Watterson Wednesday News

Welcome to the New School Year!

Dear Parents,

I hope your family has had a great summer. It's getting to that time when everybody is ready to get back into the routine of school and the activities and events that come along with the school year.

The first day of school, Wednesday, August 20, will be Freshman Orientation. Only freshmen will attend that day. On Thursday, August 21, we will welcome back the seniors, juniors and sophomores as well as the freshmen. Both Wednesday and Thursday will be 1:48 p.m. dismissal days. Friday, August 23 will be a normal 2:57 dismissal day.

As we spend these last two weeks preparing for a new school year, I ask you to join us in praying for the grace to live out the guiding principle I share frequently with our students: love God, do your best and take care of one another.

Read on for all of the back-to-school information you need to ensure a smooth start to the school year for your family.

Deacon Chris Campbell '77

Principal

August Important Dates

August 17

Freshman Parent Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

August 20

Freshman Orientation, see below

August 21

First Day, All Grades, 1:48 dismissal

August 23

Freshman Mixer, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

August 25

School Picture Day

Freshman Orientation

Date: Wednesday, August 20

Start Time: 7:45 a.m. (doors open at 7:30 a.m.)

Entrance: Dominican Hall entry doors on Foster St.

Attire: full school uniform

School Supplies: None are needed today. Teachers will let students know what supplies they will need.

Lunch: the cafeteria will be open; students can either purchase lunch or pack.

The cafeteria has an electronic payment system or students can pay cash. To upload funds, click here.



Dismissal Time: 1:48 p.m.

If you will be picking up your freshman, it is best to arrive around 2:00 p.m. as many freshmen like to go back to their lockers or walk their schedules one more time. Watch for our dismissal procedure in an upcoming Wednesday News.

Just Published

The 2024-25 edition of our New Family Survival Guide is now available. It can be found on our website's homepage or by clicking >Student Life >Forms & Flyers.

Summer Office Hours

August 4-19

Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.



School Days Starting August 20

7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Final Forms for All Students

Now is a great time to get ahead on completing your student's required paperwork for the school year. All families must complete final forms for each student.  These are not just for athletics but include emergency medical information, handbook and technology acceptance, and more. Freshman families new to the school need to create an account. 

Email Communication

We have updated our parent email list for 2025-26 based on what we have listed in PowerSchool. Email/phone/address changes should be sent to Mrs. Claprood, ms.claprood@bwhs.org.

Watterson Wednesday News will arrive from bwhsinfo@bwhs.org.

Some internet service providers will occasionally push random emails into a folder other than the inbox so always check spam and other folders if you do not see it. In addition, some ISPs will shorten emails in your inbox with the option to click to read more.

Past issues of Watterson Wednesday News, can be found on our website 24/7 on the About menu click on Stay Informed.

Tuition Payments Through FACTS

Now is the time to ensure your tuition payment preferences are established and that if you are planning to pay full or half tuition this summer those payments are due in August. Otherwise, monthly payments must be set up in FACTS and all new families need to set up a FACTS account with Bishop Watterson as accounts from any other schools do not transfer. We appreciate your attention to ensuring that your tuition account is active and in good standing. 

Counselor Corner

Counseling Assignments

9th Grade School Counselor

Mrs. Sponseller, mrs.sponseller@bwhs.org 

10th - 12th Grade School Counselors

A - G: Mr. Johnson, mr.johnson@bwhs.org 

H - O (plus seniors with last names P): Mrs. Zirkle, mrs.zirkle@bwhs.org

P - Z: Mr. Woodford, twoodford@bwhs.org (primary contact for Q - Sh) and

Mrs. Fontaine, mfontaine@bwhs.org (primary contact for Si - Z)

Dominican Program Students School Counselor and Student Wellness Counselor

• Ms. Savannah Gazdik, sgazdik@bwhs.org 

Student Schedules

Schedules will be released on Wednesday, August 13. Students should contact their school counselor if there is an error in the schedule. Requests will not be taken for personal preferences in regards to a student's schedule. The window for schedule changes will be open Monday, August 25 through Friday, August 29. At that time students interested in discussing a potential schedule change should contact their school counselor. 

Note to Senior Families

Reminder to students and families: please work through the “homework assignments” sent in the Counseling News for Seniors on July 28.

