News from Bowling Green City Schools

October 18, 2024

Message from the Superintendent


Dear Members of the Bowling Green City Schools Community,

 

I’m excited to invite you to my next Superintendent Coffee Chat on October 23 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Grounds for Thought. This is a great opportunity to engage in open dialogue about our district and ask any questions you may have. I’m pleased to announce that District Treasurer, Matt Feasel, will be joining me to discuss important financial aspects of our district and the upcoming levy. I look forward to seeing you all on the 23rd for an informative and engaging discussion!


I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended today’s levy presentation at the Wood County Senior Center. Your participation is vital as we strive to provide comprehensive information regarding the upcoming levy request, ensuring our community is well-informed.


I am hoping by now you received the District’s printed newsletter! Revitalizing our school district newsletter marks a significant step in enhancing transparency and keeping our community well-informed. By integrating this with our comprehensive communication strategy, which includes daily communication such as this bi-monthly e-newsletter you are currently reading, daily social media updates, bi-monthly radio spots on The Morning Show, Superintendent Coffee Chats, and a newly refreshed website, we aim to provide a clear and consistent flow of information. This multifaceted approach underscores our commitment to ensuring that every community member stays engaged and up-to-date with the latest developments and opportunities within our district. We plan to have two printed newsletters each year to help inform our community.


I am honored to serve the students, families, community, and staff of Bowling Green City Schools. I promise that our District will work hard to improve each day to provide a high-quality education for our students, a financially sound organization for our stakeholders, and be a point of pride for the entire community.

 

Go Bobcats,


Dr. Ted Haselman

Superintendent

Hometown Heroes Penny War Results

The Elementary Schools triumphed in the Penny War, earning an impressive 31,033 points! The Middle School secured second place, with the High School finishing third. Thanks to the generosity of all who participated, nearly $3,000 was raised to support the Bowling Green Community Foundation’s Hometown Heroes Banner Program! The funds will be used to establish an endowment to maintain and preserve our current Hometown Hero banners and support future displays throughout the city. 


A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who donated, helped organize the event at each school, and to those who dedicated time to counting the donations. The funds collected will be officially presented to a BGCF representative during each school’s Veterans Day program.

Bowling Green Schools Foundation 25th Anniversary Banquet and Awards

Congratulations to the Bowling Green Schools Foundation for a wonderful 25th anniversary celebration which was held at the Wood County Senior Center! The BGSF has been a generous supporter of Bowling Green City Schools over the past 25 years with over $500,000 in grants and student scholarships! Thank you to the BGSF Board members who planned and organized this wonderful event and who dedicate their time, talent and resources to the foundation year-round.


During the celebration, three outstanding individuals from Bowling Green City Schools were honored. Congratulations to Pat Carney, recipient of the Excellence in Education Award, Nick Snyder, recipient of the Community Member of the Year Award, and Scott Hamilton, who was presented with the inaugural Scott Hamilton Award for Distinguished Alumni! Click here to read more about the event!


We were privileged to welcome back our very own Olympic Gold Medalist, Scott Hamilton (BGHS '76), during his visit for the awards ceremony. Scott spoke with our high school and middle school athletes and student leaders earlier in the day, sharing his inspiring journey and emphasizing the importance of Bowling Green as a nurturing environment for personal growth and success. Scott, a four-time U.S. Champion, a four-time World Champion, and the 1984 Olympic Gold medalist in figure skating, also discussed the importance of self-discovery, perseverance, and learning from failures. He encouraged the students, emphasizing that with hard work and determination, dreams can come true.

Photo 1: Mr. Pat Carney, Mr. Scott Hamilton and Mr. Nick Snyder.

Photo 2: Dr. Ted Haselman, Mr. Norm Geer, Mrs. Peggy Thompson, Mrs. Tracy Hovest, Mr. Scott Hamilton, Mr. Ryan Myers, Dr. Ardy Gonyer, Mr. Matt Feasel.

Photo 3: Mr. Scott Hamilton with BGHS students after his presentation for students.

Author Jerrett Lerner Visits K-5 Students for 1BookBG

Author and illustrator Jarrett Lerner visited K-5 students in Bowling Green thanks to the support of Wood County District Public Library. Mr. Lerner offered an engaging presentation with valuable insights into character and story development for our students. He emphasized starting simple when creating characters, both in writing and drawing. He encouraged students to embrace the revision process, explaining that his own drawings and stories often undergo dozens or even hundreds of revisions.


Lerner shared that there are no bad drawings—just drawings that may need adjustments to communicate an idea better. He asked for student input and then showed them the process of coming up with a character and story idea and developing it into a short story.  The story at each school was different because students came up with different characters and plots.


