Dear Bath Community,

With the last school year in our rear-view mirror, I believe we can look back and take a great deal of satisfaction with the progress of our students, the steps we are taking to provide our students and staff with a more safe and secure environment, and the permanent improvement projects we are undertaking to keep our facilities in good condition.
In September we learned that our district earned a 4.5 on a 5.0 scale on our 2022-2023 State Report Card, which means that we “exceed state standards”. Only three districts in Allen County received this rating, and the ratings in the other districts were lower. Preliminary reports indicate that our scores may be even higher this year. Our students and staff continue to amaze me.
Also in September, we continued our outreach to the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission to determine when our district would be eligible for new high school and middle school facilities (or a single building housing both schools). After numerous phone calls and a board meeting with representatives from OFCC, the only thing we really know is that we are at least five years away from any new facility. To assist the district in long-range planning for possible new facilities, we would like to enlist community members to help us with this project by creating a community action team (CAT). Tasks for this committee would include determining the need for a new facility, site selection, financial implications, timing, campaign planning, etc. Contact Missy Vandemark in the central office at 419-221-0807 x 6147 or vandemarkm@bathwildcats.org to join the community action team.
With the understanding there is no new building in our immediate future, we began planning and addressing a list of needed facility repairs. The list included asphalt/concrete repairs, roof repairs, elementary playground resurfacing, track resurfacing, football bleacher repair, and enhanced lighting in areas that require more security. We intend to complete all these renovations this summer.
The safety and security of our students and staff continues to be a high priority for all of us. To help first responders, we will be placing room numbers on all outside windows, as well as adding signage to the ends of hallways that display room numbers contained in that hallway. Additionally, we plan to install mirrors that will provide sight lines to hallways without entering the halls, and safety film to the sidelights of doors on the second floor of the high school. Furthermore, we have approved a project to secure the main entrances of the high school and the middle school, similar to the entrance at the elementary school. Renovation of the entrances should begin in late October or early November.
In addition to our efforts to secure our buildings physically, we purchased Navigate 360, a program designed to help us account for students and staff quickly using staff cell phones and computers in the event of an emergency evacuation. It will also allow us to notify first responders immediately should an emergency occur in any of our buildings. Our staff began using this new program late spring during fire drills. Funding for this program was obtained through the Ohio Attorney General’s Grant for Streamlined Threat Response at Schools.
As a side note, I would like to tell you how much I have enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to serve this fine district as your superintendent this past year. With as much as we have accomplished, there is still more to do. As we travel down this road together, my wish is that we are better for it in the end.

Sincerely,

Mike Estes Superintendent

FROM
BATH
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MR. CHRIS RENNER, PRINCIPAL
BATH ELEMENTARY PRESTIGIOUS OVERALL
5-STAR AWARD

This spring, Bath Elementary was awarded the Overall 5-Star Award for our school’s results on the 2022-2023 report card. Be sure to look for
the banner proudly hanging in our building!

SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL

PRINPRIPRINCIPA
Our annual Spring Arts Festival took place on April 26. It was an exciting night at Bath Elementary, and a wonderful opportunity for our community to observe the art and music talents of our youngest community members. All grades performed songs they learned in music class throughout the year, and our hallways were lined with artwork students made in art class this year. We are so thankful for the Interact Club members, as well as our community volunteers, who helped our music and art teachers put on such a successful night. Thanks to all who came out to enjoy and support our elementary students on this amazing night.

2nd and 4th GRADERS DOING THINGS THE WILDCAT WAY

In preparation for the Super Bowl, our fourth graders brought in cans to donate to the local food pantry. Over 600 cans were brought into school and donated. In celebration of Nurse’s Day, our second graders made cards for our local nurses. We are proud of our fourth graders for making this “Souper Bowl of Caring” about others and for our second graders taking time out of their day to thank nurses who spend their days helping others.

ELEMENTARY SPELLING BEE

Congratulations to Bay Petree who finished in first place in the Bath Elementary School Spelling Bee. Bay is the daughter of Dean and Cara Petree. Donovan Sargent, son of Joshua Sargent, was our runner-up and Mason Lauck, son of Christina Frymyer and James Lauck, took third place. As the Bath Elementary School winner, Bay also participated in the Allen County Spelling Bee on February 24 and finished as 1st runner up.

BATH ELEMENTARY LITERACY GAME NIGHT

On May 9, Title One students in first, second, third and fourth grade had the opportunity to participate in an evening of reading fun. Students participated in many hands-on activities. They visited fun packed stations where they experienced literacy through games, while practicing and sharing their reading skills with their families. Additionally, students had an opportunity to win door prizes. Thank you to everyone who attended this engaging night of learning and literacy fun! It is amazing how much students grow in their ability to read when the school and parents work together as partners to foster these opportunities.

