The Bugle - October 1, 2026

The Bugle - October 1, 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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    October 1, 2026   Login | Calendar | Lunch Menu



BLOG

The Wellington School Receives $1.5 Million Gift for Campus Transformation 
Generously contributed by Ryan and Katarina Robinson, this lead gift is one of the most significant philanthropic commitments in Wellington’s history and accelerates plans for a nearly 70,000-square-foot transformation of the Fishinger Road side of campus. Read more about the Robinsons and the dynamic new home for the Upper School. 

 

Following an Idea Further 
What happens when students have room to follow their curiosity beyond the usual boundaries of a class? In LYCEUM, Wellington’s honors humanities experience for grades 7 and 8, students explore complex texts, wrestle with big questions, and make connections across history, art, music, philosophy, and culture. See where their thinking is taking them. 

 

Creativity in Action: Jon Batiste at Wellington 
Last fall, Grammy and Academy Award winner Jon Batiste visited Wellington, giving Upper School students an opportunity to hear directly from an artist whose career spans genres, mediums, and stages around the world. The afternoon explored creativity, connection, and artistic expression, including one unforgettable moment when Zac Barton ’26 took the stage for an improvised duet with Batiste. Revisit this memorable afternoon at Wellington. 

 

More from the Well Said Blog 
Want to read more stories from Wellington? Visit wellington.org/blog.



UPCOMING EVENTS


ReWilding Wellington Family Connector Opportunities 
Thursdays in October 
Sign up to participate 

Tuition Assistance Application Open for 2027-28 
Friday, October 2 – Monday, November 2 

Jag Friday (Dress Down Day)
Friday, October 2

WPA Pre-Loved Apparel Sale 
Friday, October 2, 7:30–8:30 a.m. 

New Family Coffee 
Tuesday, October 6, 2:15–3:15 p.m. 

Parent/Teacher Conferences 
Thursday, October 8, 4–8 p.m. and Friday, October 9, 8 a.m.–noon 

No School: Fall Break
Friday, October 9 and Monday, October 12

WPA Meeting 
Tuesday, October 13, 8:15–9:15 a.m. 

Student Picture Retakes 
Wednesday, October 14, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. 
Sign up for a retake 

Heritage Festival 
Monday, November 2, 5:30–7 p.m. 
Buy tickets

Late Start: Election Day 
Tuesday, November 3, school begins at 10 a.m. 

Save the Date: Sunday Supper 
Sunday, November 15, 5–7 p.m. 

Save the Date: The Wellington Fund Day of Giving
Tuesday, November 17



CELEBRATION

Congratulations to seniors Annabeth Pan ’27, Phoebe Bong ’27, Steven Huang ’27, and Lillian Schrader ’27, who have been named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists! The National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes academically talented high school students nationwide. 

Beyond their academic accomplishments, Annabeth, Phoebe, Steven, and Lillian are involved throughout the Wellington community as musicians, writers, programmers, artists, athletes, volunteers, and leaders. 

 

Congratulations to seniors Abbott Arthur ’27, Lily Hashem ’27, Taj Ruegsegger ’27, and Andrew Stern ’27, who have been named Commended Students in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. Commended Students are recognized for their exceptional academic promise, with approximately 34,000 students nationwide receiving the distinction each year.

 

Congratulations to Middle School language arts teacher Greg Davis, whose article, “Civil Discourse: A 3-part Lesson with Media Literacy Connections,” was recently published online by the “Journal of Media Literacy Education.” The article shares practical ideas for helping students engage in civil discourse and communicate across differences.

 

One of Wellington’s favorite traditions continued this fall as members of the Class of 2027 were “adopted” into homerooms from Little Jags through grade 4. Throughout the year, seniors become honorary members of their classrooms, joining younger students for everything from class celebrations to recess. Senior Adoption gives some of Wellington’s oldest and youngest students a chance to build relationships across divisions. 



