Worthingway Weekly

I worked with a student this week who violated some bus expectations and the bus driver asked for some support. It wasn't anything major but it needed to be corrected. Initially, the student cried and wasn't ready to engage in conversation about it. Because it wasn't serious and timely, we tabled it for that moment and I checked in with him later in the day. When I asked why he was so upset earlier, he responded with a shoulder shrug and said "I don't know."

This type of response is typical. I have seen it many times in my career working with students this age. Although it may seem like a curt response, it is an honest response. He truly didn't know.

Feelings are a gauge - not a guide. They help us to understand our current emotions but we should not allow that to guide our actions (in all circumstances).

Middle school students are emotional beings. Oftentimes for them, their emotional centers of their brain are active when we would want them to use their Executive Functioning parts of their brain. So it is through these coaching/teaching opportunities that help build their skill and remind them that their feelings are a gauge - not a guide.

One of the things we talk with our whole student body about at the beginning of the year and throughout is e+R=o. The "e" stands for Event - anything that happens to you. It can be someone accidentally bumping you in the hallway. It could be someone intentionally saying something to or about you. The "o" stands for Outcome. The outcome is a result of the event and your Response. But the key in this equation (which is why I capitalize it) is the "R" - this is your Response. You cannot control Events in your life but you can always control your Response to them - which greatly influences the Outcome.

We enjoy this aspect of our work as middle school educators. And we enjoy partnering with you in these opportunities.

This Week

• This week we saw...
• ..students practice writing and annotation
• ..students in 8th grade Social Studies analyze primary source documents to answer the question "Was Ohio a free state before the Civil War?"
• ..a small group of students attended the OMLA Student Leadership Conference
• ..the amazing Isla Helinski win the Peace Poster Contest!!! Lessgo!!
• ..staff work productively with families
• ..staff collaborate to ensure high levels of learning for all students

Claire Cressman

• If you were unable to attend or watch the recent State of the Schools presentation, take three minutes and check out the clip they showed with Claire Cressman, 6th grade Science teacher, and our Worthingway students making magic in the Science classroom!

Erica Hitzhusen and Brian Wiseman

• Erica and Brian teach 7th and 8th grade Science. They presented at the Science Education Council of Ohio Conference earlier this week! The title of their presentation was "Rooted in Science: Growing Student Curiosity Through Soybean Investigations"

Clothing Drive!

• Are you spring cleaning? Please consider donating to Worthington City School's Back-To-School Style Drop. We will have a bin at Worthingway from March 2-March 27.
• Check out our students' video for more information!

Following our successful fall launch, Worthington City Schools is preparing for our second administration of the Portrait of a Learner Survey, March 16th-27th. This tool allows us to move beyond traditional academics to measure the "durable skills" our community values most, the mindsets and habits that will serve our students throughout their time in Worthington and beyond.

The fall results provided us with a baseline; this spring window is about reflection and growth. It allows us to see how the strategies we’ve used this year are supporting our students.

The Portrait of a Learner survey continues to focus on:

• Measuring Progress: Comparing spring results to fall data to see how students are growing in the skills our community prioritizes.

• Refining Our Approach: Using student feedback to adjust how we support "Durable Skills" and Executive Function (such as task initiation, emotional control, and organization).

• Supporting the Whole Child: Ensuring our daily classroom focus remains aligned with the mindset and habits students need for success in Worthington and beyond.

The survey remains age-appropriate, tiered by grade level, and includes a preparatory lesson:

• Grades 3–5: 15 questions

• Grades 6–8: 20 questions

• Grades 9–12: 25 questions

By checking in a second time, we can celebrate their progress and fine-tune our efforts where they are needed most.

If you have any questions or would like to opt your student out of this spring window, please email Mr. Keenan at tkeenan@wscloud.org.

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping us grow alongside our students.

• Mr. Black has created an environment where our son can thrive. Most of what I hear about school is band, and our son lights up when telling family about his auditions and experience in honor band. We were shocked when he chose band, and sure enough, it's been a wildly positive experience for him. Thank you!

• Mr. Faingold had our son in 6th grade and gave him a poem about “not giving up.” I can’t remember if he gave it to all students, when he gave it to him - but we have it taped to the mirror and it has continued to be meaningful in 7th grade, sports and life. We appreciate the positive influence and constant reminder that has been a whole year later!

If you would like to recognize a staff member, please use this link.

DACC Summer Camp

• Attention families of rising 7th-9th graders! The Delaware Area Career Center is hosting its annual Summer Camp on June 2-4. DACC will offer nine camps this year, covering a wide variety of subjects and career fields. Each camp will be hands-on, engaging and fast-paced — allowing local middle school students to "try on a career" and learn new skills over a three-day span. They will get to learn from and alongside industry professionals and current DACC students, all while making new friends who have similar interests. It is a great way to kick off your summer and begin to experience the magic of career-technical education in your own community!
• Registration will open Wednesday, March 4th at 6 a.m. Visit DACC's website for more information on this year's camp offerings and DACC Summer Camp in general!

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.

Worthingway PTA: 2025–2026 Officer & Chair Interest Form

We’re looking ahead to the 2025–2026 school year and inviting you to share your interest in joining the Worthingway PTA leadership team!

There are so many ways for you to get involved to meet your level of commitment! No prior PTA experience is needed - Just a willingness to collaborate and support our school community.

Please fill out the form below to indicate:

• Your interest in a specific role

• If you'd like to nominate someone else

• Or if you'd like to learn more before deciding

Here are the positions available:

• Co-Vice President

• Co-Secretary

• Co-Treasurer

• Worthingway CLC Representative

• Staff Appreciation Chair or Co-Chair

• Concessions Chair or Co-Chair

• Fundraising Chair or Co-Chair (2)
  
  

You’re welcome to express interest in more than one role or to request a co-chair position if you’d prefer to share responsibilities.

Thank you for being part of our amazing Worthingway community!

Officer & Chair Interest Form: https://forms.gle/4kcZSxmPH3s6efnx9

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 SPRING 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

March 30-April 3

• Spring Break

Wednesday, April 8

• OST: ELA Part I

Thursday, April 9

• OST: ELA Part II

Tuesday, April 14

• OST: Math part I

Wednesday, April 15

• OST: Math part II

Tuesday, April 21

• OST: Science grade 8 (MAP grades 6 and 7)

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

The TWHS boys volleyball team is selling blankets.

Blankets are 60" X 70" and are $35.00. Payment can be cash, check (TWHS Boys Spikers), Square (@concessions stand during home games), or Venmo @TWHSboysvolleyball.

Here is the google form to order.

Thank you for supporting the TWHS Men's Volleyball Program. Go Cards!