Worthingway Weekly

For the most part, our students are doing very well having their phones turned off and in their locker during the school day. This helps to eliminate distraction and allows our staff and students to focus on building positive relationships and on learning.

As a parent, I know all too well the struggles and challenges that happen in the house with young people and cell phones. My two oldest (Landon, 22 and Brooke, 20) were in middle school when social media apps started to become popular and a few friends of my youngest daughter (Laura, 10) are starting to get cell phones.

Keri Newcomb, one of our teachers, recommended the book The Disengaged Teen for me to read over the summer. One of the chapters I found particularly interesting was titled "Ending the Tech Wars: Give Kids the Power to Stop." While I don't necessarily agree with everything the authors suggest in the book, I wanted to share the tips they provided for parents in this chapter:

1. Set Limits (collaborate with your child so they have ownership)

• No screens in the bedroom after 9pm

• No screens during family meals

2. Don't make exceptions for homework

• No phone access while doing homework

3. Model healthy tech use

• Goes back to the “set limits” above. Include yourself and abide by them to be the example.

4. Articulate how Big Tech is monetizing them

• Help them understand the role they play in the Big Tech’s bottom line and how they are being manipulated through algorithms.

5. Try the "choosing time versus killing time" activity

• Review your analytics to identify 1) how much time did you spend in each app, 2) what you did in each app, and 3) what did get out of it.

6. Help them ask themselves "is tech bringing me down or building me up?"

• This takes time and many conversations. Do a check in with your child before, during, and after screen time to help assess and have them self-assess.

7. Acknowledge the beauty of tech

• Playing - get curious about the apps and investigate with them about how it can be helpful
• Learning - there are many apps that can help them learn things and consolidate information
• Recharging - can be a way to escape, laugh, and enjoy life
• Connecting - being connected matters and tech can help kids connect with friends

Curriculum Night

• We are excited to see you on Monday! We will host our Curriculum Night on Monday, August 25th from 6:00-7:30pm. This is an "open-house" style event so you can come and go as you please.

• It would be most helpful if you have your student's schedule when you arrive. A simple way of doing this is taking a screenshot of your student's schedule in Infinite Campus. If you need your students' schedule, we can print it for you when you arrive.

• If you are unable to join us, that is OK! Our awesome teachers created a welcome video for you. Please click here to view the videos.

6th Grade Camp Informational Meeting and Principal's Welcome

• There will be an informational meeting for the students and families of 6th grade students on Monday, August 25th from 7:30-8:00pm. This is the same night as our Curriculum night so it is more convenient for our families. This meeting will be held in the gym.

Parking on August 25th

• Parking will certainly be a challenge on this night. We ask that you are careful in our parking lot and although you may park in the neighborhood streets, please be a good neighbor and not block driveways.

Bus Riders

• If your student needs to ride the bus home with another student, please write a note and have your student submit it to the office in the morning (or you may email any of our front office staff - see below at end of newsletter). Bus drivers will not allow students on their bus who are not on their route without a stamped note from our front office.

MAP Testing

• Our students will take MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) next week. Students in Worthington take MAP tests twice a year (late August/early December). We use the data from this assessment to help us better understand our students and the academic progress they are making so we can adjust our instruction accordingly.
• We will have an altered bell schedule for testing.
• Monday, Aug 25 - students will take the Science test
• Tuesday, Aug 26 - students will take the Reading test
• Wednesday, Aug 27 - students will take the Math test
• Your student will take this test on their chromebook. Please help make sure their chromebook comes to school fully charged.

What subject and grade level do you teach?

• ELA and Connected Communities; 6th grade

When did you start teaching?

• 2024

What is your favorite part about Worthingway?

• The staff relationships!

What is your favorite part about teaching?

• The relationships I build with the students and seeing them grow throughout the year.

What are your hobbies?

• Watching WNBA games, singing, dancing, volunteering, reading a good book, working out (lifting)

What is your favorite food/drink?

• Jet's Pizza

What is your favorite music?

• R&B, Sade, Victoria Monet

What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

• Teach middle school lol

What is something interesting or unique about you that most people might not know?

• I went to a performing arts high school and I was classically trained vocalist

What is your favorite corny joke?

