Worthingway Weekly

Over twenty years ago when our son was born, my wife and I spent the entire first year of his life referencing this book every single day. The book helped us to understand that there were developmental age ranges for most "milestones" or "skills" (such as crawling, babbling, walking, eating, etc). However, if your child did not reach a certain "behavior" or "skill" during that age range - it was still ok! (And then we had our second child and all we did was compare her developmental milestones to his - not a good thing as they are all different!)

Our first academic semester will end on Friday, December 19. In Infinite Campus, if you click on a course you can see the breakdown of grades for each assignment or assessment. You may notice some assignments as marked "missing" or "late."

It is very common for middle school students to have a wide spectrum of Executive Functioning skills as this is the prime time for those to develop. And it is common for a parent to be concerned about their middle school student and their Executive Functioning development. This might be your students' first time flexing these muscles. We expect bumps along the road and that is ok. The path to success isn't linear so it is OK to try/fail/try again. By the time our students leave us, it is our goal that they will have stronger EF skills through scaffolded levels of support.

Check out this very detailed resource from Shannon Daily, our Parent Mentor with Worthington Schools.

At Worthingway, we have an established time during our school day dedicated for students to check their assignments, get extra help from a teacher, practice skills, work on homework, get organized, etc. We call this "assist" and it is during period 7 for all of our students. Encourage your student to use this time wisely. Inquire with them what this 30 minutes typically looks like for them and discuss ways that they can "own" this time a bit more with specific tasks that they can make routine. Through guided practice, encouragement, and scaffolded supports - this is a valuable opportunity during the school day for our students to gain ownership over their learning and grow in their Executive Functioning skills. That is what we are ultimately after - the students gaining ownership over their learning and growth in Executive Functioning skills through practice.

For 6th grade families - have your student go to their Schoology assist page and pull up their Homework slide. It will look like this (see below) and will be very helpful in reviewing what is due and when.

This Week

• This week, we saw:
• our first snow day!
• our choir students preparing for their upcoming concert!
• our band students gave an AWESOME performance at their concert on Wednesday
• Robotics club students continuing to work hard and persevere through challenges when learning their bots
• our Science teachers had a day of Professional Learning on Wednesday to dig deeper into their new curriculum
• Staff members working relentlessly supporting students social, emotional, behavioral, and academic growth.

MAP Testing

• All of our students will take MAP testing on Tuesday, Dec. 9 (Reading) and Wednesday, Dec. 10 (Math).
• All students should charge their chromebooks the night before and make sure the chromebooks are brought to school.

Student Council Leads Food Drive

• Our Student Council, in partnership with our PTA, organized and facilitated a food drive to support the Worthington Food Pantry. Our students donated a total of 2,656 items (double the amount of last year!)!

What year did you start at Worthingway?

• 2022

What do you teach and what grade level?

• Intervention Math (grades 6-8)

What is your favorite part about Worthingway?

• My favorite part about Worthingway is how awesome our staff is! It's an environment where it's supportive and welcoming!

What is your favorite part about teaching?

• My favorite part of teaching is building meaningful relationships with students, families, and teachers/staff.

What are you most proud of?

• I'm most proud of the relationships I've built with students and their families! Working together to meet individual student needs and seeing how the teamwork leads to success makes me feel like I'm making a difference.

What are your hobbies?

• My favorite hobbies are golfing and going to concerts!

What is your favorite TV show/movie?

• My favorite TV Show right now is Abbott Elementary!

What is your favorite food/drink?

• My favorite drink is Cherry Coke Zero and my favorite food is pretzels!

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

• An interesting fact about me is that I am a Worthington grad! I graduated from Worthington Kilbourne High School in 2018! Another unique fact about me is that I am deaf and wear cochlear implants! I believe it is my superpower!

Worthington Schools is happy to partner with Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) to offer an immunization clinic to our Worthingway Middle School students on Thursday December 11, 2025. With a completed consent form, students may receive Tdap, meningitis, and/or influenza vaccines while they are at school. This is a great opportunity to have your student immunized, if you desire. Tdap and meningitis vaccines are required for school attendance in 7th grade, influenza vaccine is an optional vaccine for all children.

