We have specific needs at each major WPA-sponsored event. Click on the Signupgenius link below to view specific dates, times, and volunteer positions. Maybe you're not available to help on a regular WPA committee, but you can help for a one-time event. Whether you have 15 minutes and 1 hour, we need YOU!

Wellington Students Grades 9-12 may participate as volunteers where indicated. Contact wpa@wellington.org for confirmation of service hours.

Friday, September 19 is Founders Day - 5-9 p.m.

Bring the whole family to enjoy the fun with special activities offered from 5-7 p.m. Enjoy inflatables, food trucks, soccer games, and more! Visit the website page linked below to learn more and purchase a wristband for your child.

Join us for ¡Hola! Movie Night on Friday, September 26 at 6 p.m. Adult supervision required.

This is a FREE family-friendly event watching The Emperor's New Groove, a rated G film where Emperor Kuzco is transformed into a llama by his power-hungry advisor. Stranded in the jungle, Kuzco's only chance to get back home and reclaim the high life rests with a good-hearted peasant named Pacha.

Saturday, October 4 from 6-10 p.m. The Bob Crane Community Center

Please join us for an evening of community and celebration! DJ, Dancing, dinner, drinks,  and performances will be shared. Flyers will be up with QR codes this Friday!  Come support AAPI and get your tickets today! 

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/heritage, and purchase your $10 tickets now to skip the line at the door!

There are many opportunities to get involved. Learn more at the link below.

Early Childhood - Friday, November 14

Lower School - Friday, November 21

Middle School - Friday, December 12

Your feedback was clear, many families are interested in bringing back a much-loved tradition in a new format. This parent/child party is a chance to dress up and enjoy fun activities together.

Plan to join us Saturday, January 31 from 3-5 pm in the Thomas Family Dining Room. This will be a ticketed event available through presale only.

Our event co-chairs will be sharing more information soon! Contact Mary Sedarous or Larissa Catapano with questions!

Save the date for our annual Athletic Boosters Piada Spaghetti Dinner and Online Auction on Friday, February 6. 

Grab some dinner, support Wellington athletics by bidding in the online auction, and cheer on our basketball Jags!

Join the Muslim Parent Affinity Group to learn more about the Ramadan season from students and gather together with amazing food. An early March date is coming soon!

ReWilding Wellington is entering our 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 students planted last spring beside our new walking path. The plantings will attract bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife students will study and enjoy.

Saturday, September 13 - RSVP Here!

Sunday, October 5 - RSVP Here!

Our parent affinity groups are working with The Village Network to sponsor several families in need for this holiday season. Stay tuned for a sign-up form to collect gifts and a date for a wrap party.

Welcome to the WPA!

As a parent or guardian of a Wellington student, you are automatically a member of the Wellington Parents Association!

Getting involved and volunteering your time at school events throughout the year is a great way to use your skills, meet new people, build lasting friendships, and support our children. Parent volunteers are always needed and most welcome. The WPA's goal is to support, promote, and strengthen the school community. Wellington has a wonderfully diverse community, and both values and celebrates individual voices.

We hope you will join us in our effort to support the school and the entire Wellington community. We still don’t know exactly what this year will look like, but we will keep you up to date on all events and activities. Please keep an eye out for WPA emails and join us for our monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of each month.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Varsey Laurelle P '32 '37, WPA President

John Dickson P '32 '35, WPA President Elect

25-26 Executive Committee

President:                                                                     Varsey Laurelle

President Elect:                                                             John Dickson

Vice President of Events:                                             DeAnna Raffel

Treasurer:                                                                    Tracy Godfrey

Secretary:                                                                    Cindy Cathcart

Standing Committees

Parent Connector Coordinator:                                    Janet Swarthout

Room Parent Coordinator:                                           Sara Schroter

Parent Affinity Groups:

     Parents Raising Black Students (MOSAIC):           Emlah Tubuo / Wendy & Letha Pugh

