The Bugle - October 2, 2025

The Bugle - October 2, 2025

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 2, 2025   Login | Calendar | Lunch Menu


Introducing The Wellington School's Strategic Plan 
A Bold Leap: 2032 charts a path for growth and ambitious progress, strengthening excellence and establishing Wellington as one of the most forward-thinking schools in the country. Together, we will ensure a joyful and ambitious future that honors our past while boldly leaping forward. Read the strategic plan.



BLOG

Kicking Off Career Exploration: JagsConnect Launches with Purpose 
The first upper school JagsConnect event of the year brought 9th and 10th grade students together for a session on career exploration and purpose, led by Liz Kazemi ’17. Jake Goudie ’22 and Ani Dunn P ’28 showed how JagsConnect fosters confidence and community across generations. The program set the stage for a year of helping students discover strengths, interests, and future possibilities. Read the blog.

 

Academic Leadership at Wellington 
Working in close partnership with Head of School Eliza McLaren, Wellington’s academic and divisional leaders ensure the school’s mission comes to life in every classroom. From early childhood through upper school, they guide curriculum, support faculty, and keep students at the center of daily decision-making. Their leadership reflects Wellington’s commitment to academic excellence, belonging, and well-being. 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


Tuition Assistance Filing Open for 2026-27
Thursday, October 2-Sunday, November 2

WPA Pre-Loved Apparel Sale
Friday, October 3, 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Jag Friday (Dress Down Day)
Friday, October 3

ReWilding Wellington Volunteer Work Day
Sunday, October 5, 1-4 p.m. 

Parent/Teacher Conferences
Thursday, October 9, 4-8 p.m. and Friday, October 10, 8 a.m.-noon

No School
Friday, October 10-Monday, October 13

WPA Meeting
Tuesday, October 14, 8:15-9:15 a.m.

Student Picture Retakes
Wednesday, October 15, 9 a.m.-noon

Well Life Series Parent Webinar with Jonathan Haidt: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Impacted Everything + What We Can Do About It
Tuesday, October 28, 7:30 p.m.
Learn how to register

Heritage Festival
Monday, November 3, 5:30-7 p.m.

Late Start: Election Day
Tuesday, November 4, school begins at 10 a.m. 

Save the Date: The Wellington Fund Day of Giving
Tuesday, November 18


More photos can be found on Vidigami


CELEBRATION

Congratulations to Isaac Xiu ’26, Claire Shen ’26, and Annie Shen ’26, who have been recognized as National Merit Semifinalists based on top scores on the PSAT/NMSQT. Annie, Claire, and Isaac now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for nearly $26 million in scholarships next spring. Read the blog.

 

Led by Director of Admissions Dara Jackson, Wellington’s admissions team traveled to Austin, Texas, for the Enrollment Management Association’s annual conference, Embracing Change. Over three days of workshops and presentations, Jackson, Katie Lumbley P ’30 ’33, and Neelie Barthenheier P ’27 ’30 explored new ideas in enrollment management, from financial aid to innovative event design, and are eager to bring fresh strategies back to Wellington. 

 

Congratulations to Genevieve VanDixhorn ’26, James Yang ’26, and Zac Barton ’26, who have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Recognized for their exceptional academic promise, they rank among the top 50,000 students nationwide who entered the competition through the PSAT/NMSQT. Read the blog.

 

Catie Swendal, early childhood lead, completed the first level of Orton-Gillingham training, a structured, multisensory approach to literacy that helps young readers build strong foundations. 

 

The Jaguar Family grew by two in September! ECLS Literacy Specialist Emeri Ferguson P '39 and her husband, Colby, welcomed Miller Drew Ferguson into the world on Wednesday, September 3.

Congratulations are also in order for Early Childhood Specialist Ellen Rhomberg and her husband, Parker, who welcomed their first child, Palmer James Rhomberg, into the world on Tuesday, September 9. 

 

Wellington is now a WILD School Site through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, a certification given to schools that demonstrate curriculum development and habitat enhancement in order to learn about and benefit wildlife and the environment. Learn more.



