Worthingway Weekly

We are looking forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming Family Conference Night! If you aren't able to attend, please know that is completely okay—we can still work together to support your child’s growth and learning.

A landmark study on parental involvement found that the single most powerful way caregivers can support their child in school is through "stage-setting."

Just like a theater crew sets the stage so an actor can shine, parents and guardians set the stage for learning. Stage-setting simply means showing your child that education matters and creating an environment where they can thrive. It is less about checking every assignment and more about sending a strong message: your learning is important to us.

Here are a few meaningful ways you can "set the stage" at home:

• Set High Expectations: Express belief in their academic potential and positive habits.

• Connect the Dots: Discuss their goals after high school and help them see how their current effort opens future doors.

• Create a Homework Routine: Establish a consistent time and quiet space for schoolwork (but let them own it as much as possible)

• Talk About Learning: Ask them what study strategies work best for them, or share how effort leads to success.

• Explore the Future: It is never too early to talk about post-secondary options, visit college campuses, or discuss trades and careers.

One of the other examples of stage-setting in the study was a single-mother of four children who saved up to buy Harvard t-shirts for each one of her children to send the message that education is what is most important to us.

Together, we are on a shared journey for your child. So even if you cannot make it to our conference night, again, that is okay. There are other, very impactful, ways that you can still support your child's education.

For more information on the study check out this article and this summary.

Sixth Grade Camp

• On Monday, October 5th, your student will find out their camp placement
• On Tuesday, October 6th, please drop off all luggage and medication at Worthingway from 6:00-7:00pm
• On Wednesday, October 7th, families who would like to drop off their kids need to drop them off in the bus loop between 8-8:30am. No luggage can go on a student's regular day school bus. Students who drop off their luggage the night before can take the regular school bus to school and still get to camp.
• On Friday, October 9th, please plan to pick up your student and their luggage from school at 1:00pm. Do not block the bus loop- please park on side streets so that the buses for 6th grade camp can arrive swiftly.

Sixth Grade Camp Packing

• Packing video
• Packing document
• To-Do List document

Family Conferences

• We have our Family Conferences scheduled for Monday, October 12 and Wednesday, October 14.
• We use an online program for parent-teacher conference sign-ups. You may choose between the two dates. Conferences are set up to meet with your student's teachers if you have questions, or concerns. Times are limited to 10 minutes, between the hours of 4:45 and 7:45. Please come prepared with specific questions and concerns, as we make every effort to stay on schedule.
• For our sixth grade families: Conferences at the middle school level are different than elementary. It is not expected that you sign up. We do not have enough time slots to accommodate everyone so please consider only requesting a time slot if you have specific concerns or questions that we can help with.

• To sign up for a conference, please click here.

Mentoring Program

• Worthingway opens our building to a mentoring program on some Saturdays. This mentoring program is not affiliated with our school but the leaders of the program would like to invite interested Worthingway students to visit.
• For more information, click here and/or reach out directy to Lonnie Miles at lmiles@universeelectricllc.com

Staff Shoutouts

• Mrs. Wilkins: She has responded to roughly 1,000 emails from me and worked hard to collaborate with the entire team of educators supporting my son to help ensure a smooth and successful transition to middle school.
• Mrs. Novak: She goes out of her way to make sure every kid feels seen. She makes my kids feel at ease and optimistic but also held to a high standard at the same time.

Stay In The Game

• Shout out to all our amazing families for helping students be Here Every day Ready On time HEROs this past week! Let’s keep that streak going. Daily attendance in middle school keeps your student connected to their friends, on track with their classes, and building habits for the future. Every day counts, and we love seeing them here! Need support getting them to school? Reach out to us anytime!

Cardinal Donut Day

• We were excited and proud to recognize some of our students who have displayed The Cardinal Way (Be Kind, Work Hard, Own It) with donuts on Wednesday!

What year did you start teaching?

• 2019 (but this is my first year at Worthingway!)

What university did you graduate from?

• Capital University

What is your favorite part of Worthingway?

• I appreciate how helpful everyone is!

What is your favorite part about your job?

• I get to create amazing music with amazing kids!

What are your hobbies?

• I love listening to film scores and I enjoy watching the birds that live on my balcony.

State law requires school districts to provide annual lessons for students in grades 6–12 on Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Safety Training and Violence, and Social Inclusion. This law is known as the Safety and Violence Education (SAVE) Students Act. To meet these requirements, schools must use a state-approved curriculum. Worthington Schools will utilize materials from the Sandy Hook Promise program. Below is Worthington School’s implementation dates:

• Suicide Prevention Week (10/5-10/9): Say Something: Prevent Suicide

• Start with Hello Week (10/12-10/15): Start with Hello

• National Anti-Bullying Week (11/16-11/20): Say Something

Although Ohio law requires these lessons, we recognize the sensitive nature of the topics. Families may choose to opt their student out of participation. If you prefer for your child not to receive this instruction, please contact your student’s principal or school counselor. Students who do not participate will be provided with an alternative activity.

If you have any questions about the SAVE Act requirements or the instructional materials, please contact Mr. Keenan at tkeenan@wscloud.org.

Dear Parent/Guardian of 7th Grade Child:

The adolescent years are marked by a roller-coaster of emotions - difficult for students, their parents, and educators. It is easy to misread depression as normal adolescent turmoil; however, depression (among the most common of mental illnesses) appears to be occurring at a much earlier age. Depression - which is treatable - is a leading risk factor for suicide. In addition, self-injury has become a growing problem among youth.

