Worthingway Weekly

This recent "spring-like" weather has been a nice respite from the dark, snowy winter that we have had (though I did see a current high temp of 29 on Tuesday). Growing up, I not like spring, but it is slowly becoming my favorite season. A perfect day for me is 50-60 degrees, sun, and no wind. Perfect.

We hope to have good weather for our Canteen next Friday. If you are unfamiliar, each Worthington Middle School hosts two Canteens each year (one in the fall, one in the spring). At Worthingway, our Canteens are led by our Student Council and sponsored by our PTA. The Student Council and PTA have been collaborating for over a month to plan this event.

Depending on the weather, we may have inflatables and outside games as an option for students. Inside, we will have a dance (either in the gym or cafeteria), concession stand, March Madness basketball games on TV, Board Games, and Arts/Crafts.

This is a great opportunity for our staff and students to connect with each other outside of the classroom in a relaxed setting.

We do require students to purchase a ticket that helps to offset the cost of the event. If this is a financial burden, please just reach out and we will help.

If your child is going to attend, please plan to pick up your child between 5:45-6:00pm.

This Week

• This week we saw...
• ..our students give an amazing performance at our Choir concert!
• ..our students get outside for Community Time and enjoy some of the warmer weather!
• ..an inspiring Cardinal Breakfast to honor the students and their families who earned the Golden Cardinal award
• ..our staff connect with families
• ..our staff continue to build relationships with students and leverage that relationship to challenge students with higher levels of learning in the classroom

Spring Canteen

• Our Spring Canteen will be held on Friday, March 20 from 4:00-6:00pm
• Tickets
• are $5 and can be purchased here
• no cash ticket sales
• tickets must be purchased by March 19
• If your child is staying after school on March 20 for this event, please plan ahead and arrange for pick-up by 6:00pm that evening.

7th Grade Field Trip

• On May 1st, all 7th grade students will be going to the Columbus Zoo! We're so excited to explore the zoo together as a 7th grade team. If you are interested in volunteering to be a chaperone, please fill out this link so that we can reach out to you personally.

Clothing Drive!

• Are you spring cleaning? Please consider donating to Worthington City School's Back-To-School Style Drop. We will have a bin at Worthingway from March 2-March 27.
• We have already almost filled our box but we need more! You may drop it off in the front office or send to school with your student.

Following our successful fall launch, Worthington City Schools is preparing for our second administration of the Portrait of a Learner Survey, March 16th-27th. This tool allows us to move beyond traditional academics to measure the "durable skills" our community values most, the mindsets and habits that will serve our students throughout their time in Worthington and beyond.

The fall results provided us with a baseline; this spring window is about reflection and growth. It allows us to see how the strategies we’ve used this year are supporting our students.

The Portrait of a Learner survey continues to focus on:

• Measuring Progress: Comparing spring results to fall data to see how students are growing in the skills our community prioritizes.

• Refining Our Approach: Using student feedback to adjust how we support "Durable Skills" and Executive Function (such as task initiation, emotional control, and organization).

• Supporting the Whole Child: Ensuring our daily classroom focus remains aligned with the mindset and habits students need for success in Worthington and beyond.

The survey remains age-appropriate, tiered by grade level, and includes a preparatory lesson:

• Grades 3–5: 15 questions

• Grades 6–8: 20 questions

• Grades 9–12: 25 questions

By checking in a second time, we can celebrate their progress and fine-tune our efforts where they are needed most.

If you have any questions or would like to opt your student out of this spring window, please email Mr. Keenan at tkeenan@wscloud.org.

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping us grow alongside our students.

One of our favorite student events of the year is coming up!

The Worthingway Spring Canteen will take place on Friday, March 20 from 4:00–6:00 PM and will be filled with fun activities for students to enjoy with friends after school.

This year’s canteen will include dancing, karaoke, video game tournaments, inflatables, games, and photo booths. The theme is a Glow Party, so students are encouraged to wear neon colors, white, or anything that will stand out under the glow lights.

Each student attending must have a $5 virtual ticket, which allows them to stay after school and participate in the event. Teachers will receive a list of students who have purchased tickets.

Tickets include one $1 snack from the concession stand, and additional snacks will be available for purchase ($1–$3). Students should bring cash if they plan to purchase additional items.

Food trucks will also be on site, offering a variety of food options available for purchase. Students who would like food from the trucks should bring extra money.

Important reminders:

• Students without a ticket must leave the building at 4:00 PM

• Online ticket sales close Thursday, March 19 at 9:00 PM

• Students must be picked up between 5:45–6:00 PM

This is always a highlight of the school year and a great opportunity for students to relax, have fun, and spend time with their friends.

More details and ticket purchasing information can be found here:
https://worthingway.givebacks.com/shop/items/c887b0348b7d

We look forward to seeing our Cardinals there!

