Worthingway Weekly

Do you remember (or know of) the "What to Expect When You Are Expecting" books? Twenty two years ago that book was really helpful for my wife and I when she was pregnant with our first child. We literally had no idea what to expect, so that book coached us through the pregnancy. When our two oldest children (21, 19) went through middle school, I was the assistant principal at their school. So when they would act a certain way at home (or at school), I was able to reassure my wife that they weren't from a different planet - this behavior is typical for people their age.

We now have a nine year old daughter so it feels like we have been given a "redo" of sorts when preparing her for those daunting and, sometimes dreaded, early teenage years. We certainly made enough mistakes as parents that we could have written our own book!

As educators and parent/guardians of 11, 12, 13, and 14 year olds, we need to be aware of the traits and skills that are developing during this time. This helps us to be able to establish proactive routines and procedures to help them with their skill development and enable us to be able to respond appropriately when they fall short of expectations.

In our learning link (below) you will see a google slideshow that our staff recently reviewed at a staff meeting in our journey to help grow all students. I am impressed and proud of our staff for being true life-long learners and striving to be their best for ALL of our students.

The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community are always our top priorities in Worthington Schools. Research and experience show that when students and staff are well-prepared through knowledge and practice, they can respond effectively to emergency situations. This is why we continuously engage in safety routines, drills, and learning to support the safety of everyone in our schools.

Historically, our schools have participated in several important safety drills:

• Fire Drills: These drills teach students and staff how to report fire hazards and safely evacuate the building using multiple exits.

• Weather Drills: These drills help everyone stay calm and safe during weather-related events, such as tornadoes, by identifying and using sheltered spaces within the building.

• Lock-Down Drills: These drills prepare us for situations where free movement within the school is restricted due to external disturbances or unauthorized visitors. They involve securing the school perimeter, classrooms, and common areas to keep everyone safe.

• Rally-Point Drills: These drills focus on safely exiting the building in cases of emergencies like a gas leak or unsafe visitor, and moving to a predetermined safe space away from the school.

In addition to these drills, Ohio law requires public schools to conduct a "Full Scale" Safety Drill every three years. This comprehensive drill combines elements of the previously practiced drills and includes a controlled classroom lockdown, as well as a simulated evacuation to move students away from the building in the event of danger.

Our staff has been trained in the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) emergency response model, which includes additional countermeasures during a lockdown to facilitate a safe evacuation to a Rally Point. In the event of an emergency requiring relocation, students would be transported to a designated "reunification" location, with the Worthington Education Center (WEC) being our primary consideration.

In October, we will provide instructions and practice opportunities for students across our schools to prepare for a Full Scale Safety Drill. By being well-prepared for unplanned interruptions, we aim to build confidence and ensure the ultimate safety of our students. We know that when students feel safe and understand safety protocols, they can better focus on their learning.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in keeping our schools safe.

Worthingway will facilitate our Full Scale Safety Drill on October 16.

• Tis the Season...
• ...for students to start "wearing" blankets to school. Please remind your child that a blanket is not appropriate outwear for students. They can wear a long sleeve shirt, hoodie, or light jacket if they are cold.

• Full Scale Safety Drill
• October 16
• We will review protocols and procedures with students in the classroom and then leaving our building to practice reporting to our "rally points".
• As of today, the outside temperature during our drill will be about 50 degrees. Please make sure your student has a coat since we will be walking to our rally point. Students will be outside for approximately 45 minutes during this drill.

• P/T Conferences
• Our fall conferences will be held on October 10 and 16. Please click here to sign up for conferences.
• If all of the conference spots happen to be full when you try to sign up, please just reach out to the teacher via email and we make sure to connect with you.
• Please see note below for more information

• Photo Re-Takes and Make-Ups

• Friday, October 25 during the school day

• PHOTO RETAKES: If you would like your student to retake the school photo they previously took and you ordered, the student should bring in the original photo order package and give it to the photographer on October 25. A new photo will be taken and the same photo order package will be produced using the new student photo. If the student does not have a physical package to return because they ordered a digital download or if the parent/guardian has seen the first image and wants it to be taken again, we will photograph any of the students that present themselves for a retake picture.

• PHOTO MAKE-UPS: If your student was absent for our two previous photo days or if they are a new student who has not taken a school photo, we would like them to take a photo on October 25. Even if you do not plan to order photos, their photo will be used in the yearbook and for a student ID. We have photo flyers in the office if your student would like to pick one up to bring home or you may visit the HR Imaging website: shophrimaging.com to place an order.

What skills are developmentally appropriate for students in middle school to learn? What do we need to keep in mind as we guide/teach/coach our students for future skill development?

These are some questions that we talk about as a staff. In this week's learning link, we would like to share with you developmental traits (pdf link) that are common for different age groups.

Thursday, October 10 from 4:45-8:45

Tuesday, October 16 from 4:45-8:45

Your student’s teachers are looking forward to Parent-Teacher Conferences. These conferences are an opportunity to schedule a conference with one (or more) of your child's teachers in case you have any questions or concerns about your child's experience here at school.

We are using an online program for parent-teacher conferences in 10 minute time blocks. Please come to your conference(s) prepared with any specific concerns or questions, as we make every effort to stay on schedule.

You may go online starting October 4th through October 15th. Please read the following directions carefully as we are using PTCFast.com as our online parent-teacher conference scheduler this year. It is very important to follow the instructions and the link to schedule your conferences.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SCHEDULING ONLINE:

1. Our conference website is www.ptcfast.com/schools/Worthingway_Middle_School.

This will take you to the Worthingway Middle School Conference Scheduler. Click on the teacher(s) you would like to conference with.

