Create a welcoming, diverse school community in which learners are: Inspired to strive for excellence and contribute positively to their communities. Challenged to explore big ideas independently and collaboratively. Empowered to pursue their goals with confidence, persistence, and integrity.
"We were lucky enough to grow up in an environment where there was always much encouragement to children to pursue intellectual interests; to investigate whatever aroused curiosity."
-Orville Wright
As pioneering aviators, Orville Wright and his brother Wilbur modeled how to set aspirational goals, experiment with ideas, and succeed in conquering challenges.
In 2023-2024, following their lead, Wellan embraced the "Take Flight" theme. This issue of the Year in Review highlights many ways Wellan students and faculty “soared” during the past year.
Browsing through Seasons at Wellan and Off to College!, you’ll re-experience the warmth of our school community and take pride in the academic achievements of our 8th grade graduates. And don’t skip the chance to peruse Staff Professional and Personal Developments, Annual Reports, and Alumni News. These annual updates help round out the picture of a year at Wellan.
Achieving re-accreditation by the American Montessori Society and the Association for Independent Schools of New England represented a major milestone in the school’s history. The yearlong process allowed us to reflect on past accomplishments. Check out the Strategic Priorities section to learn more about recently completed projects.
The re-accreditation process also inspired us to set our sights on ascending to even greater heights in the years to come. Making the main school building accessible has long been a goal for the school. Built in 1922, the facility requires going up and down multiple sets of stairs to enter and navigate your way around. To address this, we have embarked on Wellan's most ambitious building project to date. Be sure to take a look at the pages featuring the Wellan Accessibility and Expansion Project
Thank you for joining us on Flight 2023-2024, another unforgettable journey full of joyful learning.
Sincerely,
Beth Black Head of School
Nationally, teacher burnout is at a reported all-time high. At Wellan, the administrative team is committed to helping our Montessori faculty feel energized, supported, and connected to the school community. One tactic involves designing a special experience for “Prep Week,” the week before school starts during which teachers prepare their classrooms and lesson plans.
“Mandatory fun” gets a bad rap, but we’ve found that clever use of a theme that connects to the school’s strategic priorities can create a positive start to the school year. Opportunities for humor and shared professional development experiences boost workplace satisfaction. This positive energy, in turn, influences the overall “vibe” students perceive when at school.
Our theme for 2023-2024 was TAKE FLIGHT.
After several years of being grounded by COVID and a year of working on self-study documents as a runway to reach re-accreditation status, we were poised for take-off with renewed joy and clarity about our destination as an educational institution. To kick off the year, the administrative team welcomed teachers and staff with airline-themed team-building activities. Our back-to-school video for families featured our Owl mascot soaring through the streets of Boston—from the North End to Harvard, past Boston Public Library and Fenway Park—to get to Wellan for the first day of school!
Wellan students “fly at their own pace.”
Long, uninterrupted work periods during the day allow for deep learning. A school year punctuated by special events and traditions builds community. Take a look at highlights from 2023-2024.
Fall at Wellan began with the anticipation and excitement of the first day of school. The fun continued at the annual Fall Festival at Kimball Farms, where families enjoyed carnival games and delicious food. As the leaves changed colors, we welcomed the spooky month of October with our Halloween Costume Parade, filling the halls with ghosts and superheroes. The Family Cardboard Design Challenge brought out the community’s creativity. November saw the Wellan community come together to give thanks and celebrate our loved ones during Primary Grandparents Day. Our annual food drive brought out the generous spirit of our families as we collected donations for those in need.
Winter at Wellan brought a flurry of events and activities that made the season memorable. December kicked off with Students as Teachers Day, at which students proudly demonstrated their classroom accomplishments to their parents. January and February were filled with music thanks to the Winter Recital and Winter Musical Showcase. We celebrated Wellan friendships on Valentine’s Day with lots of smiles. We rang in the Lunar New Year with festive decorations and mouth-watering cuisine. In March, we commemorated the 100th day of school.
Springtime at Wellan brought with it an energy and vibrancy that permeated every aspect of school life. The season kicked off with the highly anticipated Spirit Week in March, a joyous celebration of school pride and camaraderie. In April, students gathered to witness the awe-inspiring eclipse. In May, 3rd graders hosted their annual pop-up cafe event, planning, cooking, and serving a menu inspired by global cuisines. An enthralling performance of Myths at the Edge of the World by the talented 6th - 8th graders captivated audiences. Spring sports teams offered opportunities for families to watch students compete against area schools.
