Worthingway Weekly

A looooong time ago, I was a soccer coach. I remember coaching middle school aged students and, at that age, I would inevitably have a few physically developed players and most not yet physically developed. The difference was even more pronounced with females at that age. There is a photo we have of my daughter playing in a U-12 game and there is a girl over twice her size guarding her. It is quite a funny photo but it is obvious to us that some kids develop physically sooner than others.

Executive functioning skills are similar except typically its not as obvious. Executive Functioning skills are like muscles - they can be flexed and they can be strengthened. It is through strategic practice that we get better.

Middle school is the prime time for students to work on their skills and habits that help them to become more successful. Building these skills is often not something that comes naturally to students. They are often resistant to it. Building these skills is something we have to work at intentionally. I think the first step is for students to identify their strengths and areas of growth. I have this handout sitting on my table in my office. I will use this when working with a student to spark conversation on where they are strong and where they need to grow. And then, the important (and difficult) part of the conversation - HOW can you grow. Usually I have students identify one area and we talk specifics about how they can grow - what specific strategies do they want to practice to get better in this area.

You could consider doing the same at home. This resource could help you understand this process more. Consider having your child identify one area of growth. 1) Help them establish a goal. 2) Identify steps to get there. 3) Identify potential challenges/hurdles and what do when you will encounter them. 4) Identify resources needed to be successful. 5) Identify what success will look like. 6) Implement plan/steps. 7) Celebrate small wins! 8) Reflect and revise.

I have written about this several times already this school year. Our staff has a focus this year on helping our students to intentionally build their Executive Functioning skills. We share ideas with each other, we engage in learning sessions, we read, and we reflect together about how we can best help our students in this process. Our job as educators and parents is not to solve the problem for the kids. Our job is to help create the environment that will guide them through solving their own problems and practicing strategies that will improve their skills and habits over time.

I'd also like to share this video from Mrs. Caitlin Anderson, Intervention Specialist at Worthingway. Mrs. Anderson presented to some of our families last year about Executive Functioning skill development. Along with the rest of our staff, Mrs. Anderson is a rock star educator who significantly helps our students build these skills each day.

Parent/Teacher Conference

• Will be held on February 6th and 12th from 4:45-7:45. Please click here to sign up for conferences.

7th and 8th Grade Scheduling for 25-26

Mrs. Todd and Mrs. Jinks will be into 6th and 7th grade assist classes in the coming weeks to discuss scheduling requests for next school year.

• Round 1: On 2/11 (7th grade) and 2/13 (6th grade), students will be informed of their options for next year. On this day students will be given a scheduling sheet to discuss at home.
• Round 2: On 2/18 (7th grade) and 2/20 (6th grade), scheduling sheets with signatures will be due. Students will submit their scheduling requests at this time.

Order your yearbook online!

• Reserve your yearbook for $27.00 each at book.hrimaging.com. The order deadline is February 28, 2025.

Two Hour Delay Schedule

• For your reference when needed, here is our 2 hour delay schedule
• When the district is on a two-hour delay, all transportation will also be on a two-hour delay. So if your bus typically picks up at 8:37, they will instead pick up at 10:37. The doors to the building will be open for students starting at 10:50.

Infinite Campus Portal Change

• Starting Jan 3, 2025, the old www.worthington-portal.org site will no longer be accessible. The vendor who owns and supports the system our portal site is built on is no longer supporting it.

• 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.

Registration for 9th grade

As a way to prepare for the high school scheduling/registration process, we thought it might be helpful to share a timeline of events as well as some helpful resources that you can review as a family. High school scheduling is essentially broken up into 3 different parts with Mrs.Todd going into ELA classes to lead each component. Please see below:

Part 1: Mrs. Todd will visit 8th grade ELA classes the week of January 27th-January 31st. She will visit Mrs. Adolph's classes on January 27th and Mrs. Heydinger's classes on January 29th. In this portion, she will go over a presentation regarding high school courses and walk students through the 9th grade registration form. Each student will have their own form that she will pass out on this day. Students will have ONE week to complete their registration form and be ready to turn it into their ELA class for part 2.

Part 2: During part 2, Mrs. Todd will go back into ELA classes (Mrs. Adolph's classes on February 3rd and Mrs. Heydinger's classes on February 6th) to walk students through the registration process on Infinite Campus. Students will enter their courses from the registration form into Infinite Campus and turn in their registration form.

Part 3: Mrs. Todd will go back into ELA classes on February 10th (for Mrs. Adolph) and February 13th (For Mrs. Heydinger) to answer any additional questions students may have.