INITIAL STATE TEST RESULTS

We are extremely proud of our students and staff for their efforts all year. The initial results of our spring state testing are a great example of why we should be extremely proud. 87% of our 5th graders passed the Science tests with 59% of them scoring in the highest category of advanced. As for our Math and Reading scores, 87% of our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students passed the Math and 84% of our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students passed the Reading. Below is a breakdown of how each of the grades did on the Math and Reading tests.

·	3rd Grade:

o Math: 88% passed with 63% of the grade scoring accelerated or advanced.
o Reading: 80% passed with 55% of the grade scoring accelerated or advanced.
·	4th Grade:

o Math: 91% passed with 80% of the grade scoring accelerated or advanced.
o Reading: 84% passed with 60% of the grade scoring accelerated or advanced.
·	5th Grade:

o Math: 83% passed with 55% of the grade scoring accelerated or advanced.
o Reading: 88% passed with 74% of the grade scoring accelerated or advanced.

GOOD CITIZENS

In the first and second semester of each year, three students from each of the first through fifth grade classrooms are recognized for being Good Citizens in our school. Congratulations to all our Good Citizens!

1st Grade

HEADING INTO THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR

FROM
BATH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
We are excited that returning students along with new students will be a part of our Bath Elementary School family for the 2024-2025 school year. Letters were mailed the last week of June to all families letting them know who their child’s teacher will be next year as well as when their student/parent orientation time will take place. We have scheduled each student an individual student/parent orientation time on August 21 or 22. We ask that every effort be made to bring your child to their scheduled orientation date and time. It is important for each student and their parent to meet their teacher, drop off and pickup supplies, see their classroom and learn about the classroom expectations. In addition to this, 1st – 5th students will be assessed the fall DIBELS and STAR assessments and our KG students will be assessed the state required Kindergarten Readiness Assessment. While students are taking these assessments, parents will have an orientation in our gym. Orientations will be limited to the student and their parent(s). Student fees may be paid in the elementary office when you come to orientation. If you have any changes over the summer with phone numbers, your child’s health, your address, etc., please log in to your Final Forms account and make the necessary changes. This will allow us to stay up to date on all student information to ensure a smooth and safe start to our school year. The Final Forms link can be found by going to the Bath website: www.bathwildcats.org.

Enjoy your summer!

Chris Renner, Bath Elementary Principal

4th Grade

MR. CHRIS RENNER, PRINCIPAL
2nd Grade

5th Grade

ONLINE PAYMENT OPTION

You can pay school fees and add money to your student’s meal account online. Visit payschoolscentral.com
3rd Grade

FROM
BATH MIDDLE SCHOOL
MR. CAM STALEY, PRINCIPAL

ACADEMIC RECOGNITION AND 8TH GRADE RECOGNITION

On May 20th the middle school celebrated our highest academic performers for the 2023-2024 school year. Over 130 students who achieved a 3.5 GPA or higher for the first three quarters of the school year were recognized for their commitment to academic excellence. Jared Walsh, Bath Alum and owner of Reservoir Wealth Management, was our keynote speaker for the evening. He encouraged our students to challenge themselves academically and to do the hard things as they move into high school. Our end of the school year assembly recognized Jackson Fruchey, Ella Lawrence, and Jacob Lee for having perfect attendance all school year. Eighth graders Brayden Brostrom and Nia Horn were highlighted for maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA all through elementary and middle school.

On May 24th our 8th grade class was recognized for their efforts in middle school and for meeting the requirements to transition to high school. Kaylyn Kerr and Owen Schwarm received the Ron Dixon Citizenship award. Each year the 8th grade teaching staff selects two students to receive this distinctive honor.
	
	Owen Schwarm and Kaylyn Kerr
		
	Ron Dixon Citizenship award winners

ADDITIONAL UPDATES AND INFORMATION….

Please remember to fill out your back-to-school forms in Final Forms over the summer if not already completed. Be sure to watch for emails if your forms are incomplete.

Student orientation and fee days will be on August 21st (last names A-K) and August 22nd (last names L-Z). The first day of the 2024-2025 school year is on Monday, August 26th. Have a wonderful rest of the summer!
		