Summer at Wellan was filled with magical moments! Older students explored historical and fun locations in Greater Boston on daily field trips. On campus, inflatable pools and slip-and-slides transformed the grounds into an oasis for waterplay for young students, while older students went for refreshing swim breaks at Crystal Lake to escape the summer heat.
Each day held new surprises, including special visits that left lasting impressions. Wingmasters introduced students to fascinating birds, Magician Matt Roberts captivated us with his enchanting magic show, and the Discovery Museum Acton's bubble workshop enveloped everyone in a mesmerizing world of wonder.
Wellan students set goals and follow individual work plans.
Similarly, school leaders and trustees use a strategic framework for planning, decision-making, and assessing progress.Check out some of Wellan’s recent accomplishments.
Wellan has always tracked student success using standardized test scores, but our sample sizes have historically been small. Increased enrollment in recent years has made testing data more useful as an indicator of educational excellence. This past year, ERB scores showed that Wellan’s Upper Elementary students consistently outperformed their same-grade peers from other independent schools across all content areas! Wellan 8th-grade students who took the SSAT in the fall of 2023 as a part of their high school application process scored in the 90th percentile or higher overall on the exam. All who applied to independent high schools received multiple acceptances. Additionally, we received feedback from multiple high schools that these students' essays were among the best in their applicant pools!
Learning to care for others and the broader community is an integral part of Wellan’s mission. While all of our students participate in various community service initiatives during their school day, we have integrated community service even more robustly into the student and family experience with a new volunteer service requirement for students in grades 1-8. To fulfill this requirement, students and their families were invited to participate in one or more of the three community service events sponsored by the Parent Association or to find opportunities connected to their interests and family values. PA opportunities included making fleece hats and assembling care packages for Horizons for Homeless Children; making items designed to spread warmth and comfort in collaboration with the City of Newton, the Harmony Foundation, and Service Stars during the 56th Annual Community Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We also took action on NewtonSERVES Day by doing a clean-up of nearby Weeks Field.
“Tech for Good” is the new mantra for part of Wellan’s technology curriculum. Upper Elementary Year 6 students now embrace using high-tech tools to address real-world challenges. Integrating service-learning with technology, students apply design thinking, coding, and 3D printing to address teachers' needs for new and replacement classroom materials. Teachers and students collaborate on designing, prototyping, and fabricating useful 3D objects. Students utilize advanced technology like 3D printers and laser cutters, using recycled PLA filament for prototypes and specific colors for final projects. The projects span various subjects, including geography, solar system models, and pre-Braille skills. Students also extend their efforts beyond the school, collaborating with the Perkins School for the Blind.
Reviewing curricular lessons and resources using a DEIB lens has been and will continue to be an ongoing effort at Wellan. This past year, special emphasis was placed on the Primary Year 3 (Kindergarten) curriculum. On a weekly basis, PY3 students meet to attend four different workshops designed to prepare them for Lower Elementary: Writer’s Workshop; Math Club; Science Lab; and Health Safety, Wellness, Community (HSWC). The HSWC workshop is particularly well suited for introducing new and diverse ideas to students, as it presents an opportunity for children to think deeply about what it means to be well and to do well for oneself and for others. We reflect and share ideas for how we can make our communities safe, healthy, and welcoming to all.
Students explored the beauty and significance of Black hairstyles and discussed the importance of respecting personal boundaries. They learned about styles such as Box Braids and Two-Strand Twists, as well as the importance of the Crown Act in protecting against hair discrimination. In another workshop, students learned about hearing loss. Through interactive, hands-on activities, they gained a newfound appreciation for d/Deaf culture and the challenges of lip reading. They practiced essential communication strategies, such as the basics of ASL. In a workshop focused on accessibility, a parent volunteer who uses a wheelchair joined us to teach students about the importance of inclusive infrastructure. Children were invited to experience the world from her perspective by sitting in a wheelchair and pushing themselves around. They also learned practical ways to offer respectful assistance to anyone using a mobility device.
