerSchool will not be available until after August 22. Freshmen Orientation - Including Schedule Pick Up Freshmen should report to the main entrance lobby on Wednesday, August 17 for an orientation session from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Students need to bring their completed Emergency Medical Authorization Form and updated Student Verification form. Freshmen will also have their BMI/weight, vision and hearing screenings done on this date. Following the orientation, students and parents are encouraged to visit the tables in the cafeteria between 4:00-7:00 p.m. to pay fees, etc. See the reverse side of this letter for more details. New Student Orientation – (sophomores-seniors) An orientation meeting for new sophomores, juniors, and seniors will be held on Thursday, August 18, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Please report to the main entrance lobby at 1 p.m. for this meeting with the guidance counselors. Sophomores-Seniors Students with a last name beginning in A-L should attend on Wednesday, August 17, anytime between 4:00-7:00 p.m. Students whose last name starts with M-Z should attend anytime from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 18. In order to expedite the SPUN process, parents are asked to complete the enclosed Emergency Medical Authorization Form and update the Student Verification form and bring these completed forms with them on August 17 or 18.

WHEN: Last name A-L Wednesday, August 17 * 4:00-7:00 p.m.

Last name M-Z Thursday, August 18 * 4:00-7:00 p.m. * You may attend at any time, you do not need to report at 4:00 p.m. The entire process should take less than one hour. WHERE: Cafeteria

WHAT: ♦ Students will receive their class schedules upon submission of their completed Emergency Medical Authorization

Form and the updated Student Verification. Please note that these forms must be completed and turned in to receive the student’s schedule.

♦ If there is a mistake in their schedule, a student may make an appointment to see their guidance counselor. However, guidance counselors will not be available on these evenings.

♦ Freshmen health screenings (vision, hearing, BMI/weight) PARTICIPATION FEES & OTHER INFORMATION: (See the reverse side of this letter for more details.) ♦ PTO, Athletic Boosters, Music Boosters, Theater Parents and Special Needs Parent-Teacher Organization will

distribute information, enlist parent volunteers and accept memberships. ♦ Athletic and extra-curricular participation fees paid ♦ Purchase a Lion’s Pride Pass! ♦ All clubs, organizations and teams have been invited to set up an information table. Students unable to attend one of the pick-up nights will receive their schedules in the main entrance lobby on the first day of school. For additional school-related information, visit www.bexleyschools.org to view the high school parent newsletter. We look forward to seeing you at one of these evenings. If you have questions, please call the high school office at 231-4591. Sincerely, Harley Williams Principal

Page 1 of 2

INFORMATION REGARDING VARIOUS FEES FOR 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR

Athletic participation fee - $ 50.00 for the first sport; $25.00 for each additional sport; $200 family cap – make check

payable to Bexley City Schools Band - $10.00 – make check payable to Bexley City Schools Boosters – $30 single membership / $50 family membership / $200 Booster sponsorship – make check payable to Bexley

Athletic Boosters Lion’s Pride Pass – $ 50.00 – make check payable to Bexley City Schools

Purchase of this pass entitles the student to admission to all home athletic events (excludes OHSAA & MSL tournaments), theater department productions and Homecoming dances for no additional cost. Pass holders are also eligible for Lion’s Pride Prize Drawings! If the student had a school photo taken last school year, a 2011-2012 ID may be received when the student’s schedule is picked up and this can be used for the LPP. If a school photo wasn’t taken last year, then an ID photo must be taken for this pass even if a picture packet is not purchased. School picture day is Thursday, August 25.

