Little Jags–Farm Animals
Every community needs resources–food, clean water, shelter–to survive. Little Jags in Charity Rose and Eryn Gass’s class learned that communities rely on access to food, which farmers across the country and world provide. After spending time learning about farms, they asked big questions like “what grows on farms?” and “what animals live on farms?”
Excitement built the last week of October, as eager Little Jags awaited a special visit from new friends–chickens, ducks, a turkey, rabbits, pigs, sheep, and goats. Farmers Chris and Calysta from Bring the Farm to You taught students about our food systems using chickens. The animals that support our agricultural industry became real as students enjoyed petting the bristly hair of Petunia the pig and heard the loud gobbles of Royal the turkey.
Passionate about our relationship to the environment, environmental educator Calysta Santacroce enjoys sharing farm animals with children because of the joy it sparks on their faces when they encounter animals. But there’s a deeper meaning for her, “I believe our food system is a great way for us to help the environment. Eating farm-to-table, simply being more connected to your food, growing your own food, it’s healthier for the planet and for you.”
Having fun, with some moments of apprehension when animals bellowed, Little Jags recognized how farms support our community’s health and well-being.
Kindergarten–Friendship Stones
Tori Hossenlopp’s kindergarten class spent a week this fall learning the importance of friendship and how to be a good friend. After reading “Stick and Stone,” a tale of two unlikely friends coming to one another’s aid, students grasped a key lesson: friends stick together no matter what, proving best friends rock.
A generous Wellington parent donated extra stones from the staff appreciation sidewalk project, which the students used to design and create colorful friendship stones. Once complete, the class held a friendship ceremony where they exchanged stones and thanked one another for being good friends. Students took home their stones as a reminder of their classroom family and the love they share for one another.
Hossenlopp focuses on friendship each year, helping students grow socially and emotionally, “My number one priority is to establish strong relationships with my students and to provide an environment that feels like home,” Hossenlopp said. “Activities like this one help to strengthen our family and offer opportunities for social-emotional growth.” When students feel safe in their environment, they are free to explore their social and emotional needs.
Practicing acts of kindness and friendship caused compassion and love to echo throughout the classroom. “It was amazing to watch the students work so hard on their stones and give them to their friends without any expectation, or desire, for a return. Each student gave their stone away knowing it would bring their friend joy.”
3rd Grade–Saving Fred
When members of communities have confidence that they can rely on one another, they can achieve their best.
Sharon Sheridan’s 3rd grade class learned this crucial lesson when completing “Saving Fred,” a cooperative activity that asks students to save the hapless gummy worm, Fred, who capsized his boat and lost his life preserver.
Using paperclips, students must return Fred to his boat, right side up, with his life preserver on, without hurting him or dropping him in the lake. Students communicated quickly and efficiently to save Fred. Combining their knowledge to tackle Fred’s rescue allowed the class to save many Freds.
Teamwork skills are critical for success–no one can do everything alone. Sheridan helped students practice effective communication, cooperation, active listening, and awareness to collaboratively solve a problem, skills Wellington students will utilize for the rest of their lives.
Middle School–Rainy Day Fun
Being part of a community means supporting one another during difficult times, but also celebrating the good and enjoying time with one another. When they couldn’t go outside due to rain, middle school students danced and laughed together indoors.
A serpentine conga line slithered through the Alumni and Jags Commons before students quickly shifted to an energetic rendition of the Macarena. Students tackled teamwork when tasked with building a tall, freestanding structure, while others played indoor volleyball and basketball.
Our students know how to make the best out of a rainy day!
Upper School–Robotics with Senior Buddies
A caring community helps everyone succeed. Senior buddies are an integral part of the Wellington tradition, bringing together older and younger students.
Senior buddies assisted a second-grade STEAM class during their first time building Lego WeDo 2.0 robot kits. With seniors’ help, 2nd graders built their robots successfully, following directions provided to them. Seniors helped with syncing the robots to iPads and explaining functions.
Tech integration specialist Deb Parkes P ’26 finds this activity mutually beneficial, “This sense of community, working together to achieve a goal, is so much fun for all involved and gave all the participants a chance to see what the others can do.”
While senior buddies were impressed with 2nd graders' efforts, as a community, we are impressed with everyone’s.
Wellington’s sense of community facilitates opportunities for our students to be curious, empathetic, responsible, ambitious, and authentic together. We have been continually reminded this fall that our community shines when we work, play, and celebrate as one.