News from Bowling Green City Schools

May 24, 2025

Message from the Superintendent

Dear Members of the Bowling Green City Schools Community,

This is the first e-newsletter since the May 6, 2025 operating levy for Bowling Green City Schools. I would be remiss if I did not again share my community letter distributed on district social media accounts and posted on the district’s website on May 7. You can read that letter here. As I stated in my letter to the community, our goal is to continue to say thank you by putting our best foot forward each and every day in all facets of our organization.

This Sunday is the Bowling Green High School Commencement Ceremony at the Stroh Center. We will honor and send off 230 graduates into the world. There are many achievements of the Class of 2025 and we are very proud of each member. Of the 230 graduates, 90 have been inducted into the National Honor Society, four have been inducted into the National Technical Honor Society, 154 have a GPA over 3.0, 57 have a GPA over 4.0, 75 graduates will receive an Honors Diploma from the State of Ohio, and one student is a National Merit Scholarship winner and a U.S. Presidential Scholar Semi-Finalist! Additionally, three graduates will attend an Ivy League university in the fall.

The list of accomplishments could continue for quite some time and I know high school principal, Mr. Dan Black, will share more at Sunday’s celebration. I firmly believe that Bowling Green City Schools has prepared all of our graduates in the class of 2025 well and I look forward to future accomplishments as they begin their next life chapter.

If you are unable to attend the event but would like to watch, commencement will be live streamed on the WBGU PBS YouTube channel using the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/tlS2XxVMC-k.

I am honored to serve the students, families, community, and staff of Bowling Green City Schools. I promise that our District will continue to 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

Honoring Achievements, Milestones,

and Memories

As we near the end of the school year, Bowling Green City Schools has been buzzing with activities and celebrations that honor both achievements and transitions. From academic and athletics awards to DARE and Kindergarten Graduations, and the senior commencement rehearsal, it has been a season of reflection, celebration, and Bobcat pride.

Our schools have also been a stage for creativity and expression. The A-MAY-zing Art Show and Senior Studio exhibit at the PAC showcased the exceptional talents of our student artists. Congratulations to Lila Vanneman, Megan Brinkman, and Landon Fry, whose metalwork was selected for the 2025 SNAG Juried Exhibition, a nationally recognized show. In addition, 12 BGHS student artists were featured in the Congressional Art Show, with Lila Vanneman earning an Honorable Mention for her piece “Ascent of Icarus”, which will be displayed in Congressman Latta’s Bowling Green office for the next year.

Our music programs were also in the spotlight, as the BGHS and BGMS Orchestras, Bands, and Choirs, and the Bobcat Beats Elementary Choir all delivered performances filled with energy, emotion, and talent.

Our schools have been rich with opportunities to build community, celebrate culture, and explore the wider world. Crim Elementary opened Wood County’s first Kindness Room, created in partnership with the Luken T. Boyle Campaign for Kindness. The room is a welcoming space for students and staff to practice intentional acts of kindness and promote a culture of compassion.

We also honored excellence in world languages with the induction ceremonies for the French and Spanish National Honor Societies, celebrating students who have demonstrated academic success and cultural appreciation.

At Kenwood Elementary, the school marked its 70th birthday with a joyful celebration involving alumni, staff, and students—complete with a cake, games, and a group photo the shape of “70.” The annual Elementary Library Volunteer Breakfast also honored our dedicated volunteers, including a special tribute to Mr. Kevin Sullivan for nearly a decade of service.

Over the past month, many students have attended field trips and there have been numerous guest speakers in our classrooms, to enhance their learning.

As we close out the year, we reflect on all of the achievements of the 2024-2025 school year and celebrate our students, staff, and volunteers who make us so Bobcat Proud!

Photo: Senior walk-through at Kenwood.

Photo: Senior walk-through at Crim.

Photo: Senior walk-through at Conneaut.

Photo: Kenwood Kindergarteners

Photo: Crim Kindergarteners

Photo: French National Honor Society Induction

Photo: Spanish National Honor Society Induction.

Photo: Luken T. Boyle Campaign for Kindness: Crim Kindness Room Opening.

