TWHS Weekly News & Updates

December 18, 2015

Weekly Calendar
Monday, December 21
Monday, January 4, 2016
Tuesday, January 5
Wednesday, January 6
TWHS Website

Thursday, January 7

Thomas Worthington
High School
Home of the Cardinals
300 W. Dublin Granville Road
Worthington, Ohio 43085
TWITTER: @TWHS_Cardinals

Jim Gaskill, Principal

Greg Garris, Assistant Principal
Allie Seiling, Assistant Principal
Gene Smith, Assistant Principal
Scott Dorne, Athletic Director
David Quart, School Counseling Chair
Mary Mechenbier, Registrar

ATTENDANCE OFFICE

twhsattend@wscloud.org
(614) 450-6291

Friday, January 8

First day of Winter Break (through January

1, 2016)
Regular Bell Schedule; First day of 2nd
Semester classes resume; 2nd Nine
Weeks grades available at 12:00 p.m.
Regular Bell Schedule
Regular Bell Schedule
Regular Bell Schedule; Financial Aid
(FASFA) Presentation to Seniors & Senior
Parents/Guardians, Auditorium - 6:30 p.m.
Regular Bell Schedule; Diploma of
Distinction Applications due by 3:15 p.m.;
Entry deadline for MLK Multimedia Essay
& Art Contest

Hello Cardinals!
Support of Excellence to Benefit
Worthington Education Foundation
Take part in the Evening in Support of
Excellence to Benefit Worthington
Education Foundation on January 30,
2016 at Shops at Worthington Place
from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Click here to learn more about this
event and for ticket information; or
click here to purchase tickets.
Tickets
$30 in advance
$40 at the door
Second Semester Student Schedules
Monday, January 4, 2016 is the first day of class for the second semester
and 3rd grading period of the current school year. An announcement has
been made to inform students that they need to access their second
semester schedule in Infinite Campus from home over Winter Break and
bring a printed copy with them to school on Monday, January 4. Please
be aware that students and parents/guardians should NOT use the
Infinite Campus App on their mobile device to view their schedule as
room numbers will not be listed. They should, instead, log into Infinite
Campus from a computer through the school website to print their
schedule. Students requiring assistance may go to the School Counseling
Office or Central Office on January 4.
The next TWHS Weekly News and Updates will be sent on Friday,
January 8, 2016. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday break and a
Happy New Year!

ACADEMIC UPDATES
2nd Nine Weeks Grades Updated in Infinite Campus as of Monday, January 4 at 12:00 p.m.
Grade cards are no longer mailed home or distributed to students during the school year. All grades can be accessed
through Infinite Campus and report cards can be generated from the Report menu. If you wish to receive a printed
copy of your students grade card for the 2nd Nine Week grading period, please contact Penni Dow at 450-6296 or at
pdow@wscloud.org or Mary Mechenbier at 450-6304 or at mmechenbier@wscloud.org.
To access your student's information, please proceed to www.worthington.k12.oh.us and click the login icon in the
upper right corner. Upon login, you will be directed to the W-Cloud which provides access to student information and
other district resources. Instructions for Infinite Campus site access may be found by clicking here or on the district
website on the login page, under FAQs.
Once you are logged in, click the Infinite Campus icon, followed by selecting your student's name at the top of the
screen. You will then select Grades and have the ability to click on each class to see grade/assignment details. Be
selecting the Report menu, you can generate your students report card.
If you do not know your user id and password please go to www.worthington.k12.oh.us, click the Login button in the
upper right hand corner. The next screen prompts you for your user id/password and the option to enter your email
address if you do not know your user id/password (note: email address you are using must match the email address you
provided to the district for your students profile). Your id/password will be emailed to you within a short time. If you
have questions about your email address, please contact Mary Mechenbier at mmechenbier@wscloud.org.

