The Whetstone Weekly

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Upcoming Dates

• FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - Thursday, 8/20
• Whetstone Way Day* - Friday, 8/21
• Football, WHS vs. Western Reserve - Friday, 8/21, 7:00
• PTA Meeting* - Wednesday, 8/26, 6:30
• Football, WHS @ Grandview Heights - Friday, 8/28, 7:00
• Football, WHS @ Briggs - Friday, 9/4, 7:00
• NO SCHOOL (Labor Day) - Monday, 9/7

*See below for more info

CCS WHS Calendar

https://whetstonehs.ccsoh.us/calendar

CCS District Calendars

https://www.ccsoh.us/our-district/calendars

The weather cooperated and the 2026-27 school year kicked off in style with the Whetstone High School Welcome Back Bash. New and returning families and students enjoyed games, music, Kona Ice, a dunk tank, cheerleading, and PTA swag before the welcome back assembly lead by Principal Rodriguez, school tours, and a football scrimmage.

Click here to view the welcome back letter sent August 11 from Principal Rodriguez containing lots of useful information on graduation, grading, school policies, student drop-off & pick-up, and important dates.

Start school loud! Join us for an annual tradition: the Clap In!

On Thursday, August 20, families and community members are invited to line the sidewalks and welcome Whetstone students back to school. Doors open at 7:00AM and school starts at 7:30M.

Please welcome these WHS faculty members in their new roles:

• Eric Burns, Stagecraft & Theatre
• Melissa Charles, English 10 & Creative Writing
• Omowale Crowder, CTE Marketing
• Sherri De La Cruz, ELA Intervention
• Tara Fonner, Algebra 1
• Allison Lewis, AP Government & Econ
• Billie Malechowski, Art
• Diamond McCoy, Social Worker
• Mark McDonald, Biology & Anatomy
• Jaelyn Merical, Humanities & Afr. Amer. Lit.
• Claire Neibecker, Visually Impaired IS
• Benjamin Neidenthal, CTE Media Arts
• Morgan Nemcek, NCH School Therapist
• Rachel Ostrander, Orchestra
• Ravin Pandey, Leadership Intern
• Bailey Waitkus, Athletic Coordinator
• Kitano Watkins, Algebra 1 & Geometry

A special thank you to our incredible custodial team for all they have accomplished this summer. They have worked tirelessly to clean classrooms, move furniture, complete repairs, and prepare our building for another successful school year. Please take a moment to thank them when you see them.

Your student’s CCS bus route will be available today, August 14, in the Parent Portal. Please check the “Transportation” tab for bus, stop, and time details. Questions? Call (614) 365-5074.

A new school can be an intimidating maze for new students. Help reduce the anxiety with this WHS map at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eMeaAcuupdcHUFhQaoecGkxkAcQXitPr/view

Login to Infinite Campus to check your schedule: https://columbusoh.infinitecampus.org/campus/columbusCity.jsp

If you have any questions or want changes, please contact the appropriate counselor:

• Freshmen (Cohort 2030):
• Mrs. Fiascunari | mfiascunari9064@columbus.k12.oh.us
• Sophomores (Cohort 2029):
• Ms. McClain | mmcclain415@columbus.k12.oh.us
• Juniors (Cohort 2028):
• Mr. Agee | magee@columbus.k12.oh.us
• Seniors (Cohort 2027):
• Mrs. Schwab | aschwab6520@columbus.k12.oh.us

The Whetstone Athletic Boosters organization exists to enhance the experiences of our student-athletes. Selling concessions at football and soccer games is our largest source of income, and the money raised benefits athletes in all sports! To make it happen, we need YOU to volunteer for a shift in the concession stand. In addition to helping our athletics programs, it’s a great way to meet new people. Plus, it will get you into the game for free!

Please follow this link to our website, where you will find links to sign up for shifts for either football or soccer games. https://www.whetstoneathleticboosters.com/about-1

Celebrate your fall sports athlete and show your pride with a yard sign! Available for purchase here: https://www.whetstoneathleticboosters.com/shop

Show your Whetstone pride and support your Whetstone athlete! There are many options and sites to support WHS Sports and Cheer.

