Worthingway Weekly

As we close out the first semester, our school, along with all of Worthington Schools, is continuing to grow in our work with innovation and the thoughtful use of artificial intelligence (AI). Every step we take connects directly to our district’s Portrait of a Learner: preparing students to think critically, work creatively, communicate effectively, and navigate an increasingly complex digital world with confidence and discernment.

We don’t have all the answers but, as a district, we are approaching it with a mindset of learning and growing together. Our goal is to help lead our students in the right direction so they can thrive in an AI-driven future. Our district has adopted an AI policy and established guidelines for the responsible use of AI. Students have permission to use district-approved AI tools to support their learning, and Magic School one of those approved resources.

We know what we want ALL of our students to leave Worthington Schools with - durable and life-long skills that will Empower our Learners to Change The World. We are exploring how AI intersects with our students’ work, and how we can help students develop discernment, durable skills, and ethical awareness that centers around our Portrait of a Learner. Those skills are displayed in our Portrait of a Learner documents. Our conversation as a district has been around alignment of AI innovation and these durable skills. Most recently, we have read and discussed the article, Discernment: The Most Important Skill in an AI World,

We have had Professional Learning sessions for our administrators and teachers. This document will share with you the AI tools that our teachers have access to support our curriculum and instruction. Across Worthington, teachers are using approved AI tools, such as Magic School AI, Canva, Diffit, NotebookLM, Google Gemini, and Brisk, to provide targeted feedback, create scaffolds, support inquiry, and free up more classroom time for students to do deeper thinking and problem-solving. These tools are helping our students ask better questions, analyze information thoughtfully, and express their ideas more clearly.

At Worthingway, many of our teachers are methodically and intentionally introducing our students to using AL through Magic School. In Mrs. Heydinger’s ELA classroom, students have engaged in using Magic School through learning about the difference between plagiarism and responsible use. Students learned how to use the AI tools of grammar/spell check, idea generator, writing feedback, and sentence starters.

I will be sharing other examples with you in future newsletters about how our teachers and students are engaging with AI in their classrooms. Innovation moves quickly, and we are committed to moving forward with clarity, curiosity, and care. Together, we will continue building a learning environment where students are empowered to think deeply, act responsibly, and prepare for the future with confidence.

This Week

• This week, we saw...
• ..an AWESOME Choir concert by our 100+ choir students!!! Our two choir teachers, Sarah Peterson and Julia Ecos, did an amazing job at collaborating and leading our students to create a wonderful performance.
• ..several new student tours led by students! It is really cool to see our new students welcomed by each other.
• ..some students make some mistakes. When (not if) our students make poor/impulsive choices, we work with the students and families through the mistake with the overall goal of learning from, growing from, and becoming better as a result.
• ..preliminary MAP test data is showing strong growth across grade levels in ELA and Math. We are proud of the work that our teachers are doing together and with our students. We are also proud of our students working hard in the classroom and doing their best on these assessments. In addition to classroom formative and summative assessment data, we use the data from these MAP assessments to help us identify the progress of our students and how to respond accordingly.

Congratulations, Mrs. Jinks!!

• Our assistant principal, Abby Jinks, is excited to share that she is expecting baby #2. She is due in the middle of May and is excited to have her one and half year old, Joe, to have a baby sister or baby brother.

Thank You, Jennifer Best!!

• Jennifer Best dedicated 24 years to our Board of Education. If you missed, Dr. Bowers post, you can read it here.

8th Grade TWHS Visit

• Thomas Worthington High School is looking forward to welcoming 8th grade students and families to our annual 8th grade Curriculum Night Wednesday, January 14, 6:10-8:30pm. The evening will start with a co-curricular open house in the new TWHS student commons from 6:10-6:40pm where students can learn about a plethora of opportunities to connect with student groups at Thomas. We will then hear remarks from Principal Almanson, after which students and families will have the opportunity to tour the building and learn more about our academic offerings. We look forward to seeing everyone!

Mentoring Opportunity

• We share our school building twice a month on Saturdays with a local mentoring group. The mentoring group, Boys To Men and Girls To Women, are open to new students joining their group. They are also in need to adult mentors to come alongside and help the youth in the program.
• Check out their website here!