Music Parents - $20 annual membership / $100 lifetime membership – make check payable to Bexley Music Parents PLAN test – $12.00 (freshmen) – make check payable to Bexley High School This pre-ACT test will be administered on Wednesday, October 12, 2011. PSAT test – $14.00 (sophomores & juniors) – make check payable to Bexley High School This pre-SAT test is scheduled for Wednesday, October 12, 2011. PTO - $15.00 family membership – make check payable to Bexley High School PTO (see enclosed membership form) Membership includes one copy of the high school student directory. Additional callers are $3.00 each. Callers will

be distributed at Open House on September 22. Theatre Arts - $25.00 – make check payable to Bexley City Schools Student participation in cast, crew, and after-school activities such as conferences Theatre Parents - $15.00 annual / $100 lifetime membership – make check payable to Bexley HS Theatre Parents

Bexley Theatre Parents is an advocate for outstanding drama programs in all of the Bexley schools. Membership supports maintenance of the theatre program Web site, workshops and residencies with visiting artists, scholarships for theatre conferences and festivals, and Thespian award banquets.

School Pictures – for inclusion in the yearbook, for a school ID, and to obtain a Lion’s Pride Pass. See the enclosed

Lifetouch order form for packet selection and pricing. Students can have their pictures taken on Thursday, August 25, during their study hall period or at lunch time.

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BEXLEY SCHOOL CALENDAR 2011 – 2012

ACTUAL DAYS

IN ATTENDANCE STAFF DAYS

IN IN DAY OF CALENDAR PUPILS NOT

MONTH MONTH 9 WKS WEEK DATE EVENT IN SCHOOL Aug. 6 Fri. Aug. 19 New Teachers’ Orientation

Aug. Mon. Aug. 22 Flexible Staff In-Service Day* 1

Aug. Tues. Aug. 23 Staff In-Service Day** 1

Aug. Wed. Aug. 24 Schools Open

Sept. 20 Mon. Sept. 5 Labor Day

Sept. Thur. Sept. 29 Schools Closed-Rosh Hashanah

Oct. 19 Fri. Oct. 21 Schools Closed-Staff In-Service Day** 1

Oct. 45 Fri. Oct. 28 End of First Nine Weeks

Oct. 1 Mon. Oct. 31 First Day – Second Nine Weeks

Nov. Tues. Nov. 8 Schools Closed-Staff In-Service Day** 1

Nov. Fri. Nov. 11 Elem. Schools Closed-Parent/

Teacher Conferences

Nov. Wed. Nov. 23 Schools Closed-Par/Teach Conf.

Nov. Thur. Nov. 24 Schools Closed-Thanksgiving

Nov. 19 Fri. Nov. 25 Schools Closed-Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 12 Mon. Dec. 19 Schools Closed-Winter Break

Jan. Tues. Jan. 3 Schools Open

Jan. Mon. Jan. 16 Schools Closed-M.L. King, Jr. Day

Jan. Fri. Jan. 20 End of Second Nine Weeks

Jan. 13 45 Mon. Jan. 23 Schools Closed-Staff on Duty*** 1 90

Jan. 6 Tues. Jan. 24 Second Semester Begins

Feb. Fri. Feb. 17 HS & MS Closed-Parent/Teach Conf

Feb. 20 Mon. Feb. 20 Schools Closed-Presidents’ Day

Mar. Mon. Mar. 19 Schools Closed-Spring Break

Mar. 17 Mon. Mar. 26 Schools Open

Mar. 43 Fri. Mar. 30 End of Third Nine Weeks

Apr. 20 Mon. Apr. 2 First Day-Fourth Nine Weeks

Apr. Fri. Apr. 6 Schools Closed-Good Friday

May 22 Mon. May 28 Schools Closed-Memorial Day

June Sun. Jun. 3 High School Graduation

June Thurs. Jun. 7 Last Day of School

June 5 47 Fri. Jun. 8 Staff on Duty*** 1 90 6

180 Days of Pupil Attendance – Includes 2 days of parent/teacher conferences

6 Staff Days for Teachers

186 Total Days in Calendar

NOTE: (1) Ohio public schools are authorized to use up to four half-days for parent conferences during the

school year for grades K-12. These dates will be announced as conference plans are made.

(2) This calendar may be revised by the Board of Education.

(3) Spring Break dates are tentative (March 19-23) pending finalization of The Ohio State University’s 2012

Winter Quarter calendar.