NEWS


Save the Date: The Wellington Fund Day of Giving - November 18

Join us on Tuesday, November 18, for The Wellington Fund Day of Giving! Wellington’s culture of innovation is elevated by community, and with your support, we can continue to help students find their purpose and realize their potential — together. This year, donors have the opportunity to direct their gift to advance professional learning, expand tuition assistance, and fuel mission-driven innovation.  

 

Tuition Assistance Application Open October 2-November 2
The application for need-based tuition assistance is open for new and returning Wellington families starting on October 2. If your family received tuition assistance for the current school year, you will receive an email with instructions on how to reapply using your Clarity login information. Applications are due by the end of the day on November 2, 2025.

If you are a current Wellington family who has not applied for tuition assistance in the last year, you can learn more and start your application for the 2026-2027 school year, by visiting our website where you'll find step-by-step instructions and answers to frequently asked questions.

Clarity offers a streamlined, user-friendly application process that is mobile friendly and can take as few as 20 minutes to complete. Informational webinars on the Clarity process are available September-December. You can find the links to attend on our website

 

Spread the Word! Experience Wellington - November 9

Do you know a family who would be a great fit for Wellington? Invite them to Experience Wellington, a special weekend event on Sunday, November 9, from 1-3:30 p.m. for families with students entering grades 5-12. Prospective families can register on our website here. Want to really show your Wellington pride? Help us spread the word by picking up a yard sign for your home outside the Admissions office. Thank you for being a Wellington ambassador! 

 

Introducing Littleton's Family Meal Kits - Beginning October 7

Beginning Tuesday, October 7, Littleton's Market will offer meal kits for Wellington families each week. Offerings include rotating ready-to-eat meals (like carne asada fajitas, miso noodles, and chicken alfredo) as well as sides, desserts, and beverages. Orders must be placed by Sunday for pick up that week. Meals may be picked up at Wellington from the Doerschlag Den between 3-6 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. For more information and to place your order for pick-up next week, click here.

 

Registration Open for Wellington Youth Basketball League 

The Wellington Youth Basketball League (WYBL) for girls and boys in grades 1–4 runs January 3–February 15, and registration is now live — sign up soon! You may request one player per registration or register a full team with at least eight 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. Cost is $195. For questions, email wybl@wellington.org. Register here.

 

Heritage Festival - November 3 

Join the DEI Board Committee and WPA as we bring the flags in the Thomas Family Dining Room to life at Wellington's third annual Wellington Heritage Festival on Monday, November 3, from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Thomas Family Dining Room. Bring your whole family to experience and celebrate a wide variety of cultures. Learn more at www.wellington.org/heritageand purchase your $10 tickets now to skip the line at the door! 
 
We need YOU to make this amazing event happen! Click a volunteer option below to learn more. This is becoming a beloved event that you won't want to miss!

Questions? Contact Emlah Tubuo at Emlah.tubuo@gmail.com.

 

Pre-Loved Apparel Sale - October 3

Join the WPA on Friday, October 3, from 7:30-8:30 a.m., in C147. Proceed down the lower school hallway and up the steps. Then, follow the sign to turn right at the Alumni Commons. C147 is the old athletics training room.

 

AAPI Affinity Group Diwali Celebration – October 4

The AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Parent Affinity Group invites you to celebrate Diwali with them on Saturday, October 4, from 6-10 p.m. at the Bob Crane Community Center. Appetizers, dinner, and a bar will be provided. Purchase tickets here or at the door. Questions? Contact Kerry Gor at kerryg319@icloud.com

 

ReWilding Wellington Volunteer Work Day - October 5

ReWilding Wellington is entering its fourth year! We'll be hosting family workdays this fall to remove amur honeysuckle and other invasive plants, and mulch around native trees and shrubs that students planted last spring beside our new walking path. The plantings will attract bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife students will study and enjoy. Join us for our next family workday on October 5, from 1-2:30 p.m. or 2:30-4 p.m. Sign-up here.  

