The Bugle - August 6, 2026

The Bugle - August 6, 2026

The Bugle is Wellington's monthly e-newsletter. To be considered for the next issue, please send submissions to bugle@wellington.org by 5 p.m. on the first Monday of the month. 



 

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    August 6, 2026   Login | Calendar | Lunch Menu



BACK-TO-SCHOOL ESSENTIALS


Everything you need for the start of school is right here. Review these resources, events, and required action items to help your family prepare. We can't wait to see you on Wednesday, August 19, for the first day of school!

Complete Important Action Items for the Start of School 
Many back-to-school forms and registrations are due this week. Please take a few minutes to complete any remaining action items below. 

Immunizations & Medications - due by August 7 
Veracross Policies - due by August 7 
  • Family Profile Update
  • Medical Profile 
  • School Policies 
  • Directory Preferences 
Transportation Registration - due by August 10 
Aftercare Registration (Little Jags through Grade 8) - due by August 19 

New student? Don't forget additional important checklist items shared at www.wellington.org/new-parent-resources


Back-to-School Resources

Back-to-School Hub 
Everything you need for back-to-school events, schedules, arrival and dismissal procedures, and more. Click here.  


Transportation Guide – Registration Now Open 
Review updated transportation information before completing your transportation registration. Click here.  


Dress Code Overview – Lookbook Now Available 
Learn what students wear each day with outfit formulas, wardrobe suggestions, and division-specific guidance. Click here.  
 

Major Dates 
Save important dates for the school year. Click here


Start-of-School Events

Back-to-School Events - August 14-17 
Join us for our back-to-school events August 14-17. Meet your new teachers and classmates, explore classrooms, move into lockers, catch up with friends, and enjoy special treats. Event details can be found here

Practice Dress Sharp Day - August 26 
The first Dress Sharp Day of the year is Wednesday, August 26. Students will wear Dress Sharp attire for The Leap, Wellington's annual schoolwide assembly celebrating the beginning of a new school year. Please note that future Dress Sharp Days require the full formal dress code. 

Early Childhood/Lower School 

  • White or navy polos 
  • Navy or khaki pants, shorts, skorts/skirts or 
  • Plaid jumpers/skorts/skirts 

Middle School/Upper School 

  • White or navy polo or button-down shirts 
  • Navy or khaki pants, shorts, skorts/skirts, or  
  • Plaid skorts/skirts 

A Toast to the Year: Annual Parent Social - August 27 
Join us Thursday, August 27, from 5-7 p.m., in the Thomas Family Dining Room and Patio for an evening of connection and celebration as we raise a glass to the year ahead and celebrate Wellington’s future. Complimentary childcare will be provided for children in Little Jags through grade 4. RSVP here. We look forward to welcoming you! 

Student Picture Days
This year, we will hold two separate school picture days in order to manage the traffic flow with minimal disruption to the school day. Mark your calendars for the following dates. More information about ordering will be shared soon.

  • Wednesday, September 9, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. - Middle & Upper School Only (Grades 5-12)
  • Wednesday, September 16, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. - Early Childhood & Lower School Only (Little Jags - Grade 4)
  • Wednesday, October 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. - Picture Retake Day (all grade levels)

Campus Reminders

Visitor Sign-In Process  
To support campus safety, all guests should enter through the main entrance (rotunda) and sign in using Verkada Guest. You can use the iPad kiosk or scan the QR code posted in the rotunda to sign in on your phone. Once complete, pick up your printed visitor badge from the reception desk and wear it visibly while in the building. To sign out, use the iPad or reply BYE to your visitor text message. 

Parent Badge Access for Early Childhood 
Parents with students in Little Jags, prekindergarten, or kindergarten may request a swipe-enabled badge for easier drop-off and pick-up. These badges allow direct building access at designated entrances and do not require daily sign-in through Verkada. To request a badge, email stanko@wellington.org and complete the Parent Badge Agreement in Veracross.  

For entry points during drop-off and pick-up, please refer to the morning and afternoon car line maps. 



BLOG

Welcoming Three New Leaders for the 2026-27 School Year 
Wellington welcomes three experienced leaders who will help guide upper school, advancement, and admissions during the 2026–27 school year. Meet Marty Frazier, Head of Upper School; Rachel Yantis P ’31, Chief Advancement Officer; and L’Tanya Evans, Assistant Director of Admissions for Early Childhood and Lower School, and learn more about the experience they bring to Wellington. Read the blog

 

A Summer of Progress: Campus Updates 
From new upper school classrooms and an upgraded visual arts center to improvements for Roberts Field, the Outdoor Classroom, and more, Wellington has spent the summer preparing for the year ahead. Get a look at the projects students and families will experience when they return to campus later this month. Read the blog

 

National Leadership Conference at Camp Miniwanca: Leadership in Action 
Nine Wellington students attended the National Leadership Conference at Camp Miniwanca this summer, where they explored what it means to lead with courage, empathy, and authenticity. Through workshops, outdoor challenges, and collaboration with peers from across the country, they returned ready to strengthen Wellington's community. Read the blog

 

More From the Well Said Blog 
Want to read more stories from Wellington? Check out these recent posts: 

Find more at wellington.org/blog



UPCOMING EVENTS


Back-to-School Events 
Friday, August 14 – Monday, August 17 
Event details

First Day of School
Wednesday, August 19 

First Featured Competition of the Year - Soccer
Friday, August 21

Dress Sharp Day 
Wednesday, August 26   
See attire requirements above

A Toast to the Year: Annual Parent Social
Thursday, August 27, 5-7 p.m.  
RSVP

Middle School Parent and Caregiver Night 
Tuesday, September 1, 6-8 p.m.   