Calamity Days (5 make-up days): Presidents’ Day (1), June 8, 11, 12, 13 (4)

* Flexible Staff In-Service Day – to support Staff Development – approved by Superintendent

** Schools Closed - Staff In-Service Day *** Schools Closed – Staff on Duty

BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVAL – JANUARY 13, 2010 – REVISED MARCH 8, 2010 – REVISED APRIL 25, 2011

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING SENIOR PICTURES

Dear parent/guardian and members of the class of 2012,

As you begin to make plans for your senior year, senior portraits may come to mind. Our goal for the Bexley

yearbook is to have every senior represented in the senior section. The yearbook is printed with archival quality

paper so in 40 years, unlike those printed from your printer at home or from the local quick printing store, your

pictures should still look bright and sharp. The Bexleo yearbook becomes the historical record of the year’s

events and people for Bexley High School and subsequent reunions. Therefore, it is important that each senior

is pictured in the 2012 yearbook.

On April 25th

, your son/daughter attended an assembly where Cilento Photography (formerly Cubberly by

Prestige) made a presentation about senior pictures and the many things to consider. Cilento Photography has

been designated the official yearbook photographer for the class of 2012. In order that our yearbook's senior

color portrait pages maintain acceptable quality and consistency in color, design, background, and size, we

require that your yearbook portrait be taken by Cilento’s. They will provide the yearbook with an image that

you select at no cost.

In order for your picture to appear in the yearbook, you must be photographed by Cilento Photography

no later than Nov. 15. If you decide to have only your yearbook picture taken at Cilento, then you’ll need to

be photographed in before Sept. 1 for it to be free. If you wait and decide to have only a senior yearbook

portrait taken after Sept 1, you will pay their normal session fee. Beginning June 1, call Cilento Photography

(614) 430-8610 to schedule your appointment.

Cilento Photography (formerly Cubberly’s/Prestige) has been photographing and providing family and senior

portraits to central Ohio families for 73 years. Cilento’s is opening central Ohio’s largest and new state-of-the

art studio specializing in senior photographs, weddings, and families. They work with several dozen schools in

central Ohio through their studios. They have a history of local and national reputation for quality and

professionalism and have won numerous local and national awards. Their Polaris studio is at 1314 Polaris

Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240- just a short 20 minute hop from Bexley. As discussed at the assembly, they

offer superior quality photographs and competitively priced packages from $99.00. Session fees start at $30.00

and go to $120.00. If you schedule by June 15th

you will receive 50% off the session fee and 20% off any

packages purchased. They have been the Consumers Choice Award recipient for the Columbus area.

You will probably receive many solicitations from area studios with competing offers, and you can go where

you would like, however there is no support provided to the Bexley High School yearbook by any other studio.

Cilento’s is providing copies of senior portraits, instruction to our photographic staff, photographers to

photograph special events, and materials and processing of our photographs. We look forward to working with

them during the year.

Sincerely,

Mr. Kramer

Yearbook adviser

Email: craig.kramer@bexleyschools.org

CHECK IT OUT! http://www.studyguidezone.com is a Web site that offers free study guides to students for a variety of standardized tests.

REPORTING ABSENCES

When a student is absent, a parent or guardian is to report the absence by leaving a message in the high school voice mail. This automated system is accessible 24-hours a day. Please call as early as possible, preferably before 9:00 a.m. The procedure for using the voice mail system is outlined below. ** High School Automated Line -

237-4273 OR 237-4309 ** Select 8 to reach the high school ** Select 6 for the high school absence line ** Please speak slowly, clearly and state the

following information:

1 Student's name 2 Reason for absence 3 Length of absence (if known) 4 Name of person leaving message

WE APPRECIATE YOUR USE OF THIS

REPORTING SYSTEM

2011-2012 ACT TESTING DATES

Registration Deadlines Testing Date Regular Late*

Sept. 10, 2011 Aug. 12 Aug. 13-26 Oct. 22, 2011 Sept. 16 Sept. 17-30 Dec. 10, 2011 Nov. 4 Nov. 5-18 Feb. 11, 2012 Jan. 13 Jan. 14-20

