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Delaware Gazette BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 Friday, July 30, 2021 5 New BWHS set to open mid-school year By Gary Budzak gbudzak@aimmediamidwest.com SUNBURY — The new Big Walnut High School on Miller Drive will open in January 2022, the middle of the 2021-2022 school year. “All other students will remain in current buildings for the duration of the 2021-22 school year,” said the district’s website. “We will be focusing on replacing flooring and making other needed capital improvements at the current high school during the second semester.” The following school year, 20222023, the current high school at 555 S. Old 3C Road will open as a middle school. The intermediate students will attend the current middle school at 777 Cheshire Road. The current intermediate school at 105 Baughman St. will remain closed until at least 2023-2024, when it will become an elementary. Director of Facilities Doug Swartz has noted the community approved construction bonds in 2017. Those funds were used for the design and construction of not only the high school, but of next-door Prairie Run Elementary, 701 N. Miller Dr., which opened its doors in Aug. 2020. “Now that Prairie Run Elementary is up and running, the construction crew is working hard to complete the new high school building and facilities,” the district said. “Our anticipated opening will be after winter break during the 2021-22 school year.” The district also uses permanent improvement funds, which are used for capital projects and replacements. This summer, a portion of those funds are being used for the partial replacement of the Big Walnut Elementary roof. “We are keeping the staggered starts,” Superintendent Angie Hamberg said of the upcoming school year at the June 17 Big Walnut Board of Bleachers for the football stadium at the new Big Walnut High School are shown in a photo taken in June. Education meeting. She said the staggered starts were popular among the students, and it allows them to get used to their new surroundings in smaller groups than en masse. According to the district website, the starting dates will be Aug. 18 for last names beginning A-G; Aug. 19 for last names starting with H-O, and Aug. 20 for last names P-Z. On Aug. 23, all students will be in school. The district will also have a staggered hour-long meet and greet at all grade levels on Aug. 16. In addition, high school freshmen and new students will be attending Eagles’ First Flight the morning of Aug. 17. At the July 15 meeting, board members reviewed handbook language in relation to mask-wearing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Walnut was the only district in Delaware County that was “all-in” with regard to classroom instruction during the past school year. At the beginning of the last school year, Big Walnut had 4,006 students, and enrollment went up to 4,111 at the end of the school year, a growth rate of 2.6%. The district typically gains 100 students per year. On May 22, Big Walnut’s graduation ceremony had 251 students of the 273 eligible graduates receiving their diplomas in person from one of 90 presenters of their choice. At its meeting on June 30, the board rejected a resolution of necessity by a 3-2 vote. It was an emergency 6.9-mil levy intended to raise 7,879,00 a year that failed to go on the November ballot. Board member Liana Lee said she recommended waiting until next May to put the measure on the ballot since residents were assessing their finances in light of the pandemic. Board member Sherri Dorsch agreed. However, board member Doug Crowl said that would require a higher millage request in the future and that the voters should decide. Board member Stephen Fujii agreed. “If we were unsuccessful in May, we would have to delay some of the new positions we wanted to add,” said Hamberg. She said it would be hard for a levy committee if there were back-toback campaigns. School Board President Brad Schneider said he had gone back and forth on the matter, and it was one of the toughest votes he’s had to make. He Gary Budzak The Gazette said whenever a levy issue arises, he hears members of the community say they’re on a fixed income, which will be affected by passage; and he hears people say they didn’t bring the growth to the district so why should they have to pay for it? While there was a need on the part of the district, he felt that by delaying the ask as new people move into the district, it would lessen the overall impact. In other news from the June 30 meeting, which ended the fiscal and school year, district Treasurer Jeremy Buskirk lauded the new state budget, whose “fair funding formula” increases slightly the amount of spending on each student in the district. He said the district will receive 92,000 more in fiscal year 2022 and an additional 33,000 for the following year. “At least they are increases,” he said. Buskirk described the past year as a roller coaster, but one which ended on a positive note. During the board meeting on June 17, Hamberg read a statement regarding race and racism. See BWHS 6

BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 6 Friday, July 30, 2021 Delaware Gazette BWHS BIG WALNUT LOCAL SCHOOLS CALENDAR 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR Approved by the Board of Education December 10, 2020 JULY 2021 T W T S M 4 11 18 25 5 12 19 26 S AUGUST 2021 (10) M T W T F 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 1 8 15 22 29 1 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 15 16 17 18 19 22 23 24 25 26 29 30 31 S 5 12 19 26 S 3 10 17 24 31 S 7 14 21 28 S 5 12 19 26 F 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 (20) M T W T F H6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 1 8 15 22 29 2 9 16 23 30 3 10 17 24 OCTOBER 2021 (20) M T W T F 4 11 18 25 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29 S 3 10 17 24 31 S 7 14 21 28 12 S 1 8 15 22 29 2 9 16 23 30 3 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 24 H25 26 DECEMBER 2021 (15) M T W T F 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28 29 2 9 16 23 30 3 10 17 24 31 SEPTEMBER 2021 H6 No School - Labor Day 20 No School –Fair Day PD for BWEA and all BWPSS OCTOBER 2021 15 No School- conf comp day NOVEMBER 2021 21 S 2 9 16 23 30 S 6 13 20 27 S 2 9 16 23 30 S 6 13 20 27 H24-26 Thanksgiving Break 29 No School - Teacher Prof Dev Day S 4 11 18 25 21 NOVEMBER 2021 (18) M T W T F AUGUST 2021 16 Teacher Prof Dev 17 Teacher Work Day 18 Buildings Open for Students 23 All Students Report WINTER BREAK – DEC 22/JAN 3 JANUARY 2022 3 No School-Teacher Work Day H17 M. L. King, Jr. Day - No School FEBRUARY 2022 H21 Presidents' Day - No School SPRING BREAK – MARCH 28/APRIL 1 April 2022 15 No School 18 No School – Conf Comp Day MAY 2022 21 Graduation 7:30pm - tentative 26 Last Day for Students 27 Teacher Work Day 6 13 20 27 From page 5 JANUARY 2022 (19) M T W T F 3 4 10 11 H17 18 24 25 31 4 11 18 H25 15 LEGEND First/Last Day of School H- Legal Holiday Teacher workday End of Grading Period Start of Grading Period 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 FEBRUARY 2022 (19) M T W T F 7 14 H21 28 1 8 15 22 2 9 16 23 3 10 17 24 4 11 18 25 MARCH 2022 (19) M T W T F 7 14 21 28 1 8 15 22 29 2 9 16 23 30 3 10 17 24 31 APRIL 2022 (18) T W T 4 11 18 25 M 3 10 17 24 4 11 18 25 5 12 19 26 7 14 21 28 1 8 15 22 29 S M MAY 2022 (19) T W T F 1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 H30 S M 5 12 19 26 6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 31 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 F 4 5 6 11 12 13 18 19 20 25 26 27 JUNE 2022 T W T 1 8 15 22 29 2 9 16 23 30 177 student days / 185 teacher days 20 S 5 12 19 26 19 S 5 12 19 26 19 S 19 S 5 12 19 26 S H1 8 15 22 29 S 2 9 16 23 30 19 S 7 14 21 28 20 F 3 10 17 24 S 4 11 18 25 “As a district, we continue teaching topics in social studies and language arts that address race, such as slavery and the civil rights movement. Since winter break, we’ve had an onslaught of calls and emails regarding critical race theory (CRT). When we got these calls and emails asking if we were teaching CRT and demanding we don’t teach CRT, our team had to Google CRT. At that point, we had not discussed it at any district-level meetings “While we do not teach CRT nor promote a specific ideology, it is our goal as a public school district to encourage students to seek multiple perspectives and use that information to formulate their own opinions “There was not an effort to teach critical race theory to our students. In the meantime, we have had other parents reach out with increased concerns about basic behaviors being directed towards their children by peers. These parents have asked that we make an increased effort to focus on diversity, equality, and inclusion with our students in an age-appropriate way.” Crowl said the board’s role included determining the district’s curriculum and knowing what was being taught in the classroom. He sought to have a discussion regarding critical race theory. A couple board members said they do have oversight but don’t write the lesson plans. Hamberg said it was a very complex and hot topic nationwide, and it would be further addressed at the August meeting. She also said that mask-wearing will be optional in the district, and there have been no new state orders put in place since the mandates were dropped on June 2. She said this could change depending on the status of the pandemic. Gary Budzak may be reached at 740-413-0906 or on Twitter @GaryBudzak.