     LGBTQIA+ Families:                                              Lance Demaline Blair / Larissa Kopestonsky

     Muslim Parents:                                                      Heba BenOmran / Hadele Banna

     AAPI Parents:                                                         Kerry & Krupal Gor

     Jewish Parents:                                                      Amy Grace Ulman / Joanne Strasser

     ¡HOLA! Hispanic Origin Latin American Parents:    Arlette Garay / Francesca Carpino

     Neurodiversity Parent Affinity:                                Hillary Bates / Amelia Menk Brown

     Single Parents:                                                       Asisa Chiles

Other Committees:

New Family Liaison(s):                                                Ryan VanNortwick

Athletic Booster(s):                                                      Rebekah Monroe

Pre-Loved Apparel Coordinator(s):                              Tracy Godfrey

Visual and Performing Arts Advocates (VAPA):           Rose Babington / TBD

Abbott Family Learning Center Coordinator(s):           To Be Determined

Lunch Bunch Coordinator(s):                                       Susan Littleton

Lost & Found Coordinator(s):                                      Amanda Roberts

Digital Citizenship Task Force Coordinator(s):            Kerry Gor 

Middle School House Parent Coordinator:                  Heather Pedigo

Staffulty Appreciation Coordinator(s):                          Sunny Munn & Kathleen Battle

Staffulty Appreciation Gift Wrap Coordinator:              Jenny Logan

Founders Day Chair(s):                                                DeAnna Raffel

Heritage Festival Chair(s):                                           Emlah Tubuo

Leadership Lab Coordinators:                                  Jennifer & Jason Miller

Parent/Child Party Chair(s):                                       To Be Determined

Other Contacts

WPA Staff Liaison:                                                       Melanie Eggleton

Annual Fund Coordinator(s):                                      Gretchen Roginson / Rachel Yantis

Sokol Store Manager(s):                                             Lauren Roberts / Jenny Logan

25-26 Parent Connectors

Little Jags:                                                                 Christine Saltsman

Prekindergarten:                                                       Kim Mermis 

Kindergarten:                                                            Jingjing Schneider

First Grade :                                                              Susan Littleton / Christine Saltsman

Second Grade:                                                          Amanda Fetters

Third Grade:                                                               Wendy Kirkland

Fourth Grade:                                                            Amber Merl

Fifth Grade:                                                               Sarah Milo / Gerrie Brand

Sixth Grade:                                                              Susan Littleton / Kim Mermis

Seventh Grade:                                                        Sweta Patel

Eighth Grade:                                                           Quinn and Leah Porner

Ninth Grade:                                                             Jodi Kushins

Tenth Grade:                                                             Janet Swarthout

Eleventh Grade:                                                        Defne Kocak

Twelfth Grade:                                                         Jackie Cios / TBD

Login to Veracross at the link below to view:

• Meeting Agendas
• Monthly Financials
• Meeting Minutes
• Important Forms

When you become a Wellington parent or caregiver, you automatically become a member of the Wellington Parent Association. All WPA meetings are open to the entire parent community and we welcome you to attend to listen in and engage on the important issues we discuss. Join us in person in Room C111 (Innovation Space) on the dates listed below. If you'd like to join remotely, please login to the parent portal at www.wellington.org/login, and go to your portal calendar for the Microsoft Teams meeting link. Please use your full name while connecting so we can verify you are a current Wellington parent.

Meeting minutes are shared on the WPA Veracross portal homepage, through our Microsoft Teams channel, or by emailing wpa@wellington.org.

The Wellington Parent Association supports its members in a variety of ways. The following affinity groups have been formed by WPA members, and Wellington parents are encouraged to get involved. A description and contact information for each group is included below. 

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Parents Raising Black Students Affinity Group (MOSAIC)

Opt-in to MOSAIC communications now!