Wellan employs almost 100 people and we are committed to setting each individual up for job success and career growth. However, the demands of a fast-paced school year made it difficult for Wellan supervisors to find the time to identify professional development opportunities that would meet the needs of each person who reports to them. Thanks to donations to the Wellan Annual Fund received at the 2024 Gala, we were able to create a new half-time position to close the gap. As Coordinator of Professional Development, Amy Perrault has built a system that allows her to keep teachers updated on workshops, webinars, and conferences related to their performance goals.
As part of its efforts to prioritize Talent Management, the Wellan administrative team rolled out some exciting new changes to its faculty and staff supervision model over the past year. Wellan engaged in a full review of all faculty and staff job descriptions and expectations to ensure clarity and consistency throughout the School. Next, Wellan instituted a system to ensure that all faculty and staff received multiple opportunities each year to engage with their supervisors in discussions about their roles, as well as adequate time to work towards performance improvement and professional development goals. In addition, Wellan shifted all faculty to a two-year performance review cycle, which allowed for longer runways for the achievement of faculty performance goals. Finally, to simplify the review system, as well as support the School’s “Green” initiatives, Wellan implemented a fully-online, paperless platform for all reviews and goal-setting.
Katie Ng, Wellan's Music Program Director and Music Specialist, completed a comprehensive evaluation and revision of the songs used in the school's music curriculum. With a keen focus on inclusivity and cultural sensitivity, Katie worked diligently to identify and remove songs with racist and or derogatory lyrics that could cause harm or offense. With older students, Katie teaches a lesson on Songs to be Reconsidered. Students learn about historical context and have thoughtful discussions on the origins and implications of problematic songs. Recognizing that many educators may not be aware of the history of folk songs, Katie has gone beyond her own classroom to advocate for change, presenting at both the Montessori Schools of Massachusetts Conference and the international American Montessori Society conference. Katie’s commitment to addressing this issue has made her a valuable resource for fellow educators seeking guidance on cultivating a more equitable learning environment.
Attract, retain, and support the professional development of high-quality teachers and administrators.
Enhanced Wellan’s reputation and increased diversity in the Montessori workforce by developing a successful teacher training institute
Wellan Institute was created with two major goals:
• Promote the school’s reputation for excellence by becoming a teaching institution, and
• Help to increase the pipeline of teachers of color entering the Montessori profession. These goals are already being realized. For three years, we have annually hosted a 3-day Assistant Teacher Training course. Each was attended by 35+ attendees from all around New England. The first cohort in the Early Childhood Montessori Teacher Certification 13-month course recently graduated (see profiles below). The second cohort is a group of six. Each group of students has included people of color who are typically underrepresented in Montessori education.
Additional goals for Wellan Institute include:
• Provide professional development courses for teachers who work in Montessori schools.
• Offer a course leading to AMS teaching certification.
• Provide professional development opportunities for Wellan faculty to gain public speaking experience by teaching adults who register for the certificate course, teacher training sessions, and/or community workshops.
• Serve as an in-house training center for any new hires who are unfamiliar with Montessori, helping to ensure that all Wellan employees share a common understanding of how we work with children.
• Offer Montessori-based parent education workshops to the larger community.
“I knew zilch about Montessori when I started at Wellan. I had been a nanny and worked at a summer camp, but this approach to working with kids was new to me. The Wellan Institute certificate program has helped me understand how it all works. I’m excited to be a convert to this way of teaching and learning. It just feels right.”
Amalie, who previously served on the Auxiliary Team, completed her internship at Wellan Montessori School, working as a co-teacher in Primary 5. She now teaches in Primary 2.
“I work with a diverse group of inner city students. Using a Montessori approach has completely transformed my classroom from being a very rowdy environment to being a place where kids are purposefully busy. A major factor in the flip has been offering Practical Life activities. These works help young students express their feelings and learn skills that will help them later academically.”
Marisa completed her internship at The Montessori School on Edgewood, the first publicly supported Montessori School in New Haven, CT. Creating an early childhood Montessori full day, full year program was a major priority highlighted in the Dwight neighborhood’s Comprehensive Plan.
Akira Austin 2024
“I love working at a school that integrates African culture with Montessori practice. I get to teach students who look like me. The daycare I worked at previously was not a place where children were respected, so I enjoy the Montessori emphasis on each student’s uniqueness. Now that I have finished the Wellan Institute training, I will be a lead teacher next year. One day, I hope to open my own school.”
Akira completed her internship at Roxbury Roots Montessori School. Its mission is to “offer an affordable, child-centered, authentic, high-quality, African-centered, Montessori program in Roxbury—a historically underserved community.”