Delaware Gazette BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 Friday, July 30, 2021 7 Shale Meadows set to open; Gnagy ready to lead By Dillon Davis cdavis@aimmediamidwest.com Courtesy photo Olentangy Schools Shale Meadows Elementary School is set to welcome students in August. The new school is located at 4458 North Road in Lewis Center. plained, but it’s just fascinating. I look at this adventure as a true gift and a unique opportunity that doesn’t come along very often.” Of course, Gnagy won’t be alone in establishing a culture at Shale Meadows. Gnagy said she is seeing excitement and passion exuberating from her teaching staff, and the staff has already held professional development sessions and bonding activities as they “determine what we’re going to be all about as Shale Meadows Monarchs.” Gnagy said she is most looking forward to being able to establish a mission and a vision for Shale Meadows and its staff, and then going about building those foundations from the ground up. She added that it’s exciting to be able to build partnerships in the many different capacities associated with being a principal that weren’t there in past roles. Becoming a principal was a natural progression in her career, Gnagy said, with leaders helping to “guide me down that road and give me some opportuni- ties.” As she began to take on those leadership opportunities, Gnagy said she saw an even greater opportunity lying ahead of her. “It was one of those things that, as time went on, probably around year 10 in my career when I started taking more and more leadership roles, I just had that feeling that if I can impact this many students in the classroom, how many more could I impact through a leadership role with helping to lead OH-70245839 Opening new buildings has become somewhat commonplace throughout Olentangy Local Schools Gnagy as enrollment growth continues to challenge the district. The upcoming school year will be no different as Shale Meadows Elementary School, the district’s 16th elementary school, is set to open its doors to students for the first time. Shale Meadows represents the first of three new schools that have or will be constructed as part of the district’s successful levy campaign last spring. District residents approved an operating levy of 7.4 mills, a permanent improvement levy of 0.5 mills, and a 30-year, 134.7 million bond issue that paved the way for two new elementary schools and a middle school building. Leading Shale Meadows’ inaugural class of students will be Greta Gnagy, who was announced as the school’s first principal in December 2020. Formerly the assistant principal at Orange Middle School, Gnagy brings 20 years of districtwide experience to Shale Meadows, including 17 years in elementary teaching. Now, Gnagy is set to be the unquestioned leader of a building for the first time in her career. The challenge in front of Gnagy is unique as the first-time principal is tasked with cultivating the identity of the new school. However, Gnagy has at least some experience being a part of a new building, having been on faculty at Indian Springs Elementary School when its doors first opened in 2003 and seeing firsthand the added excitement that permeates through a brand new building. “With opening a new building, it comes with its own exciting, positive energy,” she said. “It just has this pulse, this vibe that is sometimes unex- teachers,” Gnagy said. While Gnagy knew she wanted to progress towards being a principal years ago, she never thought about looking for those opportunities elsewhere. Instead, she remained dedicated to Olentangy in the same ways the district has continued to invest in her. “Olentangy is a fabulous place, and when I came here in 2000, one of the See Shale 8

BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 8 Friday, July 30, 2021 Delaware Gazette Shale From page 7 25 Last day of preschool things that drew me to it was their reputation, their high standards that had been set, and their openness and willingness to try new things as well Olentangy has continued to support through all these years and helped to provide me some professional development as well,” Gnagy said. “Honestly, I’ve just felt Olentangy is the best place to be, so I guess I’ve always been committed here.” A former high school softball coach in the district, including at Olentangy High School and Olentangy Liberty High School, Gnagy will also bring an additional leadership quality to the table that has been honed through years or guiding players on the field. “I just lead through the mission of being a positive change and bringing a lot of positivity, and I just feel like if we work on character development at the highest levels possible, everything else kind of comes along with that,” Gnagy said. “That was my philosophy through coaching, developing our youth to be great citizens with true kindness and resiliency. I feel like everything can be done through some kind of positive way, even when something negative has happened.” Asked what she hopes the culture at Shale Meadows looks like as it begins to take shape this year, Gnagy said she first wants everyone in the building to have a sense of belonging. Past the welcoming atmosphere when people walk through the door, Gnagy said she and her staff want to “foster a growth mindset” and “always assume positive intention.” Gnagy added, “We want to strive to develop empathetic listeners, thinkers and learners. And we want to embrace the fun and the messy, and be okay through that learning style. We want to truly just elevate and embody the values of our whole school together and everything it should be built around.” Reach Dillon Davis at 740-413-0904. Follow him on Twitter @DillonDavis56.