Contact: Emlah Tubuo / Wendy Miller Pugh / Letha Pugh

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LGBTQIA+ Families Affinity Group

Opt-in to LGBTQIA+ communications now!

Contact: Lance Demaline Blair / Larissa Kopestonsky

The Wellington School’s LGBTQIA+ affinity group is for parents, caregivers, and allies who strive to build community in order to support one another and our children through their unique experiences at The Wellington School.

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Muslim Parents Affinity Group

Opt-in to Muslim Parent communications now!

Contact: Heba BenOmran / Hadele Banna

The Muslim Parents Affinity Group was the first affinity group established at Wellington. Formed in 2019, it has grown into a welcoming space for Muslim families to connect, support one another, and share traditions with the broader community. Our largest event, the annual Ramadan Iftar, is open to all Wellington families and serves as a joyful celebration of culture, community, and connection. 

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AAPI Affinity Group

Opt-in to AAPI communications now!

Contact: Kerry Gor / Krupal Gor

The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Affinity Group at The Wellington School is a parent-led community that supports and celebrates AAPI students, families, and cultures. The group provides a space for connection, cultural exchange, and shared experiences, while fostering a sense of belonging within the school community. Through events, discussions, and collaboration, the AAPI Affinity Group helps raise awareness, strengthen inclusivity, and highlight the diverse traditions and contributions of AAPI families at Wellington. We have two main events during the year our Diwali program and Holi Festival. 

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¡HOLA! Hispanic Origin Latin American Parent Affinity Group

Opt-In to Hispanic Group communications now!

Contact: Arlette Garay / Francesca Carpino

HOLA is dedicated to fostering a love of languages and pride in speaking more than one—no matter the origin. We encourage families to celebrate their multicultural gifts and create a welcoming space for parents raising Spanish-speaking or otherwise multilingual children. Our group serves as a hub for connection and support, partnering with the Wellington community and the school as a whole. Join us and share the joy of multicultural origin!

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Neurodiversity Parent Affinity Group

Opt-In to Neurodiversity communications now!

Contact: Hillary Bates / Amelia Menk Brown

We are a group that welcomes all parents and caregivers interested in exploring and celebrating a diversity of learning and processing styles such as ADHD, dyslexia, autism and others. We also work to build resources to create a supportive environment for those experiencing conditions that can challenge neurodivergent individuals in our culture, such as OCD, anxiety, sensory needs, procrastination, time blindness, etc. . .

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Jewish Parent Affinity Group

Opt-In to Jewish Affinity Group communications now!

Contact: Amy Grace Ulman / Joanne Strasser

A space for Jewish families to connect, celebrate, and share our heritage. Together, we build community through meaningful conversations, cultural traditions, and shared experiences. Guided by the principle of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world—we seek to strengthen bonds within our school and beyond. An annual Shabbat Dinner is our signature event to which all Wellington families are invited.

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Single Parent Affinity Group

Opt-In to Single Parent Affinity Group communications now!

Contact: Asisa Chiles / Larissa Catapano

This group is a welcoming community for single parents and co-parents to connect, share, and support one another through the unique ups and downs of parenting. We’ll plan fun family activities where kids can play and make friends, along with parent-only gatherings that give us space to relax, recharge, and swap stories with people who truly understand. Whether you’re looking for encouragement, laughter, or simply a reminder that you’re not in this alone, this is a space to build friendships, find support, and enjoy the journey of parenting—together.

Wellington is a community that encourages connections and engagement for everyone! Wellington has a vital need for parent volunteers. Whether you have 15 minutes or 15 hours to volunteer - there is a place Wellington can benefit from your talents and interests! Indicate your interest to help, and a WPA facilitator will reach out to learn more about your areas of interest and share immediate ways to get involved.

In February 2025, many WPA members participated in an amazing workshop experience led by Wellington parents Jennifer and Jason Miller P '26. Together, we walked through a changemaking process using the Theory U framework from MIT and formulating a shared vision for our work together.

