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The Whetstone Weekly

Monday, September 29, 2025

The WhetstoneWeeklyMonday, September 29, 2025
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Dates & Calendars Dates & Calendars

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Upcoming Dates

  • PTA Academic Committee meeting* - Wednesday, 10/1, 6:30pm - 7:30pm, WHS Library
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences* - Thursday, 10/9, from 3pm-6:30pm
  • 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


*See below for more info


Whetstone PTA Calendar

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


CCS District Calendars

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

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Athletics Athletics

Whetstone Dance Team

We are excited to announce the return of the Whetstone Dance Team! This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their school spirit, build teamwork, and represent Whetstone with pride.


Join Cheer and Dance Clinics on Monday and Tuesday, 9/29 & 30, and Tryouts on Wednesday, 10/1. Get more info and signup links in the flyer.

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Fall Concessions

Help turn popcorn and Gatorade into uniforms and equipment for Braves Athletics!


Whetstone Boosters are looking for awesome people to staff the Stadium Snack Shack for the rest of our fall season. Plenty of slots still open. Proceeds are used to support ALL WHS sports, athletes and seasons.


For more info and to sign up, visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044AAFA62EA20-58000089-20252026

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Schedules & Tickets

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

...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!

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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.


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!

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Arts Arts

Fall Choir & Strings Concert

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)

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She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition

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

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.

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PTA PTA

Monthly Meetings

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.

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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 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!

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Extracurricular Extracurricular

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2025-26 Homecoming Dance

WHS 2025-26 Homecoming was a success! The parade kicked off the event that included games, snacks, and plenty of fun. The stadium was packed to watch WHS take on East HS and listen to the incredible WHS Marching Band. And, the HC Dance Saturday night was full of movement and music.


Thanks to the volunteers, faculty, and attendees!

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Ohio Farm Bureau - Fall Camp

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/

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Our School Our School

Parent-Teacher Conferences

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, 10/9, from 3pm-6:30pm
  • 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
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Our District Our District

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Panorama Family Survey

The Panorama Survey, administered yearly since 2017-18, was developed by CCS in partnership with Panorama Education to measure progress toward that goal and gather feedback from our community. This year, we are excited about the new, shortened, more streamlined version that will allow us to take

action steps based on your feedback.


The survey is open September 29 - October 10, 2025. Watch this space for more info!

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CCS Special Education Transition Fair

Mark your calendars for the annual Special Education Transition Resource Fair!

Moving from elementary to middle to high school and beyond can be a challenging experience for students. The journey can be even more demanding for families with learning exceptionalities. The Fair seeks to help parents create a pathway for life-long student success.


Saturday, October 4

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Arts Impact Middle School (680 Jack Gibbs Blvd)


The Special Education Transition Fair seeks to provide opportunities that connect students and families with organizations that will support the students as they work towards their goals of education, employment, enlistment, or entrepreneurship. Receive resources from local experts on navigating the move through the grade bands, hear guest speaker sessions including presentations from Columbus City Schools and parents and students, and speak with community organizations all in one location.


To register, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdokqoMbhoKvK1vvtBRF4oM2bm2pm0ANdXes8Se81IBaQ_n5w/viewform

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Our Community Our Community

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Join the City of Columbus for a family-friendly cultural festival where art comes alive through activities, live music, traditional games, and Latino food trucks!


Come celebrate the vibrancy of Latino culture:

October 4

3pm-10pm

162 N. Sixth St.

Columbus, OH 43215


La Feria transforms the city into an open-air gallery and festival, featuring local artists, cultural activations, music, and food that highlight the vibrancy of our Latino Heritage.

Celebrating art, culture, and community and showcasing the creative expression of Latino heritage through live performances, interactive art, and games, La Feria is fun for all ages.

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Halloween Haunt

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.

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Stay Informed & Get Involved! Stay Informed & Get Involved!

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Parent Portal

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


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

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Pathway Express

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

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Online Online

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
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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, 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

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Family Ambassador Note Family Ambassador Note

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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

Damian Synadinos
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