The Whetstone Weekly

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Upcoming Dates

• Senior Breakfast* - Tuesday, 12/16, 9am-11am, Mozart's Café
• Winter Music Concert - Wednesday, 12/17, 7PM
• PTA meeting* - Wednesday, 12/17
• No School (Winter Break) - Monday, 12/22 - Friday, 1/2
• No School (MLK Jr. Day) - Monday, 1/19

*See below for more info

Whetstone PTA Calendar

https://www.whetstonepta.org/home/calendar

CCS District Calendars

https://www.ccsoh.us/calendars.aspx

REMINDER: The last day to order is Saturday, December 6th!

If you don't have anyone to buy books for, you can buy from the wish list set up for the WHS library: https://book-efairs.follettcontent.com/pages/wishlists?code=J1XX5X

"A library without books is like a body without a soul." -paraphrased from Cicero

A great library is an important element to any great school, education, and student. But, books aren't free and funding has been reduced this year (and may be eliminated next year)!

So, consider participating in the Whetstone Online Book Fair Fundraiser! Each book purchased gives Whetstone credit with our book supplier (Follett) to help purchase additional books for our library. It's a win-win!

The fair contains books for all ages, and the fundraiser runs through December 6th. Visit https://book-efairs.follettcontent.com/collections/84R4P to browse, buy, and help keep our library great!

Please keep in mind that 2nd quarter grades will finalize in January and effect eligibility for the second half of winter sports season. Be sure to pass 5 credits and be above a 2.0 GPA. If you or your child need additional support, please come to me or send your child to me. I have happy to set up weekly or twice weekly check-ins for accountability and support.

For all things schedules and contact information, use the Roundup link: https://rebrand.ly/WhetstoneWeeklyRoundup

Shout outs: Coach Tim Broskie (Head Baseball Coach) gets inducted into the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association hall of Fame on January 23rd. He is the 5th CCS coach to ever get inducted into the Hall of Fame! Additionally, Coach Noah Creagh was voted the All-Ohio Division II Coach of the Year! He will receive his award on December 14th at the All-Ohio Banquet. Coach Noah is the first soccer coach in CCS History to achieve this milestone.

Winter Teams Insight: Our girls wrestling team has exploded in team members this year. They are sitting at about 15 wrestlers. Our bowling teams have also increased participation with the boys team having 16 members and the girls team having 16 members. They will compete in full JV and Varsity schedules. Our girls basketball is back to playing a JV and Varsity schedule after having only a couple JV games last year. Our boys basketball has all three levels – JVB, JV, Varsity – after not having a JVB last year and an entire new coaching staff this year. We have launched a Whetstone Dance team for this Winter. You will see them performing at half-time of basketball games. After graduating a large class last year, swimming and diving has filled their rosters plus some! Cheer and boys wrestling continue to fill their teams with JV and Varsity participants. Our winter teams are strong and ready. Our numbers are UP. Our energy is UP. We are excited to use the momentum from fall sports and compete and represent well this winter.

Sign up to volunteer for winter concessions!

It's a fun way to support all the athletes at Whetstone.

The more people that sign up the more times we can open the concession stand.

Get info and Volunteer at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044AAFA62EA20-60943086-coachteam#/

See past and upcoming matches for all WHS sports at WHS Athletic Schedule and buy your tickets at WHS Athletic Tickets.

WHS Boys and Girls Bowling Info, Schedule, and more can be found at https://www.cohsbc.com/index.aspx

The WHS Athletic Boosters provide team support - paying for various expenses that coaches and teams need to be successful during a season and annual monetary awards for graduating student athletes that have demonstrated excellence in academics. Visit whetstoneathleticboosters.com for more info.

Show your Whetstone pride and support your Whetstone athlete with Spirit Wear! The Booster store has options to support WHS Sports, Band, and Cheer. There are Parent/Family, Alumni, and Teacher/Staff logos, too. And most importantly, all proceeds benefit our kids! Visit the Athletic Booster Spirit Wear store to browse and buy hoodies, t-shirts, hats, blankets, drinkware, and more. Personalization is available on select items. There is something for everyone!

The Famous Jazz Orchestra will be featuring the Whetstone Jazz Ensemble on Monday December 8th at 7:30pm! The performance will take place at Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 1235 Northwest Blvd. Columbus, OH. See the flyer attached for more details.

In this hilarious and outlandish story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. This popular musical is a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived!