April 14, 2012 March 9 March 10-23

June 9, 2012 May 4 May 5-18

* Fee applies

On-line registration is available at http://www.act.org

2011-2012 SAT TESTING DATES

Registration Deadlines Testing Date Regular Late*

Oct. 1, 2011 Sept. 9 Sept. 21 Nov. 5, 2011 Oct. 7 Oct. 21 Dec. 3, 2011 Nov. 6 Nov. 20 Jan. 28, 2012 Dec. 30 Jan. 13 March 10, 2012 Feb. 10 Feb. 24 May 5, 2012 April 6 April 20 June 2, 2012 May 8 May 22

Bexley High School is a testing center for all test dates.

* Fee applies On-line registration is available at

http://www.collegeboard.com

HIGH SCHOOL BELL SCHEDULES

Please note the bell schedules have been changed effective with the 2011-2012 school year

REGULAR

PERIOD START END

Warning Bell 7:49 A.M. 1 7:54 8:44 A.M. 2 8:48 9:38 3 9:42 10:32 4 10:36 11:26 Announcements 11:26 11:31 LUNCH 11:31 12:31 P.M. Warning Bell 12:26 P.M. 5 12:31 1:21 6 1:25 2:15 7 2:19 3:10

LATE START / AM ASSEMBLY

PERIOD START END

Warning Bell 7:49 A.M. Homeroom 7:54 8:54 A.M. 1 8:58 9:40 2 9:44 10:26 3 10:30 11:12 4 11:16 11:58 A.M. LUNCH 11:58 12:56 Warning Bell 12:51 P.M. 5 12:56 1:38 6 1:42 2:24 7 2:28 3:10

SUSPICIOUS PERSONS NOTICE The Bexley Police Department sends notices to the schools whenever threatening incidents have occurred in the community. These notices are posted in the high school office.

NOTICE TO PARENTS

If you do not want your student's name and address given to the military representatives or

college prep courses, please come and place your name on the list in the guidance office or

contact guidance counselor Kristen McMahon at kristen.mcmahon@bexleyschools.org and request that

your student's information not be included on these lists.

HOW TO BUY YOUR SCHOOL LUNCH

We want to make certain every student has a wonderful lunch experience and they eat a healthy lunch

meal each day.

To help this happen, for every student, we have a computerized meal charging program in each of our

schools. All students and teachers have a number that they use to check out in the food line. The number is

entered, the student’s picture and account balance is seen by the food service worker. Students can add money to

their account as they go through the line. All the necessary records are kept in secure student accounts. Students,

who qualify for free or reduced priced lunches, also enter their number, their picture and account balance are seen

by the food service worker. This prevents students, who receive free or reduced priced meals, from being

identified in any way to other students in the cafeteria or in the food line. This system makes certain that no child

is embarrassed by how their lunch is being paid.

If you or your children have any questions at all about this program, please contact Jim Anderson, Food

Service Director at 231-7611 Ext. 4104. You are welcome to come and see the program in action as soon as the

school year begins.

FROM THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

Check out the Athletic Web Site at www.bexleylions.com. Cancellations and changes are posted here

FIRST as well as directions to away events, forms, etc.

The athletic hotline is updated each day by 2 PM for changes and a listing of the day's events. The

number is 237-4273, extension 4890.

2011-2012 Booster Officers

President, Bryan Drewry

Vice President/Treasurer, Julie Eikenberry Secretary, Betsy Farrar

Fall Sports Information

All forms necessary for participation, as well as a parent-athlete handbook are available at our Web site,

www.bexleylions.com . These forms are necessary before the athlete can try-out, practice, or participate in any way!

Most of the high school sports have specific information regarding the start of practice, try-outs, etc. on their web

site, as well.

A participation fee is also required, $50 for an athlete’s first sport of the year in the fall, $25 for each

additional sport. The fee is due to the Athletic Office within a week of the first contest of the season.

