The Whetstone Weekly

Para leer en español: haga clic o seleccione "Translate" en la parte superior de la pantalla.

Upcoming Dates

• WAPA Booster Meeting - Tuesday, 11/18, 6:30pm, WHS Library
• PTA Meeting* - Wednesday, 11/19, 6:30-7:30, WHS Library
• No School (Wellness Break) - Monday-Friday, 11/24-28
• Senior Breakfast* - Tuesday, 12/16, 9am-11am, Mozart's Cafe

*See below for more info

Whetstone PTA Calendar

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

CCS District Calendars

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

FAFSA helps you pay for college, cosmetology school, and some trade programs. Completing the FAFSA is essential for students seeking college scholarships and grants, including the Columbus Promise. See https://iknowican.org/event/ for more info and below to sign up!

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

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!

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make She Kills Monsters such an incredible success! Our cast, crew, and directors poured their hearts into this show, and your support made all the difference. We’re thrilled to share that this year’s fall play had record-breaking attendance, with over 400 audience members on Friday night alone — our biggest turnout yet!

From the performers who brought the story to life to the tech team who worked behind the scenes, every moment of this production was a testament to creativity, teamwork, and passion. And a special shout-out to the parents who came out on strike day to help haul away all that cardboard from the set — your support keeps our program running strong (and our stage clean!).

Thank you for continuing to cheer on our students and the arts at WAPA!

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!

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

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

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!

This free one-day event invites high school students to work in teams to design a mobile app, solve real-world problems, network with peers and learn to code. Students receive all the tools, technology, and mentorship they need to succeed. No prior tech experience is required.

Saturday, November 15, 2025

9am – 6pm

Columbus Africentric Early College

3223 Allegheny Ave, Columbus, OH 43209

Get more info at https://www.techcorps.org/2025tchack/

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.

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

If you're reading this newsletter, you likely already have a student at Whetstone. But...maybe you or your friends have other, younger students that are interested in and considering attending Whetstone in 2026-27?

If so, consider taking a Whetstone High School Tour! Tours are a great way to experience all that WHS has to offer and help you decide!

Visit https://www.whetstonepta.org/home/family-ambassador-page/school-tours for much more info and a link to schedule a tour.

Spread the word and sign-up today!

The ongoing federal government shutdown has created uncertainty and hardship for many in our community. For some of our families, this means losing access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a vital support that helps ensure children have food on the table.

I want you to know that we see you, we hear you, and we are standing with you. At Columbus City Schools, we believe that no child should ever go hungry and that every family deserves the dignity of knowing where their next meal will come from.

We are working hand-in-hand with the City of Columbus, Franklin County, and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective to ensure that families continue to have access to nutritious meals during this difficult time. As part of this effort, Columbus City Schools will open five food distribution sites across the city to provide ready-to-eat meals for families in need.

The District, in partnership with the City of Columbus, will distribute more than 46,000 shelf-stable meals, supported by a $125,000 grant that ensures families continue to have reliable access to food during the federal shutdown.

Meal pick-up for CCS families will take place AGAIN on Friday, November 14, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the following locations, where CCS staff volunteers will be on-site to assist with distribution:

• West High School: 179 S. Powell Ave.
• South High School: 1160 Ann St.
• Walnut Ridge High School: 4841 E. Livingston Ave.
• Columbus International High School: 4077 Karl Rd.
• Linden McKinley STEM Academy: 1320 Duxberry Ave.
  

Additionally, many of our schools are hosting turkey and food pantry drives as we enter the Thanksgiving season. More details about these school-based drives will be shared in the coming weeks, so families know when and where to participate.

If you or someone you know needs help finding additional food resources, please visit FreshTrak.com to locate nearby pantries and meal programs. Our partners at Franklin County Job and Family Services and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective are also available to help connect families with support.

We will continue to work and advocate on your behalf, because ensuring our students are nourished and cared for is not just our responsibility as a district; it’s our promise as a community.

Thank you for your strength, your perseverance, and your trust in us. Together, we will get through this, the Columbus way, by standing shoulder to shoulder as our students continue to learn, grow, and thrive.

With care and commitment,

Dr. Angela Chapman
Superintendent/CEO, Columbus City Schools

The Columbus Board of Education welcomes three new members, elected by the community on Tuesday, November 4. These incoming Board members will be sworn in on Jan. 6, 2026, each beginning a four-year term dedicated to serving Columbus City Schools. Please welcome Dr. Jermaine Kennedy, Patrick Katzenmeyer, and Dr. Antoinette Miranda.

CCS is partnering with NBC4 once again for the annual Turkey Drive! This year, we’ll be distributing 1,800 turkeys and sides to families in need. Details below.

Want to help and volunteer? Visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrlneozxXhdU88UwtKI5CprvjkoyQnGvRjfEM87ysP6eaBUA/viewform to sign up!

Columbus City Schools is excited to launch our new Monthly Districtwide Attendance Challenges — fun, themed opportunities designed to keep students motivated, connected, and showing up every day!

Each month, schools will be invited to share a theme, family activities, and fun incentives to encourage good attendance and celebrate progress.

🌟 November’s Challenge: “Heat Up Your Attendance!”

Promotion Begins: November 3 | Challenge Dates: November 10 – December 12

As the weather cools down, we’re warming things up by celebrating students who show up consistently!

Key Message: “Bundle up, show up, and warm up your grades!”

SAMPLE Activities and Family Connections: Please check with your student’s school for specific details regarding participation.

🏫 Elementary: “Cozy Classrooms”

• At School: Classrooms with 95%+ attendance might earn a Hot Cocoa Party!
  
• At Home: Create a Cozy Reading Corner together — read for 15 minutes before bed each night to keep the learning (and attendance motivation) going!
  
• Talk with your child about what makes school fun and why showing up matters.
  

🎒 Middle School: “Grateful for Showing Up”

• At School: Students may share “Why I’m Thankful for School” on a wall display and receive staff notes of appreciation.
  
• At Home: Start a Family Gratitude Board — each evening, have everyone share one thing they’re thankful for about school, teachers, or learning.
  
• Encourage your student to set an attendance goal for the month and celebrate progress weekly.
  

🎓 High School: “Gratitude for Showing Up”

• At School: Students with improved attendance may receive gratitude cards; the top grade might earn a Pizza Party!
  
• At Home: Help your teen plan ahead by creating a Morning Success Routine — set out clothes, pack a snack, and check the bus schedule the night before.
  
• Discuss how consistent attendance connects to college, career, and life goals.
  

🏆 Special Acknowledgments Announced: December 16–18

Thank you for all you do to make sure your child is present, engaged, and ready to learn each day. Every day matters — and together, we can make attendance something to celebrate!

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!

The Christmas season brings hope, joy, and togetherness. For families in need, The Salvation Army in Central Ohio offers support through our annual Christmas Cheer Program, providing toys for children (14 and under) and hearty food boxes to make the season brighter.

Sign-ups for 2025 Christmas Assistance will start October 25th, 2025. No Appointment Necessary. Registration for Christmas Cheer is available at multiple locations across Columbus.

Please bring the required documentation to one of the locations listed in the flyer:

• for the head of household (e.g., driver’s license, state ID, employee ID)
• for all household members, including birth dates (e.g., birth certificates, shot records, Job and Family Services printout).

Electronic documents are accepted. Social Security cards or numbers are not required.

Much more info at https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/southwest-ohio/central-ohio/cheer/

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