Hello Phoenix Families,

We sincerely appreciate you and your family for being valued partners in our mission to educate and support the children in our district.

As you may know, fostering student well-being is a key priority for our school—this year and every year. In the coming weeks, students will participate in activities designed to deepen their understanding of these important concepts and reflect on their own skills.

To support this effort, we are partnering with Panorama Education, a trusted third-party organization, to administer an online survey for students in grades 3-12. This survey will encourage students to self-reflect on essential areas such as Sense of Belonging, Self-Management, Emotion Regulation, Social Awareness, and Supportive Relationships.

The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and will be administered during a two-week window from March 3 to March 14. Students may skip any question if they feel they do not have enough information to respond.

This initiative aligns with our district’s Portrait of a Learner, a framework developed in collaboration with Battelle for Kids and our community design team—including students, families, educators, and local stakeholders. Through this process, we sought to answer key questions:

• What are the hopes, dreams, and aspirations that our community has for its students?

• What are the skills and mindsets our children need for success in this rapidly changing, and complex world?

• What are the implications for the design of the learning experiences and equitable access to those experiences we provide in our school system?

By aligning our survey topics with the Portrait of a Learner Competencies and our elementary and middle school Learner Profiles, we aim to better understand and support our students’ growth. Student voice is essential, and their responses will provide valuable insights that help us refine and improve our approach to instruction and support.

If you have any questions about the survey, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 614-450-4105.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in creating a supportive and enriching learning environment for all students.

Be good to one another,

Dr. Flynn

February 11 - Phoenix Candygram Sale Ends

February 12 - Candid Pictures For Yearbook (Rescheduled From 2/4)

February 12 - PTSA Meeting By Zoom, 6:30 p.m.

February 13 - Phoenix Students Release At 1:40 p.m. (like our Friday schedule)

February 14 - No Classes

February 17 - No Classes

February 19 - Band Solo & Ensemble

February 25 - Band Concert

February 26/27 - Required 7th Grade Student Led Conferences (Choice Of Dates)

February 28 - Last Day To Order 2024-2025 Phoenix Yearbook Through HR Imaging

March 4 - Orchestra Concert

March 6 and/or 7 - Discovery Days (Students Not Yet Mastered Should Be At Phoenix 3/6)

March 12 - Choir Concert

March 18 - Percussion Ensemble Concert

March 20 - Orchestra Solo & Ensemble Contest

March 24 to 28 - No Classes, Spring Break

This is a long newsletter with a lot of information, so we try to put the newest and most urgent information in this first section.

Dear 8th Grade Families,

We have been working hard to finalize the end of year trip for your 8th grade students. We now have some important dates and information to share with you.

Our final 8th grade event is our annual trip to Kings Island. The date of the trip is Wednesday, May, 21st. The cost of the trip will be $78. We will leave Phoenix at 8:00 am and return at 6:00 pm (Families, please plan to drive students to & from school on 5/21, due to the timing). We want all students to attend if possible. This is our last event as a group. Please contact your 8th grade advisor if the price is an issue. We will do our best as a staff to help those who require it. This cost will cover the transportation via charter bus, admission to the park, and a meal voucher for lunch. This cost will also include the cost of the trip for the teachers who chaperone. You may choose to give your child spending money at Kings Island, but it is not necessary. Thanks to the PTSA and your fundraising that pays for most our charter buses.

More info will come the closer we get to the trip date. Thanks again for all you do to make your student’s experience at Phoenix a meaningful one.

The Phoenix 8th Grade Staff

The $78 cost for the trip can be paid online through the Activity tab in the My Payments Plus system at https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome. We can also accept cash (exact change, please) or check (payable to Phoenix Middle School) in the Phoenix office. Payment is due by April 11, so that we have time to process our payment to Kings Island and receive our tickets and meal vouchers before the trip. Please select "Phoenix 8th Grade Kings Island Trip 2025" to pay for your student.

There are also options in My Payments Plus to either provide a sponsorship in full ($78) or a partial sponsorship ($39) for a student in need. Your assistance is appreciated.

