News from Bowling Green City Schools
September 4, 2026
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Message from the Superintendent
Dear Members of the Bowling Green City Schools Community,
As we wrap up the third week of the 2026–27 school year, I am pleased to share that we are off to a great start! Our students are engaged in learning, our staff members are working hard to support their success, and our extracurricular activities are already experiencing some wonderful accomplishments.
One of the things I enjoy most about the beginning of a new school year is seeing the energy and excitement. From classrooms and hallways to athletic fields and extracurricular activities, it is encouraging to see our students learning, growing, and getting involved.
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I also invite members of our community to join me for my first Superintendent Coffee Chat of the school year. Please stop by Biggby Coffee on Wooster Ave. on Wednesday, September 16, from 8:00–9:00 a.m. I truly enjoy these opportunities to see everyone, hear your thoughts, and have informal conversations about the topics that are on your mind. I hope you will join me for a cup of coffee and conversation!
As you look through this issue of our e-newsletter, you will find many pictures and short stories highlighting the positive things happening across our school district during these first few weeks. These snapshots are a wonderful reminder of the many great things taking place each day because of the dedication of our students, staff, families, and community.
Thank you for helping us make the beginning of this school year such a positive one. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together throughout the 2026–27 school year!
Go Bobcats,
Dr. Ted Haselman
Superintendent
| | | Bobcat Fall Sports are in Full Swing | | |
The fall sports season is in full swing at Bowling Green High School and Bowling Green Middle School with Bobcat athletes representing BGCS on courses, courts, fields, and trails. There are over 300 high school student athletes participating in cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, and volleyball and nearly 150 seventh and eighth grade student athletes participating in football, volleyball, cross country and cheerleading. From exciting victories and personal-best performances to continued growth and teamwork, each program has contributed to a great start to the season.
In addition to developing their athletic abilities, our student athletes learn to work together as a team and receive direction and feedback from their coaches. They develop their leadership skills and learn discipline, commitment, responsibility, and time management. They also experience the value of setting goals, persevering through challenges, and supporting others while building friendships, and Bobcat Pride. These are important skills they will use throughout their lives.
No matter the results on the scoreboard, we are proud of all our student-athletes and coaches and look forward to supporting them throughout the remainder of the fall season.
You can support our student athletes by coming watch them play and cheer them on!
For athletic schedules visit:
Senior citizens who are 60 years and older and reside in the Bowling Green City School district boundaries can obtain a Bobcat Gold Card for free admission at home athletic events (except hockey and swimming) by visiting the BGCS Administrative Offices located at 137 Clough Street from 8:30 - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Our schools and offices are closed on September 7 for Labor Day. Please bring proper identification.
BGHS Athletics now has an online store where you can order a variety of apparel and products at any time of the year and have it shipped directly to your home. A percentage of sales goes back to theBGHS athletic department: https://shop.game-one.com/ohio/bowling-green/bowling-green-bobcats/bghs-bobcats-all-school-spirit-wear
If you would like to get involved with the Bowling Green Bobcat Athletic Boosters and help support our student athletes, you can attend their next meeting on September 14 at 6 p.m. in the BGHS library. All are welcome. Make sure to visit their Facebook page throughout the year for photos from our varsity athletic team events.
| | Pictured below: BGHS and BGMS cheerleading, BGHS and BGMS girls and boys cross country, BGHS and BGMS football, BGHS boys and girls golf, BGHS boys and girls soccer, BGHS girls tennis, BGHS and BGMS girls volleyball teams (Photo credit: Todd Brininger with Main Street Photo) | |
Be Here Bobcats: Attendance Matters!
Every day at school is an opportunity to learn, connect and grow. Regular attendance helps students build academic skills, meaningful relationships, confidence, and healthy routines. Missing only two or three days each month can add up quickly and put a student on track to become chronically absent.
What does “chronically absent” mean? Ohio law defines a student as chronically absent when the student misses at least 10% of the minimum number of school hours required for the year (18 days or about 119 hours) of missed school.
All time missed from instruction contributes to chronic absence, including:
- Excused absences
- Unexcused absences
- Late arrivals
- Early dismissals
- Time missed for appointments
Chronic absence is different from truancy. An excused absence can contribute to chronic absence, but it does not count toward habitual-truancy.
What is habitual truancy? Habitual truancy is based only on absences without a legitimate excuse. Ohio law defines a habitual truant as a student who has accumulated:
- 30 consecutive unexcused hours
- 42 unexcused hours in one school month
- 72 unexcused hours in one school year
When will families be contacted? A student will begin to trigger an attendance concern at 6 days (about 44 hours) of missed school. Ohio law requires districts to communicate with families about attendance concerns no later than when a student has missed 5% of the minimum required school hours. Receiving an attendance notice does not necessarily mean the absences were unexcused or that a family is in trouble. It is an opportunity for the school and family to communicate, identify barriers and work together before the student misses additional instructional time.