	2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR

August 21/22 – Student Orientation Days

August 26 – First Day of School

September 2 – No School, Labor Day
			
	October 25 – No School, Professional Development Day

November 7-8 – No School, Parent Teacher Conference

November 27-29 – No School, Thanksgiving Break

Bath Fire and EMS made a special appearance at middle school field day
	
	December 23 – January 3 – Christmas Break

January 17 – No School, Professional Development Day
	Fu htt
	ll school calendar on our website: ps://www.bathwildcats.org/SchoolCalendars.aspx

Bath Community,

Once again, we’ve had much to celebrate this academic school year at Bath Middle School. Our students were hard at work in the classroom, on the athletic fields, in a variety of extracurriculars, and performing on the big stage with our music programs. In this newsletter are just some of the spring highlights. We hope all of our students and families are enjoying the summer months. We will see you back here in August for the 2024-2025 school year!

Cam Staley

Middle School Principal

Brayden Brostrom and Nia Horn The “A” Team, 8th grade students who have maintained a perfect 4.0 G.P.A. while at Bath

Spring is always a busy time on the Bath campus. We thank our parents and families for showing up and supporting our students for a variety of events and activities. It truly takes a village to raise a child and the Bath community embodies that ideal.

EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

FROM
BATH MIDDLE SCHOOL
The middle school continues to promote career exploration and education. Each year our career cluster model culminates with an end of the year Business Fair for our 8th grade students. Groups of students work collaboratively in the spring months to come up with a product idea, business plan and then ultimately produce/sell their product to the community. This exercise in entrepreneurship provides students with tangible real world business experience and hopefully gets our next generation of business owners excited about future career opportunities. The 8th grade also had a chance to visit GROB Systems in Bluffton and tour their apprenticeship program. The middle school will continue to provide an insight into manufacturing as students approach their high school career. Our 7th grade received a transportation grant from the state of Ohio, allowing us to take the entire grade down to the statehouse in Columbus. Our students met with Senate President Matt Huffman and were led on a tour of our historic capitol building. This year our Relay for Life event was held on Tuesday, May 14th. A few light showers didn’t detour members of our community from walking to raise awareness and honor those who have battled cancer.

Students showing off their products at the business fair

MR. CAM STALEY, PRINCIPAL
7th grade students tour the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus	Relay for Life

BMS ATHLETICS & EXTRACURRICULARS

The spring athletic season wrapped up during the middle of May. The middle school saw plenty of outstanding athletic performances during the spring campaign. Middle school softball led the way with a perfect 16-0 record to end the season. The squad also won the WBL tournament. The 7th grade baseball team had an abbreviated season and finished with a 3-2 record, while a combined team of 7th and 8th graders had an overall record of 2-5. Numerous school records were broken on the track. Both the girls and boys 4x800 meter relay teams set new school records. The girls team consisted of Valerie Griffieth, Katelyn Shields, Fran Deters and McKenzie Sadler. The boys team was composed of Wyatt Beck, Lincoln Harriger, Brayden Brostrom, and Will Bensman. Additionally, some individual school records were broken by 8th graders Penny Francis in the 1600 meter run and Morgan Schrock in the 800-meter run. Penny went on to qualify for the middle school state meet in the 1600 and placed 4th overall at state with a school record time of 5:22. Band and choir programs finished up the school year with excellent performances at our spring choir concert, Band-O-Rama, and dinner theatre program. Our middle school music students put in a lot of hard work over the course of the school year preparing for these events. Congratulations to all our students on their extracurricular success!

Undefeated middle school softball team!

School record girls 4x800 meter relay team makes an exchange

FROM
BATH
HIGH
SCHOOL
MR. BRIAN JESKO, PRINCIPAL
HEADING INTO THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR

Career Education
Over the summer and early fall, the high school will be transforming a few rooms in the building to create new learning spaces for students. The renovations, equipment, and curriculum for these spaces are funded through the $2 million dollar CTE Equipment Grant that we received in February 2024.

College and Career Readiness Learning Lab
In collaboration with Paxton Patterson, we have developed a College and Career Readiness Learning lab that will provide hands-on, minds-on learning aligned with in-demand careers. The lab will be recognized as a “best practice site” in Ohio and will consist of 26 career modules of exploratory learning with an emphasis on skilled trades, manufacturing, and healthcare. It will be located in the former Study Hall room, which will be relocated to an upstairs classroom. Each learning module comes with a ten day curriculum that will allow students to rotate through several of the following career fields throughout the semester course:

Blueprint Reading Skills Clinical Lab Practices Dentistry
Design and Marketing Digital Audio Production Electrical Skills
Emergency Medical Technician Flight and Drone Technology Home Maintenance Fundamentals
	
Home Maintenance Systems Hospitality and Tourism Mgmt HVAC
Intro to Child Development Laser
Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness Materials Processing & Design Medical Imaging
Nursing
	
Occupational Health and Safety Plumbing
Pneumatics Robotics
Structural Engineering Therapeutic Services Video Production Welding Basics

Makerspace/Learning Center
With assistance from Inventionland Education, the high school library will be transformed into an innovation lab (Makerspace). The space will be equipped with new resources and equipment, including robotics, drones, 3D printers, and an Esports lab that students can access throughout the day. This space will enable students to develop entrepreneurial and making skills through hands-on activities.

