The Whetstone Weekly

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Upcoming Dates

• Picture Day - Friday, 10/2
• Spirit Week* - Monday - Friday, 10/5-9
• Kiwanis Fair - Tuesday, 10/6
• PTA Academic Committee Meeting* - Wednesday, 10/7
• Homecoming Parade & Game (vs. Northland) - Friday, 10/9
• Homecoming Dance* - Saturday, 10/10
• Fall choir and orchestra concert - Tuesday, 10/13
• College Career Fair - Thursday, 10/15
• End of 1st Quarter - Thursday, 10/15
• PTA Meeting* - Wednesday, 10/21
• Parent Meeting for Winter Sports - Tuesday, 10/27, 6:30PM, WHS Gymnasium
• Marching Band Finale Concert - Wednesday, 10/28
• Senior Cap and Gown Picture Day - Thursday, 10/29

*See below for more info

CCS WHS Calendar

https://whetstonehs.ccsoh.us/calendar

CCS District Calendars

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

We need your input to enhance your child's school experience! The Family-School Relationships Survey is now live, and we value your feedback. Please spare 10-15 minutes to take the survey by Friday, October 2.

To take the survey, scan the QR code below or visit https://surveys.panoramaed.com/ccsoh/family26fall/surveys

For much more info about the survey, visit https://app.smore.com/n/4xcv1-2026-fall-family-panorama-survey

As part of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce required health education curriculum, students will receive age-appropriate instruction that was formerly commonly referred to as Erin’s Law. This instruction focuses on personal safety, healthy boundaries, recognizing unsafe situations, and identifying trusted adults and resources for help. Schools are required to provide this instruction to students each year. Parents and guardians have the right to opt their child out of this instruction. If you would like to opt your child out, please email Principal Rodriguez at krodriguez@columbus.k12.oh.us.

Whetstone’s lesson dates:

Thursday, September 10th: Suicide Prevention

Wednesday, September 23rd: Social Inclusion-Start with Hello

Tuesday, October 6th: Dating Violence Prevention

Monday, November 16th: Violence Prevention

• The homecoming parade will be October 9th, parade line up starts at 4p.

• Whetstone Alumni Recognition Night

• Join us on Friday, October 9, as the Whetstone Braves take on Northland for our Homecoming football game and celebrate the alumni who have helped shape our school and community.

• All Whetstone alumni are invited to stop by the Alumni Table near Riverside Café inside the stadium. The first 30 alumni to visit the table will receive a free commemorative shirt!

• At halftime, we will recognize and celebrate all Whetstone alumni in attendance.

https://canva.link/0jsiv22ccmpl1v8

Whetstone Athletic & WAPA Boosters are raising funds to continue our support of Whetstone athletes, musicians, and stage performers. The Boosters traditionally fund expenses that coaches and teams need to be successful during a season, monetary awards for graduating students, banners for senior athletes, musical instrument maintenance, uniforms, stage sound and lighting, and upgrades to facilities, among other student needs.

Please help us to continue to provide crucial support for enriching experiences for our Whetstone students!

How you can Help:

Parents: Students will be going door to door on Saturday, October 3, from 10 am to Noon. We need drivers to take the students out on the 63 planned routes. Parents, please sign up at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E49ADAA22A13-65753431-athleticswapa

Students: Athletes and WAPA students, we need you! Students, please sign up at this link to canvas Clintonville homes on Oct 3:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E49ADAA22A13-65753542-athleticwapa

Share the campaign. The Booster drive will also consist of an online campaign. Please share this link with friends and family who aren't in the area or may not be available the day of the door-to-door campaign: https://www.whetstoneathleticboosters.com/copy-of-booster-drive-1

Thank you for your support!

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 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 ALL seasons and ALL sports. https://www.whetstoneathleticboosters.com/about-1

Whetstone ceramic and sculpture students will be featured at the Columbus Metropolitan Library (whetstone branch) during the month of October! Students worked for over 5 weeks on these amazing “pop out” paintings. Check out a few below!

