Worthingway Weekly

We had a fantastic first 3 days of school. Our focus this week was on 1) building positive relationships and 2) teaching the building-wide behavior expectations and procedures. This will help us to have a successful and enjoyable school year.

I am always impressed with how intentional and strategic our staff is with ensuring ALL of our students have a positive experience and start during their first three days of school. Students started each day in their "assist" period to help establish a sense of community and to ease into the school day. Each day during this time, students watched a short video message from Mr. Keenan and Mrs. Jinks. They also reviewed our general school structure and schedule. Mr. Keenan, Mrs. Jinks, and Mrs. Todd met with each grade level for a meeting in the gym (8th grade on Wednesday, 7th grade on Thursday, and 6th grade on Friday). Click here for a look at the slides from this meeting. During the sixth grade meeting on Friday, we were joined by 7th grader, Clifford Quarcoo, who presented on "how to be a good friend." Additionally, all students and staff wore nametags so we could better learn each other's names.

We have really awesome students at Worthingway. They never cease to make me laugh and make me proud. We are constantly preaching and teaching about "Being Kind, Working Hard, and Owning It" with our students. The moments that I get to see as their principal when they live out these expectations is really cool. Here are a few of those this week:

• Be Kind - There was a group of boys that noticed a new student sitting alone during lunch. They moved from their table to sit next to him.
• Work Hard - As I visited classrooms this week, I noticed ALL of our students approach learning the building procedures with an inquiring and open mind. Our students engaged with each other and our teachers to learn things this week.
• Own It - Students need to wait to be dismissed from the lunch table to go outside for community time. One table left without permission. As I gathered them together and talked with them, one of the students said "It was me, I was first to leave and then everyone followed me. I set a bad example." We were easily able to learn and grow from it.

School Photo Make-Ups

• Tuesday, August 19

• If your student was not here on Registration Day for a school photo, a make-up session will take place during the school day on Tuesday. If you'd like to place an online photo order please visit HR Imaging or your student may pick up a paper order form in the office.

Curriculum Night

• There will be more information in next week's newsletter but I wanted to put it on your radar. 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 schedule when you arrive. A simple way of doing this is taking a screenshot of your students' schedule in Infinite Campus.

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.

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!

What subject and grade level do you teach?

• Math and Connected Communities; 6th grade

When did you start teaching?

• 2015

What is your favorite part about Worthingway?

• The focus on kindness is clear. Everyone is so welcoming.

What is your favorite part about teaching?

• Helping students see their own potential and growing in confidence

What are your hobbies?

• Hanging with my family, watching sports, reading, hand lettering

What is your favorite food/drink?

• Diet Coke from McDonald's or iced coffee

What is your favorite music?

• girly folk, soul, and pump up jams for working out

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

• I've been whitewater rafting 3 times

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

• I lost my last baby tooth when I was 17 years old

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 Connects

• Worthington Connects is a community-driven organization dedicated to supporting local families in need year-round. We partner closely with schools to identify families who could benefit from assistance and rely on generous donations from the community to make our efforts possible. Every contribution helps us provide meaningful support to those in need.
• If you would like to donate or get involved, please visit https://www.worthingtonconnects.org Families seeking assistance are encouraged to reach out to their school counselors, who work with us to connect resources to those who need them most. Together, we can make a lasting impact in our Worthington community!
• Direct donation: https://www.worthingtonconnects.org/giving-page-3

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!

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.

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

Tuesday, August 19

• School Photo Make-Ups

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 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