Study Skills Workshop

Bishop Watterson High School will be offering an optional Study Skills Workshop for any student enrolled in grades 9-12. See details below.

Fall Parent Meetings

• Freshmen: Sunday, August 17, 6:00 p.m.
• Seniors: Monday, August 25, 6:00 p.m.
• Sophomores and Juniors: Wednesday, September 10, 6:00 p.m.

Study Skills Course

Bishop Watterson High School will be offering an optional Study Skills Workshop for any student enrolled in grades 9-12.

Date: Wednesday, August 13

Time: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Location: School Cafeteria

Cost: $40 per student​

Registration Deadline: August 11

Campus Ministry Corner

Fall Kairos Registration Going On Now

It's time for seniors to register for the Fall Kairos, September 30-October 3. Kairos is a 3½ day experience for seniors which invites them to encounter themselves, others and God in new, meaningful and unexpected ways. For more information or scholarship information, email Campus Minister Mrs. Beth Simmonds, mrs.simmonds@bwhs.org.

Click below for the registration form.

Registration is also being accepted for winter and spring dates.

A deposit of $100 is due with registration. The total cost is $275 and scholarships are available. Registration form is available at the button below.

Legends Golf Classic

Only a few foursomes left so now is your chance to join us!

Early Release Wednesdays

Bishop Watterson will continue our early release Wednesdays as we did last year.

Each Wednesday, students are released at 1:48 p.m. Teachers will be available to meet with students who need extra help until 3:30 p.m. on the second and third Wednesdays of each month. There may also be opportunities for clubs to meet.

Students will also be released early during semester finals,

around 12:30 p.m.

Health Office

Senior Reminder

Seniors must have the meningococcal vaccine prior to starting the 2025-26 school year. It's time to turn in a copy of your child's immunization record or a signed note from the physician will suffice for the documentation which must include the day, month and year of the vaccine(s). These can be delivered to the main office or emailed to our school nurse, Tonya Friend, tfriend@bwhs.org.

Freshman Reminder

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) requires students who will be in 9th grade to receive specific vaccines prior to the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. FOUR or more doses of DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), THREE or more doses of Hepatitis B, TWO doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), THREE or more doses of Polio, TWO doses of Varicella (Chickenpox), ONE dose of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) and ONE or more doses of Meningococcal Vaccine.

A copy of your child's immunization record or a signed note from the physician will suffice for the documentation which must include the day, month and year of the vaccines. This document must be turned in before the 14th day of school or your student will be excluded from school until it is done. You can drop off your child’s immunization records to the front office and CC the nurse or email them directly to me at tfriend@bwhs.org. 

Over-the-Counter Medications

If you would like to give permission for your child to receive over-the-counter medications, please complete the form at the link below. Make sure you initial each medication for which you are giving permission.



Click here for the OTC Permission Form and all other Health Forms.

Bus Service for 2025-26

Students who live in Columbus, Dublin and Hilliard may be eligible for bus transportation to Bishop Watterson. To request transportation, please click on the appropriate link below.

Columbus

Dublin

Hilliard



Although Worthington is no longer providing bus service, families who live in the Worthington City School District can apply for in lieu of transportation reimbursement by completing the Non-Public School Transportation Request form that opened May 1, at this link. 



Families in other school districts that do not provide transportation can check with your district about how to apply for in lieu of transportation reimbursement.

Questions? Contact Mr. Lombardo, vlombard@cdeducation.org or (614) 286-8671 ext. 226.

Important Dates for 2025-26 School Year

August 20: First day for FRESHMEN

August 21: ALL students begin school

September 1: No School-Labor Day

September 26: No School-Diocesan Professional Development

November 26-30: Thanksgiving Break

December 8-12: Non-Core Semester Exams

December 15-18: Core Semester Exams

December 19: Contingency Day

December 20-January 4: Christmas Break

January 5: School Resumes

January 19: No School-Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February 13: No School

February 16: No School-Presidents Day

March 16-20: Spring Break

April 2-6: Easter Break

May 21: Baccalaureate, 7:00 p.m.

May 23: Graduation, 9:30 a.m.

May 25: No School-Memorial Day

May 18-22: Non-Core Semester Exams

May 26-29: Core Semester Exams

May 29: Last day of school