Dear Middle School Families,
Over the course of my career, October has emerged as one of my favorite months (even when the Red Sox are eliminated from the postseason). The dust has settled from the start of the year, and students have found their stride — acclimating to new grade levels, building relationships with peers and teachers, and embracing challenges in the classroom, on the field, and on the stage.
Across every grade, curiosity is sparking discovery and authentic learning. Our 8th graders recently launched the Spark Project, a yearlong, interdisciplinary exploration that invites them to pursue their passions through research and real-world experiences. With the guidance of a community panel that included alumni and local professionals, students began shaping ideas that will evolve into authentic projects of their own design, blending creativity, scholarship, and purpose. In 7th grade, learning is as hands-on as it is minds-on. Students constructed edible “Snack Tectonics” to model the movement of Earth’s crust, translating abstract geologic processes into memorable, bite-sized (hehe…sorry) lessons on plate boundaries. In math, they explored the geometry of boxing design, experimenting in Tinkercad to apply engineering principles and connect mathematical concepts to real-world design challenges.
Sixth graders applied their learning in language arts, bringing figurative language to life through a Poetry Slam that celebrated creativity and courage. Students read their original poems aloud to classmates in a joyful, coffeehouse-style setting (complete with hot cocoa!), showcasing not only their writing but also their confidence and voice. I was so impressed by how they lived out our values, sharing their creativity and cheering for one another. In 5th grade, playful exploration meets rigorous thinking: students authored their own “Book of Figurative Funnies,” a witty compilation of wordplay inspired by “The Book with No Pictures,” while in science, they studied adaptations and camouflage through research and design challenges that transformed curiosity into authentic scientific discovery.
Of course, the learning that defines middle school extends far beyond the classroom. A few weeks ago, we came together for our first annual(!) Middle School Founders Eve celebration, a joyful evening honoring our fall athletes. As students cheered for one another, it was clear that the same qualities that drive academic success – perseverance, community, collaboration, and curiosity – also power our pursuits on the fields and the courts. Our 7th and 8th graders are eagerly anticipating their upcoming class trips to Washington, D.C., and Chicago, from October 21 through October 24. Meanwhile, on October 22, the 6th graders will take the Wonderbus to Prairie Oaks Metropark for a kayaking and outdoor education field trip. These experiences remind us that experiential learning is a hallmark of a Wellington education: we cultivate curiosity not only through study, but through doing, exploring, and discovering the world beyond our walls.
We know that feedback, partnership, and reflection elevate all the learning described above. In that spirit, we’re looking forward to seeing you tomorrow and Friday for conferences. Trimester 1 interim Willing Learner Metric (WLM) ratings were posted on Monday, ahead of conferences so that you and your child can reflect together and follow up with your advisor. During conferences, advisors will also share students’ self-reflections, completed in advisory last week, including their own WLM self-ratings and goals for growth. This metacognitive work is central to helping students understand how they learn and to take greater ownership of their progress. I’m continually proud of the way our teachers center students in the learning process, fostering ownership, autonomy, and the independence that defines this exciting stage of growth.
A few dates and reminders to keep in mind for the weeks ahead:
- 7th & 8th Grade Parent Coffees – Join us in the Doerschlag Den for upcoming grade-level parent coffees: 7th grade on Wednesday, October 15, and 8th grade on Thursday, October 16, both from 8:30–9:30 a.m. We’ll share trip details, grade-level highlights, and ways to partner in supporting our middle schoolers’ growth and independence so they can thrive at school.
- Late start on November 4 – We will have a late start on Tuesday, November 4, for Election Day. School will begin at 10 a.m.
- Save the Date: First-Ever Learning Showcase on November 11 – Wellington is excited to introduce Learning Showcases, open-house style evenings where students from Little Jags through grade 12 step into the role of expert and share their learning with families, peers, and community guests. Designed to highlight student voice and ownership of learning, these events invite our community to see curiosity, creativity, and challenge in action. Even if your child is not presenting on November 11, it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Wellington’s academic program, cheer on classmates, and enjoy a fun scavenger hunt. Middle school students who attend will earn house points! Please save the date for our first showcase on Tuesday, November 11, from 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Thank you for your continued partnership and for helping us nurture a community where curiosity, challenge, and belonging thrive together.
With pride and joy,
Louis