What We Do
We're a community of parent volunteers, working to provide scholarships for students, grants for teachers, connect school leadership with parents, and enrich the high school experience for ALL the students at Whetstone High School in Columbus, Ohio.
In a typical year this takes the form of:
Small grants (see below) to teachers for educational enrichment, or to student organizations for service projects. Our 2023-'24 grant process is now open!
Teacher Appreciation Week
Scholarships for graduating seniors (awarded through the Ohio PTA)
The fall Homecoming parade, festival and silent auction
Our annual "Brave the Future" event to promote Whetstone to prospective students
Recent PTA Teacher and Student Organization Grants at Whetstone H.S.
2023-’24 (as of November)
Academic/Staff
$600 to Ms. Stokes, to support small prizes and group incentives for her special ed math students, in support of Whetstone's "No missing assignments" goal.
$600 to Ms. Hardia, for WHS spirit wear and other items to be used in Whetstone's PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) program.
$300 to Ms. Hurley, for supplies to support the Whetstone Art Club, with a goal of nurturing the creative talents of the students and fostering a love for art.
$600 to Mr. Harrison, for laboratory supplies for his physics classes (optics and electrical circuits kits) allowing him to teach these topics to all 30 kids in his classes at once (also supported by CCS and CEA)
$600 to Ms. Jaffy, to fill out the PBIS Store ("Whetstone Waymart") and encourage improvements in behavior, grades and attendance from all Whetstone students.
2022-’23
Academic/Staff
$400 to Ms. Bycynski, for purchase of small gift cards to use as rewards for students who earn “shout-outs” from staff – selected on the basis of behavior, core values, improvement in an area (grades, attendance) or other actions that reflect the qualities that represent Whetstone.
$400 to Ms. Green to purchase additional, in-high-demand books for the Whetstone library (primarily manga and graphic novels)
$400 to Mr. Smith for equipment for the Whetstone Messenger journalism program (new wireless mics for interview setup and a portable green screen for video interviews
$400 (in Whetstone spirit wear) to Ms. Kemper, for use in the school store as rewards for positive behavior points (improve the school climate and reduce inappropriate behavior).
Student Organizations
Student Council -- $500 to cover the costs of a decorator for prom, and let the seniors on Council get ready for prom instead of having to do room setup.
Key Club – $500 to pay for a portion of the food that the Key Club shipped to orphanages and food pantries in Lesotho.
2021-’22
Academic/Staff
$200 to Mr. Kohler for purchase of a curriculum (“designed by successful teachers with a history of success, far better than any textbook”) to assist Whetstone HS students pass the AP Calculus AB Exam
$200 to Mr. Dobelle, purchase of gift cards to use in a raffle drawing to motivate high risk students in Credit Recovery to earn credits.
$128 to Ms. Moorer, for repairs to the school’s pottery wheel.
$400 to Ms. Bycynski & Ms. Riggs, for purchase of small gift cards to use as rewards for students who earn “shout-outs” from staff – selected on the basis of behavior, core values, improvement in an area (grades, attendance) or other actions that reflect the qualities that represent Whetstone.
$200 to Ms. Yates for furniture for the staff lounge that was not fulfilled from the “wish list” – helping make the lounge a place for teachers to relax and recharge and practice some self-care during the day to be better prepared to serve students.
$450 to Mr. Murray for photography & lighting equipment, allowing him to teach how to create mixed light portraits, adjust light temperature, and how to use multiple light set ups.
$200 to Mr. Dobelle for gift cards to use as incentives for students in APEX classes, finishing up credits they had previously failed. At the end of the 2021-’22 school year Whetstone led the district with 220 classes passed!
$300 to Mr. Thomas for gift cards used as incentives to recognize and reward students achieving Microsoft Office certification and / or their Technology Seal.
Student Organizations
National Honor Society - $300 for the purchase of perennial plants/flowers for the south end flower beds and large pots at the main entrance, installed by NHS students for work day.
Key Club & National Honor Society - $250 to purchase mulch, flowers, bulbs, and shrubs to beautify the two interior courtyards at Whetstone High School.
Key Club – $300 to pay for a portion of the food that the Key Club packed on November 13 (shipped to orphanages and food pantries in Lesotho).