This inaugural issue of Bexley Schools' Embracing Equity newsletter highlights the important work done every day in our schools to live our mission of Learning with Curiosity, Demonstrate Kindness, and Embrace Equity.
Embracing EQUITY Bexley City Schools | Fall 2025
IN THIS ISSUE Equity in Action, by Jason Fine Growing our Community through Restorative Practices New Accessible Website No Place for Hate is more than a Designation, by Dr. Lewis Sharing a Meal, Sharing a Culture
Equity in Action at Bexley Schools by Jason Fine, Superintendent of Schools
At Bexley City Schools, equity is woven into our identity. It shapes the decisions we make, the relationships we nurture, and the future we are committed to building together. In times of division and uncertainty, our schools remain committed to creating inclusive spaces where every student feels seen, valued, and supported. We’re proud to share that every Bexley school has earned the “No Place for Hate” designation. This honor reflects our collective commitment to fostering belonging and standing against hate in all its forms. Equity is still at the heart of what we do, and we’re living up to those values through community-building, connection and shared values, because that’s what drives lasting change. Let’s continue to lean into this work together. We are proud of our students, staff, and families who Champion these values every day. This is who we are. This is Bexley.
Equity in Action Growing Our Community Through Restorative Practices
At the heart of our district’s work is a commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive school environment where every student and staff member feels valued. One of the key ways we do this is through Restorative Practices (RP), an approach focused on building strong relationships, resolving conflicts, and repairing harm in a way that strengthens our school community. Now in Year 3 of our Strategic Plan, we’re expanding RP training beyond teachers and administrators to include non-teaching staff like secretaries, coaches, custodians, bus drivers, food service teams, and paraprofessionals.
This ensures everyone who interacts with students shares a common language and mindset focused on kindness, respect, and inclusion. Students are also leading the way. A group from the Student Culture Climate Council attended a three- day workshop on Student-Led Restorative Practices, learning skills to guide community and mediation circles in their schools. Together, staff, students, and families are helping to create schools where there is truly “no place for hate.”
Students participate in a community circle during the Student-Led Restorative Practices Leadership training, a unique three-day gathering of more than 100 students from 10 high schools across five districts. Bexley was represented by five students who joined peers at West High School to build skills, foster connections, and strengthen school communities.
New Website Expands Access for All Bexley Families
For many families, the district website is the first and most important source of information about their schools. Recognizing that, Bexley City Schools has launched a new website that prioritizes accessibility and inclusion. The new site is fully ADA compliant, making navigation easier for those with visual, auditory, or mobility challenges. It also includes a translation feature, initially offering content in Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese, with the ability to expand further as community needs evolve. The site reflects the district’s commitment to making every family feel welcome and included. By removing barriers to information, the website ensures that equity is not only a value but also a practice.
No Place for Hate is More Than a Designation By Dr. Stephen Lewis Sr., Leader of School Community Engagement, Bexley City Schools
This past school year, every Bexley school earned the title of “No Place for Hate.” That matters. It matters because it took a lot of work to get here. Students and staff invested their time and energy in projects that pushed all of us to think differently about what belonging looks like in our schools. The certificate is a proud symbol of that work. But what inspires me most is not the banner hanging on a wall. What will last are the connections created in the process. The moment a student chooses to stand up for a classmate. The conversations sparked in classrooms about respect and belonging. The pledge said out loud at our elementary schools, where children promised to stop unkindness, include others, and be mindful of how they treat one another. Those are the ideals that resonate with our students, young and old. No Place for Hate is not a slogan. It is a student stepping forward to challenge a stereotype. It is a club of young leaders planning an activity that makes their peers feel seen. It is the courage to say, “This space belongs to all of us.” The designation is an achievement worth celebrating, but it is also a commitment. It means we will continue this work, not just for recognition, but for the daily, lived experiences of our students. That is where the real change happens, and that is what will shape who we become together.
Creating a Culture of Courage By Solan Coutts (Class of 2026)
No Place for Hate is an important program that helps create a safer, more welcoming environment for everyone. While we’ve made progress in reducing name-calling and physical bullying, microaggressions are harder to notice and address. Through assemblies, videos, and activities, we’ve learned to recognize all forms of hate and how to take action. A big goal this year is to empower students to be leaders who speak up. When we ignore hate, we allow it to continue. Standing up, even when it’s hard, shows that our schools truly have no place for hate.
In Bexley Schools, Sharing a Meal Means Sharing a Culture
In Bexley City Schools, food is more than a meal, it’s an expression of identity. For many students, having the cafeteria serve dishes tied to their families’ traditions is like sharing a part of themselves with the community, and doing so in a space where they feel safe and welcome. That sense of belonging is at the heart of a series of “Celebration Meals” created by the district’s food services team in partnership with student groups. For Black History Month, students in the Black Student Union worked with Food Services Director Julianna Carvi to bring recipes from their families to the cafeteria menu. In May, the Asian American Pacific Islander Club and Jewish Student Union did the same. On those days, students lined up not just for lunch but for a chance to taste, and honor, the cultures represented in their own community. “Food is one of the most universal ways we connect as people,” Ms. Carvi said. “When a student sees their culture represented in a meal, or when they share food from their family with classmates, it builds understanding and a sense of belonging.” The Celebration Meals are part of a broader effort to make food a cornerstone of equity in Bexley. Since instituting Universal Free Breakfast in 2023, the district has served nearly 100,000 breakfasts at no cost to families. Dr. Stephen Lewis Sr., Leader of School Community Engagement, said that decision is about more than nutrition. “Every child deserves to start their day with the same foundation of nourishment and belonging,” he said. “Food should never be a barrier. It should be a bridge.” Ms. Carvi’s team has also pushed to replace highly processed items with scratch-made dishes that reflect flavors from around the world. Now in the third year of that initiative, students are served meals like seasoned rice bowls, scratch-made teriyaki, and fresh salads. For some, school may be the only place they encounter foods tied to cultures beyond their own. In Bexley, sharing a meal has become sharing a story. The cafeteria is no longer just a place to eat, but a place where students’ identities are recognized, their voices are amplified, and their cultures are celebrated. It is, in many ways, where equity begins—one dish at a time.
Did you know? 98,142
3,926 Average monthly breakfasts since January 2023
$147,213 District investment in Universal Free Breakfast
230 Average monthly breakfasts pre-pandemic
Free breakfasts provided for all students since 2023
“ Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much. — Helen Keller —
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