School Mode?

Are you in summer mode, school mode, or something in between?  I am, without a doubt, in summer mode and it has been a challenge for me to switch back into school mode - even for short periods of time to update my blog.  I suspect that I am not alone in the challenge of balancing enjoying the summer with the school work that I need to be doing.

Hopefully those of you who are finishing up the first term of summer school have been successful in focusing on school work.  Second term will begin soon so some of you will need to be gearing up for school work soon.

Being that we are now a month into summer break, I also want to remind you that many of you have summer work to complete for your AP classes that you really need to start making progress toward completing.

Since you may be doing lots of random things to waste time with the lazy days of summer, I felt this article about 5 Life Lessons from Solitaire was appropriate and I really like a lot of the lessons it points out.

Enjoy the relaxation of summer - you do deserve it, but please remember that you don't want to leave all of your school responsibilities for the last moment!

Diploma Presenter

One of my absolute favorite parts of the WKHS commencement ceremony is the option students have to pick someone from their educational career (teacher, coach, counselor, etc.) to present them with their diploma. I was touched and humbled that 5 of "my" students selected me to be able to share in their graduation ceremony by giving them their diplomas. There simply are no words to explain what a huge honor this was for me!  It is such a thrill to be able to give a hug and offer my congratulations as I present students with their diploma.

I will cherish the memory of being able to present 5 of “my” students with their diplomas. Pictured above (L to R) Back Row: Nick Bortolani, Kevin Doerr, and Devin Alexander and Front Row: Hunter Atha and Charlie Bassani.

To Hunter, Charlie, Nick, Kevin and Devin - It is hard to believe that you are no longer "my" students. I have enjoyed being able to get to know you, to listen to your stories, celebrate your successes, and hopefully help when you have had to deal with disappointments. Thank you for making me smile and for letting me share in your lives. I cannot wait to see the difference you will make in the world. I wish you nothing but the best in the future and I hope you know how much I will miss you! Thanks again for allowing me to have the honor of presenting you with your diplomas - I will never forget it!

Summer School

Summer School begins on Tuesday at Thomas Worthington High School. If you failed a class or were hoping to get ahead on a course, please be sure that you sign up and get started on Tuesday.

If you are contemplating summer school there are a couple of pieces of information I would like you to be aware of:

1.) Sign up soon! The first session of summer school begins on Tuesday, but you should be signed up prior to that point. You register at the Worthington Education Center on Wilson Bridge Rd. Here is a link to the registration brochure.

2.) Summer school will be held at TWHS. (Some Wellness for Life – formerly called Phys Ed – courses are being offered at other locations.)

3.) Most classes run from 7:40am – Noon. That means that most days are like a week of school so you cannot miss a day – attendance is essential!

4.) The classes are just 3 weeks in length. The first session runs from June 12th to June 29th. The second session runs from July 9th to July 26th.

5.) Most courses cost around $200. (Students on the free and reduced lunch program are allowed to attend for $50.)

6.) The first session of summer school correlates with the 1st session of the school year. So, if you failed a 1st semester of a course, then you would want to attend the 1st session of summer school.

7.) The second session of summer school correlates with the 2nd session of the school year. So, if you failed a 2nd semester of a course, then you would want to attend the 2nd session of summer school.

8.) There are some traditional classroom options with Worthington Summer School and also Worthington Online Summer School Credit Recovery. (Even if choosing the online option you still have to come to summer school daily and complete your work on the computers at the school.)

9.) One advantage of the online option is that students can take a semester class that they failed in a “different” session time. (This is very important to remember if you failed two classes during the same semester!) So, for example, if you failed both US History and BESS during the 2nd semester, then I would recommend that you sign up to take US History via Worthington online credit recovery during the 1st session of summer school and take BESS during the 2nd session of summer school.

10.) Students who failed one or more sections of the OGT may elect to re-take up to two sections of the OGT this summer. You must complete 10 hours of tutoring prior to taking the test though so it is important to log your hours so that you can take the test.  The OGT testing will take place at WKHS during the week of June 18^th.  There will be a OGT test-prep boot camp experience to allow you to gain your required 10 hours of tutoring beginning next week at WKHS.  If you failed one or more sections of the OGT, please take advantage of this free opportunity.

I hope you enjoyed the first week of your summer!  Yesterday was my first official day of summer and I am thrilled to finally be on break like all of you.  :-)

Athlete of the Week

Congratulations to Miriam Bassani who was recognized in Saturday's Columbus Dispatch as being the female Athlete of the Week!  Miriam has been a vital member of the WKHS girls lacrosse team and was honored as athlete of the week for her outstanding performances in the games which led to the Kilbourne girls lacrosse team making their first ever state tournament appearance.  Way to go Miriam!  I'm proud of you!

Good Luck!

Today the Varsity Girls Lacrosse team will compete in their first ever appearance in the State Final Four Tournament games!  Game time is 5:00 in Cincinnati and I hope to see many of you there supporting the lady wolves.  Good luck to the entire team, but especially to "my" students who will be competing: (L to R) Meredith Schram, Carly Cameron, Savannah Coen, Mariah Minichello, Maggie Baumgardner, Addy Boyles, and Miriam Bassani.

As if that wasn't enough, today another one of my students, Maggie Barrie, will be competing in the 200 at the Track and Field State Championships!

Good Luck Maggie and the Girls Lacrosse Team!  I am so proud of all of you for what you have accomplished!