Worthington Staff Go Above and Beyond

Worthington Schools is full of amazing educators who daily do things large and small that make a positive difference in the lives of our kids.  I’m grateful each day to witness some of this pure awesomeness!!!

In Worthington one of the timeless traditions that we have worked to protect over the years is our sixth grade students having an overnight camp experience.  We treasure this experience because it gets students outside and out of their comfort zone.  For years our students tell stories about their unique camp experience.  “Remember when we were able to do the high ropes course, or when we were canoeing on the lake while it snowed, etc…”

Camp is awesome!  But, it’s also very hard.  Let’s be honest, you can be an amazing, dedicated teacher and still not really want to spend multiple nights at camp in a cabin with 6th graders and with 24 hour supervision responsibilities.  Bringing over 100 sixth graders to an overnight camp experience is an adventure for sure.

Recently a parent reached out to me to tell me about her child’s experience.  It’s a small window into things our staff do that go unseen except to the student and their family.  The parent shared their child has been living with Type 1 Diabetes for 2 years now.  They really wanted their child to attend camp but the planning to do so safely was a year in the making.  The school nurse at the elementary school started with an initial 504 and a medical plan.  But, it was at camp where our team went above and beyond.  

“We greatly appreciated the immediate and kind help from Camp Nuhop to make sure that our child would be able to charge their medical devices and have carbohydrate counts for their meals. We weren’t prepared for the selfless and phenomenal efforts of her teachers to quietly ensure our child had a great time! The teachers met with us during conference week, shared cell phone numbers, and each downloaded the app to follow our child’s continuous glucose monitor readings. They independently set alarms in the middle of the night to check on our child’s numbers.  They each woke up multiple times to make sure she was in a safe range. This was not something we had requested as we were doing the same from home. We were flabbergasted that they did this on their own because they care so much. 

We would like to share the amazing efforts and kindness of KMS Teachers Mrs. Cox and Mrs. Ezell.   We cannot fathom that there are very many people who would go this extra mile, and we are forever grateful that we had 2 angels watching over our child (and us) to let her have this wonderful experience.”

How cool is that!

-Trent Bowers, Superintendent

A Story Behind Every Stance

On November 7th while school was closed to allow voting to occur Chris Singleton spoke to our staff.  We were lucky to have Chris in Worthington to hear his message around unity and listening to others stories.  Chris himself has a powerful story and you’ll want to watch this video to build understanding.

As Chris spoke about understanding stories behind stance he gave a powerful example:

Many would understand if Chris Singleton was dismissive of gun rights supporters.  He is not, even though his mother, the Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, was murdered at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston in 2015, one of nine Black parishioners killed by white supremacist Dylann Roof, who hoped to start a race war. She was shot six times while praying.

Singleton, then 18, forgave the killer, explaining that his mother had preached that we should not let hate win over love. He had called her “the most beautiful soul you’ll ever meet.” 

After a short career as a minor league baseball player, he has devoted himself to traveling the country 150 days a year, giving inspirational talks he hopes will bring about understanding that might end hate-inspired mass shootings. 

Singleton has written a book, “Stories Behind Stances: Creating Empathy by Hearing the Other Side.”  His talk explained that in his mind the key to ending strife in our nation is a simple concept that can require an open mind and heart to execute. We must, he said, “understand the story behind the stance.”  

He doesn’t like guns because he associates them with his mother’s death. But a friend of his is a staunch gun rights supporter because he associates them with fond memories of bonding with his grandfather while hunting. Only when we sincerely try to understand the personal story that often frames an issue for another person can real dialogue, and true unity, begin, he said. 

“There’s a story behind every single stance,” Singleton told our team. “You may say, ‘I don’t know how anybody can think that way.’ The less we know about one another the more we make up.  After you hear the story, you might not agree with the stance, but you say, ‘I can understand how you think that way.’ You don’t have to change who you are [or agree] … to say ‘I understand this is where this person is coming from and this is their experience.’ … Even though that’s not where I am, I understand where you’re coming from.“ 

As we enter our Thanksgiving holiday I’m thankful for Chris’ message and his desire for each of us to engage with those who may think differently than we do.  As you gather with relatives on this holiday and someone brings up politics, remember “there’s a story behind every stance…”  

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Trent Bowers, Superintendent

Linworth Experiential Program: An Alternative Learning Model

In the ever-evolving world of education, how you learn can often be as impactful as what you learn. Worthington City Schools has always believed that for some students, the best education goes beyond textbooks and classroom walls. And that belief has been brought to life in the Linworth Experiential Program.