As leaders in the school, this was a rare chance for this group of caring parents and caregivers to come together for deep listening, connection, and collaboration around our common purpose - our Wellington community and ensuring all thrive in it!

Some topics that rose out of this workshop include:
 

• Wellbeing and Belonging
• Transparency in Finances
• Collaboration Between Divisions
• Collaboration Between Leadership & Parents
   

We are excited to share that the next chapter of WPA Leadership Lab will continue in a committee format in the 2025-2026 school year. The group will act as incubator of innovation at Wellington, completing the Theory U framework, and determining the direction of this group to lead change.

Our 25-26 Leadership Lab participants will meet for their first meeting on Monday, October 6, from 9-11 a.m. in the Middle School Commons at Wellington. 

Learn more about our facilitators here! Contact Jason or Jennifer Miller with questions about Leadership Lab.

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).

The first notification about Lunch Bunch was sent to your email on September 22. View the link below for more information and the release dates for additional sign up opportunities.

This parent group discusses shared experiences around digital responsibility, providing supports to encourage members in personal digital responsibility, and providing resources for you as you parent your own “digital citizens” in your home. While the school has many supports in place from an academic and social-emotional learning perspective for your students, we recognized that the parent/school partnership is key.

Check out our Digital Well-Being Resources Page for more information. Use your Veracross login at the link below.

Supporting Wellington has never been easier! Register your Kroger Loyalty or Giant Eagle Advantage card, then shop and scan.  It’s that easy! Registration is simple and detailed below.  Once you’re enrolled, there is no need to re-enroll annually, Wellington will continue to benefit year after year! 

Giant Eagle

1. Visit  www.gianteagle.com/AFTS
2. Sign in or create an account with your Giant Eagle Advantage card
3. Visit the My Schools Programs page (live link will be #3 under “It’s Easier to Register”)
4. From the Dashboard, “Manage Schools” under the “Apples for the students” box
5. Enter school code 4687 and click Add to confirm Wellington

Kroger

1. Visit Kroger.com and sign in or create an account
2. On the top right of the screen, select “My Account” under your name or Valued Customer
3. On the left, select “Community Rewards”
4. Enter AH318 to select and confirm Wellington School

Shop the Sokol Store in person during regular hours (Monday-Friday 8-8:25 a.m. and 3-4 p.m.) or special events. Special hours for the back-to-school events include Friday, August 15 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and Monday, August 18 from 3:30-6 p.m.

Students in Little Jags through grade 4 must be accompanied by an adult. Middle school students may not access the store from 8:25 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 

Not available to shop in person? Shop online! Orders will be processed every Monday and available for pick up in the rotunda during school hours. New orders will be available beginning at 3 p.m. each Monday.

The Wellington Parents Association accepts donations of gently used dress code items to make available monthly for a discounted price during our pre-loved apparel sales. Drop off donations during any regular school hours at the donation bin in the rotunda. All proceeds support the activities of the Wellington Parents Association.

Important Change: The pre-loved apparel room is shifting to a mobile format that is accessible in the Jag Commons on the following sale dates. The items will be kept in storage between sales and will no longer be available for self-serve during regular school hours.

Questions & Volunteer Opportunities: Contact Tracy Godfrey at tracy@tronandtracy.com. 

SALE DATES IN JAG COMMONS

• Monday, August 18 - 4:20-5:45 p.m.
• Friday, September 5 - 7:30-8:30 a.m.
• Friday, October 3 - 7:30-8:30 a.m.
• Friday, November 7 - 7:30-8:30 a.m.
• Friday, December 5 - 7:30-8:30 a.m. (includes ski apparel)
• Friday, January 9 - 7:30-8:30 a.m. (includes ski apparel)
• Friday, February 6 - 7:30-8:30 a.m.
• Friday, March 6 - 7:30-8:30 a.m.
• Friday, April 10 - 7:30-8:30 a.m.