The Whetstone Weekly
Friday, December 19, 2025
Upcoming Dates
- 30 Minute Early Dismissal - Friday, 12/19
- No School (Winter Break) - Monday, 12/22 - Friday, 1/2
- End of Quarter - Friday, 1/16
- No School (MLK Jr. Day, PD day, Records day) - Monday, 1/19 - Wednesday, 1/21
- Parent-Teacher Conferences* - Thursday, 1/29, 3-6:30PM
- Parent-Teacher Conferences* - Tuesday, 2/3, 3:30-7PM
- Brave The Future* - Tuesday, 2/3, 5:30-7PM
- No School - Monday, 2/16-17
*See below for more info
Whetstone PTA Calendar
https://www.whetstonepta.org/home/calendar
CCS District Calendars
Weather-Related School Cancellation Information
CCS is ready for the return of winter and those days when inclement weather can have a major impact on your child’s school day...and on your busy day. Make sure to plan ahead.
Stay Connected: News about school cancellations, extracurricular activities, field trips, and/or student-athletic events are shared in several ways.
- Confirm: The contact information on file at your child’s school is accurate. If you need to update this information, contact the main office in your child’s school or log on to the Parent Portal. (This includes emergency contacts, phone numbers, and email addresses).
- Follow: Columbus City Schools on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram or check our website. We’ll share news about snow days and other cancellations with an instant message to your phone or tablet.
- Answer Your Phone: All families and staff will be alerted through an automated call from the District’s phone system.
- Monitor: The local news stations will broadcast updates on television and radio.
- Have a backup plan: When inclement weather impacts the morning commute, our leadership plans to determine whether to cancel classes no later than 5:30 a.m. If rough weather is forecast for the afternoon, classes may dismiss as early as noon. Have an alternative plan for your child’s day set.
- Supervision: Is your child responsible enough to be home alone or do they need someone to stay with?
- Healthy Food: Is there nutritious food available for your child to eat for breakfast and lunch?
- Safe Location: If classes are dismissed early, does your child go home or to another location? If your child is under the age of 8, will there be someone to meet them at the bus stop?
- Engaging Activities: What safe activities do you have for your child to do if they are at home for an unexpected amount of time?
For answers to Frequently Asked Questions, visit www.ccsoh.us/weather
2025-26 WHS Athletics Winter Concessions Volunteer Signup
***Still plenty of spots available***
Sign up to volunteer for winter concessions!
It's a fun way to support all the athletes at Whetstone. The more people that sign up the more times we can open the concession stand.
Get info and Volunteer at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044AAFA62EA20-60943086-coachteam#/
WHS Bowling Gear!
Interested in Whetstone Bowling Spirit Wear? Get your fill at https://whetstone-bowling.square.site
Schedules & Tickets
See past and upcoming matches for all WHS sports at WHS Athletic Schedule and buy your tickets at WHS Athletic Tickets.
WHS Boys and Girls Bowling Info, Schedule, and more can be found at https://www.cohsbc.com/index.aspx
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!
Ride the Cyclone - RESCHEDULE
Due to last weekend’s inclement weather, performances of Ride the Cyclone have been rescheduled for Friday, 12/19 with updated showtimes at 5:30 PM and 8:00 PM. We are excited to welcome audiences back and are grateful for your flexibility as our students bring this story to life on stage! If you have questions or concerns regarding your tickets, please reach out directly to Mr. Ray @ cray1@columbus.k12.oh.us. We look forward to seeing you on Friday evening!
Band App
Currently there are groups for Whetstone Band, She Kills Monsters, Jazz Ensemble, Whetstone Vocal Music, Whetstone String Orchestra and WAPA Volunteers. Your student *should* already be a member and can send you an invitation to join via the app. If not, reach out to the directors or you can email wapaboosters@gmail.com and we will do whatever we can to help get you connected.
Get the Band App at https://www.band.us/en
WHS Spirit Wear
You know what makes a great NYE surprise for the Whetstone students in your life? WHS merch! We have hoodies, mugs, t-shirts and even stadium seat cushions for those exciting basketball games!
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.
Graduation Info
A graduation date has been set!
Graduation will take place on Saturday, May 30 at 12:00 PM in the Battelle Grand Ballroom at the Columbus Convention Center.
More info to come...
Holiday Door Decorating Contest
Students have been working hard competing in the WHS Holiday Door Decorating Contest! Check out a few of the fantastic, festival, and funny door displays!
Stuff the Bus Success!
The National Honor Society joyfully teamed up with Ms. Hickman to support this year’s Stuff the Bus toy drive, helping make the holidays brighter for children in our community. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our school family, Whetstone donated a record-setting abundance of toys to share the magic of the season. NHS students also warmed hearts by creating cheerful holiday cards for residents at Worthington Christian Nursing Home, spreading smiles, kindness, and festive wishes. Through these acts of service, NHS members truly embodied the spirit of giving and goodwill this holiday season
WHS Website Updates
Restart. Refocus. Rise!
The Office of Whole Child Supports is excited to announce…
December–January Challenge: “Restart. Refocus. Rise!”
Promotion Begins: December 9
Challenge Dates: December 15 – January 9
Key Message: A new year means a new chance to rise!
High School — No-Skip Streak
Recognition for daily attendance between Dec. 15–Jan. 16.
At home:
• Prepare the night before
• Connect attendance to future plans
• Reinforce accountability
January Acknowledgments: January 19–23
Thank you for helping your child restart strong, refocus routines, and rise into the new year with confidence. Every day counts!
Huntington Holiday Train Display at Columbus Main Library
See the Huntington Holiday Train at the CML Main Library!
The Huntington Holiday Train has delighted people of all ages since 1992. This downtown holiday treasure was generously loaned to Columbus Metropolitan Library by Huntington National Bank in 2009 and is displayed in Main Library’s Grand Atrium.
Bring your family to see the display with its trains, tracks, tunnels, bridges, castles and other features to delight visitors of all ages.
On display Nov. 28-Jan. 8
Monday-Thursday
9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday
9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday
1-5 p.m.
Closed for the Holidays (Wednesday, Dec. 24, Thursday, Dec. 25, Wednesday, Dec. 31, and Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.)
* Free one-hour parking in Main Library’s attached garage.
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
or
https://secure.smore.com/n/3jk0e-ccs-infinite-campus-parent-portal
Parent Portal App info is available at: https://secure.smore.com/3jk0e
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 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.
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
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