• What did the triangle say to the circle? You're pointless.

Bus Riders After School

• We held bus drivers a little big longer from leaving this week as students are just learning the process and their bus number. Starting on Monday, the buses will roll out at 4:00. Students need to be sure that they are looking for their bus number and going to their bus instead of socializing with friends or not paying attention. If a student misses the bus, they will be instructed to go to the front office and call home for someone to come and pick them up.
• Not all of our buses arrive at the same time. So bus riders should look for their bus when they come out to the bus loop and if they do not see it, they should continue to watch for their bus to arrive. We do not announce arrival of buses - students need to be responsible to be looking for their bus.

Car Pick Up Before/After School

• Help us keep our kids safe by being an aware and cautious driver. It will take longer than usual the first few weeks of school to drop off and pick up your student from school as people learn the routine and flow. The most important thing is our student safety so thank you for doing your part. Please read the Pick-Up/Drop-Off instructions below. Thank you!

Recognize a Staff Member with a Cardinal Compliment

• Has a teacher, counselor, or staff member made a positive impact on your child? We want to hear about it! Take a moment to fill out our form to recognize a Worthingway staff member who has gone above and beyond. Your kind words mean a lot and help us celebrate the amazing work happening every day in our school community.

Bell Schedule

• Click here for our bell schedule

Schoology

• Schoology is our LMS (Learning Management System). Basically that means it is the "website" that our teachers use to house and communicate learning goals, assignments, and even some assessments.
• Parent Guide: Schoology
• What is Schoology?

Infinite Campus

• Infinite Campus is where you can access your students' grades, attendance, etc.
• Parent Guide: Infinite Campus

Securly Home

• You can download the Securly app to keep your student safe while using their school issued chromebook at home. Click here to learn more.

Best Resource!!!

• Click here for a comprehensive document that will help you with Schoology and Infinite Campus and Securly Home.

School Lunch

• Parent Guide: My Payments Plus
• Put money in the school lunch account through MyPayments Plus.
• School district lunch information can be found here.
• Apply for Free/Reduced if you think you might be eligible.

Worthington Schools is thrilled to share that we’re heading to Paris, Barcelona, & Madrid for 10 days in June 2026, and we’d love for your student to join us!

This is an incredible opportunity for students (and parents!) to experience different cultures and gain lifelong skills like empathy, independence and confidence. Come to our information meeting on September 9th to get all the details, including what we’ll see and do, hands-on learning activities, trip costs, and how to secure a spot on tour.

Meeting details:

Date: September 9

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: KMS Auditorium

RSVP here to join us: https://bit.ly/4lW4O7r

Email Mr O'Neill with any questions: boneill@wscloud.org

Educational Travel Opportunity to Italy!!

We are thrilled to invite you to attend a parent info session where we will dive into one of Worthington’s most exciting student travel opportunities – Mrs. Perkins’ Experience Italy Tour.

️ Parent Meeting Date: Sept 25th Time: 6:00 PM Location: Via Zoom

Register Now: To confirm your attendance, please register using the link below: https://bit.ly/4mxn3jc

Don’t miss this chance to ignite your child’s curiosity and passion for exploration. We look forward to seeing you there!

Skip the cooking, grab the family, and come join us for our first Restaurant Night of the year! It’s an easy (and tasty!) way to support our school—just show up, enjoy a meal, and 20% of the proceeds will come right back to Worthingway.

When: Wednesday, August 27th

Where: Donatos Pizza, 5388 N High Street

Time: All Day

Support Worthingway PTA — And Save While You Shop!

Hello Worthingway Families,

We’re kicking off the school year with a Spirit Wear Sale you won’t want to miss! Show your Worthingway pride and help support our school community at the same time.

Spirit Wear Sale Details:

• Sale Dates: August 4 – September 9, 2025
• 25% off all merchandise
• Free shipping on orders over $100
• Use code: SCHOOL25 at checkout
• Shop here: Worthingway Spirit Wear Store

More Ways to Support the Worthingway PTA:

Make a Donation or Join the PTA!

