Dear Parents and Caregivers,
February is a month that brings us back to the importance of friendship. When students know they have friends, feel known by their teachers, and trust the adults around them, they are more willing to take risks, make mistakes, and lean into learning. This is nurtured through morning meetings, closing circles, lessons with our school counselor, shared laughter, and moments of joy woven into each day. When those foundations are strong, learning can take center stage.
Learning Highlights from January
- First graders explored symbols of the United States by each choosing a symbol, researching it using nonfiction resources, writing a short informational report, and shaping clay to create the symbol. Experiences like this build strong foundational skills in research, reading, writing, and communication that support lifelong learning.
- In WIRED (Wellington Innovation, Robotics, Engineering, and Design), second grade students have been building and programming robots using LEGO WeDo 2.0 kits. Students had the choice to design, build, and program an original robot or continue guided lessons in the app. They learned a great deal and strengthened their critical thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on work and cooperative partnerships. Next up: stop motion!
- Third graders recently wrapped up a math unit focused on multiplication and division using bar models, a core strategy from the Singapore Math approach. Bar models help students visualize relationships between numbers, build conceptual understanding, and solve multi-step problems with clarity rather than relying on memorization alone.
- Our ECLS Jaguars have been out in the world, connecting learning to experience through trips to Ohio State Veterinary Hospital, OSU Planetarium, martial arts classes, Mad River Mountain, Circle M Farms, Downtown Columbus Metropolitan Library, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Chiller Ice Skating, and Aquarium Adventures. These experiences bring learning to life and reinforce the skills students are building each day at school.
Building Community
Friendship matters beyond the classroom, as well. The connections among families, whether through classroom celebrations or parent connector events, help strengthen our community and support students’ sense of belonging. Please see below for upcoming community events!
- Friendship Parties: Thursday, February 12: Our Friendship Parties will take place tomorrow (Early Childhood: 10–10:45 a.m. and Lower School: 2:15–3 p.m.). These gatherings are designed as a time to celebrate friendship and community within the classrooms.
- Learning Showcase & State of the School - February 19 Join us on Thursday, February 19, for an evening that highlights both the learning happening across Wellington and the vision guiding our future. The night begins with a Learning Showcase from 6-6:30 p.m., where students from Little Jags through grade 12 share their work in an open-house format. At 6:45 p.m., Head of School Eliza McLaren will deliver the State of the School address, offering reflections on the year, updates on key initiatives, and a look ahead. The evening concludes with a reception from 8-8:30 p.m. Complimentary childcare for Little Jags through grade 5 will be available from 6:30-8 p.m. (registration required). Parents, caregivers, faculty, staff, and trustees are warmly invited to attend. Please reserve your seat in advance.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Sign up opens on March 2 at noon.
- Progress reports will be posted to Veracross on March 6, at noon.
- Parent/teacher conferences will be on March 19 (4 – 8 p.m.) and March 20 (8 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
Thank you for your continued partnership, trust, and the many ways you support your children and our school community. February has already been full of meaningful learning, and we look forward to all that lies ahead!
Best,
Shelley Brown
Head of Early Childhood and Lower School
Assistant Head of School for Academics