Dear Seventh Grade Families,

We are excited to announce that we will be having Student Led Conferences on Wednesday, February 26, at 6 PM and 7:15 PM, and Thursday, February 27, at 6 PM.

During these conferences, students will showcase their work and growth throughout the year and share their experiences here at Phoenix. This is a very important step in your student's Phoenix career and we do ask that at least one parent or guardian attend this conference led by your student.

Kindly remember that we do ask that siblings not attend if possible so that all attention can be given to your Phoenix student's presentation.

Please use the attached Google Form to sign up for a night that works best for you and your family. If you find that none of the time slots work for your family, please reach out to your student's advisor for further instruction.

We look forward to celebrating our students' achievements together!

Best regards,
The Seventh Grade Team

Hi Phoenix Families,

For Valentine's Day, Phoenix MS will sell candygrams for students to purchase. Thank you for the parent donations of candy & Valentine cards, so that all the money that we raise goes towards the Red Cross to support those who are struggling and have faced loss during the wildfires in California. We will be selling candygrams to students February 5-11 for 50 cents each. Thank you for your support!

Please join us on February 12 at 6:30 p.m. for a Phoenix PTSA meeting by Zoom. The Zoom link to join the meeting is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83531743579.

Phoenix will release students at 1:40 p.m. on Thursday, February 13 (like our Friday schedule).

Please visit book.hrimaging.com to order your copy of the Phoenix 2024-2025 yearbook for $26 by February 28. The 2024-2025 yearbooks should be available for pick up in mid-August.

The Worthington Schools mental health team is hosting another Triple P Workshop for Parents on March 8. A copy of the flyer is below. Please register by 2/28 at:

https://forms.gle/6cAcFrxiJ62RVt3k9

Phoenix students will need to bring their fully charged Worthington Schools issued chromebooks for state testing in April. The ELA testing will be on 4/7 & 4/8. Math testing will be on 4/14 & 4/15. Science testing will be on 4/16.

Winter sports will be ending in late January/early February. If your student has an interest in spring athletics, please make sure to update Final Forms and have an athletic physical completed. Many of the athletic communications are sent based on Final Forms. Final Forms can be accessed through the neighborhood middle school website's athletic page. Some of the sports may have open gym options before try-outs, so it is important to complete Final Forms in order to receive information.

Kilbourne Middle School Athletics page

McCord Middle School Athletics page

Perry Middle School Athletics page

Worthingway Middle School Athletics page

The athletic physical form is available at https://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/Sports-Medicine/2024-25PPE(English).pdf. A completed physical is required for participation, open gyms, & try outs for school sports.

When the 2025-2026 school year is opened through Final Forms (usually in the spring), you will also need to complete Final Forms to indicate what sports your student is interested in for the 2025-2026 school year. Final Forms needs to be completed annually.

Many of the high school sports have conditioning/training opportunities over the summer (and sometimes sooner). High school fall sports generally start before classes start for the school year.

If your eighth grader is interested in high school athletics, please visit the high school athletic website:

Thomas Worthington High School https://twhs.worthington.k12.oh.us/athletics

Worthington Kilbourne High School https://wkhs.worthington.k12.oh.us/athletics

The websites often have e-mail addresses for the coaches. When the 2025-2026 school year is opened through Final Forms (usually in the spring), you will also need to complete Final Forms to indicate what sports your student is interested in.

Current Worthington Schools sixth graders can apply to attend Phoenix as seventh graders for the 2025-2026 school year until 4:00 p.m. on March 18.

Eighth graders have the option to visit the Linworth Experiential Program (please see the form below, copies are available in the Phoenix office).

Phoenix students that were photographed by HR Imaging on our school picture day, will have a picture in our 2024-2025 Phoenix yearbook. We would love to have pictures of our students participating in their athletic and extracurricular activities. Please use the link below to upload pictures that you take that you would be interested in having included in our yearbook:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIZgaW-G-KfPSHXHM1RTWQh6M_YyBc9cYocv38TWPdCvFR9w/viewform.

You can mentor a student by lending your heart, a hand, and an ear to a middle or high school student through conversations that focus on relationship building and helping each student develop a vision of hope for their future. Learn more and sign up today.