*8th grade teachers are submitting core classes recommendations and those recommendations have been shared with Mrs. Todd.

Here are some additional resources:

• For students who are inquiring about courses to "Get Ahead" over the summer, please click HERE for that information
• Please click HERE for even more information for high school resources. It contains a lot more detailed information that can help assist in planning courses.

Please reach out to Mrs. Todd at 614-450-4308 or email ctodd@wscloud.org if you have more questions

Linworth Open House:

• Wednesday, February 5th at 7:00pm at Linworth
• The application for those interested in attending Linworth is now open!
• Students are also able to set up half day visits to Linworth prior to applying. Times include 8:40am-11:45 or 12pm-3:10pm. Please email Mrs. Todd at ctodd@wscloud.org for more details.

STEM Team:

• We are thrilled to share an exciting opportunity for our students—the TWHS Freshman STEM Team! This innovative program blends rigorous academic content with real-world applications, helping students develop critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in a dynamic and engaging environment.
• While designed for students interested in STEM fields, the STEM Team prepares all students for any college or career path. Students also have access to unique opportunities, including advanced technology, internships with companies like Abbott Labs and Honda, and partnerships with universities such as The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati.
• This program provides a solid foundation for students’ futures, whether in STEM or any other field.
• We hope you’ll consider this incredible opportunity for your child!
• STEM Team Overview
• STEM Team Flowchart

Worthington Connects

Worthington Connects is a community-driven organization dedicated to supporting local families in need year-round. We partner closely with schools to identify families who could benefit from assistance and rely on generous donations from the community to make our efforts possible. Every contribution helps us provide meaningful support to those in need.

If you would like to donate or get involved, please visit https://www.worthingtonconnects.org Families seeking assistance are encouraged to reach out to their school counselors, who work with us to connect resources to those who need them most. Together, we can make a lasting impact in our Worthington community!

Direct donation: https://www.worthingtonconnects.org/giving-page-3

Ohio Dental Outreach

Worthington Schools is happy to be partnering once again with Ohio Dental Outreach, to offer in-school dental care. The dates for Worthington Estates and Worthingway Students are Wednesday February 12, and Thursday, February 13, 2025. The services will be performed at Worthington Estates Elementary (Worthingway students will walk over accompanied by school staff). Dental care includes a complete dental exam, x-rays, cleaning, fluoride and sealants when necessary, and in some cases, restorative care such as fillings, all occurring during the school day. All insurance is accepted including Medicaid and CHIP. For those without insurance, a self- pay option is available for $71 (ages 13 or younger), or you may also request donated care to cover the cost.

Permission slips are available at your school office. These need to be completed and returned as soon as possible, or you may complete the form online -- the links for each school are found below. Parent/Guardian signature is required in order to treat your student on the day of the clinic. We need as many students as possible to complete permission slip by February 3 2025, although students will be accepted after that date.

If you have any questions please contact Joyce Casey, our School Nurse at 614-450-4300 or jcasey@wscloud.org.

Worthington Middle: https://www.myschooldentist.com/WNWCOH_schsrm

Worthington Estates Elem: https://www.myschooldentist.com/WFWCOH_schsrm

*Our next PTA meeting will take place on March 12, 2025 at 7 pm via Zoom. A link will be sent out prior to the meeting for those who would like to attend.

SIGN UP for Multiple Ways to Volunteer for the PTA

• https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFAC2FA1FCC43-54712135-ptavolunteer
  

TEACHER CONFERENCE DINNER DONATIONS

• 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 on Thursday, February 6 and Wednesday, February 12.
• https://worthingway.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true

DINE OUT RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER

• February restaurant fundraiser at Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders! More details to come!

WINTER CANTEEN

• Friday, March 14 from 4-6 pm. More info to come!

Basketball Concessions Volunteer Sign-Up

Please click the link below for more information and to sign up to volunteer in concession stand at the 7th & 8th grade Boys’ and Girls’ home basketball games. This is fun and easy, and funds benefit the Wothingway PTA. Thanks for your support!

7th & 8th Grade Boys' and Girls' Basketball Concessions Volunteers

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

• 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

• March 12 at 7 pm via Zoom

• May 6 at 7 pm in the WWay library

Zoom links will be shared before meetings.

• 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.

District Calendar for the 2024-25 school year

February 12

• P/T Conferences (4:45-7:45pm)

February 14

• No School

February 17

• No School

February 19

• Cardinal Award Breakfast (8:15am)

February 27

• Orchestra Concert (7:00pm)

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