Delaware Gazette BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 Friday, July 30, 2021 9 LEFT: Work continues on the stadium at Buckeye Valley High School to replace the grass field with new field turf. The district is also renovating concession stands along with relocating and replacing the tennis courts. Glenn Battishill The Gazette Buckey Valley to unveil new strategic plan, facilities prioritizes engaging with students, families, staff, and community for ongoing improvement of school culture; provide Buckeye Valley Local Schools will learning opportunities in evidence-based begin its 2021-2022 school year with strategies to promote emotional wella return to a new strategic plan, new being; monitor use of space to ensure facilities, and relaxed COVID protocols (the district) is providing high quality on Aug. 16. learning spaces across the district; conSuperintendent Dr. Andy Miller said tinuing to expand the academic programhe has several goals for the upcoming ming and options across the Buckeye school year. Valley Local Schools; and improving “We want to continue to make Buckcommunication with stakeholders. Miller said the district will also have eye Valley a better place for students,” more relaxed pandemic procedures this Miller said. “We intend to do this through closing pandemic gaps as much year, including starting the school year off with five-day education. as possible and reengaging with fami“We will have the students for the lies now that COVID conditions have entire school year, unless there are improved.” Miller said the district plans to imple- some drastic changes in the current ment its new strategic plan, which See BV 10 By Glenn Battishill gbattishill@aimmediamidwest.com OH-70245826 Children are a gift from God Psalm 127:3 Celebrating 22 years of Christian based child care. Daycare & #2 Part Preschool Now #1 Enrolling 2021/2022 Time Preschool. Thank Opportunities you Delaware Employment Available. 740-363-7823 for your support! gracefamilydaycare.com Celebrating 21 years of Christian based child care

10 Friday, July 30, 2021 BV BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 Delaware Gazette The district will be contacting families with more information about the return to school soon, he added. Buckeye Valley will also have sevFrom page 9 eral improved facilities this school year, conditions, and this is very exciting,” including a new turf field and relocated Miller said. “Extracurricular events and improved tennis courts. The concesshould also be very different as compared sion stand has also been renovated, and a to 2020-2021. It will simply be very new band room at Buckeye Valley Middle exciting for our students and staff to get School will be constructed during the back to some sort of consistency and year. normalcy.” The first day of the fall semester is Miller said many of the district’s safety Aug. 16, and the fall semester ends on procedures will remain in place for the Dec. 17. There will be no school on Sept. 6 for upcoming school year, including encourLabor day, and there will be no school aging frequent hand washing, a focus Sept. 20-21 for the Delaware County Fair. on frequent sanitation of high touch More information can be found at surfaces, regularly changing HVAC air filters for improved air flow, and assigned www.buckeyevalley.k12.oh.us. seating charts in classrooms and lunch to Glenn Battishill The Gazette Glenn Battishill can be reached at 740-413-0903 or on Pictured is an entrance to Buckeye Valley High School, 901 Coover Road in Delaware. assist in the event of contract tracing. Twitter @BattishillDG.