Lerner also provided students with a "recipe" for great storytelling:

1. Create a character readers want to follow, making them as lifelike as possible.

2. Give that character something they want to achieve - a clear goal or dream.

3. Introduce obstacles and challenges that make it difficult for them to achieve their goal, creating a sense of struggle and perseverance where they keep trying even if they get knocked down. He explained that this gives the reader excitement and inspiration.


He told students that great books inspire him. He mentioned that he reads all the time and emphasized that reading leads to better writing. When asked if he always wanted to be an author, he recalled his own journey, mentioning an author visit in college that inspired him to pursue his passion. He told students that consistent practice helped him hone his writing and drawing skills. He urged students to pursue their passions and continue practicing, emphasizing that consistent effort can lead to great achievements.

Snapshot of Success:

Highlights from Around the District

Here are a few photos of highlights from around the district over the past few weeks.

BGHS Choirs Sing Me a Story Concert

Preschool field trip to Johnston Fruit Farms.

Congratulations to our FFA Chapter Degree Recipients! Twenty-nine 2nd year members received the highest degree a chapter can bestow! Congratulations to the 51 Greenhand Degree members who were officially initiated as members of the Penta-Bowling Green High School FFA!

Congratulations to our FFA Soil Judging CDE team members who won first place at the District competition

Annie, Izzy and Kyla competed at the FFA state competition for Soil Judging CDE!

These FFA members competed in the Wood County Sub-District Job Interview. In D1, Emma placed 5th. In D2, Grace placed 2nd. In D3, Grace placed 2nd. In D4, Addie placed 1st and Annie placed 6th.Grace and Addie will be moving onto the district competition on Nov. 4! 

Dr. Haselman presented information at the Wood County Senior Center regarding the 0.75% traditional school district income tax levy that is on the November 5 ballot. To read the FAQ Document, click here.

BGMS Jazz Band and 7th/8th Grade Band performance.

BGCS staff went to the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference in Columbus

Members of FFA and DECA attended the inaugural Connect and Lead: OASSA Student Leadership Conference.

The Bobcat Tennis Team is the 2024 NLL Cardinal Division Champions!

Bobcat Volleyball came up with a sweep of Lima Senior in the first round of tournament play! Next match is Tuesday at 7:30 vs Defiance at Kalida High School.

BGHS Art Club Pumpkin Carving and Painting.

Kenwood Kindergarteners learned about fire safety for National Fire Safety Week!

BGHS Jazz Band and Marching Band performances.

Both the Boys and Girls Cross Country teams defended their titles as NLL Cardinal Division Champions!

Alayna Mahan broke the school record for goals in a season!

Girls soccer had an 8-0 sectional win over Waite! District semi-final is on Wednesday at Lake!

Julia Barnett earned 1st team all district honors!

Kenwood STEAM Club

Residents of The Willows at Bowling Green spent time with our Kenwood Elementary student leaders making crafts. 

BGCS staff during today's professional development day.

BGMS students at the BGSU Women in STEM conference.

BGMS students at the BGSU Women in STEM conference.

BGMS 7th grade science teacher Paula Williams led two breakout sessions at the BGSU Women in STEM conference.

Mark Your Calendars

District Calendars can be found here: https://www.bgcs.k12.oh.us/district/calendars

High School Athletics: https://go.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/OHSAA/RSMYGC/about

Middle School Athletics: https://go.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/OHSAA/M82YW7/about


October 21: Second Quarter Begins

October 23: Superintendent's Coffee Chat, 5-6 p.m. at Grounds for Thought; Crim PTO Mtg. 6:15 p.m.

October 24: Preschool/Elementary/MS/HS Evening Conferences (4:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.)

October 25: Preschool/Elementary/MS/HS Morning Conferences (8:15 a.m.-12 p.m.)

(NO CLASSES/PK-12 STUDENTS)

October 30: BGMS Picture Retake Day

October 30: Preschool/Elementary Evening Conferences (4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.)

October 31, November 1 – 3: Fall Play: Macbeth

November 1: Preschool/Elementary Morning Conferences (8:15 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

(NO CLASSES/PK-5 STUDENTS)

November 6: Financial Aid Night, PAC, 6-7 p.m. and BGHS Winter Sports Mandatory Coaches/Parents/Athletes meeting, PAC, 7 p.m.

November 19: Board of Education Meeting, PAC Lobby (6 p.m.)

November 27: NO CLASSES PK-12 STUDENTS/TEACHERS

November 28-29 Thanksgiving Break – SCHOOLS CLOSED

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