Friday & Saturday, December 12 & 13, 2025

7:00 PM 9:00 PM

studio133 (map)

More info and tickets at https://www.wapa.net/performances-gashZ

Come check out the wonderful and creative Bug Sculptures created by WHS students and displayed at the Whetstone Library!

Candy Bar sales for the New York City Trip have started! As of now, we are only taking cash or check for transactions. Each bag is worth $45 and students make 45% on each bag, so each bag students will make $20.25. Students can pick up their candy bar bags from a WAPA Director.

WAPA has offered corporate sponsorships for several years now, but new this year is individual or family sponsorships. These sponsorships can be purchased at https://www.wapa.net/shop

The levels are as follows:

• Opening Act - $50 - your preferred name will be listed in the two theater production programs as well as on a poster outside the theater
• Feature Act - $100 - your preferred name will be listed in the two theater production programs as well as on a poster outside the theater.
• Headliner - $250 – all the benefits of a Featured Act sponsorship as well as early access to purchase tickets to the fall play and spring musical
• Director - $500 – all the benefits of a Headliner as well as 2 complimentary tickets to the fall play and spring musical
• Executive Producer - $1,000 – all the benefits of a Director as well as 4 complimentary tickets to the fall play and spring musical
• WAPA Patron - $2500+ – all the benefits of an Executive Producer as well as a verbal shout out at the beginning of the fall play and spring musical by Mr. Ray

Currently there are groups for Whetstone Band, She Kills Monsters, Jazz Ensemble, Whetstone Vocal Music, Whetstone String Orchestra and WAPA Volunteers. Your student *should* already be a member and can send you an invitation to join via the app. If not, reach out to the directors or you can email wapaboosters@gmail.com and we will do whatever we can to help get you connected.

Get the Band App at https://www.band.us/en

WAPA IS...A place to experience inspiring music and theater. A place for students to grow. A place for instructors to shine. A place for our community to come together. WAPA is here to inspire.

WHETSTONE. ACADEMY. of PERFORMING. ARTS.

For more info, visit wapa.net.

Interested in getting involved? Our PTA holds open meetings each month:

• PTA Academic Committee - 1st Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the school library
• Come to learn and help grow and recognize the academic elements at WHS.
• PTA - 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the school library
• Join to hear what’s going, get updates from Principal Rodriguez, and learn how you can contribute to our wonderful school community.

All are welcome but in order to be a voting member, you need to pay $10 for a membership. Click here for membership options.

If you're not already participating, take three minutes and enroll your Kroger Plus card with their Community Rewards program to benefit Whetstone PTA. Visit whetstonepta.org/home/kroger-community-rewards-for-whs-pta for more info.

The Whetstone Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a community of parent volunteers, working to provide scholarships for students, grants for teachers, connect school leadership with parents, and enrich the high school experience for ALL the students at Whetstone High School. See below for selected PTA-related information, and visit whetstonepta.org to join and get even more!

New this year: We’ve started a group on the Band app to better facilitate communication. Join us here!

Selected WHS 10th, 11th, and 12th students had a fun an educational visit to Bowling Green State University (BGSU) on 11/20/25. The visit allowed students to:

• Hear from admissions
• Tour the campus
• Eat lunch in the dinning hall

The students asked thoughtful questions and were fully engaged about learning about BGSU.

Watch for more upcoming campus visit and I Know I Can events. Contact Nicole Martin for more info at nmartin@iknowican.org.

December 16, 9am-11am

(Class of 2026 students only, not open to early grads; MUST ride the bus, students may not drive)

Mozart's Cafe, 4784 N. High St. Columbus, Ohio 43214

Cost: $30 (Link will be open December 1, 2026)

When: Saturday, May 9, 2026

Where: TBD

Class of 2026 Requirements to attend Prom:

• Have ALL 120 Internship hours completed AND entered in School Links.
• Have passed all of your courses for 1st semester AND 3rd grading period.
• Have100% of your required VCAP/EDMENTUM courses completed by May 1, 2026.
• NO suspensions, this is including ISS and OSS from October 1 - May 6, 2026

Class of 2027 Requirements to attend Prom:

• Have a minimum of 90 Internship hours completed AND entered in School Links.
• Have passed all of your courses for 1st semester AND 3rd grading period.
• Have 100% of your required VCAP/EDMENTUM courses completed by May 1, 2026.
• NO suspensions, this is including ISS and OSS from October 1 - May 6, 2026

Questions can be sent to Ms. Ottey, Mr. Eagle, Mr. Haffele or your student's counselor.

