Smore logo
remove_red_eye 240
Logo

The Whetstone Weekly

Friday, May 2nd, 2025

The WhetstoneWeeklyFriday, May 2nd, 2025

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

Dates & Calendars Dates & Calendars

zoom_out_map

Upcoming Dates

  • Special Olympics Track Meet - Saturday, 5/3
  • No School (Professional Development Day) - Wednesday, 5/7
  • Spring Choir and Orchestra Concert - Wednesday, 5/7
  • PROM* - Saturday, 5/10
  • Spring Bands and Bells Concert - Thursday, 5/15
  • PTA Meeting* - Monday, 5/19 @ 6:30
  • No School - Monday, 5/26
  • LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Thursday, 5/29
  • Graduation Rehearsal* - Friday, 5/30
  • GRADUATION* - Saturday, 5/31


Recurring Dates

  • Whetstone Chess club - after school Tuesdays, 2:30PM-3:30PM, Room 220
  • Journalism club - after school Wednesdays, 2:30PM-3:30PM, Room 220
  • WAPA - 2nd Monday each month, 6:30PM, Library
  • PTA Meeting* - 3rd Monday each month, 6:30PM, In-person/Google Meet
  • Athletic Boosters, last Monday each month, 6:30PM, Café
  • Coffee Connect with the Principal, 1st Wednesday each month, 7:00AM, Library


*See below for more info


Whetstone PTA Calendar

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


CCS District Calendars

https://www.ccsoh.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=2704

open_in_new zoom_out_map

Academics Academics

Graduation Info

Graduation Rehearsal is mandatory and scheduled for Friday, May 30th at 7:30AM.


Graduation will take place on Saturday, May 31st at 6PM. Each graduate gets 10 tickets which will be distributed during Graduation Rehearsal along with Cap & Gowns.


Location is...Nationwide Arena!


Graduates must have all uniforms turned in, outstanding fees and fines paid.


Want (much!) more info? Read the Senior Check Out newsletter at secure.smore.com/n/v2z4n

APEX Support info from Assistant Principal, Daniel McElroy

Dear Whetstone High School Students and Parents,


We are excited to announce that beginning on Saturday, April 5, 2025 (and continuing on April 12, May 3, May 10, May 17), APEX support will be available for students on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This initiative aims to provide additional support to help students complete their APEX coursework and meet graduation requirements.


During these hours, students will have the opportunity to not only get assistance with their APEX assignments, but also to earn internship hours by completing tasks within the building and on school grounds. This is a great chance for students to stay on track with both their coursework and internship requirements. It may also be a way for some students to avoid the need for summer school.


We highly encourage Juniors and Seniors to take full advantage of this support. Please keep in mind that all APEX coursework must be completed in order to attend prom. Additionally, Seniors must have all their internship hours completed to attend prom, while Juniors must have at least 90 internship hours completed.


We strongly advise students not to wait until the last minute to complete their APEX work. By attending these Saturday sessions, students will receive the help they need to stay on top of their assignments and meet graduation requirements. This extra support is designed to ensure that all students are on track to matriculate and graduate on time.


Thank you for your attention to this important opportunity. We look forward to seeing you on Saturdays and supporting your academic success!

Infinite Campus / Parent Portal

Is Your Parent Portal Account Activated? Stay engaged in your child’s education by setting up and

signing into the Columbus City Schools Parent Portal. Through the Parent Portal, you’ll be able to securely access valuable information on your student(s):

  • Teacher Contact
  • Grades and Course Schedules
  • Daily Attendance
  • Missed Assignments
  • Paperless Applications for: School Choice, Summer School, and Career Tech
  • Update Contact Information**
  • Pay Fees


For more info, visit ccsoh.us/domain/188.


Get detailed instructions and help at secure.smore.com/n/upq6z!

PTA PTA

PTA Meeting

The next (and last for this school year!) PTA Meeting will be on Monday, May 19, 6:30-8:00 via Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/snv-wifn-oxz.


We hope you can join us! Meeting agenda and financial updates will be posted as soon as available to our calendar event page, at https://www.whetstonepta.org/home/calendar.

PTA Prom Info

Junior/Senior Prom is May 10th (for more info, see below).