Upper School Parent and Caregiver Night 
Thursday, September 3, 6-8 p.m.   

Jag Friday (Dress Down Attire) 
Friday, September 4  

School Closed – Labor Day 
Monday, September 7   

Well Connected: Community Coffee 
Wednesday, September 9, 8:15-9:15 a.m.   

Middle and Upper School Student Picture Day 
Wednesday, September 9, 9 a.m.-2p.m.   

Early Childhood and Lower School Parent and Caregiver Night 
Thursday, September 10, 6:30-8 p.m.   

WPA Meeting
Tuesday, September 15, 8:15-9:15 a.m.   

Early Childhood and Lower School Student Picture Day 
Wednesday, September 16, 9 a.m.-2p.m.   

Founders Day
Friday, September 18   



CELEBRATION

Wellington's newest mosaic mural was created through a collaboration between lower school students, local artist Vicki Murphy, and the Ohio Arts Council. Inspired by student artwork and reflecting Wellington's five values: Be Curious, Be Yourself, Be Ambitious, Be Empathetic, and Be Responsible, the colorful installation is a lasting celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community. Read the blog

 

Erica Clark P ’28, Director of Student Success K–12, attended the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning's Summer Academy at Saint Andrew's Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland. From dissecting a sheep's brain to exploring the science of learning, Erica joined educators from around the world and looks forward to bringing new ideas back to Wellington. 



NEWS


Well Connected: Community Coffee - September 9   

You’re invited to join Latisha Humphries, director of community engagement and belonging, for coffee and conversation on Wednesday, September 9, from 8:15-9:15 a.m., in the Doerschlag Den. This informal gathering is an opportunity to connect, build community, and learn more about engagement and belonging at Wellington. No RSVP is required.  

 

Get Involved With the Wellington Parents Association  

As a parent or caregiver of a Wellington student, you are automatically a member of the Wellington Parents Association (WPA)! We encourage you to attend our monthly meetings in person or virtually starting Tuesday, September 15, at 8:15 a.m., in C111 (Innovation Space). Learn more about WPA events, meetings, committees, volunteer opportunities, and ways to connect on the Veracross WPA page.

 

Join a WPA Parent Affinity Group   

Join a WPA Parent Affinity Group - WPA members have formed the following parent affinity groups to support our parent community: Parents Raising Black Students (MOSAIC), LGBTQIA+ Families, Muslim Parents, Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI), HOLA Hispanic, Neurodiversity, Jewish Parents, and Single Parents. Learn more and opt-in to one or more groups here

 

Sokol Store Welcomes New Manager & Shopping Details

Please join us in welcoming Christina See P ’38 as our new Sokol Store Manager!  

Volunteers are needed to keep the store open for its regular hours. Contact sokolstore@wellingtonjags.org to learn more about volunteering regularly or helping with merchandise restocks behind the scenes. 

Shop the Sokol Store in person during regular hours (Monday-Friday 8-8:25 a.m. and 3-4 p.m.) or special events. An adult must accompany students in Little Jags through grade 4. Middle school students may not access the store from 8:25 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 

Not available to shop in person? Shop online! Orders will be processed every Monday and available for pickup from Willie Gage at the front desk in the rotunda during school hours. New orders will be available beginning at 3 p.m. each Monday. Shop now!

 

Photo Sharing on Vidigami  

The 2026-27 school year will open soon on Vidigami, our secure photo-sharing site. New and returning families who have not activated their accounts will soon receive an email invitation to access Vidigami. Vidigami may be accessed through desktop computers and a mobile app called "Vidigami for Education." Download it for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Questions about Vidigami or any of the photos on the platform? Please contact communications@wellington.org

 

Fundraising Rewards: Little Things Make a Big Difference  

Connect your loyalty programs to support Wellington every time you shop! Click here for directions on how to connect your accounts.  

 

The Bugle is Back 

For the 2026-27 school year, the Bugle will be distributed on the first Thursday of every month, August-June. Please remember to share your good news and feedback by 5 p.m. on the first Monday of every month to bugle@wellington.org



ATHLETICS

Wellington Athletics Announces New Brand That Carries Forward Legacy of Character, Competition, and Commitment 
 
Wellington Athletics has a new look! Director of Athletics Dr. Nick Williams introduces the school's new athletics brand, sharing the vision behind the updated identity, the community-driven process that shaped it, and what it represents for the future of Jaguar athletics. Read his letter
 

Sideline Store Now Open
Rep the new look! The Sideline Store is now open with apparel and gear featuring Wellington Athletics' refreshed brand. Shop now and be ready to cheer on the Jaguars this fall.

 

First Featured Competition of the Year - August 21
Kick off the fall sports season on Friday, August 21, as Wellington soccer hosts our first featured competition of the year on Roberts Field! Wear blue for the Blue Out theme and enjoy poster-making, player walkouts, halftime activities, concessions, and more. Girls soccer takes on Cristo Rey at 5 p.m., followed by boys soccer vs. West Jessamine (Ky.) at 7:15 p.m. Let's LEAP into the new school year. Go Jags!

 

New Ticketing for Home Athletic Events
Wellington students receive free admission to regular season home ticketed athletic events, plus three complimentary guest passes for every game. Students simply provide their name at the gate, while guests share the student's name with the gate attendant. Additional admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are purchased at the gate only.




 

Please send comments and submissions to bugle@wellington.org. To be considered for the next issue, content is due by 5 p.m. on the first Monday of the month.

 
 

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Wellington 
3650 Reed Rd
Columbus, OH 43220
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