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Dear Parents and Caregivers, As we settle into the rhythm of the school year, I want to acknowledge something important: school is meant to be challenging, and I believe our students are ready to rise to that challenge. This is the time of year when the excitement of the start begins to fade, and the real work begins. Let’s encourage your children to embrace this moment, to be fully involved, and to make a difference in their own way — in the classroom, on the stage, on the field, and during advisory. The academic load is starting to feel heavier, and that’s intentional. Challenges help students develop problem-solving, critical thinking, analytic reasoning, and creative thinking skills. With high challenge comes high support. The adults in the upper school are here for your student(s) and family. Students can seek help from teachers during office hours, advice from mentors, and support from our school counselor, Mrs. Zimmer. Comments from teachers are a road map to guide them through the rest of the trimester and beyond, helping them reflect on where they are and where they want to go. Faculty support challenge and growth by offering individualized and specific feedback. I encourage you to continue talking with your child about the habits that support their success and how they can reflect on their progress. It's important to remind them that their efforts matter — not just for achievements but for who they are as individuals. That exact point is something we just discussed in our recent Well Life Series Book Club, where we discussed Jennifer Breheny Wallace’s “Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-and What We Can Do About It.” Breheny Wallace shares, and I agree, the importance of helping our children feel that they matter. Feeling valued by their family, school, and community is fundamental to their well-being and motivation. One of the most powerful ways for students to feel that they matter is by making meaningful contributions — whether it's doing their homework well, being proud to struggle with challenging material, or learning through the struggle. When students feel that their efforts and contributions matter, they become more resilient, more engaged, and better able to handle the challenges that school presents. Let’s help our kids lean into the challenge, embrace growth, and recognize the incredible stories they are already writing every day. Experience Wellington - November 17 Best, Rishi Rishikesh Raghunathan P ’27 ’30 Upcoming Dates
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Upper School October News