A graduation date has been set!

Graduation will take place on Saturday, May 30 at 12:00 PM in the Battelle Grand Ballroom at the Columbus Convention Center.

More info to come...

A team of district technicians will be onsite in the coming weeks to assign Chromebooks to students based on the device they currently have in their possession.

Students will bring their Chromebook to English class on their scheduled day. The device they have with them at that time will be officially assigned to them going forward.

Chromebook Expectations & New Procedures

To maintain inventory accuracy and proper device care:

• Students are financially responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen Chromebooks (excluding normal wear and tear).

• Replacement devices will only be issued after 7 days if an assigned Chromebook cannot be located (1st loss only).

• Mr. Pyros will monitor IP login activity to assist with locating misplaced devices.

• Students with repeated loss/damage may lose Chromebook access unless extenuating circumstances are documented.

Chromebook Inventory Schedule

Three techs will be stationed outside English classrooms on the dates below.

• Fri, Dec 12
• 9th Grade & ELA Resource
• Room 211B (Periods 3, 5b/6)
• Room 213 (Periods 2, 4, 5/5b, 7, 8)

• Tue, Dec 16
• 10th Grade, ESL
• Room 218 (Periods 2, 4, 4b/5, 7, 8)
• Room 215 (Periods 2, 6/6b, 7)
• Room 122 (Period 3)

• Wed, Dec 17
• CCP- Junior Jumpstart & Seniors-to-Sophomores, Make-Ups for students who were absent
• First Floor Conference Room — 8:15–11:00 AM

Please remain flexible, as slight room adjustments may be made as logistics finalize

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support to ensure all students remain equipped for learning.

Parent-Teacher Conferences are here! These conferences are a great way to meet one-on-one with your student's teacher(s) and discuss their individual progress.

Upcoming Parent Teacher CONFERENCES will be:

• Thursday, 1/29 from 3pm-6:30pm
• Tuesday, 2/3 from 3:30pm-7pm.

Visit the Conference Signup Document and reserve your spot!

Need some help planning for your conference? Check out these helpful resources:

• Parent-Techer Conference Checklist - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NtgwnmkCxaadeBxeydrcPltuskaKEHFA/view
• Parent Teacher Conference Worksheet - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nAYuvraUUnxKE_4ZH9ASu3KMjpbJ2mlp/view

Achieve College Credit for the 2026-2027 School Year

Who can participate:

Students who will be in 7th through 12th grades for the 2026-2027 school year are eligible to apply for College Credit Plus (CCP). Admission into the program is determined by the college/university for which the student takes CCP courses.

Information sessions:

Families can choose from attending an in-person meeting, a live online webinar, or watching a pre-recorded video. Click here for the Informational Meetings dates, times, and registration link.

The session will include a presentation on the College Credit Plus Program and information on next steps. College/university representatives will also be presenting information and available for individual questions about their application process.

This meeting is mandatory for ALL students taking CCP courses, regardless of if it's taken on the college campus, online, or in your high school. Attending the informational meeting must be completed yearly along with submitting the Letter of Intent. Watch the pre-recorded session by clicking here

For more information and to register:

The next live online webinar meeting will be Wednesday, December 10 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

For more information or to register, please visit the Higher Education Partnerships (HEP) Department webpage.

Take advantage of opportunities to earn valuable college credit before graduating from high school!

Why wait for your future? With Ohio's College Credit Plus (CCP) program, students can explore rigorous academic opportunities through a wide variety of course options. The purpose of this program is to offer dual enrollment in high school and college courses for Columbus City School students as an accelerated pathway towards college and career readiness.

Click the flyer for more information. Questions? Contact Nicole Martin at nmartin@iknowican.org.

From 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, the 17th annual Clintonville Tree Lighting will be held inside the Whetstone Community Center. Hosted by Clintonville Rotary, the event will feature music by the Whetstone High School choristers and instrumentalists, children's crafts, hot chocolate, and cookies donated by Weiland's Market and elves. Santa will visit to have his photo taken with kids sharing a special wish. About 7:00 p.m., festivities will move outside to the evergreen tree in front of the Whetstone Library, where Father Matthew Hoover of Immaculate Conception Church will give a community blessing, Dave Carty, owner of Longview Barbershop (Columbus' oldest), will illuminate the tree, and everyone can join in singing "Let There Be Peace on Earth."