DACC Representative to Speak at PTSO Meeting on January 12

Attention all TWHS Parents/Guardians: We have a unique
opportunity for you to learn more about the Delaware Area
Career Center! Our recruitment coordinator, Lisa-Marie Rinehart,
will be attending the January PTSO meeting on Tuesday, January
12th from 6-7. We would like to invite all of our interested
parents/guardians to attend and learn more about the available
programs through our career center, which include the following:
Automotive and Automotive Collision Technology, Construction Technology, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood
Education, Fire Service Training, Landscaping and Turfgrass Management, Power Line Technician, Power Sports and
Diesel Technology, Welding, Dental Assisting, Bioscience, Digital Design, Health Technology, Law Enforcement,
Networking, Wildlife Resource Management, and more!
Additionally, if you are a sophomore parent/guardian whose child attended the DACC field trip this year, DACC is
hosting an Open House on Friday, January 21st from 5-7 pm. Interested families are welcome to attend to see the
facilities, meet the faculty, and hear from current DACC students regarding their experience at the career center.
If you have any additional questions, please contact TWHS School Counselor Celeste Redman atcredman@wscloud.org!
Celeste Redman
School Counselor
Last Names L/M + Career Counseling/Exploration

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Multimedia, Essay & Art (MEA) Contest
Once again, Otterbein is pleased to welcome and honor the talents of Central Ohio high
school students with its annual MLK Multimedia, Essay & Art Contest. The contest will be
held in conjunction with Otterbeins annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation in which
Otterbein celebrates the ideas, mission, and values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This years
convocation will be Wednesday, January 20, at 3PM in Cowan Hall. The convocation
speaker is Debbie Irving, a Racial Justice Educator and Writer.
The MLK Multimedia, Essay & Art Contest is a wonderful opportunity for Central Ohio high
school students (grades 9-12) to join us in our celebration. Students are invited to express
their viewpoints by reflecting on the legacy and impact of Dr. King and by showcasing their
artistic abilities and talents.
Click here for detailed information and a copy of the entry form for the contest. All entries must be submitted by Friday,
January 8, 2016 the attention of Stacie Walker-Ladson, Chairperson, MLK Multimedia, Essay & Art Contest, Otterbein
University, Courtright Memorial Library, 138 W. Main Street, Westerville, OH 43081.
While the convocation is open to everyone, the top three entries receive a special invitation to join the Otterbein
Community at the 2016 MLK Convocation on Wednesday, January 20th in Cowan Hall at 3:00 PM. Immediately
following the convocation the winners will be announced at a reception in the Roush Hall Fisher Gallery.
Feel free to contact Stacie Walker-Ladson via email or phone with any questions at sladson@otterbein.edu or (614) 8231143.

District Assessment 2015-16 Newsletters and Calendars Available on Website

The Academic Achievement department publishes a monthly parent assessment newsletter
designed to help students and parents stay informed.
Click on the December 2015 Newsletter to learn more about Overview of Ohios CURRENT
Graduation Requirements for current Grade 9 and Grade 10 Students. Please refer to the
article on page 2 of the newsletter for important information about students retaking an Ohio
End-Of-Course Test: Under current law all students are eligible to retake any End-of-Course
State Test if they would like, or need, to earn more points. Students who earned a 1 or 2 on last
years test will be contacted by their school to schedule them for retesting. Students earning a 3 or 4 should contact
their school counselor if they would like to retest during the Spring (April 11-May 6) window.
Click here to access the district assessment calendar.

Parents/Guardians: Please Check Your Students Account Balance at MyPaymentsPlus.com

Parents/guardians, please check your students current balance for any outstanding fees for current year and/or prior
years.
All fees and outstanding fines and fees are to be paid via the online payment
system, www.MyPaymentsPlus.com.
For questions regarding an outstanding balance, please contact:
Academic/Activity: Cathy Shaw, Finance Office, at cshaw@wscloud.org or call 450-6272
Textbooks: Kathie Volpe, Central Office, at kvolpe@wscloud.org or call 450-6261
Library books: Lori Poleway at LPoleway@wscloud.org or call 450-6278
Athletic fees/uniforms: Athletic Office
-Susan Heberling at sheberling@wscloud.org or call 450-6288, or
-Pat Stegman at pstegman@wscloud.org or call 450-6285