 

School Picture Retake Day - October 15

School picture retake day is from 9 a.m.-noon on Wednesday, October 15. If you previously ordered photographs, students should bring their picture packet to return to the photographer. To help us plan our schedule for the day, please opt-in to picture retakes using this form. If you'd like to order new photos, visit www.mylifetouch.com and enter Picture Day ID EVTDKKK96. 

 

Parent Webinar Series with Jonathan Haidt: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Impacted Everything + What We Can Do About It - October 28

As part of our commitment to supporting families, Wellington is providing parents and caregivers with complimentary virtual access to the 2025-26 ISACS Parent Webinar Series. The series continues with Jonathan Haidt on Tuesday, October 28, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Jonathan Haidt, author of "The Anxious Generation," will share the research that underpins his book and leave parents with inspiration and concrete plans to facilitate change in their families and communities. Advance registration is required for all webinars in the series. View the registration guide.  

 

Only One Late Start - November 4

This year, we will only have one late start on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4. 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. 

 

Join Lunch Bunch (K-4)

Lunch Bunch is available for families with students in kindergarten through grade 4 only. Lunch Bunch is a great opportunity to have lunch with your child(ren), as well as meet other students, parents, and teachers. Lunch, in the Thomas Family Dining Room, is served with a teacher at the head of each table. On Lunch Bunch dates, half of the teachers are excused, and parents are invited to volunteer. Each parent is assigned a table with his/her child and assists with the lunch experience. Lunch is offered in two sessions (Lunch A - 1, 2, & 3 or Lunch B - K & 4). Dates are released in batches throughout the year to share access as equitably as possible. Learn more and sign up here.



ATHLETICS


Fall Sports Update

Upper School: 

Upper School Boys Soccer: 
The Upper School Boys Soccer team is continuing their great season with a 8-4-1 record, including two big time wins vs. rivals Columbus Academy (3-0) and Grandview Heights (2-1). The team is gearing up for a postseason run as they look to finish the season strong. Come support them next week during Fall Sports Senior night as they face Bishop Rosecrans and look to seal their league championship! 

Upper School Boys Golf: 
The Boys Golf team has had a tremendous season this fall. They won the Mid State League by winning all four tournaments and had five players receive All League 1st or 2nd team honors. The team then won sectionals, qualifying them for districts where they finished in 3rd place!  

Upper School Girls Soccer: 
The Upper School Girls Soccer team is continuing to battle and improve this season and just pulled out a hard fought 1-0 win over MSL opponent Logan Elm last night! 

Upper School Girls Golf: 
The Upper School Girls Golf team finished their season strong, placing 5th in the Mid State League with 2 All League Honorees. The team also competed in sectionals and placed 4th out of 10 teams.  

Upper School Girls Tennis: 
The Upper School Girls Tennis team just won its third straight league championship by winning every league match they played! The girls team sent three singles players, and two doubles teams to sectionals. Mary Claire ’26 and Paige Thompson ’27 have both advanced to the semi-finals on Saturday with the chance of a Wellington vs. Wellington Sectional Final! The doubles pairing of Dea Singh ’27 and Naomi Livits ’27 also advanced to the sectional semi-finals as well. The second day of sectionals takes place this Saturday at 9 a.m. at Columbus School for Girls. 

Middle School: 

MS Boys Soccer: 
The Middle School Boys Soccer team finished their season with a 6-4-1 record and won their first tournament game 5-0! Tonight they take on Jones at 4:15 p.m. for their second round game. 

MS Golf: 
The Middle School Golf team has had a tremendous season! They are going into their final match vs. Ridgedale today with a 9-3 record! The team has been firing on all cylinders as they look to finally overcome the 160 barrier today. 

Other News:

Next Wednesday, October 8, we will host our annual Fall Sports Senior Celebration! The Upper School Girls Soccer team will take on Fisher Catholic at 5:30 p.m. and the Upper School Boys Soccer team will take on Bishop Rosecrans at 7:30 p.m. In between games all our fall sports seniors will be celebrated! There will also be food trucks from Seven Little Sliders and Kona Ice during the game. Come out and support the Class of 2026 fall sport athletes! 




 

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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