Visit the Athletic Booster Spirit Wear store at https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/OH/Columbus/Whetstone%20High%20School to browse and buy hoodies, t-shirts, hats, blankets, drinkware, and more. Personalization is available on select items. There are Parent/Family, Alumni, and Teacher/Staff logos, too. And most importantly, all proceeds benefit our kids!

Interested in Whetstone Bowling Spirit Wear? Get some at https://whetstone-bowling.square.site

Get your Softball-specific sportswear at https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/stores/whetstone-softball#/lockers/whetstone-softball

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

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.

The Band App helps keep WAPA families and students connected and informed. Access to the WHS Band group on the Band App requires an invitation. Reach out to the directors or you can email wapaboosters@gmail.com and we will help get you connected.

Get the Band App at https://www.band.us/en

WAPA IS...A place to experience inspiring music and theater. A place for students to grow. A place for instructors to shine. A place for our community to come together. WAPA is here to inspire.

WHETSTONE. ACADEMY. of PERFORMING. ARTS.

For more info, visit wapa.net.

• August 19 is the Jeni's Ice Cream fundraiser (2p-5p) at 4247 N High St 43214
• August 25 is the Gatto's fundraiser (open hours) at 3420 Indianola Ave 43214

Interested in getting involved? Our PTA typically holds open meetings on the 3rd Wednesday each month from 6:30-7:30 PM in the WHS library. Join us to hear the latest news, get updates from Principal Rodriguez, and learn how you can contribute to our wonderful school community.

The next PTA meeting is Wednesday, 8/26.

All are welcome but in order to be a voting member, you need to pay $10 for a membership. Click here for membership options.

• Join the WHS PTA as parent/guardian or community member for $10/school year
• https://whetstonepta.givebacks.com/shop
• Link your Kroger card to WHS through the Kroger Community Rewards program
• https://www.whetstonepta.org/home/kroger-community-rewards-for-whs-pta
• Donate throughout the year but especially for Homecoming (Oct 9)
• Volunteer with the PTA (email us at whetstonepta@gmail.com, link coming soon)
• Purchase your WHS Spirit Wear from the PTA here and at each of the home football games

The Whetstone Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a community of parent volunteers, working to provide scholarships for students, grants for teachers, connect school leadership with parents, and enrich the high school experience for ALL the students at Whetstone High School. See below for ways to keep informed and connected on the latest PTA info!

• Website
• https://www.whetstonepta.org
• Social Media
• Facebook PTA page
• https://www.facebook.com/whetstonehighpta
• Facebook PTA Family group
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/472994289728615 (be sure to answer the questions)
• Instagram
• https://www.instagram.com/whetstone_pta
• Join us on the Band App
• https://www.band.us/band/99715157/post
• Bookmark our Linktree (which will also have the above links)
• https://linktr.ee/pflagcolumbus
• View and/or download our PTA calendar to your Google calendar (click on the "Add to Google Calendar in the bottom left corner)
• https://www.whetstonepta.org/home/calendar

Friday, August 21 will be Whetstone Way Day! What is it?

Whetstone Way Day is a chance for all students to learn school wide expectations, explore school resources and opportunities, develop relationships with each other and staff, and increase their school/grade level spirit. The day will be filled with games, activities, scavenger hunts, a school fair, and much more to help learn and acclimate to life at Whetstone.

Is your student a budding journalist? If so, good news: the WHS school newspaper is back online and seeking student contributions! Learn more at https://bravesmessenger.com/. Questions? Contact Mr. Smith at dsmith6840@columbus.k12.oh.us.

