The Whetstone Weekly

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Upcoming Dates

• Picture Retake Day - Tuesday, 10/14, 9:00am - 12:00pm
• Fall Choir & Strings Concert* - Tuesday, 10/14, 7-9pm, WHS Auditorium
• PTA Meeting* - Wednesday, 10/15, 6:30pm, WHS Library
• Band Performance @ Blue Jackets Game - Thursday, 10/16
• Columbus State Field Trip (IKIC) - Thursday, 10/16
• NO SCHOOL - Friday, 10/17
• Drumline Performance @ Cova Center - Saturday, 10/18
• End of Quarter 1 - Tuesday, 10/21
• NO SCHOOL - Wednesday, 10/22
• WHS Athletic Boosters and WAPA Booster Drive - Saturday, 10/25
• Senior Breakfast - Tuesday, 12/16, 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

Measles is a very serious and contagious disease caused by a virus that spreads easily in the air by coughing and sneezing. Up to 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to measles develop the disease. One in five people with measles are hospitalized. The Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection against measles. The MMR vaccine is very safe, highly effective, and does not cause autism. Getting vaccinated is much safer than getting measles.

What You Can Do

• Sick individuals should stay home and not have visitors. Unvaccinated people exposed to measles should quarantine for 21 days. People who are diagnosed with measles should isolate for 4 days after rash onset (day 0 is the day the rash appears) and may resume normal activities on day 5.
• Contact your health care provider or Columbus Public Health if you or someone in your family has measles symptoms.
• Ensure that children are up to date with MMR vaccination. They can get their first dose at 12 months of age.
• Speak with your health care provider to ensure your family is up to date on MMR vaccines.
• Keep updated immunization records of children in your care if you provide childcare.
• Cover coughs, wash hands, and clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
• Isolate sick people from unvaccinated people. Vaccinate exposed people with MMR as soon as possible.
• Help spread the word about this outbreak.
• Hang up signs in your school or business. (See attached.)
• Print, email or post our Measles FAQ and hot cards. (See attached.)

What You Need to Know About Measles

Anyone who has not been immunized or had measles in the past is at risk of getting measles. Speak to your doctor if you or your child develops these symptoms:

• Fever
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Conjunctivitis (red, watery eyes)
• Tiny white spots inside the mouth
• Rash all over the body

People can spread measles before they show symptoms.

For More Information or to Schedule a Vaccine:

Columbus Public Health

Phone: 614-645-1474 option 2

Email: measles@columbus.gov

Website for educational materials, vaccine sites and case reports: https://www.columbus.gov/measles

Franklin County Public Health

Phone: 614-525-3719

Clinic Page: https://myfcph.org/vaccines

Website for more info: https://myfcph.org

Congrats to the WHS Boys and Girls soccer teams for their City Championship Wins, the City Champion cross country girls with runner up boys, and the Girls Tennis team for their 16th straight City Championship title!

For the latest WHS Athletics news, visit the Weekly Whetstone Athletics Roundup by AD Hannah Bleikamp at https://rebrand.ly/WhetstoneWeeklyRoundup. See below for special highlights.

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!

Come out and listen to the beautiful sounds of our Choral and Strings Program! Show is Tuesday, 10/14. Doors open @ 6:40, Concert begins @ 7:00! Free Admission! Concessions will be open before and during the Concert, all proceeds benefit WAPA!

@ Whetstone High School Performing Arts Center (4405 Scenic Drive, Columbus, OH 43214)

WAPA is presenting our fall play, She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition (details below) and we are in need of cardboard 🙂

If you have any cardboard you are no longer in need of feel free to (have a student if you'd like) bring it to Mr. Ray's room (Room 133). The vision for the show is entirely made of cardboard from the set design to the costumes and prop weapons used within the show.

Visit https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mZ1QKORWHgvhNy70CFyWQQ_8Ibx9QSFbqmfMpjbOweM/edit for a slideshow with inspiration photos for the design if you're interested in what your donation of cardboard will go towards.

She Kills Monsters tells the story of high schooler Agnes Evans as she deals with the death of her younger sister, Tilly.

Friday & Saturday, November 7 & 8, 2025

7:00 PM & 9:00 PM

WAPA Performing Arts Center

Get more info and tickets at https://www.wapa.net/performances-gashZ/kt9ogqm254gg128klfaf2lrjbc5fu8

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 - 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.
• 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.

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

We’re looking for some help feeding the staff on conference nights!

The PTA is buying Jersey Mike’s and we’re asking for help with donations of chips and drinks. On Nov. 13 (yes, November) we’re setting up a taco bar for them. We appreciate all donations and items can be dropped on E Como if getting them to the school is too difficult. Thank you!!

More info and signup at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4AAAAD2BA20-53037237-feed#

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!

Khan Academy is a set of online tools and content that help educate students. AND, did you know Khan Academy is available in multiple languages? Students can receive math, science, SAT/ACT, government, and other subject matter content in another language by setting the Khan Academy default language to the student's language of choice.