The WHS PTA is working with school administration to keep costs down for Prom (our goal is a ticket in the $60-$65 range, including food) and ensure that the event is a memorable experience for all the kids in attendance. We ask for your support in this endeavor with a financial contribution to help make ends meet on the budget, which you can make here: https://whetstonepta.givebacks.com/store/items/1181243

zoom_out_map

2025 WHS Educator of the Year

A tradition that goes back to 1977 and is an important part of our Whetstone PTA heritage!


Each year, Whetstone PTA selects an educator to receive the Educator of the Year Award in recognition of outstanding accomplishments and service to students. Students, staff, parents, alumni, and other community members can nominate an educator based on the educator’s impact and actions to improve the climate and standards of excellence at WHS for individual students or for the school community.


Nominations open now through May 5 – submit your nomination today!


To submit a nomination, visit docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAi5Kqb2MHimYZm28mTZ-_zjNGbmP9C5TpcRnMTHYLKpppAg/viewform or view the flyer with more info (including past winners!) and scan the QR code.

pdf
insert_drive_file
2025 Educator of the Year flyer with QR code.pdf
Download
373.7 KB
zoom_out_map

Kroger Card

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.

About

The Whetstone 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!

Athletics Athletics

From the AD, Hannah Bleikamp

I hope everyone had a great spring break. We have a month of so left of spring sports. Within that month we have senior nights, banquets, city championships, and tournament draws so I hope we are all ready to finish the spring with a lot of success and fun times!

Coming up:

  • Senior nights for Baseball, Softball, and Boys Volleyball are this Wednesday. Each sport will hold their own ceremony on their game spaces so please connect with your coach on details/times.
  • Tennis and Track Senior Night is May 5th. Each sport will hold their own ceremony so please connect with your coach on details/times.
  • College Athlete Signing Day is 5/20 at 11am in the library. Please register here: https://forms.gle/mKTtrQ3e5rLLGKt39
  • Free sports physicals – see flyer
  • Reminder: 4th quarter grades are what determines fall sports eligibility. You must pass 5 credits and have a 2.0+ GPA.
  • Athletic Boosters meeting tonight at 6:30pm in the cafeteria.
  • Baseball competed in Cleveland over the weekend. They played some good baseball and did some team bonding.

Friday:

Softball V @ Beechcroft 5:30

Baseball V @ Beechcroft 5:30

Softball JV vs Marion Franklin

Saturday:

Softball JV Double Header @ Franklin Heights 11/1pm


Track @ Thomas Worthington

Shoe Us Some Love Drive

Did you know that your old shoes can help support Whetstone Football 2025 season?

This year, our team, in conjunction with Whetstone Athletic Boosters and Fund2Org is hosting a shoe drive fundraiser until May 31, 20205. We are looking for family, friends, and members of our community to participate in it by recycling their gently worn, used, and new shoes. Can you help us collect 25 pairs of shoes to reach our goal?


Here's how it works:

Start by checking around your home for pairs of shoes you have outgrown, don't fit correctly, or are no longer in style or season. These shoes can be tennis shoes, sandals, boots, dress shoes, heels, or flats. Once you have gone through your stash, ask your family or neighbors to do the same! Once you have collected a total of 25 pairs, you can drop them off at the Whetstone High School Front and South Offices.


Even if you can’t collect a total of 25 pairs, it’s okay. Remember that every pair of shoes helps!


Where do the shoes go?

The shoes our team collects will help raise funds for team meals, updated equipment, new uniforms, road travel expenses and kept out of landfills! After that, they are repurposed to help support microenterprises in developing nations such as Haiti, Cambodia, and Ghana.


We look forward to your help!


Sincerely,

Whetstone Football Program and Athletic Boosters

Schedules & Tickets

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

zoom_out_map

Baseball

Get WHS Baseball news and information at the Whetstone High School Baseball Website. Still got questions? See Coach Broskie in Room 141B or at broskcity@yahoo.com.

...and more!

If you didn't see it here, you can probably find it in the Weekly Whetstone Athletics Roundup. Visit https://rebrand.ly/WhetstoneWeeklyRoundup for more WHS athletics info!

zoom_out_map

Spirit Wear

Show your Whetstone pride and support your Whetstone athlete! 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!

zoom_out_map

Athletics Boosters

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.