Chrissy Cavaluchy - Phoenix Secretary - ccavaluchy@wscloud.org
Julie Miller - Building Assistant, Attendance - jmiller@wscloud.org

Beverly Kready - Perry Secretary - bkready@wscloud.org

Christine Karse - Perry Secretary - ckarse@wscloud.org

Elizabeth Ferguson - Building Assistant, Testing - eferguson@wscloud.org

Cathie Franklin - Perry Building Assistant - cfranklin@wscloud.org

Absences If your student will be absent or out of the building for an appointment, please call our office line at (614) 450-4100 or e-mail us at either jmiller@wscloud.org or ccavaluchy@wscloud.org. We appreciate your communications and help.

Attendance Note We encourage families to bring a doctor’s note to Phoenix for any medical related appointments that require time away from class.

Safe Schools Hotline Worthington has a safe schools hotline where students, parents, or community members can anonymously leave tips should they suspect an act of potential violence at (844) 723-3764.

The old www.worthington-portal.org site is no longer be accessible.

The items from the old portal are now available from your Infinite Campus portal in the “More” section in “Parent Access Links”. Here is a guide to help you navigate this change: Parent Access Link. We also recommend updating any browser bookmarks you may have.

Worthington Schools has changed how our Infinite Campus email is delivered.

All parents of students in Worthington Schools should view the brief parent guide linked below to ensure that emails continue to get delivered to your email inbox.

Parent Guide to Ensure Email is Received

Please visit https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/ohio/worthington/phoenix-middle-school for Phoenix Spirit Wear.

Please visit https://uc.powerschool-docs.com/en/schoology/latest/parents for parent information about the Schoology system.

• FAQs

• Electronic Device Handbook

• Technology Loan Agreement

• Home Internet Service Resources

• Securly Parent Introduction Letter

• Securly Parent How To

Phoenix Middle School uses the School Safe System for student sign-outs. Parents will need to bring their driver's license to sign-out their student through the School Safe System. During the sign-out process, parents will have the opportunity to create a digital pass to use (instead of a driver's license) for future sign-outs.

For those that ordered a Phoenix 2023-2024 yearbook, the yearbooks are available for pick-up. Yearbooks can either be picked up at Phoenix. If you didn't order a yearbook, but would like a yearbook, we have a few available in the Phoenix office for $30.00 (cash, exact change please, or check payable to Phoenix Middle School).

Phoenix is an amazing community of learners, educators, support staff and families. The PTSA does all that it can to support the community. We provide equipment for clubs and classrooms, fund events and learning experiences, help make impact projects come to life and so much more! Every family is different and the level of time they can contribute is sometimes limited. Here are a few simple ways to help out if you are able!

Join the PTSA - Your membership contributes funds to the PTSA. It also gives you a vote at our monthly meetings. Click this link, https://phoenixms.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true for our one stop shop!

Volunteer – We’re still looking for a few folks to coordinate events and activities throughout the year, including Staff Appreciation days and canteens. These are fun, short-term ways to volunteer. Email us or voice your interest at a meeting!

Follow Phoenix MS on Social Media - We will post updates on upcoming events and share some of the amazing things our students accomplish! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/150413775041131/ , Instagram: @phoenixms_worthington

Please email us at, phoenixmsptsa15@gmail.com with any questions you might have or stop by a meeting to chat with this year's PTSA team!

Kroger Community Rewards – Visit Kroger.com/communityrewards and register your Kroger Shopper’s Card. Then select Phoenix Middle School PTSA/codeYD984.

The Phoenix PTSA can be contacted by e-mail at phoenixmsptsa15@gmail.com.

The Positive Parenting Program, or Triple P, helps support parents and caregivers to promote children’s well-being and make family life more enjoyable. Triple P offers a website with proven parenting strategies and resources for families of children and teens. Topics range from bedtime routines and family traditions to getting teens to talk and making friends. The newest resources on the site are free, online courses for parents, caregivers and early childhood education providers.

Set up similar to 911, having the 3 digit code of 988 for crisis help and support is a huge step in saving lives. Call or text 988 and you will be connected with a crisis counselor to help provide support. This number is accessible 24/7 anywhere in the United States. If you or someone you know is in need of extra support, remember that help is always available!

