All of the district’s high schools will be holding commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2021 in their respective stadiums on Saturday, May 29. High schools are also planning for Prom on May 8, which will comply with the newly streamlined Health Department orders that call for wearing masks and physical distancing.

For years, Westerville City Schools and the Arts Council of Westerville have hosted an annual art show in April to recognize the work of students and their teachers.

Instead of an in-person event, the organizers decided to create a virtual art show this year where parents, educators and community members can view video slideshows featuring more than 160 drawings, paintings, sculptures and other pieces students created during the 2020-21 school year. 

Westerville City Schools Superintendent Dr. John Kellogg on Monday announced the district’s comprehensive approach to addressing the academic and social-emotional needs of students and staff because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Charley Jones was a third-grader at Whittier Elementary when she saw her words published for the first time. 

She submitted a story about a greedy turkey named Bob whose behavior led him to become a Thanksgiving entree for a writing contest sponsored by the Westerville Public Library. She didn’t win the contest but the story was printed in a book — an empowering moment she and her mother, Leanne, wanted to extend to others.

So they launched My Favorite Story, a nonprofit organization that gives young writers facing adversity the opportunity to creatively work through challenges by publishing their stories. 

Cynthia DeVese, coordinator of Educational Equity at Westerville City Schools, shared the district’s equity work and implicit bias training with Inspire, a podcast created by Ohio State University’s College of Education and Human Ecology.

The Westerville City School board approved school fees for the 2021-22 school year at their March 22 meeting. The fees, which include supplies, instructional materials, tests and athletics, will not increase next school year.