If you would like your student to be immunized here at school on December 11, please complete the consent form at the following link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://caps.nationwidechildrens.org/forms/form/FE99A330-F049-451A-89AF-C20DA232E242__;!!HFTne_4rJgDZ5gj8zw!gtn22J8NuByUUlry37YQDZRhczuhV_xKZXkH_zVHMTzDKXnPDwrnGn3iDZdeLq3YODZJftrCLAp4cZ25q1N_vSq0CNgOXzubB88$

The form must be completed in its entirety by the parent/guardian, including your insurance information or select “none” for insurance. If you do not have insurance, NCH is still able to vaccinate students without insurance, free of charge, under the Vaccines for Children program. Please note, on the online form, families must specifically select what vaccines you are consenting to: Influenza, Tdap and/or MCV4. Please complete the consent form by 12/5/25.

Please reach out to our school nurse, Joyce Casey, if you have any questions by phone 614-450-4315 or email jcasey@wscloud.org.

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.

As the holiday season approaches, we warmly invite you to join Worthington Connects, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families in need within the Worthington community. Our mission is to provide essential resources, spreading joy and hope to those facing challenges.

There are several meaningful ways you can give back this holiday season:

• Sponsor a Family: Provide gifts and essential items directly to a family in need.
• Donate a Laundry Basket of Essentials: Items like cleaning supplies, toiletries, and non-perishable food are always appreciated.
• Contribute to a Family Stocking: Gift cards, small gifts, and other stocking stuffers are wonderful ways to brighten someone’s holiday.
• Monetary or Gift Card Donations: Your financial contributions or gift cards help us address families' unique needs.

To learn more or to make a donation, please fill out this Google Form to let us know how you'd like to contribute.

Visit our website to make a financial contribution which will go towards supporting families in need this holiday season!

https://worthingtonconnects.org/

Thank you for your generosity and for helping make the holidays brighter for those in need!

Warm regards,
The Worthington Connects Team

• We are always looking for ways to ensure our students and families have resources if they are experiencing food insecurity. Whether your family can help or is in need of help, you have come to the right place!

• If you need support:

• Worthington Resource Pantry and Resource Center

• Smoky Row Food Pantry

• Worthington Buddy Boxes

Support Our Community: Food Drive Partnership with Student Council

Thank you for supporting our Food Drive in November! Together with Student Council, we were able to collect 2,656 items for the Worthington Food Pantry! Way to go Worthingway!

Help Us Build Our Indoor Game Collection

• As the weather cools down, we want to provide options for students who stay indoors during Community Time. We’ve created an Amazon Wish List with fun, student-friendly games that will stay at school for shared use!
• Even one small purchase goes a long way in helping create inclusive fun for all!

Want to Help? Become a Cards Helper!

• Whether it’s donating items, chaperoning an event, or pitching in behind the scenes, we'd love to have you!
• When you sign up, we’ll reach out when volunteer opportunities arise. It’s low-commitment, high-impact.
• Sign up HERE!

More Ways to Support Worthingway PTA

1. Kroger Community Rewards
   Link your Kroger card to Worthingway PTA (NPO #RF924) and a portion of your regular purchases supports our school - At no cost to you!

2. Donate or Join the PTA
   Every dollar and every member makes a difference.
   Donation Link: https://worthingway.givebacks.com/shop/items/115388
   Join the PTA: https://worthingway.givebacks.com/shop/items/116247

Stay Connected with Us

• Read this section of the principal’s newsletter each week

• Visit our website: https://worthingwaypta.my.canva.site/

• Join our Facebook group: Search “Worthingway PTA”

Together, we’re building a stronger school community. Thank you for being part of it!

Jennifer Johnson
PTA President
Worthingway Middle School

• 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
• WORTHINGWAY WINTER SPORTS SCHEDULES

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 9:03. 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

December 9

• Winter MAP testing: READING

December 10

• Winter MAP testing: MATH

December 19

• Last Day of Quarter 2

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

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

Ms. Lara Ruffing, mental health specialist (lruffing@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