Strengthen the school’s identity, brand recognition, and family engagement.
Supported the Parent Association in post-pandemic rebuilding efforts
The pandemic strengthened rather than eroding strong community connections and school pride. Nonetheless, that period of required social isolation had an impact on both volunteerism and parent engagement. As families tried to establish a “new normal” with regard to outside activities, attendance at school events was slow to build back up to pre-pandemic levels. Our strategic priority was to provide added staff support to the Parent Association in its effort to “re-boot.” This year, our Parent Association witnessed a vibrant surge in enthusiasm. Events like the take-flight-themed Staff Appreciation Week, the Spring Service Cleanup, and the fall Community Dinner brought families together with a renewed
sense of togetherness and collaboration. The Library Volunteers program pilot also flourished, thanks to parents' dedication to creating a welcoming environment. Moreover, participation in new events such as the Halloween Pop-up Shop and the Boston Pride Parade invigorated our school spirit and camaraderie. As we honored past contributions and welcomed new leaders, our commitment to continued success and growth remained strong. Overall, the year was defined by a heightened level of participation and unity among our parent community, a testament to our shared desire to make our school a truly exceptional place for learning and development.
Developed a strategy for offering a sustainable series of Parent Education workshops
Wellan offers numerous parent education workshops. Most are coordinated by Division Leaders and focus on our curriculum or on moving up to the next division. Requests from the community for sessions on at-home parenting challenges and ways to integrate Montessori practices into everyday life inspired us to make workshops on these topics a strategic priority. The launch of Wellan Institute opened up a path for doing this in a systematic way. Priya Venkateswarn, Program Director, has undertaken the task of developing an annual Community Workshop series. This past year, topics included Begin the
Day with Joy, End the Day with Gratitude; Montessori in the Home; It's Child's Play! Or Is It?; and Making Reading Fun. We look forward to continuing these engaging workshops and fostering strong connections between parents and the school in the coming years.
Two consultants have joined the Wellan team to assist school leaders with a year-long process of establishing specific objectives and developing action plans related to DEIB. Areas of focus include enrollment, staffing, curriculum, and school policies. Erin and Tondra will be offering professional development sessions and holding regular meetings with groups of Wellan faculty and staff in addition to proposing a draft DEIB strategic plan for the school.
Build and maintain stable enrollment of students from diverse families who deeply value what the school offers.
Developed and
As part of our continuous goal to improve the admissions experience, we took a significant step forward last year by introducing a digital Admissions Portal. This innovative platform offers numerous benefits for prospective parents, including increased transparency and streamlined processes. The Admissions Portal allows prospective parents to upload application materials and track their progress in real-time, reducing delays, and eliminating the need for piecemeal submissions. Moreover, by upgrading to the latest version of Veracross, we have unified the application and enrollment processes into one user-friendly system. These improvements reflect our commitment to providing a cutting-edge, convenient, and efficient admissions journey for all prospective Wellan families.
Over the past year, we improved our internal parent communications to support managed enrollment. We have restructured our communications framework to provide families with a set of user-friendly tools that together provide more streamlined, timely, accurate, and helpful information. These improvements will hopefully enrich the parent experience and thereby encourage re-enrollment, ensuring that our community continues to thrive and grow. The updated "Wellan Weekly", sent via email every Sunday, serves as the primary source of school-wide news, featuring a templated structure with designated sections, including Top News, This Week at Wellan, Upcoming Events, Month at a Glance, Mission at Work, and Community Scoop. The Mission at Work section, in particular, showcases not only what is happening but also why we do it—offering parents valuable insights into how our school's mission comes to life in our everyday actions. We kept a Wellan favorite in the mix: weekly teacher emails, renamed "The Classroom Chronicles" are now consistently formatted across classrooms. These messages are chock full of classroom and division-specific updates, providing a recap of the week at the classroom level to foster a deeper connection between parents and their child's classroom experiences. A third tool made available last year is the Parent Portal, a digital hub accessible from any device, where parents can login to find all essential information in one convenient location. This online platform allows parents to access important documents like progress reports, view the Wellan Weekly and Classroom Chronicles, RSVP for school events, locate class lists, see lost and found items, as well as access Magnus Health, an online tool for medical forms and information. Together, these three pillars of internal parent communications create a complementary and comprehensive package of rich information, ensuring that current parents are well-informed. Ultimately, this adds to the growing list of benefits families find at Wellan that make them want to re-enroll year after year.