What subject/grade do you teach?

• School Psychologist (Slate Hill and Worthingway)

When did you start teaching?

• 2020

What is your favorite part about Worthingway?

• The immediate embrace of new staff, wonderful students, parents willing to partner in their student's education

What is your favorite part about working in a school?

• Making one to one student connections that last for years

What are your hobbies?

• Listening to podcasts, working out, reading, are playing with my son and going to church

What are you most proud of?

• My wife and son

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

• School mission trip to Kenya as a junior in high school in 2013

What is your favorite food/drink?

• Chipotle and coffee (not at the same time)

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

• I consider myself a Bobcat, Buckeye, and Golden Flash (I did my first 3 semesters at OU, graduated from OSU, and went to grad school at Kent)

8th Grade Students - DACC Opportunity

• We are excited to announce that we have a field trip opportunity to the Delaware Area Career Center on Wednesday, March 25th! This is a great opportunity for our 8th grade students who are interested in pursuing various career pathways within their high school career, thus preparing them for life after high school graduation. Students who are interested must submit this DACC Career Interest and Field Trip Survey as well as a permission slip that Mrs. Todd has in her office or students can find in the main office by March 20th. The permission slip will contain the full agenda of the day and additional details of the visit, but students can expect to depart from Worthingway around 11:20am and return to school by 2:10pm. Additionally, students will also need to pack their own lunch or indicate that they need a lunch prepared by our cafeteria staff (by March 18th). Spaces for this trip are limited so we ask that you please have your STUDENT fill out the Google interest form as soon as possible (please only submit the form once.)

• Feel free to explore the DACC's website and let Mrs. Todd know if you have any questions at ctodd@wscloud.org .

Functional Drill Information

• I want to make you aware that on Wednesday, March 18, at 9:50 a.m., our school, along with every school across the district and throughout the state of Ohio, will participate in the Statewide Tornado Drill.

• This is a scheduled statewide safety drill that gives us an opportunity to practice our procedures and ensure that students and staff are prepared in the event of severe weather. During the drill, students will follow our established tornado safety procedures and move to their designated safe locations within the building.

• In addition to the tornado drill, we will also be using this time to review and practice some of our internal communication systems. These routine checks are part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and well-prepared school environment.

• Please know that this is only a drill, and there is no cause for concern. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

DACC Summer Camp

• Attention families of rising 7th-9th graders! The Delaware Area Career Center is hosting its annual Summer Camp on June 2-4. DACC will offer nine camps this year, covering a wide variety of subjects and career fields. Each camp will be hands-on, engaging and fast-paced — allowing local middle school students to "try on a career" and learn new skills over a three-day span. They will get to learn from and alongside industry professionals and current DACC students, all while making new friends who have similar interests. It is a great way to kick off your summer and begin to experience the magic of career-technical education in your own community!
• Registration will open Wednesday, March 4th at 6 a.m. Visit DACC's website for more information on this year's camp offerings and DACC Summer Camp in general!

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.

Worthingway PTA: 2025–2026 Officer & Chair Interest Form

We’re looking ahead to the 2025–2026 school year and inviting you to share your interest in joining the Worthingway PTA leadership team!

There are so many ways for you to get involved to meet your level of commitment! No prior PTA experience is needed - Just a willingness to collaborate and support our school community.

Please fill out the form below to indicate:

• Your interest in a specific role

• If you'd like to nominate someone else

• Or if you'd like to learn more before deciding

Here are the positions available:

• Co-Vice President

• Co-Secretary

• Co-Treasurer

• Worthingway CLC Representative

• Staff Appreciation Chair or Co-Chair

• Concessions Chair or Co-Chair

• Fundraising Chair or Co-Chair (2)
  
  

You’re welcome to express interest in more than one role or to request a co-chair position if you’d prefer to share responsibilities.

Thank you for being part of our amazing Worthingway community!

Officer & Chair Interest Form: https://forms.gle/4kcZSxmPH3s6efnx9

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 SPRING SPORTS SCHEDULES

The TWHS boys volleyball team is selling blankets.

Blankets are 60" X 70" and are $35.00. Payment can be cash, check (TWHS Boys Spikers), Square (@concessions stand during home games), or Venmo @TWHSboysvolleyball.

Here is the google form to order.

Thank you for supporting the TWHS Men's Volleyball Program. Go Cards!

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

Friday, March 20

• Canteen

March 30-April 3

• Spring Break

Wednesday, April 8

• OST: ELA Part I

Thursday, April 9

• OST: ELA Part II

Tuesday, April 14

• OST: Math part I

Wednesday, April 15

• OST: Math part II

Tuesday, April 21

• OST: Science grade 8 (MAP grades 6 and 7)

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