Do you know a caring adult looking to make an impact in Worthington City Schools? If so, please consider joining the Leadership Worthington Mentor Program. The students of Worthington schools will benefit from whatever time you can commit to building relationships and being a difference maker for Worthington Schools. Please contact Rachel Fisher (rmartin@wscloud.org) if interested in serving Phoenix students!

Please visit http://www.worthingtonschoolmenus.com/ for food services information; including menus, a link to find your student's lunch number, and access to the free & reduced meal application. Information about free and reduced meal benefits is available at https://worthingtonschoolmenus.com/?page=FreeReducedApplication. If you think you may qualify for free & reduced meals, please complete this application, as it also affects school fees and pay-to-play fees. The 2024-2025 application will be available later this summer.

If there are any concerns regarding food services, please contact Jill Mains, our head cook, at jmains@wscloud.org.

A new free and reduced meal application is needed each school year. The on-line application is available at https://worthingtonschoolmenus.com/?page=FreeReducedApplication.

Below are the printable meal benefit application packets in English and Spanish.

English Application Packet

Spanish Application Packet

There are also paper applications in multiple languages, which you will find at the link below.

F&R Application (Multiple Languages)

A deposit box is located in front of the cafeteria/kitchen doors. If students have cash or check to add to their meal account, please put the funds in an envelope and write the student's full name and lunch pin number of the envelope before depositing in the slot. Payments can also be made on line through My Payments Plus.

We are always looking to strengthen our connection between home and school. We have an opportunity for volunteers to greet our students in the morning by helping to monitor the Phoenix/Perry breakfast service line from 8:30-9:15 each morning. We would love to have Phoenix families represented by volunteering even 1 day per week. If you are able to assist at this time, please reach out to our cafe manager, Jill Mains, at jmains@wscloud.org to schedule your days.

Our food services team is interested in having some volunteers to help serve lunch. This would not need to be every day. Interested parties may e-mail Jill Mains at jmains@wscloud.org. Volunteers with Worthington Schools should complete a background check. Background check details can be found at https://www.worthington.k12.oh.us/studentsparents/become-a-school-volunteer.

Information about becoming a volunteer with Worthington Schools is at https://www.worthington.k12.oh.us/studentsparents/become-a-school-volunteer.

Quick Guide:

Classroom Volunteers

1. Volunteer has lived in Ohio for the past 5 years - Must complete an online background check, visit https://securevolunteer.com/Worthington-City-Schools/home to access the form. When Approved, receive a Volunteer Badge in the mail from BIB/Secure Volunteer. (Form can also be found on our District Website under Quick Links - Volunteer Background Check)

2. Volunteer has not Lived in Ohio for the past 5 years - Must schedule an appointment with HR to get a background check. Click HERE (https://go.nemoqappointment.com/Booking/Booking/Index/WSDBC) to schedule an appointment.

Overnight Chaperone

1. Volunteer wants to chaperone an overnight trip OR supervise students without a teacher present - Schedule an appointment with HR to get a background check. Click HERE (https://go.nemoqappointment.com/Booking/Booking/Index/WSDBC) to schedule an appointment. Cost: $50

Phone: 614-450-5715

Fax: 614-781-0135

Hi. My name is Todd Kuck and I am the school nurse at Phoenix Middle School.

All Students

If your child will need to take medication during the school day or have medication available, please be sure to have the required paperwork completed & on file in the health office. Information can be found at https://www.worthington.k12.oh.us/studentsparents/health-safety/medication-at-school.

If your child does not feel well during the school day, they should come to the health office instead of texting or calling home independently.

Per the district website -- Your child is too ill to go to school if he or she has any of the following symptoms:

• Temperature above 100.4 F by mouth -- Students who are sent home with a fever 100.4 degrees or higher must remain at home until the student is fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication. In most cases this means that students will miss the following school day. Please understand that fevers can reoccur within a 24 hour time period and this policy is in the best interest for all students.
• Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours -- Students who are sent home due to vomiting or diarrhea must also stay home for 24 hours to ensure that these symptoms are gone before returning to school.
• Shortness of breath or has increase in wheezing during normal activity
• Has a cough that interrupts normal activity.
• Rash over body or localized to one area of the body -- Students who show signs of a communicable disease exhibiting as a rash may return to school once the rash is gone or a note is presented from a doctor stating that the student may return to school.
  