Recognizing that many current and prospective parents look to social media for information, we made it a priority to expand and shift the focus of our digital marketing and communication. We have started using LinkedIn to promote Wellan Institute, highlight faculty achievements, and enhance Wellan's reputation as a thought leader in Montessori education. The LinkedIn platform will also serve as a valuable networking space for Wellan alumni as they become young professionals, so we are building a strong presence for later.
In Facebook and Instagram posts, we have focused on highlighting the purpose and learning behind activities we feature, rather than simply reporting on them. These changes are having an impressive impact. In the last year, our Facebook posts generated a 40% increase in reach (views) and a 30% increase in interaction (the number of likes or reactions, saves, comments, shares, and replies).
On Instagram, we achieved a 100% increase in reach and interaction! As we move forward, we will focus on maintaining this momentum and finding new opportunities for growth.
Maintained the health and sustainability of the school’s infrastructure.
Adopted digital solutions to reduce paper consumption
By transitioning to electronic employee files through Paycom and managing student records electronically with Veracross and Magnus Health, we’ve significantly decreased our reliance on physical paper files. But we didn't stop there! We've also adopted a "Print Wisely" approach, fostering a culture of using print preview to catch errors before printing, only printing when necessary, and setting printers to default double-sided printing. Digital collaboration tools have also played a pivotal role in our paperless journey, reducing the need for printed materials when working on group projects.
Converted to renewable energy to reduce the school’s carbon footprint
By participating in the Newton Power Choice program, a city-run electricity aggregation initiative, we're contributing to efforts to promote clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under this program, the city selects an electricity supplier that sources a significant portion of its energy from local renewable sources such as wind and solar power. This has allowed Wellan to run on 100% renewable energy. Despite the higher renewable content, this program is more cost-effective than Eversource's Basic Service. This change has allowed us to save on our energy bills while advancing a greener, more sustainable future, reducing our carbon footprint, and contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment.
Launched a composting program to minimize food waste
Following the success of our recycling program, we initiated a composting initiative, which has significantly minimized our waste. Both students and staff have embraced this eco-friendly practice, implementing composting in classrooms and throughout the school. By turning organic materials such as food scraps, paper products, and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost, we're not only reducing our landfill contributions but also nurturing the soil and promoting plant growth. This initiative teaches our students the importance of responsible resource management and the value of giving back to the Earth.
WELLAN ACCESSIBILITY AND EXPANSION PROJECT
Our most ambitious facilities project to date
For the past two years, school leaders, the Wellan Board of Trustees, and representatives from Sacred Heart Parish have been working behind the scenes on plans to make significant improvements to the Wellan campus. The goal of this work has been to design a facilities plan that aligns with the school mission, helping us to better "prepare the environment" for students in ways that stimulate and support their natural desires to explore and achieve.
As the result of this group’s hard work, Wellan has embarked on our most ambitious facilities project to date: a multi-million dollar major building expansion project designed to solve building accessibility, enhance collaborative learning, and facilitate community-building.
In June 2024, we put the first shovel in the ground to start construction of:
• A new elevator tower that will provide access to three floors as well as the playground.
• A lift that will provide access from the lower level into the gym.
• A 5,000 square foot addition that will fill in the U-shaped courtyard area at the rear of the school.
The new addition will contain a gross motor playspace for Beginners, Specials classrooms, a main floor community gathering space, a large student collaboration area, and several offices.
• Address equity and inclusion by creating a fully accessible campus that allows students or adults using mobility devices to reach every floor of our buildings and all areas of the playground.
• Provide intentionally designed spaces for all disciplines and activities, including a dedicated space for our growing world languages program, a gross motor exploration room for our youngest students, and additional offices.
• Create a large open meeting area for student collaboration activities and flexible programming.
• Be able to welcome all members of the Wellan community—and visitors—into a community gathering space that can be used for receptions, group presentations, and assemblies.
• Reconfigure and update the playground with accessible paths and rubberized surfaces, a revamped drainage system, and new playground features.
“Remember when I broke my ankle? Finally, we’re getting an elevator!”
“When we asked Ms. Black for a student gathering space, I had no idea it would be THIS big.”
“Look, the building has a W-shape for Wellan! That is SO cool.”
