Dear Wellington Community,

Welcome back from winter break! Whether you rested, adventured, and/or spent cherished time with loved ones, I hope the recess was everything you and your family were hoping for!

In my family, we paused and played– a fitting combo after our whirlwind year of moving homes and entering a new school. We enjoyed lazy days in our PJs, hosted family, then drove east to visit friends (yes, we drove … we’re becoming true Ohioans!)
 

We spent several days in New York City. Any guesses where we are in this photo? (Hint to our second graders: Think of your study of significant American landmarks this past fall!)
 

Thanks to Monday’s snow day and Tuesday’s late start, Wellington’s first week back had a gentle on-ramp. I’m grateful for everyone’s flexibility. Click here for some playful snow day humor via my exchange with Student Body President Isaac Brady '25. Even I, a fierce advocate for being in school whenever possible, was rooting for a snow day by the time I finished reading his letter.

Snow or not, our students and faculty have begun the second half of the year with their signature gusto. The next ten weeks before spring break–the heart of the school year–will be busy and vibrant, as we continue to prioritize joy, learning, and connection. It is great to be back at school!

In the weeks ahead, you can expect re-enrollment contracts for the 2025–26 school year, updates on hiring appointments for next year, and information about efforts to make parent sign-in and the carline more efficient. You’ll also hear about our work on exciting projects like the construction of the athletic training room and middle school locker rooms (demolition was completed over break!). Most importantly, you will have already begun to receive information about planning for your student’s experience next school year, whether that’s transitional coffees in the Lower School and Middle School or, in the coming weeks, course selection and schedule information for Upper School.

As part of my ongoing learning tour, I’ve prioritized meeting individually with every staff member and as many as I can students, parents, alumni, founders, current and former Trustees, and extended community members. I’ve also read every response that came in on the learning survey I sent to you this fall – if you didn’t fill it out, you still can here. I look forward to sharing my takeaways from these conversations and updates about the school’s emerging strategic planning process during the State of the School address at All Things Wellington in just over a month.
 

You are invited to an evening celebrating Wellington’s community and vision for the future on Thursday, February 20, at 6:30 p.m. This event is open to parents, caregivers, faculty, staff, and members of the Board of Trustees. We look forward to seeing you there. Reserve your seat.
 

The more I learn about Wellington, the more I see that connection truly lies at the heart of everything we do—joyful, caring, supportive, ambitious, and inclusive connection. For connection to flourish, we as adults must take care of ourselves, so we are ready and able to assure our children we are on their team. Our children need to know we are always on their team—that we care for them, will look out for them, and that we will challenge them to reach their potential. I’ve encouraged our faculty and staff to prioritize their health and well-being as we return to school, and I encourage you to do the same. Let’s keep an eye out for one another and for our students, ensuring that our community remains a source of strength, support, and inspiration. It is a privilege to serve on our students’ dedicated team with all of you!

Thank you for all that you do for Wellington, and... Go, Jags!

Warmly,
 

Eliza McLaren
Head of School