What year did you start at Worthingway?

• 2012

What do you teach and what grade level?

• Math, Grade 7

What is your favorite part about Worthingway?

• The students and staff!

What is your favorite part about teaching?

• The students - seeing them change and grow, celebrating life with them, laughing, but also boosting them up after things get tough. The reassurance that it is going to be okay and seeing them rebound from tough stuff is just as rewarding.

What are you most proud of?

• My family - the strong relationships we have.

What are your hobbies?

• I have two young boys, 5 and (almost) 2, so...is being a mom a hobby?! I enjoy audiobooks, being outside, coffee, cooking, and a charcuterie board.

What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

• Skydiving!

What is your favorite food/drink?

• Ice water with lemon... mashed potatoes and (homemade) gravy.

What is something unique about you that people might not know?

• This question made me realize I am pretty boring :)

Looking for a fun summer adventure? Visit a toucan rescue farm? Hike to a waterfall? Consider Costa Rica in 2027! Visit this link to learn more about pricing, dates, and the itinerary. If you have questions, please reach out to Ms. Bateman at rbateman@wscloud.org

Recognize a Staff Member with a Cardinal Compliment

• Has a teacher, counselor, or staff member made a positive impact on your child? We want to hear about it! Take a moment to fill out our form to recognize a Worthingway staff member who has gone above and beyond. Your kind words mean a lot and help us celebrate the amazing work happening every day in our school community.

Bell Schedule

• Click here for our bell schedule

Schoology

• Schoology is our LMS (Learning Management System). Basically that means it is the "website" that our teachers use to house and communicate learning goals, assignments, and even some assessments.
• Parent Guide: Schoology
• What is Schoology?

Infinite Campus

• Infinite Campus is where you can access your students' grades, attendance, etc.
• Parent Guide: Infinite Campus

Securly Home

• You can download the Securly app to keep your student safe while using their school issued chromebook at home. Click here to learn more.

Best Resource!!!

• Click here for a comprehensive document that will help you with Schoology and Infinite Campus and Securly Home.

As the holiday season approaches, we warmly invite you to join Worthington Connects, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families in need within the Worthington community. Our mission is to provide essential resources, spreading joy and hope to those facing challenges.

There are several meaningful ways you can give back this holiday season:

• Sponsor a Family: Provide gifts and essential items directly to a family in need.
• Donate a Laundry Basket of Essentials: Items like cleaning supplies, toiletries, and non-perishable food are always appreciated.
• Contribute to a Family Stocking: Gift cards, small gifts, and other stocking stuffers are wonderful ways to brighten someone’s holiday.
• Monetary or Gift Card Donations: Your financial contributions or gift cards help us address families' unique needs.

To learn more or to make a donation, please fill out this Google Form to let us know how you'd like to contribute.

Visit our website to make a financial contribution which will go towards supporting families in need this holiday season!

https://worthingtonconnects.org/

Thank you for your generosity and for helping make the holidays brighter for those in need!

Warm regards,
The Worthington Connects Team

• We are always looking for ways to ensure our students and families have resources if they are experiencing food insecurity. Whether your family can help or is in need of help, you have come to the right place!

• If you need support:

• Worthington Resource Pantry and Resource Center

• Smoky Row Food Pantry

• Worthington Buddy Boxes

The OWL (Ohio Wesleyan Learning) has a long standing tradition of offering a summer camp program of challenge and enrichment for central Ohio's gifted and talented middle school students who are currently in grades 5-8.

The program is sponsored by Ohio Wesleyan University and founded by the Junior League of Columbus, with major support from corporations, foundations, community service groups and individual contributions.

For more information about the camp, please visit the OWL website or see attached letter.

Some important information about the program:

• Application is submitted online.

• Application deadline is January 31, 2026

• Financial Aid/Scholarship Applications - due to OWL Office by March 1, 2026.

• Additional scholarship opportunities for gifted students in need of financial assistance may be available from the Ohio Association for Gifted Children ( OAGC).

• Notification of Acceptance - email notifications sent around the end of March

New in 2026:
• Residential Camp will be split by grade levels. See the website for exact grades and weeks.
• Day Camp will be offered for two weeks, instead of one.
• Both camps will consist of four days of classes, ending on Thursdays. The duration of the classes will increase daily to ensure the same amount of instruction is provided.