• Fatigue and needs bed rest (common with flu-like symptoms)
• Has yellow or green drainage from nose or eye(s)
• Signs of conjunctivitis such as red, crusty or swollen eyes -- Students exhibiting signs of conjunctivitis (crusty eyes, red or swollen eyes) may return once the symptoms have been treated and are gone or a note is presented from a doctor stating that the student may return to school.

As the safety of our children is paramount to all, we need your support to make our building “nut free”.

• Please do not send in any peanuts, peanut butter, or foods containing peanuts or peanut butter to be eaten during lunch.

• Read ingredient labels carefully to ensure that the snacks sent in with your child are peanut and tree nut-free.

The US Department of Health and Human Services has again partnered up with USPS to deliver 4 free COVID test kits to every home. For more information, please visit:

https://special.usps.com/testkits

Our athletic/activity shuttle is available Monday through Thursday on normal school days at 3:50 p.m. Students leaving on the shuttle should sign out each day on the clipboard in the seventh grade hallway before leaving the building. There are normally two shuttles, a Wolves shuttle to McCord and a Cardinals shuttle to Worthingway & Kilbourne Middle School. It is important to be prompt, since the shuttle doesn't have time to come back for anyone who is late.

Due to the 1:40 p.m. Friday release time at Phoenix, athletic/activity shuttles are not available on Fridays at Phoenix. Phoenix students should go home at our 1:40 p.m. release time on Fridays and get to their athletics/activites on Friday from home. Please note that the shuttles normally only operate during the regular athletic seasons. There may be periods of time when the season ends that the shuttles are not available.

If your student is interested in athletics, please complete Final Forms through your neighborhood middle school's athletic website. A sports physical is required.

If your student has an interest in athletics, please make sure to update Final Forms and have an athletic physical completed. Many of the athletic communications are sent based on Final Forms. Final Forms can be accessed through the neighborhood middle school website's athletic page.

Kilbourne Middle School Athletics page

McCord Middle School Athletics page

Perry Middle School Athletics page

Worthingway Middle School Athletics page

The athletic physical form is available at https://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/Sports-Medicine/2024-25PPE(English).pdf. A completed physical is required for participation, open gyms, & try outs for school sports.

Phoenix students need to maintain academic eligibility for school extracurricular activities and athletics. Students should have eight or less items in revision in MAP and mastered in at least four out of six classes.

As noted in the Phoenix handbook, ineligible students are expected to stay at Phoenix during extensions to work on assignments throughout that week.

Worthington Ski & Board Club information is available at bit.ly/skiworthington.

If you have any questions, you can reach out to Hannah de Nijs at hdenijs@wscloud.org.

Phoenix students who have Worthingway as their neighborhood middle school will have the opportunity to participate in the Worthingway canteen on March 14 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Additional information should be available closer to the event date. Parents would be responsible for transportation.

The Worthington Schools Electronic Backpack is available at: https://www.worthington.k12.oh.us/studentsparents/e-backpack.

Many area businesses offer fundraising opportunities for our schools, like Dine To Donate events. Please visit https://www.worthington.k12.oh.us/studentsparents/support-our-schools-fundraisers to see options to support our schools. This page is updated regularly as events are added.

Phoenix students that were photographed in August by HR Imaging have received their Phoenix student ID card. Worthington middle school students can get in to Worthington athletic events free with their photo ID card. Phoenix students may also need to show their photo ID card for participation in some events at their neighborhood middle school.

• Worthington students in grades 6-12 who provide their student ID at the door will be admitted for free.
• Tickets can be purchased online through Hometown Ticketing at https://www.worthington.k12.oh.us/studentsparents/buy-tickets.

Looking for more information? Our website details our school, programming, and all of the unique benefits of a Phoenix education: www.phoenixms.org

Below, you will also find our information packet and a video with testimonials from former Phoenix students.

Follow us on Twitter

Check us out on Facebook

We even have an Instagram