For over 50 years, our district has been committed to innovation and experiential learning through Linworth. This program breaks the traditional mold by offering our students a unique blend of classroom instruction, community engagement, student voice, and independent exploration.

In a Student Perspectives meeting recently, one Linworth student talked about the structure of the day and said it gives students time to go deeper in thinking. “I have an opportunity to ask questions and talk to teachers and students about what we discussed in class.” Because of the size of Linworth and block scheduling, classes are an opportunity to develop lifelong skills for future success. Critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and collaboration are just a few of the competencies emphasized. These skills, combined with a deeper understanding of others and self, prepare our students to lead diverse and interconnected lives; to be a community of learners who will change the world!

An important element of Linworth is the sense of community it fosters. Students are encouraged to collaborate, share their unique experiences, and support one another in their learning journeys. The entire school participates in a weekly Town Meeting in which all individuals may propose, discuss, and vote upon legislation. Students can also make announcements about important events. Some students even perform a song or poem in Town Meeting. Recently, the entire school participated in the annual overnight camping excursion, creating opportunities for students to dine together, participate in activities together, to learn more about each other, and to have fun together. “The best thing about camp is the pretty scenery, and boats, how everyone gets along no matter their differences at school, and the dinner activity.” Linworth strives to foster an environment where individual growth is celebrated and the collective knowledge of the group is harnessed to inspire and inform.

As the name of the school implies, experiential education in many forms is valued and emphasized. One integral component of Linworth is Walkabout, a 500-hour internship that challenges seniors to pursue passions, go beyond comfort zones, reflect on experiences, and discover new possibilities. Whether this opportunity includes volunteering at a national park, observing pediatric cardiologists, or sea turtle conservation, Linworth Walkabouts have happened on six continents over recent years. Each year, every student participates in a one-week learning activity called Interim. “Interim helps me figure out what I want to do in life,” one student said. Each year, the Linworth Forum invites several alumni to speak in a conference-style format about what they’ve learned through life and what advice they have as a former Linworth student to current members of the school. Walkabout, Interim, Linworth Forum, and other experiential opportunities at Linworth help students reflect on their present and explore their future.”

As a school district we continue to support Linworth as a valuable option for our high school students because we believe it fosters a sense of community and personal responsibility that will serve students well when they choose to enlist, enroll or employ after high school.

-Trent Bowers, Superintendent

Election Day 2023

Our schools are closed on November 7th (today) to allow voting to occur in our schools and for teacher professional development.  It’s a big day for Worthington Schools.  Current Board of Education members Charlie Wilson and Amy Lloyd will complete their terms on the Worthington Board of Education this December.  Neither has chosen to run for re-election and thus, there are two open seats on the board.  (Jennifer Best, Kelli Davis, and Nikki Hudson will have two more years on their current terms.)

Local school boards play a crucial role in the education system for several reasons:

1. Local Decision-Making: School boards in Ohio are composed of elected members from the community, which means they have a deep understanding of the local needs and priorities. This local representation allows for decisions that are tailored to the specific needs and values of the community.
2. Accountability: School boards are responsible for overseeing the performance and management of local schools. This ensures that schools are held accountable for their actions and that the community has a say in how schools are run.
3. Curriculum and Policy Development: School boards have the authority to make important decisions about curriculum, textbooks, and educational policies. They can shape the educational experience for students in their district, aligning it with the values and goals of the community.
4. Budget Allocation: School boards are responsible for allocating funds to schools within their district. They ultimately decide how resources are distributed, ensuring that the needs of the local schools and students are met.
5. Community Engagement: School boards provide a direct link between the community and the school system. They hold public meetings, listen to concerns and feedback, and provide a forum for parents, teachers, and community members to be actively involved in the educational process.
6. Advocacy: School boards can advocate for their district at the state and federal levels, helping to ensure that the needs of local schools are considered in broader education policies and legislation.
7. Representation: School boards include parents, educators, and community members, which means they represent diverse perspectives and can work together to find common ground and make decisions that benefit the entire community.
8. Local Control: School boards offer a degree of local control over education, allowing communities to make choices about school policies, practices, and priorities without having to rely solely on state or federal mandates.
9. Response to Community Concerns: When concerns or issues arise within the school district, the school board is in a position to address them and take appropriate action in a way that reflects the values and needs of the local community.

