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Dear Middle School Families,
Welcome to August! I hope your summer has brought joy, connection, and restoration. I often say that school gets lonely when the kids are out of the building, so the calendar’s turn to August – though bittersweet for students as summer winds down – is a time of great anticipation for me. We have so much to look forward to in the first days of school: reconnecting with friends, building new relationships with peers and teachers, and our annual house sort and popsicle/dance party, to name a few.
As I reflect upon my summer adventures (I ate less seafood and baked more breads) and look ahead to the start of school, I have a renewed sense of gratitude for the beloved community that Wellington embodies. Our unconditional positive regard for students, paired with an intentional approach to building relationships, creates the conditions for young people to take risks, stretch themselves, and embrace challenges, all while knowing they have a safe place to land. This balance of challenge and support will be at the heart of our work together this year, with so much to look forward to both inside and outside the classroom.
Here are some important announcements and updates as we prepare for the 2025-2026 school year:
Welcome Back to Wellington Family Event
I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at our back-to-school event on August 18. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to connect with their teachers and advisor, reconnect with peers, meet new members of our community, and decorate their lockers(!).
- Families who are new to Wellington will head to the Gard Gym at 4 p.m. for a welcome from the Head of School, Eliza McLaren, at 4:15 p.m.
- Returning families can head straight to the middle school at 4:30 p.m. to find their lockers and meet with peers and teachers.
- We’ll wrap things up with frozen treats for everyone as we celebrate the start of the new school year!
- The Sokol Store will be open from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m., and there will also be a Pre-Loved Apparel Sale from 4:20 to 5:45 p.m.
Please note that the Welcome Back to Wellington event has been moved from a Sunday to Monday evening. We hope the new timing makes it easier for families to attend, and we’re looking forward to seeing you there!
Dress Code Updates
Earlier this summer, we shared updates to our dress code policy. The revisions are designed to provide greater clarity and consistency across divisions while ensuring students can arrive each day feeling comfortable, confident, and ready to learn.
We’re also excited to announce a new partnership with Lands’ End, which will offer uniform pieces designed specifically for Wellington students. An embroidery option will be available on the website starting August 6, allowing you to select your preferred logo from a drop-down menu to be added to your clothing item.
Technology
I’m proud of Wellington’s emphasis on protecting the attention of young people and embodying a culture of learning and human connection. In this spirit, we will continue to enforce our practice of requiring smartwatches and cellphones to remain in lockers for the duration of the school day.
Aftercare Information
Registration is now open for Middle School Aftercare, after-school enrichment classes, and Junior Jag athletic clinics for the first trimester. After the school day, families may choose Aftercare, which provides supervised playtime and structured activities, or opt for enrichment classes and Junior Jag clinics that offer engaging, skill-based experiences that allow students to explore new interests, deepen their learning, and practice specific techniques in a fun, supportive environment. All options require advance registration. For more details and to register, please visit the Beyond the Bell webpage on the Veracross Parent Portal.
Back to School Pages
I encourage you to explore our Back-to-School webpages for resources and information:
A few more important dates and reminders:
August 8 - Advisories post on Veracross at noon
August 15 - Deadline to complete School Policy Forms in Veracross
August 15 - 5th Grade & New Student Orientation and Parent Veracross and Technology Training
- 9-11 a.m. - All 5th grade students and new students in grades 5-8 are encouraged to meet with their advisors in the Middle School Commons.
- 9-10 a.m. - Parents and caregivers of new middle school and all 5th grade students will join us for introductions in the Middle School Commons before heading to the Upper School Commons for Veracross and Google Classroom orientation.
August 18 - Parent/advisor in-take conferences. Advisors will reach out in advance to schedule a mutually convenient time.
August 18 - Welcome to Wellington Family Event
- 4 p.m. - Doors open for new families
- 4:15 p.m. - New Family Assembly in Gard Gym
- 4:30 p.m. - Doors open for returning families
- 4:40-5:30 p.m. - Classroom visits, locker decorating, and ice cream treats (2nd floor library entrance)
- 3:30-6 p.m. - Sokol Store open
- 4:20-5:45 p.m. - Pre-Loved Apparel Sale
August 20 - First day of school!
I’ll be back in touch on Wednesday, August 13, with additional updates. Until then, enjoy the final stretch of summer; I can’t wait to welcome our middle schoolers back!
With excitement,
Louis
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