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out via email to owl@owu.edu or Suzanne Palmer, Gifted Coordinator, at spalmer@wscloud.org

As the snow makes its dramatic entrance, we want to take a moment to celebrate what makes Worthingway so special - Our amazing families and staff working together to support our students.

A huge shout out to the families listed below who helped grow our indoor game collection just in time for winter. These games will be enjoyed by students during indoor Community Time, and your generosity means more connection, fun, and friendship for our kids!

Special Thank You To:

Backs Family
Rings Family
Greene Family
Everett Family
Sara & Family
Gentil Family
Dumas Family
Metzger Family
Nicole & Family
Green Family
Nolan Family
Knight Family
Another Greene Family
Buxton Family
Joseph Family
Castle Family
Sevin Family
Johnson Family

Want to Help?
There’s still time to contribute! Use our Amazon Wish List to send a game or two. Even a small purchase goes a long way in creating inclusive, shared fun:

Click here for our Wish List

Become a Cards Helper!

Whether it’s donating items, chaperoning an event, or lending your talents behind the scenes - We’d love to have you!

This is low-commitment, high-impact involvement that makes a big difference.

Sign Up to Help https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYq5-2XuC-B5j3uiXctN5hAHXyioj_MhPVYN6kYCCL4QG_8w/viewform?usp=header

More Ways to Support Worthingway PTA

Kroger Community Rewards
Link your Kroger card to Worthingway PTA (NPO #RF924), and a portion of your regular grocery spending helps support our school—at no cost to you!

Donate or Join the PTA
Every dollar and every member matters.

• Donate to the PTA

• Join the PTA

Stay Connected

• Read this section of the principal’s newsletter each week

• Visit our website: worthingwaypta.my.canva.site

• Join the conversation: Search “Worthingway PTA” on Facebook

Jennifer Johnson
PTA President
Worthingway Middle School

• All student-athletes must be registered in Final Forms in order to receive athletic communications and participate in any athletic tryouts, open gyms/fields, and practices.
• Worthington students in grades 6-12 who provide their student ID will be admitted free into any home Worthington athletic contest.
• You may use this link to purchase tickets for athletic events through Hometown Ticketing.
• Check out our athletic website for more information
• Team schedules can be found here
• WORTHINGWAY WINTER SPORTS SCHEDULES

Students that are dropped off or picked up by car will enter via our main office entrance (Rieber Street). Buses will drop off and and pick up at our 6th grade entrance (Guyer Street side). Important notes:

• Student Safety is our top priority. Please be mindful of our walkers and bike riders (we have bike racks on our bus drop off side). If you exit on the Guyer Street side, please yield to crossing students AND incoming buses.
• Doors open at 8:50 for student drop off. Students will be instructed to remain in the cafeteria or gym until 9:03. Classes begin at 9:10 and end at 3:50.
• We ask families to pull all the way forward to the end of our main lot at pick up time. Cars that stop at the front doors can create backups that extend onto Rieber St.
• You may notice one or two cars in the bus loop at the beginning and end of the day. These vehicles have special permission to be here for their students' transportation needs.

• District Calendar for 2025-26

December 18

• Cardinal Breakfast Celebration for invited students and families

December 19

• Last Day of Quarter 2

January 5

• Return to School

Mr. Todd Keenan, principal (tkeenan@wscloud.org)

Mrs. Abby Jinks, assistant principal (ajinks@wscloud.org)

Ms. Lara Ruffing, mental health specialist (lruffing@wscloud.org)

Mr. Nick Wiedenhoft, athletic director (nwiedenhoft@wscloud.org)

Mrs. Paula Lee, administrative assistant (plee@wscloud.org)

Ms. Amanda DeBernardi, administrative assistant (adebernardi@wscloud.org)

Mrs. Jodi Hill, attendance and testing (wayattend@wscloud.org or click here)

Mrs. Joyce Casey, school nurse (jcasey@wscloud.org)

Location: 6625 Guyer Street, Worthington, OH

Phone: 614-450-4300

School Website