Local school boards are important because they facilitate community involvement in education, ensure that schools are responsive to local needs, and provide a system of checks and balances. Worthington has a long heritage of Board of Education members caring deeply about our schools and working selflessly to serve the community.  In my time in Worthington, I’ve been fortunate to work with Jennifer Best, David Bressman, Kelli Davis, Nikki Hudson, Julie Keegan, Amy Lloyd, Marc Schare, Sam Shim, and Charlie Wilson!

Four candidates are running for the two open seats.  Leah Breakey, Amber Epling, Erik Farley, and Stephanie Harless are candidates.  Please Vote!

-Trent Bowers, Superintendent

Back2Back

On a sunny fall Saturday afternoon at the Dow Nelson Sports Complex in Worthington, with the incomparable Bill Cameron working as the public address announcer, the Thomas Worthington Field Hockey Team won the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championship.  After losing the 2021 state championship in overtime, Thomas won the championship last year (2022) and this team completed the “Better than Revenge” tour to win back-to-back championships by beating New Albany 2-1 in overtime.

The 2023 Cardinals were led by seniors Lauren Beier, Moira Barnavasky and Courtney Stegemiller.  As is always the case with a Terri Simonetti-Frost team, this Thomas team relied on relentless pressure and determination.  The Conroy sisters made big saves in the net (Mae) and scored the crucial goal to tie the game with under three minutes left in the 4th quarter (Julie).  The defense of Molly, Caroline and Jaidyn was tasked with attempting to contain New Albany’s Paige Cornelius who is not only the best player in Ohio, she may be one of the best players to ever play in Ohio.  Paige scored her goal but was held to just one by the Thomas defense.  (Molly may have a bruise on her leg for a long time as evidence of working to make that happen.)

If you were able to watch this game you saw New Albany outplay the Cardinals for three quarters.  It was in the 4th quarter where Emmy, Rowan, Meredith, Sophia, Lauren, Julie and Courtney came together to say, “We are going to score a goal!”  They were relentless and created ten corners.  With just minutes to spare they scored (Rowan to Julie) to tie the game and send it into overtime.

In field hockey overtime, only six field players play for each side.  Thus there is more space and opportunity. It’s “golden goal” so the first team to score wins.  Just like last year the winning goal was scored by Sophia Borghese.  Sophia received the ball at the Thomas 40 yard line and was a full 60 yards from the goal.  She took off like a flash and beat not one, not two, not three, but four New Albany defenders to score the goal that sent Thomas Worthington to their 8th State Field Hockey Championship.  It was 60 yards of pure determination and that determination and effort epitomizes this program.  

The Thomas team finishes the year 21-2.  They played teams from Michigan and Kentucky and were tasked with playing and beating rival Watterson three different times on the way to the championship.

Congratulations to the 2023 State Field Hockey Champions from Thomas Worthington:  Peyton Frost, Sophia Borghese, Julie Conroy, Meredith Estepp, Macy Morgan, Lauren Beier, Caroline Sprung, Moira Barnavsky, Emmy Wellejus, Keira Posey, Molly McClellan, Mae Conroy, Rowan Casey, Taylor Charnes, Elle Pasquinilli, Jaidyn Gussler and Courtney Stegemiller.  Forever you are the 2023 Champions!

-Trent Bowers, Superintendent

P.s.  The picture above was taken by Pamela Klopfer.  If you’ve followed Thomas athletics this fall you know that Pam’s photography has enriched the experience for athletes and their families.  Please check out Pam’s pictures at pamelaklopfer.smugmug.com or you can find her on “the gram”