• November 12, 13, & 14, 2026
• 7:00 PM 9:00 PM
• Whetstone High School Performing Arts Center

Alice's adventure begins with a fall down the rabbit hole and into the strange, unpredictable world of Wonderland—a place where ordinary rules no longer apply and nothing seems to make sense.

As Alice searches for a way home, she encounters an unforgettable collection of characters, including the hurried White Rabbit, contrary Caterpillar, eccentric Mad Hatter and March Hare, argumentative Tweedledee and Tweedledum, and commanding Red Queen, and more. Each encounter challenges Alice to question where she belongs, what she believes, and whether she can trust herself to make up her own mind.

As Wonderland becomes increasingly chaotic, Alice begins to find her voice, question its ridiculous rules, and stand up for what she believes. Charlotte B. Chorpenning's Alice in Wonderland is a whimsical, fast-moving adventure filled with comedy, imagination, larger-than-life characters, and a meaningful journey about growing up, finding your voice, and learning to trust yourself.

Get your tickets at https://www.wapa.net/performances-gashZ

• The performing arts do not receive regular financial support from CCS so we typically have four main fundraisers throughout the year that need adult support

  • Fall Booster drive we do with athletics
  • Fall Mum sale
  • Winter Greenery sale
  • Spring plant sale

• In addition to the fundraisers, we also need adult support throughout the year for a variety of thing including helping with concessions, special events, theater meals, etc. More information on these as we go through the year

• We also welcome corporate and personal sponsorship. Please visit the store front on wapa.net for more information

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.

WAPA is the umbrella structure for all the performing arts at Whetstone. It is not a separate entity from Whetstone High School and there is no application to join. If a student participates in any of the performing arts at Whetstone, they are in WAPA.

For more info, visit wapa.net.

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, 10/21.

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 Academic Committee of the PTA on Weds, October 7 at 6:30 pm in the WHS Library for the next meeting!

The committee was newly formed last year to lead PTA efforts in supporting co-curricular (for instance, National History Day) and extracurricular (for instance, student clubs/grants) activities that aren't the focus of the other booster orgs. We also manage the Teacher of the Year and Senior Scholarships awards processes and try to connect families with information about Whetstone academics by inviting school staff to speak at meetings.

Our first meeting will focus on reflecting on last year's activities and brainstorming plans for the upcoming year - we'd love to have you there!

• 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) at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUgYdrCGWYcOCyi04gcIkZanWxMZj5b5565dYFV3O6x6S9MQ/viewform
• 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/whetstonepta
• 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

Columbus Public Health is partnering with your school to offer a flu vaccine clinic onsite at your child’s school. This vaccine clinic will offer the flu vaccine at NO COST to all eligible students. See the Flyer for more info.

Whetstone will be screening all 9th, 11th and New To District students on 10/13/26 and 10/14/26. Please make sure your student is on time and attending school on those days. For more info, please see the flyer.

Columbus City Schools has expanded their partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital! Whetstone now offers transportation during the school day to Fort Hayes for Vision Services. You can schedule using the QR code in the flyer below or call Nurse Hubschman at 614-365-6060. Our next transportation day from Whetstone is 9/23/26.

The American Diabetes Association and current Ohio Law deems that it is medically necessary to allow diabetic students to have access to their cellular devices when using a continuous glucose monitor.

October 5–9, 2026–Presented by Your Senior Cabinet

Get ready, Whetstone! Show your school spirit all week as we celebrate Homecoming!

• Monday, October 5 — Meme Day
• Come dressed as your favorite school-appropriate meme!
• Tuesday, October 6 — Decades Day
• Pick a decade and bring it back! From the ’50s to the 2000s, show us your favorite era.
• Wednesday, October 7 — Blitz & Glam Day
• Blitz: Wear your favorite jersey or sports gear.
• Glam: Dress up and bring the sparkle!
• Thursday, October 8 — Rhyme Without a Reason Day
• Grab a friend and dress as two things that rhyme, but have absolutely nothing to do with each other!
• Friday, October 9 — Cohort/Grade-Level Color Day - Let’s fill Whetstone with color!
• 12th Grade — PURPLE
• 11th Grade — PINK
• 10th Grade — ORANGE
• 9th Grade — YELLOW

This is a friendly reminder that cell phones should be put away during the school day at Whetstone High School. Students are expected to place their phones in the cell phone box located in each classroom. At this time, about 50% of students are consistently following this expectation. If a student has their phone out without teacher permission, an administrator will contact the parent/guardian, and the phone will be secured in the main office until the end of the school day. We understand that students and families value being able to stay connected. At the same time, reducing cell phone distractions helps students stay engaged, focused, and successful in the classroom. Thank you for your partnership and support as we work together to provide the best learning environment for all students.