NEWS


Save the Date: The Wellington Fund Day of Giving - November 17 

Join us on Tuesday, November 17, for The Wellington Fund Day of Giving! Wellington is advanced by the generous support of those who believe education can and should be better. This year, donors can strengthen the School by offering unrestricted general mission support, recognizing faculty excellence, and expanding tuition assistance. Together, we elevate Wellington.

 

Only One Late Start - November 3 

This year, we will only have one late start on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Our 10 a.m. start allows students to witness parents and caregivers voting, creating moments of reflection on the importance of voting and how government impacts them.

 

Tuition Assistance Application Opens October 2 

Applications for need-based tuition assistance open October 2 for new and returning Wellington families. Families currently receiving tuition assistance will receive instructions by email about reapplying through Clarity. Current families applying for the first time can learn more about the process, access the application, and find helpful resources on Wellington’s tuition assistance webpage. Applications are due November 2.  

 

Share Wellington With a Friend 

Do you know a family who would be a great fit for Wellington? Invite them to join us for an upcoming admissions event or encourage them to schedule a personal tour. Share wellington.org/visit as a one-stop resource to explore upcoming opportunities to visit and experience Wellington. 

 

New Family Coffee - October 6 

New Wellington families are invited to join Latisha Humphries, director of community engagement and belonging, for coffee and conversation on Tuesday, October 6, from 2:15–3:15 p.m. Connect with other new families, get to know people you may not normally cross paths with, and share feedback about your experience at Wellington so far. New families should refer to the invitation sent directly by Latisha for RSVP information.

 

Brand New! Evening Enrichment Classes for Adults 

Something new (and fun!) is coming to Wellington this fall: our first-ever Enrichment Classes for adults! Parents, faculty, and staff can get creative with five weeks of ceramics, gather around the table for the Wellington Midweek Mahjong Club, or learn sewing and embroidery while making a personalized piece to take home. No prior experience is necessary, so pick what sounds fun and join fellow Jaguars for an evening of learning, creating, and connecting. Explore the fall offerings and register by October 2. 

 

Student Picture Retake Day - October 14 

Student Picture Retake Day is 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Wednesday, October 14. If you previously ordered photographs, students should bring their picture packet to return to the photographer. Picture packages for Little Jags and grade 3 are still being delivered. To help us plan the day’s schedule, please opt in to picture retakes using this form. If you'd like to pre-order new photos, visit www.mylifetouch.com and enter Picture Day ID EVTj3N734. 

 

Wellington Heritage Festival - November 2 

Get ready for the annual Wellington Heritage Festival on Monday, November 2! With food as a connector, this community celebration brings us together to experience and celebrate the cultures and backgrounds represented at Wellington. There are many ways to get involved, including participating in the dance flash mob or cultural fashion showcase, hosting a table, joining a planning committee, or volunteering during the event. Learn more about the Heritage Festival and purchase tickets or sign up to volunteer. Table hosts are invited to a virtual information meeting on Monday, October 5, at 5 p.m.

 

AAPI Affinity Group Diwali Celebration - October 17 

Join Wellington’s AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Parent Affinity Group for a Diwali celebration on Saturday, October 17, from 6–10 p.m., at the Bob Crane Community Center in Upper Arlington. Enjoy an evening of community, food, and celebration, with appetizers, dinner, and a bar provided. Guests are invited to dress festively, with prizes for the most festive attire! Tickets are required for adults and children over age 2 and must be purchased by October 14. Purchase tickets here. Questions? Contact Kerry Gor at kerryg319@icloud.com. 

 

Is Your Family’s Flag Represented at Wellington? 

The Thomas Family Dining Room currently displays 96 flags representing countries and cultures connected to Wellington families. Check our list of current flags, and if a country in your family’s heritage is missing, complete this form to let us know. We'll add and celebrate new flags with our community this spring. 

 

Save the Date: Sunday Supper

Join Wellington families on Sunday, November 15, from 5–7 p.m., for Sunday Supper! Come share a meal, meet new people, and enjoy time together as a community. More details and RSVP information are coming soon!