• Help us fund canteens, teacher grants, student events, and more at Givebacks

Volunteer When Needed

• Have a little time to spare? Sign up to help with events or needs as they arise:
  Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet

Support Restaurant Nights & Fundraisers

• From family meal nights to our annual Butter Braids fundraiser, these are easy (and delicious) ways to give back.
• Stay tuned to Mr. Keenan’s weekly newsletter, our PTA website and our PTA Facebook page for more info!

Link Your Kroger Rewards

• An easy, no-cost way to support our school year-round.
  Visit bit.ly/WwayKroger - Log in to your Kroger account, and select organization “RF924” (Worthingway PTA).

Thank you for being a part of the Worthingway community - We can’t wait to share all the fun we have planned this year!

• All student-athletes must be registered in Final Forms in order to receive athletic communications and participate in any athletic tryouts, open gyms/fields, and practices.
• Worthington students in grades 6-12 who provide their student ID will be admitted free into any home Worthington athletic contest.
• You may use this link to purchase tickets for athletic events through Hometown Ticketing.
• Check out our athletic website for more information
• Team schedules can be found here

Thomas Worthington High School is excited to have our students attend events free of charge again this year! Students will not be admitted to the athletic event without a school ID.

Please read this letter regarding events at TWHS.

Here are the Game Expectations for Thomas Worthington High School Events:

• Worthington Students in grades 6 - 12 will be admitted FREE to regular season events with a school ID (you should either take a photo of your ID or download it to your phone)

• Footballs, soccer balls, etc. are not permitted to be brought into the game

• Students will be expected to sit in the stands during the game. No gathering in other areas of the stadium. Please sit in the student section

• No face paint or full face masks permitted to be worn

• No food or drink is permitted to be brought into the stadium

• Do not bring bags into the stadium of any type

• Re-entry is not permitted without purchasing ticket

• Cheer for our team. Cheers directed towards our opponent, their fans, officials, etc. are not acceptable

• Please clean up your area at the student tailgate. Nobody likes a mess or paint on their cars! Let an administrator know if you need more trash cans/bags

• A reminder that games are all ‘school events’ and all rules regarding appropriate behavior apply even though it is after school hours

Students that are dropped off or picked up by car will enter via our main office entrance (Rieber Street). Buses will drop off and and pick up at our 6th grade entrance (Guyer Street side). Important notes:

• Student Safety is our top priority. Please be mindful of our walkers and bike riders (we have bike racks on our bus drop off side). If you exit on the Guyer Street side, please yield to crossing students AND incoming buses.
• Doors open at 8:50 for student drop off. Students will be instructed to remain in the cafeteria or gym until 9:02. Classes begin at 9:10 and end at 3:50.
• We ask families to pull all the way forward to the end of our main lot at pick up time. Cars that stop at the front doors can create backups that extend onto Rieber St.
• You may notice one or two cars in the bus loop at the beginning and end of the day. These vehicles have special permission to be here for their students' transportation needs.

• District Calendar for 2025-26

Monday, August 25

• Fall MAP test: Science
• Open House / Meet The Teacher (6:00-7:30pm)

• 6th grade camp informational meeting (7:30-8:00pm)

Tuesday, August 26

• Fall MAP test: Reading

Wednesday, August 27

• Fall MAP test: Math

September 1

• No School (Labor Day)

October 9

• P/T Conferences

October 15

• P/T Conferences

October 24

• School Photo Re-takes

October 27-29

• 6th grade camp

Mr. Todd Keenan, principal (tkeenan@wscloud.org)

Mrs. Abby Jinks, assistant principal (ajinks@wscloud.org)

Mrs. Cerita Todd, counselor (ctodd@wscloud.org)

Mr. Nick Wiedenhoft, athletic director (nwiedenhoft@wscloud.org)

Mrs. Paula Lee, administrative assistant (plee@wscloud.org)

Ms. Amanda DeBernardi, administrative assistant (adebernardi@wscloud.org)

Mrs. Jodi Hill, attendance and testing (wayattend@wscloud.org or click here)

Mrs. Joyce Casey, school nurse (jcasey@wscloud.org)

Location: 6625 Guyer Street, Worthington, OH

Phone: 614-450-4300

School Website