Principal Rodriguez is interested in hearing from you! She would like to establish a monthly meeting with families to gather and share information regarding your students, your family, and your school.

But when...?

Please provide input (just 2 questions!) on the best time of day to have a monthly open meeting with the Principal. To respond, visit the form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdw_kU7eM5vl19rZ5cre2AAeNqtGAfw5lt8CZ74NWXi9iL4ZQ/viewform

The Whetstone Ski and Board Club now has an active link to submit the fee for bussing to and from Snow Trails. Visit https://whetstonepta.givebacks.com/shop/items/ad07dbdc1d9b10 to pay.

The club is open to all students, regardless of experience, and includes six (6) trips on Thursdays to Snow Trails beginning January 7, and concluding February 11.

For more information please contact club advisor Toby Hawk (thawk573@columbus.k12.oh.us).

The 2026 Homecoming Dance is October 10, 2026 7:00pm-9:30pm, The theme is Red Carpet! Price: $25/ticket. Eligibility: No In School Suspension or Out of School Suspension.

TICKET LINK AT: https://www.locallevelevents.com/events/details/47223

Prom: May 7, 2027, 7pm-10pm

Location: Hilton Easton

3900 Chagrin Dr.

Columbus, Ohio 43219

Price: TBD

School Tours are coming soon! Watch this space for more information.

Columbus City Schools Connect and Thrive: Disability Resource Fair & Special Olympics Championships on Oct. 3 at Mifflin HS. It is full day of events for families. We want ALL families to attend to support Special Olympics games.

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!

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, which makes it a good time to talk with students about what bullying actually looks like and what they can do when they see it happening.

Visit https://www.mobileedproductions.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-students-about-bullying for an easy guide to beginning the conversation with your students about bullying.

On June 29, 2026, Columbus City Council approved updates to the city's curfew ordinance for minors. The legislation maintains age-based curfew hours, clarifies exemptions, creates a graduated enforcement process focused on intervention and family engagement, and establishes new parental responsibility provisions that take effect in 2027. Learn more below and at https://www.columbus.gov/Government/City-Council/Programs-Initiatives/Curfew

The Columbus Metropolitan Library has fun and educational activities going on all the time – stop in to see what’s happening! Get more info below and at https://www.columbuslibrary.org/school-age/

See the flyer for a free opportunity at the University of Dayton to explore engineering opportunities.

The Kiwanis college fair coming up on Oct. 6th for Juniors and Seniors. Interested juniors and seniors, please see Ms. Nicole in room 106 to get a permission slip. The deadline is Friday, 10/2.

Boss Up is an eight-week youth development and career exploration program that helps high school students build life skills, financial confidence, leadership habits, and exposure to future career pathways.

The program includes financial literacy with an introduction to stock investing, helping students understand saving, budgeting, investing basics, and long-term wealth-building habits. The program combines classroom learning, hands-on activities, guest speakers, site visits, and credential-building opportunities to help young people prepare for life after high school.

For more information, see the flyer below, call 614-252-2799 or email afterschool@impactca.org

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
• Social Worker, Diamond McCoy, dmccoy1@columbus.k12.oh.us
• I Know I Can, Nicole Martin, nmartin@iknowican.org
• Internship Coordinator, William Eagle, weagle4897@columbus.k12.oh.us
• Counselors

• Marie Fiascunari (9th), mfiascunari9064@columbus.k12.oh.us
• Marie McClain (10th), mmcclain415@columbus.k12.oh.us
• Matt Agee (11th), magee@columbus.k12.oh.us
• Annie Schwab (12th), aschwab6520@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