Diploma of Distinction Application Announcement

Attention seniors, juniors, and parents: Applications and informational letters for Diplomas of Distinction are now
available through the School Counseling office.
If you are excelling in the Project Lead the Way, English, Musical Arts, Science, Service Learning and Career Mentorship,
Theatre Arts, Visual Arts, Entrepreneurship Business Academy, and/or World Languages, get the recognition you deserve
by applying for this prestigious recognition.
A student candidate for a Diploma of Distinction will be able to demonstrate an outstanding record of conduct and
behavior with regard to school and community rules, guidelines, and policies or be able to demonstrate sufficient
growth and improvement in a subject matter. As an alternative means of recognition, earning one of these diplomas in
your favorite or strongest subject area is a great way to showcase your accomplishments here at Thomas Worthington
and will help you stand out among fellow college applicants.
Applications are now available for members of the TWHS class of 2016, but members of the class of 2017 (juniors) may
wish to familiarize themselves with the requirements as well. Applications may be downloaded from the School
Counseling channel on the TWHS website, or picked up in the School Counseling Office starting Monday, November 9th.
Applications must be returned to Mr. Quart in the Counseling office no later than January 8th, 2016 at 3:05 p.m.

FROM THE CLASSROOM

Students in AP Spanish had to research and present a profession to the class. They had to dress as the
profession or dress professionally. The students talked about the schooling they would need for the
profession, the benefits of the job, the challenges of the job, and they had to find a graph in Spanish that had
information about their profession and explain it to the class. They did a great job! Here is Chris Kocheran
and Liesl Ludgwig presenting as a chef and a nurse.

Anna Bobay at the opening of the Wexner Center's

Art and Environment High School Art Exhibit with
her art work "Pinata Planet". The exhibit will
continue through Saturday December 19th.

Seora Eldridge's Honors Spanish 4 students were given

the opportunity to design their own extra credit projects.
A few very talented young ladies chose to recreate
famous pieces of art. Art in Argentina by Gwynne
Shepherd, Salvador Dal's La persistencia de la
memoria by Olivia Garas, Pablo Picasso's Los tres
msicos by Mounika Rao, and Frida Kahlo's El venado
herido by Avery Smith.

SENIOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Senior Members of National Honor Society
Seniors interested in completing the NHS scholarship application:
Go to https://aim.applyists.net/NHS, create an account using your email address and a password. If you are
prompted for a Program Key, enter NHS.
You can make changes to your application until February 16, 2016. The student portion of the form will be readonly after February 16.
Complete the student portion of the application.
On the recommendations tab, enter the name and email address of your NHS adviser (or guidance counselor)
for the corresponding verification, recommendation, and electronic signature request. ISTS will send an
automated email to that individual with instructions and a code to complete the verification, recommendation,
and electronic signature.
Enter the name and email address of your principal in the corresponding recommendation and electronic
signature request. ISTS will send an automated email to him or her with instructions and a code to complete the
recommendation and electronic signature.*
Prior to February 24 confirm that both your adviser and principal have completed their portions. You can log
into your account at any time to check the status of your application.
*Students may choose to print a hard copy of the recommendation request and distribute it to their adviser and
principal. Please do not delay in verifying that your recommendations have been submitted. The adviser and principal
portions must be done by February 24.
For assistance: If you experience any problems with the online process, please refer to the FAQs section of your
application, or contact ISTS at 855-670-4787 or ContactUs@applyISTS.com. ALL technical issues must be forwarded to
ISTS.

Financial Aid (FAFSA) Presentation Scheduled in Auditorium on January 7, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.
Dear Senior Students & Parents/Guardians,
The TWHS School Counselors invite you to attend the presentation, "Student Financial Aid: What You Need to Know"
on Thursday, January 7, 2016 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the TWHS auditorium.
Amanda Patterson, senior financial specialist from The Ohio State University will present information to you on how to:
reduce your cost of attendance, types of financial aid, how to apply for aid and completing the FAFSA. In addition, there
will be handouts available to you and an open Q & A for specific questions that you may have at the end of the
presentation.
Please visit http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ to learn more about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid-FAFSA.
We look forward to seeing you there! Happy Holidays,
Your TWHS School Counselors

PARENT TEACHER STUDENT ORGANIZATION (PTSO)

PTSO Meeting Dates Set for 2015-16 Please Join Us!
All PTSO meetings are on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the TWHS Principal's Conference Room (Room
127). Everyone is welcome - please join us! The 2015-16 meeting schedule for the school
year is: September 8, October 13, November 10, December 8, January 12, February 9, March 8,
April 12 and May 10.

