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Bishop Watterson 
Wednesday News

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Important Dates

 

TODAY

Freshman Orientation, see below

 

August 20

First Day, All Grades, 1:48 dismissal


August 21

All-School Mass, 10:30 a.m.

(no birthday dress down)


August 22

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


August 24

School Picture Day

Senior Parent Meeting, 6:00 p.m. in the theater


August 26

Sophomore Parent Meeting, 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria

Junior Parent Meeting, 6:00 p.m. in the theater

Meet the Teacher Night, 7:00 p.m. starting in homerooms

Building Hours


Our school building opens at 7:00 a.m. and closes two hours after dismissal. Students who are waiting for rides after school must wait in the cafeteria unless they are with a coach or meeting with a teacher. 

Teachers Gather With Diocesan Educators

On Monday our teachers were among the 1,500 Diocesan educators who gathered for a day of retreat with the theme Educating for Eucharistic Amazement.


Speakers for the day included Bishop Thomas Daly from the Diocese of Spokane and Sister Mary Michael Fox, O.P. Bishop Earl Fernandes and Bishop Daly celebrated Mass, educators had the opportunity to partake in Sacrament of Reconciliation, and all attended were able to experience first-hand the amazement that we experience in the exposition of the Holy Eucharist.


From the Diocesan Office of Catholic Schools:

Our role in educating the young men and women whom you have entrusted to us is not just to teach them the secular subjects but to instill in them the enthusiasm and miracle that we witness in the transformation of bread and wine into the body and blood, soul and divinity of Christ. We hope to be inspired to focus on evangelization in a year where all the parishes and schools in our country have been consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Christ is among us! All of us: parents, teachers, and students, should share in that amazement with each other this school year. 

Final Forms for All Students

Complete by TOMORROW

 

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 and both a parent and the student must log in to sign off on forms. 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.

When reading the Student Handbook, please make sure you and your student review the Dress Code section to ensure a smooth school year.

School Day Drop Off & Pick Up Procedures

Meet the Teacher Night


Wednesday, August 26

We hope you can join us for Meet the Teacher Night next Wednesday, August 26!


Please plan enough time to park and get to your child's homeroom before the bell rings to get started at 7:00 p.m. You will walk through your child's schedule with an opportunity for the teachers to introduce themselves. The evening finishes around 8:30 p.m.


Two class parent meetings will be held prior to the start of Meet the Teacher Night.

A Sophomore Parent Meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.

A Junior Parent Meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the theater.

Freshman Mixer is Saturday


We will have a Freshman Mixer on Saturday, August 22 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.


This dance, held in the cafeteria, is for BWHS freshmen only and dress is casual.


Cost to attend is $10.

Class of 2027 Senior Portraits are Monday, August 24

 

Monday, August 24 will be the official senior portrait photo day. This will be the photo used in the yearbook and on the wall composite.

 

Senior Attire Guidelines:

Boys: jacket, shirt and tie, clean shaven, hair must meet handbook guidelines

Girls: modest top that is above the collar bone and not sleeveless, hair must meet handbook guidelines

 

We do not want students changing during the day, so boys will be required to keep dress pants and dress shirt on for the whole day (tie and jacket can be kept in locker if not worn all day) and girls will be required to wear dress pants with dress shirt, dress or jumpsuit all day.

 

About 10 days after the picture is taken, you will receive an email with your child’s pictures. You will then be able to select one to be used for the yearbook and senior composite that hangs on the wall. You will also have the option to purchase prints.


NO MONEY or picture day forms are needed for SENIORS on Monday, August 24.

         

Email mrs.law@bwhs.org with questions. 

Athletics


Listening and Watching This Fall

All home games (freshman, JV and varsity) will be live streamed through HUDL this fall. Varsity football home games which will also be live streamed on the Bishop Watterson Sports Network (BWSN) (Aug. 28 vs. Pickerington Central, Sept. 18 vs. Harvest Preparatory, Oct. 23 vs. St. Charles), Spectrum (Sept. 11 vs. Glenville) or The CW (Sept. 25 vs. St. Francis DeSales). BWSN will provide audio coverage of all varsity football games, both home and away.


Both HUDL and BWSN options are free with no account required!

Spirit Signs 

Spirit signs are now for sale! Signs can be personalized with your child's class year, jersey number and sports/arts icons.


Click on the button for the order form and list of icon options. The deadline for fall orders is September 11.

 

Questions? Contact Erin Gruver, mrs.gruver@bwhs.org.

Worth Repeating

Freshman Orientation TODAY


Date: Wednesday, August 19


Start Time: 7:45 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. The lunch menu, a la carte menu and pricing can be found on our website >Student Life > Lunch Menu or click here.



Dismissal Time: 1:48 p.m.

If you will be picking up your freshman, watch for our dismissal procedure in an upcoming Wednesday News.

Health Office


Vaccination Requirements for Students Entering 12th Grade for 2026-27

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) requires students who will be in 12th grade to receive TWO doses of the meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) prior to the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.

 

The ODH is requiring a meningococcal vaccine to protect your child against meningococcal disease which is a serious, life-threatening, vaccine-preventable infection. This bacterial infection can cause an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord or sepsis (an infection of the bloodstream). Approximately 1,000 cases of meningococcal disease occur in the United States each year. The bacteria are spread by exchanging respiratory and throat secretions during close or lengthy contact

Click here for information from ODH.

 

Vaccines can be administered by your pediatrician or your county health department.

 

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 scanned and emailed to our school nurse, Tonya Friend, tfriend@bwhs.org.