The Clintonville Tree Lighting is a free community event!

Get more info at https://www.facebook.com/events/1403800777931076

Stay engaged in your child's education! The Parent Portal (through Infinite Campus) is your link to real-time information on your Columbus City Schools student(s), including class schedules, assignments, grades, attendance, and more.

To access the Parent Portal, visit: https://columbusoh.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/columbusCity.jsp

For information on how to access and use the Parent Portal, visit: https://www.ccsoh.us/parentportal.aspx

or

https://secure.smore.com/n/3jk0e-ccs-infinite-campus-parent-portal

Parent Portal App info is available at: https://secure.smore.com/3jk0e

The Pathway Express program is back for another year with three unique destinations for students and families to explore!

Pathway Express demonstrates how learning extends beyond the classroom walls. These transformative experiences shape and empower our students for success, as they align with our goals of increasing math and reading proficiency and help close opportunity gaps. Create lasting memories with engaging hands-on learning experiences at each of our Pathway Express stops!

The next Pathway Express is at the Lincoln Theatre in December followed by Indian Village Outdoor Education Center in April. These learning opportunities will lead us through the 2025-2026 school year, right up to our 2026 Summer Experience. See event details below.

December 13

• Saturday, December 13, 2025

• Location: Lincoln Theatre (769 E. Long St.)

• Time: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

April 25

• Saturday, April 25, 2026

• Location: Indian Village Outdoor Education Center (3232 Indian Village Road)

• Time: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

To learn more visit the Pathway Express page at https://www.ccsoh.us/pathwayexpress

Want even more WHS info? Visit these WHS-related groups and pages online.

• Whetstone HS (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstonehigh/
  
• Whetstone HS PTA (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstone_pta/
• Whetstone HS PTA (Facebook) - facebook.com/whetstonehighpta/
• Whetstone HS PTA Family Group (Facebook) - facebook.com/groups/472994289728615
• Whetstone HS Athletic Boosters (Facebook) - facebook.com/WHSAthleticBoosters
  
• Whetstone AD (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstone_athleticdirector/
• Whetstone Football Program (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstonehsfootball/
• Whetstone HS Cheer (Instagram) - instagram.com/whsbraves.cheer/
• WHS Baseball (Facebook) - facebook.com/Whetstone-Braves-Baseball-199500710084504
  
• WHS Baseball (Twitter) - twitter.com/WhetstoneBraves
• Whetstone HS boys soccer (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstoneboyssoccerofficial/
  
• Whetstone HS girls soccer (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstonegsoccer/
  
• Whetstone Baseball (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstonebaseball1
  
• WAPA (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstoneapa/
• WAPA (Facebook) - facebook.com/WhetstoneAPA/
• WAPA Boosters (Facebook) - facebook.com/groups/127079587751458
• Columbus City Schools (website) - ccsoh.us/district
• Columbus City Schools (Facebook) - facebook.com/ColumbusCitySchools

Location: 4405 Scenic Dr, Columbus, OH 43214

Website: ccsoh.us/WhetstoneHS

Email: whetstonehs@columbus.k12.oh.us

Hours: 7:30AM - 2:30PM

Phone: (614) 365-6060

Principal, Kimberly Rodriguez: krodriguez@columbus.k12.oh.us

Assistant Administrator (11th & 12th), Tara Ottey: tottey@columbus.k12.oh.us

Assistant Administrator (10th), Daniel McElroy: dmcelroyjr4864@columbus.k12.oh.us

Assistant Administrator (9th), Sarah Jaffy: sjaffy6286@columbus.k12.oh.us

Leadership Intern, Sibyl Barber: sbarber@columbus.k12.oh.us

Administrative Secretary, Martina Jakob: ejakob@columbus.k12.oh.us

Attendance Secretary, Lisa Hord: lhord4655@columbus.k12.oh.us

Thanks for reading! If you missed a past issue, visit the Whetstone Weekly Archive.

For much more info, visit the WHS PTA - Family Ambassador Page. And, as always, if you have suggestions or content for inclusion - or any other questions, comments, or concerns - please feel free to contact me. I'm here to help!

Damian Synadinos

WHS Family Ambassador

dsynadinos@columbus.k12.oh.us