Photo: Elementary Library Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. Special thanks to Mr. Sullivan for 10 years of service—and to all of our library volunteers who make a difference in our schools!

Photo: Kenwood 70th birthday.

Photo: BGMS Choir concert.

Photo: Willow with her artwork at the A-MAY-zing Art Show at Senior Studio.

Photo: Megan Brinkman's piece in the SNAG Exhibition.

Photo: Congressional Art Show

Photo: Conneaut DARE Graduation

Photo: Conneaut Fifth Grade Gallery Walk.

Photo: Fourth graders at the 41st Annual Farm Festival.

Photo: Conneaut students at Zimmerman School eating a typical 1892 lunch.

Photo: Student Research Symposium at the Toledo Zoo.

Photo: Students in Mr. Carney’s social studies classes wrapped up their Civil War unit with a visit from Civil War reenactors Rob (retired BGCS teacher!) & Lisa Morgan—complete with interesting stories, drum beats, uniforms, & gear! A powerful way to bring history to life!

From the Page to the Stage:

BG Educators Recognized for Impact

Congratulations to Michelle Thomas and Stacey Higgins for receiving the “I Love BG” award for leading 1BookBG. Since 2015, this program has brought the whole community together by giving every elementary student the same book to read—plus author visits and fun events around town. They credit the teamwork of teachers, local businesses, families, and partners like Wood County District Public Library, WBGU, the BGSU Library, and others, all working together to make it possible and spark a love of reading in elementary students in Bowling Green.

We are also proud to share that Dr. JoBeth Gonzalez will be inducted into the Educational Theatre Association's 2025 Hall of Fame! Dr. Gonzalez will be recognized during the Educator Appreciation Dinner at EdTA's Theatre Education Conference, held June 22-24 in Bloomington, Indiana.

Dr. Gonzalez also has her third book in production through Routledge as part of their Advances in Theatre & Performance Studies Series. The book is scheduled for release in September 2025 and is entitled How High School Theatre Fosters Spiritual Strength and Critical Consciousness. Congratulations, Dr. G!

Stacey Higgins and Michele Thomas

Dr. JoBeth Gonzalez

Important End of the Year Reminders from the Food Service Department

As the school year comes to a close, BGCS families are reminded to review their students' lunch account balances. All balances—positive or negative—will carry over to the next school year. Payments can be made by sending cash or check to school (payable to Bowling Green Board of Education) or online at PaySchoolsCentral.com.

For graduating seniors, all negative balances must be paid before diplomas can be issued. Seniors with a positive balance may request a refund, a sibling transfer, or donate their remaining funds. If no action is taken within 30 days of graduation, graduating senior accounts with a positive balance will be transferred to the school’s donation account.

Families experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to reach out confidentially to Food Service Director Tabitha Hiler-Young at thiler-young@bgcs.k12.oh.us for support and options.

Information about the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (S-EBT) Program

The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (S-EBT) Program provides eligible children with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during summer break. If your child receives free or reduced-price school meals, they're automatically eligible! If you receive government benefits such as SNAP, Ohio Works First, TANF, Medicaid Free, or Medicaid Reduced, your students ages 6-18 may automatically be eligible for the S-EBT benefit.

It's not too late to apply for free and reduced-price school meals! Apply now to be considered for S-EBT benefits this summer! Visit PaySchoolsCentral.com to apply. It is important to go into FinalForms and verify that your address is current and that any custody information is correct.

For more information about the S-EBT Program, click here.

Note: The free and reduced school meal application for the 2025-2026 school year will open on July 1, 2025. Please fill out the 2024-2025 application now if you would like to be considered for the S-EBT program for this summer.

If you have any questions, please contact Food Service Director Tabitha Hiler-Young at thiler-young@bgcs.k12.oh.us

Mark Your Calendars

May 25: Senior Class Graduation: 2 p.m. at the BGSU Stroh Center

May 26: Memorial Day – SCHOOLS CLOSED

May 30: Last day of classes for PK-11 students (End of Fourth Quarter)

June 2: Staff work day – NO STUDENTS

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

High School Athletics: https://hs.bgcs.k12.oh.us/athleticshs

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

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