A Spanish translation is available by clicking the Spanish flag in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

1. Sign up by entering your child’s last name, first name, your name, and your email address, phone number, then click SUBMIT.

1. The next screen will direct you to check your email inbox for a message with the subject “Select Date/Time for Teacher Conference Now.”

1. Open the email and click on the link to select conference times. Each conference is with a different teacher and different time block. If you do not receive an email, check your junk/spam folder. NOTE: YOU MUST FOLLOW THE LINK IN THE EMAIL IN ORDER TO FINISH THE SIGN-UP PROCESS!

1. The link will take you to your TIME BLOCK OPTIONS. Available time slots will appear on this page. We are offering conferences via Zoom, telephone or in person at Worthingway. In order to enter the type of conference you want with the teachers, click on the box at the bottom of the screen “Please indicate if you would like to meet via Zoom, by phone or in person at Worthingway.” Also include if you would like a translator scheduled.

IF THERE ARE NO AVAILABLE APPOINTMENTS THAT SUIT YOUR SCHEDULE, PLEASE EMAIL THE TEACHER DIRECTLY TO SET UP AN ALTERNATE MEETING TIME. To find contact information for the teacher you wish to reach, please log on to www.worthington.k12.oh.us, select Worthingway Middle School and choose “Contact Us”. You can then click on the staff member you would like to contact. All teachers’ email addresses are listed alphabetically.

1. After submitting your time slot, you will be prompted to finish, schedule another appointment for the same student, or register another student. Once you have completed your registration(s), you will receive an email confirming the date and time of your conference(s) and a link by which you may change your date/time should you need to do so.

If you have any questions regarding the online scheduling process, please contact the office 614-450-4300.

Here is all of our Camp information:

Presentation Slides

Parent/Guardian Handout (google doc)

Parent/Guardian Handout (pdf version)

Packing for Camp

You need to complete this link (click on RSVP) by September 6.

School safety is of utmost importance and a top priority for us in Worthington. We strive to create the safest school environment most conducive to student learning. There has been recent research and reports about the negative impact of cell phones on the school environment and on student learning. Many states, including Ohio, have recent legislation requiring public school districts to develop cell phone policies.

Therefore, we are a cell phone free school during the school day. Students are allowed to bring their cell phone to school but they are not to be used or visible from 9:10-3:50. If you need to get in touch with your student during the school day, please call our front office at 614-450-4300 and we will assist you. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring that our students’ cell phones are not in use and not visible during our school hours.

Resources for Families

• 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

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 9:02. 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.
• There should be no cars in the bus drop off lanes during both drop off and pick up.

*Our next PTA meeting will take place on January 7, 2025 at 7 pm via Zoom. A link will be sent out prior to the meeting for those who would like to attend.

Teacher Conference Dinners

Teacher Conferences are right around the corner! Please click the link below to donate any amount and support Worthingway PTA in providing dinner for our teachers after school and before conferences, on Thursday, October 10 and Wednesday, October 16. Thank you advance for helping to support our Worthingway teachers!

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=MPDET4KCNAAMJ

Butter Braids and Sara Lee Fundraiser

• You and your student should have received an email from Butter Braids with information about the fundraiser and a link to your own online store. If you did not receive an email, please check you and your child’s spam folder.
• Please feel free to post or share the promotional photo above and the link for your online store! You can start as soon as you are able and sales will continue through Thursday, October 24th.
• Each item costs $16 and Worthingway receives up to 40% of the proceeds, which goes directly into supporting the programming for Worthingway students.
• Students who sell 20 items will receive a Graeter's gift card and students who sell 25 items will receive a Chipotle gift card.
• We make pick up as easy as possible - in most cases, students will be given the product at school to be taken home on the bus (parents are welcome to pick up from the school for larger orders.)
• Butter Braids are perfect for easy and impressive holiday hosting! Product delivery and pick up will take place on Wednesday, November 20th, in plenty of time for the holidays!

PLEASE HELP US MAKE OUR ONLY FUNDRAISER FOR THE YEAR A SUCCESS!

More ways to support the WWay PTA:

• Make a donation or become a PTA member

https://worthingway.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true

• Purchase Worthington Spirit Wear

https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/OH/Worthington/Worthingway%20Middle%20School

• Sign up to volunteer when needed

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1THmJusxdLDYsb_ATq-cA2RRfz_u3YoNvN67oAigUfIM/edit?usp=sharing

• Support Restaurant Nights and our Annual Butter Braids Fundraising

Please watch for additional information in Mr. Keenan’s weekly email newsletter.

• Designate your Kroger rewards

Visit bit.ly/WwayKroger , log in to your Kroger account, and select the organization “RF924“ (which is Worthingway Middle School PTA)

Please look for more information at our website (https://worthingwaypta.my.canva.site/) or the "Worthingway PTA" Facebook page!

2024-2025 Worthingway PTA Meetings

• October 8 at 7 pm via Zoom
• January 7 at 7 pm via Zoom
• March 11 at 7 pm via Zoom
• May 6 at 7 pm in the WWay library

Zoom links will be shared before meetings.

District Calendar for the 2024-25 school year

October 16

• Full Scale Safety Drill
• Parent/Teacher Conference night (4:45-8:45pm)

October 17

• End of Quarter 1

October 18

• No School

October 25

• Picture Re-Takes and Make-Ups

October 28-30

• 6th grade camp

Mr. Todd Keenan, principal (tkeenan@wscloud.org)

Mrs. Abby Jinks, assistant principal (ajinks@wscloud.org)

Mrs. Cerita Todd, counselor (ctodd@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