PTSO Memberships Available

Our PTSO needs your support! Please consider joining our organization and help our parent volunteers with fun
activities for students and staff, supplies for teachers and scholarships for seniors at the end of each year. Click on the
following link to access the membership form: PTSO Membership Form.

Sign Up for Kroger Community Rewards and Help Support PTSO!

Shop at your favorite Kroger store and support the TWHS PTSO at the same time!
Click Sign In or Create an Account to Enroll. Once you have created your account,
Go to Community Rewards.
Click Enroll.
In the box under Find your Organization, enter Thomas to locate and select the Thomas Worthington H.S. PTSO
button.
Click Enroll.
Thank you for your support!

SCHOOL COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Worthington Schools Mission/Vision Statement Survey
Over the past few weeks a steering committee of parents, teachers, and administrators
has been working on developing a new Mission and Vision for Worthington Schools.
The Mission and Vision statements will help guide decisions as our district moves
forward. We are now interested in getting your feedback.
The following links provide you an opportunity to review each statement and provide
feedback. The survey should take less than ten minutes to complete.
Click here for the Student Survey

Click here for the Community Survey

Cardinal Theatre Production, 12 Angry Jurors, January 15, 16, 22, 23 8:00 p.m.
12 Angry Jurors
By Reginald Rose
A 19-year-old man has just stood trial for the fatal stabbing of his father. "He doesn't
stand a chance," mutters the guard as the 12 jurors are taken into the bleak jury room.
It looks like an open-and-shut caseuntil one of the jurors begins opening the others'
eyes to the facts.
Click here for the 2015-16 Thomas Worthington High School Theatre Repertory.

Bucks for Cards Auction Continues...

TWHS Activity Club would like to thank everyone who participated in our successful fundraiser, Bucks for Cards, back in
November. The funds that were raised are used to assist the students of TWHS by increasing opportunities for their
growth and development, including mentoring programs, baccalaureate ceremonies, scholarships, and after-prom
events. If you missed out on this great event, it is not too late to help support TWHS Activity Club initiatives! There are
still some auction items available and you can bid on some awesome, last minute Christmas gifts! Just go to our
Facebook page, TWHS Activity Club, like us, and join the BUCKS for CARDS AUCTION PART II. All the items are listed with
values, starting bids and minimum raises. You just put your bid in the comments section and the last bid on Wednesday,
December 23rd at noon will win the item. It is that easy! Thanks again for all your support!

Online Application Process Available for New Volunteers in Worthington School District
The Worthington City Schools District now offers an online application process for
parents/guardians and community members who would like to volunteer in the school
building(s). To begin the application process, click on the School Volunteer Background
Checks icon above, which is also located under Quick Links from either the district website or TWHS website. Once
the background screening is complete, the volunteer will receive an email indicating they are approved and will be
directed to come to the Worthington Education Center to have their photo taken. Existing approved volunteers are not
required to complete this process until their ID Badge expires.

Upcoming Events Include:

December 18: No School Teacher Grading Day
December 21: First day of Winter Break (through January 1, 2016)
January 4: First Day of 2nd Semester classes resume
January 4: 2nd Nine Weeks grades available at 12:00 p.m.
January 7: Financial Aid (FASFA) Presentation to Seniors & Senior Parents/Guardians, Auditorium - 6:30 p.m.
January 8: Diploma of Distinction Applications due by 3:15 p.m.
January 8: Entry deadline for MLK Multimedia Essay & Art Contest
January 12: PTSO Meeting, Conference Room 127 6:00 p.m.
January 15-16: Cardinal Theatre Production, 12 Angry Jurors 8:00 p.m.
January 18: No School Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 19: Ohio Math League Contest, Math Wing 3:15 p.m.
January 20: 3A/3B Bell Schedule
January 21: Delaware Area Career Center Open House for Interested Sophomores & Parents/Guardians 5 - 7 p.m.
January 22-23: Cardinal Theatre Production, 12 Angry Jurors 8:00 p.m.
February 24: Worthington City Schools, State of the Schools WKHS (time to be announced)
May 29, 2016: Graduation Ceremony at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Battelle Grand Hall 4:00 p.m.