2011 – 2012

Bexley Booster Membership

Name ___________________________Address ______________________________

Email ____________________________ Sport/Grade of Interest _________________________

Phone _______________________________

I am willing to volunteer (circle all that apply)

Lions Card Parent Rep Concessions Spirit Wear Capital Projects

Mulch Sale Communications Public Relations Membership Golf Outing

SINGLE MEMBERSHIP $30 Cash______ Check #____ Online

2 free adult admission tickets to any sport in the school year.

1 car magnet/decal, $5.00 in concession stand vouchers

Mention in sports program and website, Email Alerts

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP $50 Cash______ Check #____ Online

4 free adult admission tickets to any sport in the school year.

2 car magnet /decal, $10.00 in concession stand vouchers

Mention in sports program and website, Email Alerts

BOOSTER SPONSORSHIP $200 Cash______ Check #____ Online

10 free adult admission tickets to any sport in the school year.

2 car magnet /decals, $25.00 in concession stand vouchers

Business or Family advertisement in sports program and website

Email Alerts

Make Check payable to Bexley Athletic Boosters

Mail to: Peter Roberts

990 Vernon Avenue

Bexley, OH 43209

PTO NEWS: PROMOTING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Bexley High School PTO 2011-12 Officers President: Lori Silverstein Feuer lorisilverstein1@gmail.com 271-0750

Vice President: Lisa Baas EBaas59704@aol.com 580-8832

Corresponding Secretary: Carol Bowman CBunchie@aol.com

Recording Secretary: Tami Kamin-Meyer TKMwrites@gmail.com

Treasurer: Erika Halliday ehalliday@columbus.rr.com

PTO meetings are held on the following Mondays at 4:30 p.m. in the Community Room and all are encouraged and welcome to attend.

September 12, 2011 October 3 November 7 December 5

January 9, 2012 February 6 March 5 April 2 May 7

FIND UP TO DATE INFORMATION ON OUR NEW WEBSITE http://www.bexleyhs-pto.org/ Dear Parents, Welcome to the 2011-12 school year. This year, the BHS PTO will be reviving many of the activities many parents are familiar with that will allow us to help develop and support programs and initiatives that will enrich the curriculum of our students as well as those that may fall outside the school budget. Some of the goals this year include:

Establishing an excellent working relationship among parents, teachers, administrators and the com-munity

Supporting programs that will enhance the learning of our High School students

Provide feedback and suggestions for school programs

Organize fundraising efforts to support additional programs, equipment and services not covered in the school budget

Support the educational goals of the school and assist with attaining those goals through parent and community volunteerism

Recruit volunteers and coordinate volunteer efforts to staff PTO functions and assist with school pro-grams

Support programs that will bring awareness to high school students' security and safety.

The BHS PTO will be organized exclusively for the charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the IRS code during the 2011-12 school year. Thank you in advance for your ongoing support of Bexley High School’s PTO. Your efforts and willingness to participate make a tremendous impact on our students. GO LIONS! Sincerely, Lori Silverstein Feuer PTO President

Bexley Music Parents

Officers 2011-2012 Bexley Music Parents meeting dates for the coming year. All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. in

the Community Room, unless otherwise noted.

Aug 3, 2011 (place TBA)

Oct 5

Nov 2

Dec 7

Jan 4, 2012

Feb 1

Mar 2

Apr 4

May 2

Jun 6

President:

David Horn

Vice-president:

Jerry Kassoy

President-elect

Brigid Arace

Treasurer:

Teri Ghitman

Secretary:

Maureen Motter

Communications:

Jen Detwiler and Donna Hecker

What is P-VAN? P-VAN is a parent group working to promote a strong visual arts program. as well as enrichment opportunities and activities,

networking, resources, and advocacy for Bexley children, their parents, and the community at large.

What are P-VAN’s goals?

