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Dear Parents and Caregivers,
The new year often brings talk of resolutions. When my own children recently asked what mine would be, I realized it wasn’t about changing myself, but about choosing to pause, listen, and be more present. With so many distractions pulling at our attention, slowing down and noticing the moments in front of us feels especially important. This idea of pausing, listening, and being present is something we are intentionally practicing across our school, both in how students learn and how we build community together.
Lower School Skiing
Growth mindset field trips kick off this week with our second through fourth graders heading to Mad River Mountain for skiing tomorrow! Students will participate in leveled ski lessons and then have time to free ski and apply what they’ve learned. In addition to the physical skills, these trips are great opportunities for problem-solving, perseverance, and independence. Please help your child come prepared with ski pants, waterproof gloves, a warm coat, a neck covering, and a helmet. Thursday morning drop-off will involve students managing many belongings, and we will have plenty of adults outside ready to help. Executive function skills will be in full practice as students manage their gear and bring everything home again. Patience with ourselves and our children will go a long way!
Trimester Two Assessments and Interim Reports
Recently, students in grades two through four paused from their daily classroom work to complete the Northwest Evaluation Association’s Measure of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP) assessment in reading and math. We think of MAP as a growth chart for learning, a moment to pause and notice how students are growing rather than rushing toward a single score.
Across kindergarten through fourth grade, we also use Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) to understand growth in phonics and reading fluency. Along with teacher observations and classroom work, these assessments help guide small group instruction and differentiated learning. Our youngest students are assessed in developmentally appropriate ways, with teachers closely observing and working alongside students rather than relying on computer-based testing.
Interim reports will be posted on January 30, at noon, and will share more about your child’s learning progress. In-person parent-teacher conferences will follow in March. If you have questions at any point, please reach out to your child’s homeroom teacher.
Friendship Parties: Thursday, February 12
Our Friendship Parties will take place on Thursday, February 12. These gatherings are designed as a time for students to celebrate friendship and community within their classrooms.
- Early Childhood: 10–10:45 a.m.
- Lower School: 2:15–3 p.m.
We will not be passing out candy, cards, or trinkets. Our Friendship Parties are designed as a pause in the school day, a chance for students to be fully present with one another and celebrate the relationships that make our classrooms feel like home.
2026-2027 School Year
As families begin planning the upcoming school year, a list of major dates for the 2026–2027 school year can be found here, and re-enrollment contracts will go live on January 21. With many of our grade levels at capacity, please plan to return contracts within the allotted window to secure your child’s spot for next year. Summer programming is also open, so families may begin planning for both the summer and the year ahead. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.
Your Feedback Matters
We would love your feedback and invite you to share your thoughts using this form. Your input helps us continue to grow and make Wellington a meaningful place to learn for every child.
Save the Date: 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.
Whether it’s students managing ski gear or celebrating friendships without distractions, these moments matter. My hope is that we continue to make space to pause, listen, and notice the growth happening all around us, in learning, in friendships, and in the everyday moments. Thank you for partnering with us and for being part of a community that values both challenge and care.
Best,
Shelley Brown
Assistant Head of School for Academics
Head of Early Childhood and Lower School
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