 

Vaccination Requirements for Students Entering 9th Grade for 2026-27

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) requires students who will be in 9th grade to receive specific vaccines prior to the beginning of the 2026-2027 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.

 

The ODH is requiring vaccines to protect your child against several preventable diseases, which could be life threatening. Bacteria are spread by exchanging respiratory and throat secretions during close or lengthy contact.

 

Vaccines can be administered by your pediatrician or your county health department.

 

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 completed. You can drop off your child’s immunization records to the front office or scan and email them to the nurse directly at tfriend@bwhs.org. Please contact the nurse with any questions at (614) 268-8671 ext. 290.

 

Guidelines for Medications at School

Students needing to take prescription medication during school hours must follow these guidelines:

  • Provide the school nurse with a completed Medication Authorization Form signed by both the parent/guardian and the healthcare provider.
  • A new Medication Authorization Form must be completed each school year AND when the medication or dose has changed.
  • All medication must be in the original container in which it was dispensed by the healthcare provider or pharmacy and be labeled with the correct dose and instructions. The medication cannot be expired.
  • The label must match what is on the Medication Authorization Form.
  • Students taking a medication at both school and home can request 2 separate labeled bottles from the pharmacy to divide the pills to have some at home and school.
  • Students using an inhaler, epinephrine pen or other emergency medications at school can request two prescriptions from the healthcare provider in order to have a supply at home and school.
  • Medications ordered three times a day or less, unless time is specified, may not need to be taken at school. The medication should be given before school, after school and at bedtime.
  • Even if a medication is self-carry, please complete a medication authorization to have on file in the nurse’s office to alert staff that the student has a medication on campus and is allowed to use it independently.
  • All medication must be picked up by the parent/guardian on the last day of school or it will be discarded.

Over-the-Counter Medication Permission can be filled out on the medication form on the FinalForms website. Please check mark any/all medications you approve of during the school day so we can work together to keep our students in the classroom as much as possible.

Fall Drama Auditions


The Bishop Watterson Theatre Department is excited to announce auditions and crew interviews for our fall production of Little Women!


Auditions & Crew Interviews: August 26 & 27

By appointment only


We will hold an informational meeting on August 21 in the theatre immediately after school to answer any questions about the audition or interview process.


All students interested in being part of the cast or crew must:

  1. Complete an application
  2. Sign up for a day/time to meet with the Directors

This is required for all students to be considered — no walk-ins.


For full details, application, and sign-up information click here.

Save the Date!

Counselor Corner


Counselor Caseload Distribution 

9th Grade School Counselor

Mrs. Jenny Sponseller, mrs.sponseller@bwhs.org


10th - 12th Grade School Counselors

Mr. Zach Johnson, mr.johnson@bwhs.org 

  • A-F - 10th & 11th Grade
  • A-G - 12th Grade

Mrs. Samantha Zirkle, mrs.zirkle@bwhs.org 

  • G-Mc - 10th & 11th Grade
  • H-O - 12th Grade

Mr. Tom Woodford, twoodford@bwhs.org 

  • Md-R - 10th & 11th Grade
  • P-Sl - 12th Grade

Mrs. Mandy Fontaine, mfontaine@bwhs.org 

  • S-Z - 10th & 11th Grade
  • Sm-Z - 12th Grade


Dominican Program School Counselor and Student Wellness Counselor

Ms. Savannah Gazdik, sgazdik@bwhs.org 


College Credit Plus Tasks

All students who plan to take a College Credit Plus class next year must complete all tasks in their Workday account. This is required before the first day of school. 


SCOIR

Juniors and Seniors

  • College Rep Visits are live and will continually be updated. Sign up to attend sessions of college admissions representatives visiting Watterson in your SCOIR account


Seniors are strongly encouraged to login to their Scoir accounts to update their college list and complete the following: 

  • Senior Brag Sheet (used by counselors to provide support in writing)
  • Teacher Brag Sheet (one for each teacher writing a letter of recommendation)


Senior Parents

  • Please log in to your SCOIR account and complete a Parent Brag Sheet for your student. This document often helps us provide a better picture of your child, as we submit supporting materials on behalf of your child’s college application. If you need help accessing the program, please contact your student’s school counselor. 


Fall Parent Meetings: Save the Dates

August 24 - Senior Parent Meeting, 6:00 p.m. in the theater

August 26 - Sophomore Parent Meeting, 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria; Junior Parent Meeting 6:00 p.m. in the theater

Athletics


Time to Buy Sports Passes


Sports passes for 2026-27 are now on sale!

Eagle Store

Campus Ministry Corner

 

Fall Kairos Registration Going On Now

 

It's time for seniors to register for the Fall Kairos, November 3-6. 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.

Important Dates for 2026-27 School Year

August 19: First day for FRESHMEN

August 20: ALL students begin school

September 7: No School-Labor Day

September 25: No School-Administrator Retreat

October 23: No School-Teacher PD

November 25-29: Thanksgiving Break

December 14-17: Core Semester Exams

December 18: No School-Teacher PD

December 19-January 3: Christmas Break

January 18: No School-Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

February 12: No School

February 15: No School-Presidents Day

March 8-12: Spring Break

March 25-29: Easter Break

April 23: No School

May 20: Baccalaureate

May 22: Graduation

May 24-27: Core Semester Exams

May 27: Last day of school

Support BWHS Through Kroger Purchases


Bishop Watterson participates in the Kroger Community Rewards program.

To sign up, go to kroger.com, log into your account and under your settings click Community Rewards. Search for Bishop Watterson. Our number is VG154. Thank you!