Working with the schools to ensure that ALL children are exposed to and challenged by the Visual Arts

Maximizing understanding, communication, and involvement between families, administration, and teachers

Supporting Bexley’s K-12 Visual Arts program

Advocating for including evidence of the arts within all the subject areas as appropriate to create a more substan-tive view of each of the content areas

Researching and providing resources for Visual Arts enrichment, activities, and parent support

Raising funds to support a Visual Arts Scholarship & a Visiting Artist/Designer Endowment

Building a broad-based membership in the arts for ALL Bexley children and their parents

Benefits of Membership in P-VAN

Membership in the P-VAN Internet group where you are kept up to date on all of P-VAN’s activities as well as im-portant issues in the community

P-VAN’s pamphlets explaining our current projects

Speakers on visual arts and design career topics

List of student summer programs for the visual arts

Lists of suggested books about the visual arts, design careers, and visual arts education

Mentoring from other parents with visually artistic children

Help and advice in the navigation of Bexley’s visual arts programming

Current P-VAN Projects… P-VAN was founded in October 2007. We are hoping to achieve the following projects…

Promoting the importance of the visual arts in our community and beyond

Disseminating the research-based success rates for students who participate in the visual arts

Collaborating with local businesses to provide more art venues for student work

Advocating for visual arts students, parents, and educators of Bexley City Schools

Ensuring the existence of a strong visual arts program as an essential element in our children’s lives

Working to support the visual arts programs at Bexley City Schools

Working to emphasize the connections that exist between the arts and other fields

Starting and endowing a visiting artist/ designer program in our schools

Recruiting the many arts and design professionals in our community to assist in our visiting program

Working with Art Club to continue raising money for the annual senior art scholarship

Providing help to our visual arts staff in hanging art displays and fundraisers

Bexley Parents’ Visual Arts Network

(P-VAN)

Promoting K-12 Visual Arts Issues By building a visual arts parent advocacy group, we are taking a positive and important step toward serving Bexley students and supporting our visual arts educators. Bexley’s visual arts program provides many arts opportunities for our children. P-VAN hopes to enhance and expand those opportunies by promoting the importance of a visual arts education both in our community and in our world.

Researcher Dr. Shirley Brice-Hall of Stanford University has shown that a visual arts education accomplishes much more than equipping students with traditional studio skills. It also enhances students’ critical thinking abilities and improves their performances in core cousework (Source: Americans for the Arts Action Fund). Even our own Ohio Department of Education includes “Creative Thinking,… Visual and Performing Arts, Music, Drama, and Dance” as gifted areas. (From specific ORC section 3324.01-03 definitions).

From Thomas L. Friedman (The World is Flat) to Daniel Pink (A Whole New Mind), experts from different arenas are stressing the importance of a sound visual arts education as the new big educational need for the 21st century world. Design careers have expanded into the business world and have redefined the tools necessary for success. P-VAN wants to ensure that our district’s children are exposed to these essential skills and can compete and succeed in the world.

Arts Education makes a difference in schools….and a little is not enough!

Based on Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Stanford University, Dr. Shirley Brice Heath Children who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days of the week for one full year or more are:

4 times more likely to be recognized for aca-demic achievement

3 times more likely to be elected to class office

4 times more likely to participate in a math or science fair

3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance

In addition, young art participants as compared with their peers are likely to:

Read for pleasure nearly twice as often

Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently

Perform community service nearly twice as of-ten.

from Americans for the Arts Action Fund

“The MFA is the new MBA.” Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind Bexley High School graduate, class of ‘82 “Business leaders tell us they want higher-order thinking skills in the 21st century -- specifically, critical thinking and nimbleness in judgment, creativity and imagination, cooperative decision making, leadership, high-level literacy and communication, and the capacity for problem posing and problem solving. This is exactly what the arts help produce.”

Ramon C. Cortines

Executive Director of the Pew Network for Standards-Based Reform Stanford University

Sign up on “P-VAN’s” Sakai Site: http://webcentral.bexleyschools.org

Questions? Email: mabi.poncedeleon@bexleyschools.org

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