 

ReWilding Wellington: Fall Family Connector Opportunities 

Join ReWilding Wellington this October for service, social time, and outdoor fun as families help care for and restore Wellington’s natural spaces. Each Thursday is dedicated to a different division, with parents and guardians invited to join at 2:30 p.m. and students and families at 3:30 p.m.: Early Childhood, October 1; Lower School, October 8; Middle School, October 15; and Upper School, October 22. Sign up to participate. 

 

Registration Open for Wellington Youth Basketball League

The Wellington Youth Basketball League (WYBL) for girls and boys in grades 1–4 runs weekends from January 9 through February 21, and registration is live! You may request one player per registration or register a full team with at least 10 players and an established coach. The league depends on volunteer parent coaches, who receive 50% off their child’s fee and must complete a background check. The cost is $195. For questions, email wybl@wellington.org. Register here.

 

WPA Pre-Loved Apparel Sale - October 2 

The Wellington Parents Association accepts donations of gently used dress code items and makes them available monthly at a discounted price during our pre-loved apparel sales. Drop off donations during any regular school hours at the donation bin in the rotunda. Our next sale is on Friday, October 2, from 7:30–8:30 a.m., in C105 and the Alumni Commons. View all of the sale dates for this year here.



ATHLETICS


Fall Sports Senior Celebration - October 2

Join us Friday, October 2, for our annual Fall Sports Senior Celebration! Girls soccer takes on Westland at 5:30 p.m., followed by a ceremony at approximately 7 p.m. celebrating seniors from girls tennis, boys golf, girls soccer, and boys soccer. Boys soccer takes on Centennial at 7:30 p.m. Food Souls Cuisine and Cotton Sugar Co. will also be on campus beginning at 5 p.m. 

 

Fall Sports Update 

Upper School: 

Girls Tennis: 
The girls tennis team won its fourth straight league championship! Seven athletes advanced to the sectional tournament: Paige Thompson ’27 (#2 seed), Dea Singh ’27 (#4 seed), and Elle Reed ’29 in singles; and the doubles pairings of Elizabeth Cooke ’27 and Caroline Thompson ’28, and Anna Lea Merl ’29 and Sasha Swarthout ’29. 

Boys Golf:
The boys golf team won sectionals by an impressive 27 strokes, advancing to the district tournament. Five athletes also earned All-Conference honors! 

Girls Golf: 
Caitlin Sumner ’28 finished 9th at the sectional tournament and 2nd among individual competitors, qualifying for districts. She went on to finish 27th at the district tournament.

Cross Country: 
Ben Austin ’30 has already broken the Upper School boys cross country record twice this season, most recently finishing in 17:04.5, good for 5th place at the meet and the only underclassman among the top 20 finishers. On the girls side, five members of this year’s young team now rank among the 10 fastest runners in school history. Emma Jane Lumbley ’30 leads the group after a personal record of 21:49, the 3rd-fastest girls time in Wellington history. 

Boys Soccer:
The boys soccer team is continuing its great season with a 10-2-1 record and currently sits in 1st place in the league! The team will learn its tournament draw on October 11 and begin postseason play later this month. 

Girls Soccer:
The girls soccer team has a 4-6-1 record and currently sits in 2nd place in the league. Madeline Weaver ’29 leads the team with 23 goals! 

Middle School: 

Boys Soccer: 
The boys soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the Central Ohio Middle School Soccer Tournament with a win Tuesday night! The team will take on Larson in the semifinal Thursday, October 1.

Girls Volleyball: 
The girls volleyball team earned the first win in program history on September 17 with a 2-1 victory over Delaware Christian! Less than a week later, the team earned its second win, defeating Columbus Bilingual Academy North 2-1. 

Golf: 
The middle school golf team capped off an excellent season with a win Tuesday night, finishing with a 7-3-1 record.




 

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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