To proactively address these issues, Worthington School District is offering depression awareness and suicide prevention training as part of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program to all of our 7th grade students. The program aims to increase help to students seeking support for themselves or a friend. SOS is listed on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices. In a randomized control study, the SOS High School Program showed a reduction in self-reported suicide attempts by 40% (BMC Public Health, July 2007). You can learn more about Worthington’s SOS program here: Worthington SOS Program Overview.

Our goals in participating in this program are:

● To help our students understand that depression is a treatable illness;

● To explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy that often occurs as a result of untreated depression;

● To provide students with education about how they might be able to identify serious depression and potential suicidality in themselves or a friend;

● To impress upon youth that they can help themselves or a friend by taking the simple step of talking to a responsible adult about their concerns; and,

● To help students know whom in the school they can turn to for help, if they need it.

Worthingway Middle School will be providing the SOS training to all 7th grade students on October 7th and 8th.

If you do NOT wish for your child to participate in the SOS Program, please complete this opt-out form and submit it to the school counselor by Wednesday, September 30th.

Cerita Todd

Worthingway Middle School Counselor

Email: ctodd@wscloud.org

Phone number: (614) 450-4308

Fax number: (614) 785-0474

Free & Reduced School Meals for Students

• Worthington Schools offers Free & Reduced-Price Meals for students who qualify. A new application must be submitted each school year—eligibility does not carry over from the previous year. If you haven’t yet applied for the 2026–2027 school year, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible to avoid any interruption in benefits. For more information and to access the online application, click HERE. Paper applications are also available in the school office.

Student Lunch Accounts

• Families can add money to their student's lunch account through My Payments Plus by clicking HERE. You can also use MPP to track your student's account and see much money remains on it. My Payments Plus is also used to pay other fees, like high school parking permits and AP testing fees.

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 schedules

Parent Resources

• 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
• Infinite Campus:
• Infinite Campus is how you can access your students' grades, attendance, etc
• Parent Guide
• 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.
• Click here for a comprehensive document that will help you with Schoology and Infinite Campus and Securly Home.

Infinite Campus Parent Portal

• If you have questions or are unable to complete the steps and need technical support, please complete this google form.

Dear Worthingway Families,

Happy Friday! We have a few exciting things to share with you this week so let's dive right in!

HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR PTA MEMBERSHIP?

• Quick reminder - PTA membership renews every year! If you were a member last year, thank you so much - but you will need to sign up again for the 2026–2027 school year to keep your membership active.
• Not sure if it's worth it? Here is what PTA membership gets you:
• A vote on how PTA funds are used - including our budget, events, and programs
• A seat at the table at our monthly meetings where decisions are made
• The ability to share your ideas and opinions on what happens at Worthingwa
• The knowledge that your $7.00 goes directly toward supporting our students and teachers
• Membership is just $7.00 for the entire school year and it makes a real difference. Every member counts - and every voice matters!
• Join or renew HERE!

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM!
We have a brand new Instagram page and we would love for you to follow along! Click HERE to find us and stay connected to everything the PTA has in store this year!

And don't forget - you can also join our Facebook group by searching "Worthingway PTA" and clicking join!

LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR WORTHINGWAY TEAM?

• Enroll in Kroger Community Rewards - costs you nothing! Enter name (Worthingway Middle School PTA) or NPO number (RF924) under Community Rewards in your Kroger account.
• Make a donation to the PTA - Make a Donation HERE
• Your donation directly funds the programs, events, and initiatives that make Worthingway such a special place to learn and grow. From student recognition to teacher appreciation to community events - it all happens because of YOU!
• Sign Up as a Cards Helper - no obligation, just sign up and we'll reach out when opportunities arise! Sign up HERE
• Shop Spirit Wear - 10% of sales come back to us! Shop HERE
• Volunteer at the Concession Stand - easy, fun, and a great experience for you and your student! Sign up HERE

As always, thank you for being part of the most wonderful school community. We could not do any of this without your support, your energy, and your willingness to show up for Worthingway!

Warmly,
Jennifer Johnson
Worthingway PTA President
worthingwaypta@gmail.com

• 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

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.
• No cars should be in our bus loop before or after school. Thank you

District Calendar for 2026-27

October 7-9

• 6th grade camp

October 12

• Family Conferences (4:45-7:45)

October 14

• Family Conferences (4:45-7:45)

October 15

• Last Day of Quarter 1

October 16

• No School

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

Mrs. Kami Novak, assistant principal (knovak@wscloud.org)

Mrs. Cerita Todd, counselor (ctodd@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. Shawna Barrett, 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

St. Vincent de Paul offers a free clothing room at St. Michael Church, 5750 North High Street, Worthington, 43085. As shoppers enter the church driveway it is on the right-hand side prior to the parking lot. Shoppers will need to go down the outside stairs to gain entrance to the room. There will be a sign out on days the room is open. The room is stocked with gently used seasonal clothing for all ages. In addition, we provide a new set of underwear and socks for each family member. All we need would be identification for each family member that is being shopped for and which school is referring them. The Clothing room is open the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 9:00 – 10:00 (last shopper signed in). And again, on the first and third Saturday of each month from 10:00 – 11:00 (last shopper signed in). Families may visit the clothing room every three months.