Delaware Gazette BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 Friday, July 30, 2021 11 LEFT: Pictured are St. Mary Catholic Church and St. Mary School on East William Street in Delaware. Glenn Battishill The Gazette St. Mary School under new leadership pal’s license. Ford said she hopes to bring a sense of community back to When classes resume at St. the school. Mary School on Aug. 18, there “My goal for the year is to will a familiar face running the join together with our wondershow. ful staff and stakeholders of our Ford Nikki Ford has been an eleschool and parish community, mentary school teacher at St. and to collaborate and work Mary for more than 10 years and will together to make our school and parassume the role of principal for the ish even better than it already is,” upcoming school year, replacing Gina Ford said. “My goal is to bring back Stull. Ford said she received her mas- community events and ongoing traditer’s degree in elementary education tions that make our school community from Grand Canyon University as well unique in itself.” as a master’s degree for educational Ford said safety at the school is still leadership from Ohio Dominican University, where she received her princiSee St. mary 12 Tap Ballet Jazz Hip Hop Pointe Lyrical Modern Gymnastics Registration Is Open By Glenn Battishill gbattishill@aimmediamidwest.com Voted #1 Dance Studio Classes begin Sept. 1st OH-70246019 Boys & girls, ages 3-adult Beginner to advanced Recreational or competitive Professionally trained staff Four large studios Positive environment Sprung dance floors Dance shop onsite Parent viewing areas Large parking lot 111 Valleyside Drive, Delaware, Ohio 43015 740-368-8800 www.padcdelaware.com

BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 12 Friday, July 30, 2021 Delaware Gazette St. Mary ST. MARY SCHOOL—2021-2022 SCHOOL CALENDAR August-2021 MO TU WE TH FR 2 3 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 19 20 23 24 25 26 27 30 31 September-2021 MO TU WE TH FR 1 2 3 6 7 8 9 10 13 14 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 30 October-2021 MO TU WE TH FR 1 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 MO November-2021 TU WE TH FR 1 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 15 16 17 18 19 22 23 24 25 26 29 30 6 TU 7 MO January-2022 TU WE TH 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 October 15—End of 1st Quarter 22—Professional Development Day 31 November 12— Interim 23—Early Dismissal @12:00 PM 24—Conference comp day 25—Thanksgiving 26—Thanksgiving break December 17—Early Dismissal @12:30 PM 17—End of 2nd Quarter 20-31 Christmas Break January 1-2 Christmas Break 3 —School resumes 17—Martin Luther King, Jr. Day February 4— Interim 17—Professional Development Day 18— Conference comp day 21—President’s Day March 11—Early Dismissal @12:00 PM 11—End of 3rd Quarter 14-18—Spring Break 21—School resumes April 15-18—-Easter Break 19—School Resumes 22—Interim May 26—Graduation (8th grade) 27—Last Day of School all students 27—Early Dismissal @12:00 PM 30—Memorial Day 31—Teacher work day/Contingency Day June 1-3 Contingency days (if needed) WE TH FR 1 2 3 8 9 10 13 14 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 30 31 FR September 6—–Labor Day 17—Interim 23—Little Brown Jug 24—Jug Day MO February-2022 TU WE TH Quarter Lengths: 1st: 40 days 2nd: 41 days 3rd: 46 days 4th: 48 days Total: 175 student days 180 teacher days LEGEND: First/Last day of school Teacher work day, Professional Development Conference comp day Early Dismissal 12:00PM Contingency make-up Interim End of quarter FR 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 21 22 23 17 18 24 25 March-2022 TU WE TH FR 28 MO 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 25 28 29 30 31 MO TU April-2022 WE TH FR 1 4 5 6 7 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 MO TU May-2022 WE TH FR 2 3 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 19 20 23 24 2

Delaware, OH 43015 Phone: 740-548-0708 www.delawareareacc.org Delaware Christian School 45 Belle Ave. Delaware, OH 43015 Phone: 740-363-8425 www.dcschool.org Delaware City Schools 74 W. William St. Delaware, OH 43015 Phone: 740-833-1100 www.dcs.k12.oh.us Olentangy Local Schools 7840 Graphics Way Lewis Center, OH 43015 Phone: 740-657-4050 www .