Arts Arts

Make a Donation!

WAPA productions are made possible only through generous support from our patrons. Columbus City Schools does not provide funding to the performing arts.


The program is resourceful and filled with passionate instructors skilled at making something spectacular with very little. Your donation today helps WAPA—its students, its instructors, our community—thrive now and for years to come

WAPA

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.

Extracurricular Extracurricular

PROM INFO

Hello Whetstone Classes of 2025 and 2026!


Are you ready to enter the Grandiose Garden?


Prom 2025 tickets are on sale! The tickets are $65 each. They will be on sale from 4/17-5/5/2025. We will not be able to extend the sale beyond that date due to the venue expectations. Get your tickets early! Student ID number is the access code to purchase tickets. Students will only be able to purchase 1 ticket per student number. We have a code for guests to attend as well as for those who would like to donate a ticket.


There will be a Taco Bar and Pasta Bar for dinner as well as Beignets and Ice Cream for Dessert. You are required to select either Taco Bar or Pasta Bar when you purchase your ticket.


Click below to purchase your ticket!


https://www.locallevelevents.com/events/details/39211

Prom is May 10, 2025! Watch this space for updated info.
  • 7 - 10 PM
  • Hilton at Easton (3900 Chagrin Dr, Columbus, OH 43219)

Requirements to attend Prom:

  • SENIORS - Have ALL 120 Internship hours completed AND entered in School Links.
  • JUNIORS - Have 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 APEX courses completed by May 3 rd.
  • No suspensions from November 1 - May 10, 2025


If you have any questions, please speak to Ms. Ottey, Mr. Eagle, Mr. Haffele or your counselor.

District News District News

Community Fair School Funding Town Hall

CCS is facing a massive budget cut due to changes in the State of Ohio budget and the CCS Board of Education along with State Representatives want to hear from families and community members regarding the changes. Join and make your voice heard!


Fair School Funding: A CCS Community Town Hall hosted by the Columbus Board of Education Wednesday, May 7, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

East High School (1500 E. Broad Street)

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.


Attendees will receive an update on proposed funding changes in the state legislature and how this could affect our schools, and what next steps we can take, together, as a community. The Town Hall will also include a panel of state representatives, and time for open dialogue and questions.


Registration Link:

https://forms.gle/wApLfkenmGwpfecz8

District Messages on Immigration for Families and Staff

Please see this special Newsletter full of information, links, and resources regarding Immigration for Families and Staff.

Columbus City Schools

Columbus City Schools

Columbus City Schools by Amanda Hughes | This newsletter was created with Smore, an online tool for creating beautiful newsletters for educators, businesses and more

launch secure.smore.com

Our Community Our Community

2025 Clintonville Student Art Show

Support Young Artists!


Enjoy an evening of art, music (see below!), and community. If you'd like to participate in the show, reach out to Ms. Hurley at jhurley2347@columbus.k12.oh.us.


This event benefits the WHS PTA and Dominion PTSO!


Join us May 17th, 4-10PM @ Studio 18, 18 Orchard Lane, Columbus, OH

The Dad Band Show

The Dads will be at Global Gallery for an end of the year shindig on Saturday, May 17th, 7-10. Selected WHS Student Art will be on display (see above!) as well. Many of the Dads have WHS graduates this year, so it will be a special show. Come join the fun!


This event benefits the WHS PTA and Dominion PTSO!


Get more info at facebook.com/events/679791277729390

Last Day of School HH

Come celebrate the last day of school! This family friendly event is open to all and benefits the WHS PTA and Dominion PTSO. See the flyer for more info!

Online Online

Can't get enough 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

Contact Contact

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, Janet Routzong: jroutzong2475@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

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

Records Secretary, Susan Jeffers: sjeffers@columbus.k12.oh.us

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

Family Ambassador Note Family Ambassador Note

Damian Synadinos smiling
zoom_out_map

Thanks for reading! If you missed or want to revisit an issue, visit The Whetstone Weekly Archive to find it and catch up!


For lots 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

dsynadinos@columbus.k12.oh.us

Damian Synadinos
Damian is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters
Loading indicator

close

Created with

Communicate quickly and effectively with interactive newsletters.

Smore empowers educators to connect with their community, streamline school communications,
and increase engagement.

Create a newsletter