Dear Middle School Families,
The countdown is on…we’re only one week out from the official start of the 2024-25 school year! Teachers have returned to campus this week, and the joy, positive energy, and enthusiasm are infectious as we gear up for students and families to return! The festivities begin with our Welcome (Back) to Wellington events on Sunday, August 18. Find more details here.
This message contains names, dates, and reminders to ensure a smooth start to the year. I also encourage you to check out our Back to School Resources page for additional information, and you’re always welcome to reach out to me or your child’s advisor with any questions you may have.
New Staffulty
Emma Carson will teach middle and upper school strings and serve as a 5th grade advisor. Originally from Lakewood, OH, Emma graduated summa cum laude from Case Western Reserve University with degrees in music education and psychology. A violinist, she enjoys playing classical chamber and orchestral music, pop, and rock. She has extensive experience teaching, conducting, and directing orchestral ensembles for students from kindergarten through college. In her free time, Emma loves skiing and attending orchestra concerts. Emma is excited to join the Wellington community and can’t wait to explore the city of Columbus!
Nicole Ford is our new middle school counselor. Nicole holds an M.A. in school counseling from The Ohio State University and an M.Ed. in secondary science education from Arizona State University. She comes to Wellington with more than 12 years of experience working with K-12 students in a variety of settings, including teaching middle school science for seven years. She co-founded and serves on the board of a local nonprofit organization and volunteers as a mentor with a local youth mentoring program.
Christie Johnson is making the long commute around the corner and up the stairs from lower school to middle school this year (and all her books are coming with her!). Christie will teach 5th and 6th grade ELA and serve as a 6th grade advisor. This will be Christie’s 25th year in education, and she spent the past eight years teaching literacy in Wellington’s lower school. Christie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in classroom instruction, curriculum design, and empowering students to find their love of reading. Outside of school, Christie is passionate about supporting the foster care community and is the manager of Alicia’s Closet free store. Her other interests include hiking, kayaking, visiting national parks, and collecting Polish pottery.
Please say bienvenue and bonjour to Kyle Mercuri, who joins us to teach 5th, 7th, and 8th grade French. A fluent speaker of English, French, and German, Kyle earned his master’s degree in French language and literature from the University of Cincinnati. After graduation, he taught English at the Université de Bordeaux-Montaigne in Pessac, France. He comes to Wellington from the Miami Valley School in Dayton, where he taught middle and upper school French and contributed to the school’s drama program.
We are delighted to welcome back Mason Roulston this year after his stint filling in for Berc Backhurst last spring. Mason earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in middle childhood education from The Ohio State University, and he taught middle school ELA for 12 years prior to Wellington. This year, Mason will teach 6th grade social studies and serve as our middle school writing support specialist. In this role, Mason will direct our new Middle School Writing Lab, focused on supporting students’ writing abilities and inspiring their creativity. Outside of teaching, Mason is pursuing an MFA in creative writing and working on a novel. I guess you could say he’s the write person for the job (sorry).
Weeklies
One of the best ways to stay connected to your child’s educational experience is to read the weekly grade-level newsletters that arrive by email each Friday afternoon. Newsletters contain important dates and academic updates, as well as school announcements. These newsletters will keep you informed about all things middle school and will provide conversation starters that you can use at home.
Immunization Requirements
Returning families of 7th grade students: please submit an Immunization Updates Form.
New families: please submit your Medical Information Form.
Important Dates
August 14 - Advisors will be in contact to schedule in-take conferences
August 16 - Student schedules post in Veracross
August 16 - Deadline to complete School Policy Forms in Veracross
August 18 - Welcome (Back) to Wellington
- 2-3 p.m. - New families can meet Head of School Eliza McLaren and me in Gard Gym before heading to classrooms
- 3-4 p.m. - Returning families are welcome to visit classrooms and move into lockers
August 19 - Parent/advisor in-take conferences
August 20 - 5th Grade & New Student Orientation
- 9-11 a.m. - All 5th grade and new students in grades 5-8 are encouraged to meet with their advisors in the Middle School Commons
August 21 - First day of school!
September 12 - Middle School Parent and Caregiver Night
- 6-8 p.m. - Explore the middle school experience and meet your child’s teachers
I hope you’re as excited and ready as I am to begin the 2024-25 school year. If there is anything I can do to help your family as you prepare for the first day of school on August 21, please reach out. I’m here to support and partner with you however I can!
See you soon,
Louis