To change the language on the Khan Academy website, log in to your account, scroll to the bottom of any page, and click "Change language" to select a new default language from the drop-down menu. Learn how at https://support.khanacademy.org/hc/en-us/articles/226458808-How-do-I-set-a-language-other-than-English-as-default

Ohio Farm Bureau is offering three single-day, free Fall camp experiences designed for high school students to learn about careers in agriculture, food, and STEM-related areas! The upcoming camps include:

• Eastern Ohio Experience, Oct. 17
• COLT Lineman Training Camp, Oct. 24
• Meat Processing Experience, Oct. 28

For more information, visit https://ofbf.org/community/youth-in-agriculture/exploreag/

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.

From Principal Rodriguez:

We ask all drivers to please drive slowly and cautiously during dismissal to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families.

• Buses have the right of way through the south exit (Mr. McElroy’s location) of the student parking lot.
• Cars should exit through the north exit (Mrs. Rodriguez’ location) and turn left to avoid delays caused by buses heading up DeLand.
• At no time should a car be between buses when exiting the Whetstone parking lot.

Additionally, please be mindful of our supportive community partners and neighbors when driving through the surrounding neighborhood and by the stores on High Street. Recently we have received complaints about students driving too fast, burning tires, and causing excessive smoke and noise. Please drive safely and help us maintain a positive relationship with our community by driving responsibly and representing Whetstone with pride. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us ensure that all students get to their rides and home safely.

Whetstone and Centennial students will be doing a food drive at the last football game, on October 24. Recommended items include sauces, soups, beans, veggies in cans, spices, pasta, peanut butter, boxed juices, and canned tuna and chicken. The PTA will be bringing the CRC van to collect donations to weigh on site and announce which school brought the most canned goods (by weight) after halftime. Help Whetstone win and support a good cause!

Did you buy too much candy for Halloween? You're in luck! The Senior Cabinet is holding a candy drive! Candy collected will be sold as a fundraiser for senior breakfast and prom. Leave donated candy at the WHS front desk (Attn: Senior Cabinet) before October 25.

Flu season is right around the corner, and now is the best time to get vaccinated. October is considered the ideal month for flu shots because it allows your body enough time to build immunity before flu activity typically peaks in late fall and winter. Getting vaccinated now ensures you’ll be protected throughout the entire season.

CPH (Columbus Public Health) will be coming to Whetstone 10/23/25 to give flu shots to staff and students (8:30 AM in the library). Consent forms for students will be distributed to students by English teachers. Get more info and consent forms at https://drive.google.com/file/d/18J_kBW5dw1QmzLVGQNm5pkbrQYtmIm7b/view

Questions? Contact Nurse Nancy Hubschman at nhubschman8506@columbus.k12.oh.us.

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, 11/13, from 3:30pm-7pm
• 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

This National Vote Early Day, we're heading to the polls—together—to show school board candidates that we are public school voters.

Start: Tuesday, October 28, 2025•04:00 PM

End: Tuesday, October 28, 2025•08:00 PM

Location:Franklin County Board of Elections•1700 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH 43229 US

Host Contact Info: tara@ohorganizing.org

More info and register at https://actionnetwork.org/events/early-vote-day/

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.

The Columbus Education Justice Coalition is a group of community partners, parents, students, educators, and labor union members who believe that a fair and just, well-rounded, holistic public education for ALL students, staff, and families in Columbus City Schools is a civil and human right. Visit https://www.cbusedjustice.org/ to see upcoming events and ways to get involved in improving our schools and district!

Halloween Haunt event is planned for October 18 at Columbus Public Health and will include activities for all ages, such as costume drive, crafts, a pumpkin patch, resource tables, and yard games. It is also a chance to connect the community with valuable safety resources in a fun, engaging way. See the flyer for more info.

Day of the Dead Columbus is hosted by the non-profit organization Latino Arts for Humanity. It is an educational, cultural, and family event to remember and celebrate our loved ones that are no longer with us.

Saturday, ​October 18th, 2025

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Green Lawn Cemetery

At this event you'll find: Ofrendas (Offerings), calaveritas literarias, grave decorations, traditional food vendors, live music with local bands and musicians, educational activities for kids, local arts exhibition, arts and crafts vendors, Catrina contest, parade with Aztec dancers, folklores dances, and much more! Visit https://www.dayofthedeadcolumbus.com/ for more info!

WestFest is an annual public engagement event that highlights STEM research, sustainability initiatives, and outreach programs at The Ohio State University and beyond. WestFest brings together STEM units from across campus and community partners to present family-friendly activities. Come for Food trucks! Brutus! Tours! Activities and fun!

The in-person component of WestFest will take place on October 25, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at OSU West Campus Quad (1090 Carmack Rd).

More info at https://astronomy.osu.edu/events/westfest-2025

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

Records Secretary, Daviela Vargas: dvargas@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