Advanced Technologies
This school year, students will have access to new technology called Zspace. These computers will be used by our science department to provide hands-on and interactive learning opportunities using 3D images and movement. The focus areas for the 2024-2025 school year will be Visible Body, which will be used in Anatomy and Physiology classes, and Vivid Science Applications, which may be used in other science courses.

SPRING ATHLETICS

	Track and Field- STATE QUALIFIERS

200M Dash– Tatum Walsh
400M Dash– Tatum Walsh (Finished 6th, ALL-OHIO)
4x400– Tatum Walsh, Gwyn Foust, Hailey Hale, Bella Bartlett
300 Hurdles–Ethan Cole (Finished 7th, ALL-OHIO)
High Jump–Brennan Ryan

Academic All-Ohio
Tatum Walsh	Isabella Bartlett Brennon Ryan	Hailey Hale Ethan Cole
	
Track and Field- REGIONAL QUALIFIERS

4x400 –Levi Luke, Foster Deters, Jacob Wireman, Ethan Cole 4x800 –Jacob Wireman, Landon Jones, Connor Raines, Jaden Ryan Long Jump – Brady Hale
High Jump –Brennon Ryan Shot Put –Jeremy James
300 Hurdles, 110 Hurdles & 200M Dash – Ethan Cole 1600M – Jacob Wireman
100, 200 & 400M Dash – Tatum Walsh Shot Put & Discus – Claire Foust Discus – Vanessa Ruble
High Jump - Karlie Wallace 300 Hurdles – Gwyn Foust 300 Hurdles – Bella Bartlett
4x400 – Hailey Hale, Bella Bartlett, Gwyn Foust, Tatum Walsh 400M Dash – Hailey Hale

CLASS OF 2024 ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS

Jaden Augsburger- Governor’s Merit Scholarship, BGSU Academic Scholarship Gabriel Binkley-BGSU Academic Scholarship
Braya Blair- Lima Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Alexandria Burke- CAT Program (Healthcare), Honors Diploma
FROM
Sam Burkholder- Ryan Young Memorial Scholarship, Ron Dixon Scholarship, Lima Optimist Youth Appreciation Lucy Castiglia- BGSU Academic Scholarship
Ava Catlett- BGSU Academic Scholarship Quintin Collins- Hauss-Helmms Scholarship Mykaila Courtney- Governor’s Merit Scholarship
BATH HIGH
Trey Crawford- Ohio Northern Faculty Scholarship Conner Droll- Fredrick Kenney Memorial Scholarship
Blake Fisher- Bath Music Association Scholarship, Goshen Academic Scholarship, Bowling Scholarship
Claire Foust- Amanda Markley Scholarship, Ron Dixon Scholarship, Kyle’s Heart Scholarship, Mary E. Brenneman Scholarship
Erica Gilica- David and Marie Steiner Scholarship, Ohio Business Association
Brittany Goodman- Bath Interact Scholarship, 2024 Allen County Agricultural Society, P&G, Allen County Township Association, UNOH Agribusiness Management Scholarship, National Farmers Organization Scholarship
Adalyn Jackson- Ohio Means Job Scholarship, Betty Roeder Nursing Scholarship
Jackson Kohlrieser- Ryan Young Memorial Scholarship, Kyle’s Heart Scholarship, Bath PTS Kathy Wangler Memorial Scholarship, 2024 ACME Baseball Congress Scholarship
SCHOOL
Skyler Lhamon- Olney Central Community College Baseball Scholarship
Anne Oliver- Ryan Young Memorial Scholarship, Kyle’s Heart Scholarship, Charles River Scholarship, AAUW Scholarship, President’s Ministry Impact Scholarship, President’s Scholar Award, GARBC Christian Character Scholarship, Governor’s Merit Scholarship
Joel Rasor- Ryan Young Memorial Scholarship, Kyle’s Heart Scholarship, Kody Knight and Bryan Taylor Scholarship Madison Ripley- Amanda Markley Scholarship, Ryan Young Memorial Scholarship, Bath Music Association Scholarship, Guadalupe Rodriguez Scholarship, Lima Exchange Club Youth of the Year, University of Findlay Trustee Merit Scholarship, Findlay Leadership Scholarship, Findlay Christian Scholarship, Lima Exchange Club Scholarship
Brennan Ryan- Governor’s Merit Scholarship
Andrew Scheidler- ONU Trustee Scholarship, Governor’s Merit Scholarship Kierstin Sheridan- Lima Memorial Nursing Scholarship
MR. BRIAN JESKO, PRINCIPAL
Sahib Singh- ONU Faculty Scholarship Erik Staley- Rhodes State Scholarship
Jonah Volbert- Amanda Markley Scholarship, Kyle’s Heart Scholarship, Mary E. Brenneman Scholarship, ONU Presidential Scholarship, Governor’s Merit Scholarship
Karlie Wallace- Ron Dixon Scholarship, Mary E. Brenneman Scholarship, Lima Memorial Nursing Scholarship Jordan Wallen- Lima Exchange Club ACE Award
Tatum Walsh- Amanda Markley Scholarship, Ryan Young Memorial Scholarship, Kody Knight and Bryan Taylor Scholarship, American Red Cross Scholarship, Bath Interact Scholarship, BHS Legacy Scholarship, ONU Trustee Scholarship, Governor’s Merit Scholarship
Trey Welsch- Amanda Markley Scholarship, Ryan Young Memorial Scholarship, Guadalupe Rodriguez Scholarship, BGSU Academic Scholarship