- Overheard comments from students standing at the construction fence
Evaluating our flight path
Wellan’s annual financial, development, and alumni reports provide a picture of the health of the school.
Officers
Cara Candal: Chair
Sabeena Chacko Raskin: Vice Chair
Brian Alfermann: Treasurer
Jill Dumas: Clerk
Trustees - Wellan Parents
Tom Carter
Sree Chaguturu
Erica DeRosa
Noelle Hutchins Kelso
Bob Kane
Ian Lang
Nina Mathur
Ashwin Rajendra
Ruben Rodrigues
Jon Schaffrath
Avi Spier
Trustees - Former Wellan Parents
Davina Harris
Trustees - Area Educators
Charles Rudnick
Kerry Stevens
A heartfelt thank you to Ian Lang and Kerry Stevens, whose terms as trustees ended in June 2024. Ian is the leader of a non-profit whose children attended Wellan. Kerry is Director of Admissions at Nashoba Brooks School, a fellow independent school. Each of them brought a valuable perspective that enhanced the Board’s discussions and decision-making efforts. Ian and Kerry, you will be missed.
Total prepaids
Total Current Assets
Total Property $ Equipment, net Right of Use Asset
57,997 3,174,560 546,648 1,025,731 $4,804,936 $8,676,721 $13,481,657 $2,632,148
$15,312,409 $16,113,805
• Tuition & Fees
• Fundraising
• Summer Program
• After School & Enrichment
• Other Income
• Facilities
• Financial Aid & Tuition Remission
• Program Expenses
• Administrative Expenses
• Wellan Institute
• Fundraising Expense
$6,241,783 $1,222,921 $1,662,275 $600,069 $717,940 $5,475 $71,434 $11,521,897
We're deeply grateful for the incredible support we received through the Wellan Annual Fund this year. As a vital resource for Wellan’s operating budget, the Annual Fund has empowered us to pursue meaningful projects that otherwise wouldn’t be able to happen.
This year, your generous contributions have made an important impact in several crucial areas. They have supported our financial aid programs, enhanced various spaces across our campus, and most notably, advanced our Professional Development Initiative, which is central to our mission of continuous improvement and excellence.
Below are some key statistics from this year's Annual Fund, which reflect the generosity of our community and the tangible progress we’ve achieved together:
With over 220 parents, teachers, and friends in attendance, SHOWTIME! was the most well-attended and successful gala in Wellan history! We are thrilled that so many members of our community were able to join us for this evening of cocktails, carnival games, and raffle prizes.
While we love getting parents and staff together for an evening of glamour and entertainment, our annual gala amounts to more than just a fun night out. This year, our gala raised funding for a new, three-part Professional Development initiative for Wellan teachers. We are extremely proud to announce that, with your help, we hit our goal and were able to raise $25,000 in donations to our strategic initiative to build an expanded and cohesive professional development program at Wellan. We would not have been able to do this without the support of the amazing Wellan community.
1 Total Fundraising includes unrestricted gifts, restricted gifts, pledges, ticket revenue, event sponsorships, and other event income.
2 Overall participation is measured as a percentage of 2023 -2024 parents, board and full time staff.
3 Average family gift is measured as an average of total contributions made by parents, trustees, and full time staff households.