How families can help:
- Establish consistent bedtime and morning routines.
- Prepare clothing, backpacks, and school materials the night before.
- Schedule nonurgent appointments outside the school day when possible.
- Monitor attendance, late arrivals, and early dismissals.
- Develop a backup transportation plan.
- Contact the school early if your child is experiencing health concerns, transportation problems, or another attendance barrier.
We are here to help. If your child is struggling to attend school regularly, please contact your child’s teacher, school counselor, principal, or school office. Working together early can help students remain connected, supported, and on track.
| | BGHS Students Gain New Perspective Through Regional Theatre Collaboration | | |
Five Bowling Green High School Drama Club students recently gained a unique educational experience. Quinn Percival, Aidan Thomas, Calista Motisher, Greta Chung, and Quinn Foust are participating as cast and crew members alongside students and educators from several area high school theatre programs in the Northwest Ohio Theatre Educators Network’s production of Come From Away, co-directed by BGCS teacher and theatre director Dr. JoBeth Gonzalez.
The musical tells the true story of the small community of Gander, Newfoundland, which welcomed thousands of airline passengers whose flights were diverted following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
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As part of their preparation, the company visited the Wood County Airport, where Ben Motisher and Cindy Ducar, Calista’s parents, spoke with the group about their family’s experiences living just miles from New York City on the morning of 9/11. The students explored a plane flown by Mr. Motisher and even had an opportunity to sit in the cockpit.
With the 25th anniversary of September 11 approaching, the experience helped students develop a deeper understanding of the history behind the production and the real people whose lives were changed that day. It also gave them an opportunity to collaborate with young performers from throughout Northwest Ohio while exploring the show’s themes of compassion, resilience and people coming together during a time of crisis.
The show is being performed September 9-12 at 7:30 p.m. and September 13 at 2:30 p.m. at Maumee Valley Country Day School. Tickets are $15, or $10 for first responders and children under 10 years.
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| Math Kangaroo Team Competition | | |
BGCS students in grades 1–12 are invited to team up for a fun, collaborative math challenge! Teams of 2–4 students will solve creative multiple-choice and short-answer problems while building teamwork and problem-solving skills.
- Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
- Time: 4–5 p.m.
- Location: Bowling Green Middle School
- Cost: $15 per student through September 15; $25 per student September 16–October 15
Teams may include different grade levels but will compete at the grade level of the oldest student. A parent or guardian should serve as the team coach and complete one registration for the entire team. For more information and to register your team, please visit: https://mathkangaroo.org/mks/math-kangaroo-team-competition/team-competition-general-information
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Goodwill Pass It On Challenge
We’re facing off against Northview in the Goodwill Pass It On Challenge! Declutter your home this weekend and bring your donations of clothing, household items, and furniture:
- September 8-10
- 2 - 6 p.m.
- Goodwill donation trailer in the BGMS parking lot.
Snap and share your donation photos on social media (FB, Instagram, X and LinkedIn) by tagging @GoodwillNow, and earn an additional 100 pounds for your school’s total weight with each post.
The school that has collected the most weight from donors will be announced as the winner of that week’s challenge. Goodwill will award the winning school with a $500 scholarship
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2027 OMEA
All State Ensembles
Congratulations to the following BGCS students who auditioned and were selected to participate in the 2027 OMEA All-State Ensembles:
All-State Band
- Corinna Kramer
- Owen Ruffell
All-State Choir
All-State Orchestra (alternates)
- Bella Burkholder
- Isaac Metzger
All-State Children’s Chorus
- Catherine "Kit" Jatho
- Charlotte Marks
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Bobcat Band All-Class Band Alumni Event
| Pictured below: 1926 BGHS Band | | |
BGHS Class of 1996 30-Year Class Reunion:
| | Kenwood students are pictured painting the snowplow blade that will be displayed at the Black Swamp Arts Festival next weekend. | | The BGMS Bobcat Cross Country team opened its season with a strong showing at the Lake Invitational! The eighth-grade boys captured first place, led by meet champion Theo Madaras, while the seventh-grade boys and both girls teams finished as runners-up. Congratulations, Bobcats! | | Miss Rable's English students at BGMS worked collaboratively at learning stations exploring the content and themes of their first book and instructional unit through hands-on activities. | | The Bobcat Marching Band recently performed with the BGSU Marching Band at Rally on Main. | | Follow Bowling Green City Schools on Social Media | | | | |
