Worthingway Weekly

In a previous newsletter, I shared with you that our district is considering ways that AI can support teaching and learning. During this month, I have the privilege to be able to share a few of our teacher's perspectives on how they are using AI in their work with students.

Kelly Rowoldt is one of our 6th grade ELA teachers. She has been teaching for 19 years. She connects well with all types of students and is intentional about finding new and creative ways to reach and challenge students in their learning.

I became interested in learning more about AI when I wanted to create a fun picture of my dog. This summer, I had the opportunity to attend a professional learning session where educators explored various AI sites and platforms. During that time, I reached out to Mr. Keenan to ask if we would be getting MagicSchool for students. A few days later, we received confirmation that Worthington would be providing this resource for students in grades 3–8.

I quickly set up a room for students to use in MagicSchool. They now have access to tools such as Expand My Idea, Idea Generator, Sentence Starters, Textproof Reader, and Writing Feedback. From my own experience, I know that students often get stuck when trying to write creative narratives. Using these tools, students learned how to use prompts effectively to jumpstart their writing.

Students also used the Writing Feedback tool while composing their Mysteries and Investigations essays. By uploading our rubric, they received specific revision suggestions and learned what they were doing well. I was thrilled—it felt like having a personal writing coach built right into their Chromebooks!

While we understand that AI isn’t perfect, it has proven to be a valuable tool in Language Arts. Students have even used our MagicSchool room to support learning in other subject areas. We have embraced technology, learned together, and allowed it to guide and strengthen our learning along the way.

This Week

• This week, we saw...
• ..our staff and students return from break with a renewed sense of energy and excitement about the new year and start of the second semester!
• ..three new students start at our school - they were welcomed into our school and taken on a tour by current Worthingway students.
• ..some of our students started some new elective classes!
• ..the buzz about scheduling for next year has started already
• ..students learn about Frankenstein, Thomas Jefferson, the fall of Rome, and engage collaboratively to problem solve and find solutions in multiple representations of graphs, tables, and equations.

MLK Celebration

• Our school district is partnering with other organizations to organize a community celebration on January 19.
• We are proud to share that Worthingway students will be reading excerpts from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. Thank you to the following students who will be reading: Tripp Pelletier, Karina Swank, Millie Kenny, Langston Spencer, Josiah Owusu, and Akua Boateng.
• You are welcome to join us on January 19 for this community celebration.

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!

WEF Gala

• Please consider supporting the Worthington Education Foundation by purchasing a ticket to the Gala event on February 6th.
• Click here to purchase a ticket.

TWHS Visit (evening event)

• Wednesday, January 14, 6:10-8:30pm (at TWHS)
• Thomas Worthington High School is looking forward to welcoming 8th grade students and families to our annual 8th grade Curriculum Night . 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!
• While this evening is geared toward helping incoming students learn more about the high school prior to scheduling, we welcome any middle school family who wishes to learn more about TWHS.
• Questions about this event can be directed to Nathan Thornhill, assistant principal at TWHS, at nthornhill@wscloud.org

TWHS Visit (during the school day)

• Friday, January 16th from 9:30am-1pm
• All 8th grade students will visit Thomas Worthington High School as preparation for high school scheduling and transition to the high school experience. The students will be transported from Worthingway to TWHS (and back to Worthingway) by school bus transportation. Families are strongly encouraged to have their student present at Worthingway prior to 9:15am to be prepared for release to board buses going to the high school.
• Questions about this event can be directed to Mrs. Cerita Todd, counselor at Worthingway, at ctodd@wscloud.org

Linworth

• Linworth is now accepting applications for the 26-27 school year. Apply at linworth.org.
• To schedule a half-day student visit, contact your current school counselor or email akargiotis@wscloud.org or call 614-450-6900.

• The Linworth Open House is Wednesday, January 28, at 7:00 p.m., at 2075 W. Dublin-Granville Rd.

• Questions about Linworth can be directed to Amy Kargiotis, secretary at Linworth, at akargiotis@wscloud.org

Worthington Schools is happy to be partnering once again with Ohio Dental Outreach, to offer in-school dental care. The dates for Worthington Estates and Worthingway Students are Wednesday February 11, 2026. The services will be performed at Worthington Estates Elementary (Worthingway students will walk over accompanied by school staff). Dental care includes a complete dental exam, x-rays, cleaning, fluoride and sealants when necessary, and in some cases, restorative care such as fillings, all occurring during the school day. All insurance is accepted including Medicaid and CHIP. For those without insurance, a self- pay option is available for $71 (ages 13 or younger), or you may also request donated care to cover the cost.

Permission slips are available at your school office. These need to be completed and returned as soon as possible, or you may complete the form online -- the links for each school are found below. Parent/Guardian signature is required in order to treat your student on the day of the clinic. We need as many students as possible to complete permission slip by February 4, 2026, although students will be accepted after that date.

If you have any questions please contact Joyce Casey, our School Nurse at 614-450-4300 or jcasey@wscloud.org.

Worthingway Middle School: https://www.myschooldentist.com/WNWCOH_schsrm

What subject/grade do you teach?

• Technology (grades 7 and 8)

When did you start teaching?

• 1999

What is your favorite part about Worthingway?

• The building is open and a great space to work in.

What is your favorite part about teaching?

• Sharing new ideas and help students while working on projects

What are your hobbies?

• Blacksmithing, woodworking, reenacting (1812)

What is your pet peeve?

• when a student asks how many points an assignment is - this tells me they just want to do what is needed for a grade. Take the time to learn a new skill, not a score.

What are you most proud of?

• My ability to use skills to make things - I built an 1812 era travelling forge and ammunition wagon, and taught myself skills to weld and machine parts.

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

• That is a split between fighting a forest fire in New Mexico or Ice Climbing in Alaska.

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

• I travel to several reenactments and events (8+) every year to demonstrate historical blacksmithing for the War of 1812; I build and repair cannon carriages and equipment for reenactors

What is your favorite corny joke?

• Why did the elephant paint her toenails red? To hide in the strawberry patch.

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.

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

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
• Girls Lacrosse Open Gym begins on Sunday, January 11, at KMS from 6-8 pm

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

Friday, January 16

• 8th grade visit to TWHS

Monday, January 19

• No 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