1st TEAM ALL - WBL
Quintin Collins (Baseball)

SPRING ATHLETICS RECOGNITION 2nd TEAM                              3rd TEAM ALL - WBL                           ALL - WBL
Joel Rasor (Baseball)	Tyson McGee (Baseball)

HONORABLE MENTION ALL - WBL
Clay Boedicker (Baseball)

Skylar Lhamon (Baseball) Anne Oliver (Softball) Claire Armentrout (Softball)

Olivia Foster (Softball) Daniel Bolon (Tennis)

Addison Gibson (Softball)	Tea Sibert (Softball) Ezra Bolon (Tennis)

Ethan Cole (Track) Claire Foust (Track) Brennon Ryan (Track) Tatum Walsh (Track) Hailey Hale, Bella Bartlett, Tatum Walsh, Gwyn Foust (Track)

ALL-DISTRICT HONORS

1st Team – Quintin Collins, Baseball 2nd Team – Skylar Lhamon, Baseball

	
Meet the Treasurer
		
Hello, my name is Joel Parker and I am thrilled to be the new Treasurer at Bath Local Schools. I am a lifelong resident of Allen County and was a graduate from Allen East Local Schools and Ohio Northern University. I am married and have 4 kids. I am a certified public accountant with over 32 years of accounting experience and 26 years of experience as a school treasurer. I am excited to join the Bath team for a variety of reasons. Bath has a rich history of academic excellence and being fiscally
conservative with their spending patterns. I am excited to see a staff that places the needs of the students first. It is clear our staff is committed to providing an outstanding experience here at school, and at the same time, achieve academic success. I will work with the Board to provide financial information that is timely, transparent and accurate. I invite you to contact me with any school finance questions or come visit us at a school board meeting. I am looking forward to the 2024-25 school year and serving the residents of Bath Local Schools. Go Wildcats!

Fast Facts

Per the FY 23 District Profile Report (from the Department of Education and Workforce), Bath is currently spending well under the state average:

Expense per Pupil	Administration Expense per Pupil

Bath Local Schools        $12,089.46                                                             Bath Local Schools        $1,404.14 State Average                 $15,427.50                                                             State Average                 $2,083.41

FY 2022-23 Audit Report: This report has been released with a clean opinion. It can be found on the Bath website at https://www.bathwildcats.org/Treasurer.aspx

BATH LOCAL SCHOOLS 2650 BIBLE ROAD LIMA, OHIO 45801

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 65 LIMA, OH 45801

BATH LOCAL SCHOOLS DIRECTORY

BATH ADMINISTRATION Mike Estes, Superintendent Joel Parker, Treasurer
2650 Bible Road Lima, OH 45801 (419) 221-0807

BATH ELEMENTARY Chris Renner, Principal Cory Hilty, Asst. Principal 2450 Bible Road
Lima, OH 45801 (419) 221-1837

BATH MIDDLE SCHOOL Cam Staley, Principal
Andy Herr, Asst. Principal 2700 Bible Road
Lima, OH 45801 (419) 221-1839

BATH HIGH SCHOOL Brian Jesko, Principal James Fay, Asst. Principal 2850 Bible Road
Lima, OH 45801 (419) 221-0366