Your Columbus Board of Education wants to hear from you! Join us for an upcoming Board meeting at 3700 S. High Street:

• Aug. 4 & 18
• Sept. 8 & 15
• Oct. 6 & 20
• Nov. 4 & 17
• Dec. 1 & 15
• Jan. 5, 2027

Board meetings begin at 6 p.m. Community members can meet one-on-one with Board members during office hours from 5:15–5:45 p.m. before each regular business meeting. Come ask questions, share your thoughts, and make your voice heard!

The 4th annual Columbus International Festival is only TWO weeks away!

Last year, more than 3,000 attendees representing 70+ countries joined us. This year, there’s even more to experience.

Come hungry. Come curious. Bring your friends and family!

• A packed schedule of live performances
• An International Fashion Show, hosted by Columbus City Deputy Chief of Staff Danius Williams
• Homemade dishes and recipes passed down through generations in our Global Tasting Room
• Treats from Bee Bubbly, Diamonds Ice Cream & East African Coffee House
• Family-friendly activities for all ages

This is your chance to meet your neighbors, experience new cultures and celebrate everything that makes our Central Ohio community extraordinary.

Visit https://www.wearefesta.org/columbusinternationalfestival for more info.

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://secure.smore.com/3jk0e

Want even more WHS info? Visit these WHS-related groups and pages online.

• Whetstone HS (website) - whetstonehs.ccsoh.us
• Whetstone HS (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstonehigh
  
• Whetstone HA PTA (website) - https://www.whetstonepta.org
• Whetstone HS PTA (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstone_pta
• Whetstone HS PTA (Facebook) - facebook.com/whetstonehighpta/
• Whetstone HS PTA Family Group (Facebook) - facebook.com/groups/472994289728615
• Whetstone HS Athletic Boosters (Facebook) - facebook.com/WHSAthleticBoosters
  
• Whetstone AD (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstone_athleticdirector
• Whetstone Football Program (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstonehsfootball
• Whetstone HS Cheer (Instagram) - instagram.com/whsbraves.cheer
• WHS Baseball (Facebook) - facebook.com/Whetstone-Braves-Baseball-199500710084504
  
• WHS Baseball (Twitter) - twitter.com/WhetstoneBraves
• Whetstone HS boys soccer (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstoneboyssoccerofficial
  
• Whetstone HS girls soccer (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstonegsoccer
  
• Whetstone CC/Track and Field - instagram.com/whetstonetrackandfield
• Whetstone Baseball (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstonebaseball1
  
• WAPA (Instagram) - instagram.com/whetstoneapa
• WAPA (Facebook) - facebook.com/WhetstoneAPA
• WAPA Boosters (Facebook) - facebook.com/groups/127079587751458
• Columbus City Schools (website) - ccsoh.us/district
• Columbus City Schools (Facebook) - facebook.com/ColumbusCitySchools

Location: 4405 Scenic Dr, Columbus, OH 43214

Website: whetstonehs.ccsoh.us

Email: whetstonehs@columbus.k12.oh.us

Hours: 7:30AM - 2:30PM

Phone: (614) 365-6060

Principal, Kimberly Rodriguez: krodriguez@columbus.k12.oh.us

Assistant Administrator (11th & 12th), Tara Ottey: tottey@columbus.k12.oh.us

Assistant Administrator (10th), Daniel McElroy: dmcelroyjr4864@columbus.k12.oh.us

Assistant Administrator (9th), Sarah Jaffy: sjaffy6286@columbus.k12.oh.us

Leadership Intern, Ravin Pandey: rpandey@columbus.k12.oh.us

Administrative Secretary, Martina Jakob: ejakob@columbus.k12.oh.us

Attendance Secretary, Lisa Hord: lhord4655@columbus.k12.oh.us

Thanks for reading!

The Whetstone Weekly is a regular, digital digest intended to help keep families informed, educated, and up-to-date on our school. If you have suggestions, questions, comments, concerns, or content, please feel free to contact me. I'm here to help!

If you missed a past issue, visit the Whetstone Weekly Archive.

For much more info, visit the WHS PTA Family Ambassador Page.

Damian Synadinos

WHS Family Ambassador

dsynadinos@columbus.k12.oh.us