$5,000 +
Brian and Jessica Alfermann
Sree Chaguturu and Megan Hardin
The Dumas Family
The Feinberg Family
Jonathan Taylor and Mary Mazzanti
The Raskin Family
$2,500 - $4,999
Anonymous
The Candal Family
Thomas Carter and Kristin Cleary
Lorrie Edwards and Martin Galese
Anna and Durlov Khan
Giancarlo and Rose Micozzi
The Jason and Katie Ng Family
The Peyton Family
The Rajendra Family
$1,000 - $2,499
The Anguilla Family
Beth Black and Keith Gillette
The Bowie Scott Family
Abhishek Chauhan and Saheba Sahni
The Crystal-Park Family
The DeDomenico Family
Erica DeRosa and Andrew Teman
Anna Farago and John Bachman
Brian and Erin Ferraro
The Havemeyer Family
Jason Jay and Alaka Ray
Yuval Kashtan and Hodaya Slutsky
Joanna and Tyler Kirtley
The Lee Family
Jianming Liu and Hongbo Yang
The Mallet Family
The Rodrigues Family
The Shen Family
The Simpson Vranich Family
The Spier / Van Welie Family
Sinan Stark and Yin Jiang
The Sud Family
The Taschereau Family
Hillary and Athe Tsibris
Meredith Wang and Neo Zhao
The Wilcox Family
$500 - $999
Anonymous
The Alford-Hoover Family
The Baccini Family
The Bowring Family
The Cafarella Family
Jennifer Cao and Sean Li
Junjun and Mei Li
The Eastburn Family
The Epstein Family
The Gabarro-Marban Family
The Hai Family
Sascha Haverfield-Gross and Eden Haverfield
Ann Bevan Hollos and Marin Smith
Joseph Jolly and Susan Rivers
Bob and Elizabeth Kane
The Kelso Family
The Kher Family
The Laubach Family
The Li-Yuan Family
The Ng Family
The Niland Family
The Oza Family
Vineet Prabhu and Trupti Patil
Charles Rudnick and Ilyse Greenberg
The Schaffrath Family
Chintan Shah and Pallavi Kar
Deep Arjun Singh and Nina Mathur
Josh and Natasha Sommerfeld
Jim and Anne Van Dyk
Haichang Wu and Haiyan Li
$250 - $499
Anonymous
Tom Chiaino
The Fann Family
The Forte Family
The Friedman Family
The Gangi Family
The Gionfriddo Family
Eliza Kamenetsky and Max Grinberg
David & Lauren Kayserman
Anna Krawisz and Evan Schwartz
The Malone Lang Family
The Marathe Family
The McCarthy Family
The Nelson Hawks Family
The O'Donohoe Family
Zain Ogas Family
The Prial Sidhu Family
The Robinson Family
The Schuch Family
The Wang Family
Jingbo Ye and Fang Han
Lingling Xu and Dinghuan Zhu
Xiaodan Zhuang and Zhenghan Qi
Anonymous (16)
Ankur and Purvi Agarwal
The Arbtan Awad Family
Stacey Alstrom
Susana Andrade Centeno
Simon Assender and
Heather-Rose Williamson
The Bados Family
The Bakhshi Family
Ilya Baran and Anna Sher
The Bellinger Family
Jeffrey Bigman
2023-2024 Board Member
2023-2024
The Bou Family
Kaylee Bond
Amalie Brandvold
Jess Brennan
Barbara Brousal-Glaser
Ryan and Leslie Burden
Danni Capalbo
Breton Caplan
Paula Carroll and Andrew Connard
Denielle Cesvette
Caroline Chizek
The Cianfrone Family
The Clifford Family
The Cohen Lau Family
Ken Condon and Becky Alukonis
Amanda Cusanno
Joao d'Almeida and
Carla Vanessa Chang Ho
Jason and Sabrina DeJoannis
Andree DiCarlo
David and Colleen Dischiave
Meredith and Daniel Dourian
Anne Dupiton
David and Melanie Dyer
The Elworthy Family
Anny Espiritu and Irvans Cyprien
Lisa Fauman
Sandra Fernandes and Dorian Mehrotra
The Ferreira Family
The Fredrickson-Niemi Family
Nora Furstenberg-Carroll
The Gallagher Family
Stephen and Kelly Gay
The Gohery Family
Elisabeth and Hyrum Gomez
Brandon Green and Brittany Borders
The Griffiths Family
Rahul Gupta and Katherine Merrill
Tashi Haig
Davina Harris and Michael Swann
Conor and Cristina Harris
Azurae Hood
Tom and Chelsea Hough
Jessica Hoyt
Vanessa Irzyk
Ralph James
Ryan Jean-Louis
Isaiah and Cristina Jellinek
The Karmacharya Family
Kayla Keeling
Beth Kilgallon
Karina Ku and Scott Schmitt
Esther Seungyeon Lee
Aviran and Rachel Levy
Emma Mahony
Lauretta Maynard
Erika McKeon
The McMenamin Wagner Family
The Meza-Bettivia Family
Lydia Morrison
The Nene Family
The Norrod Family
Jenny Pan
Ivo Parashkevov and Helen Drislane
Amy Perrault
Daniel Penrod and Jennifer Wallach
The Philbin Family
Merav Rosen
Naomi Shmueli
Joseph Shulman and Jessie Hanrahan
Michael Silverstone
Amy Smith
Devondre Smith and Gabriella DaSilva
Madeline Sosnowski
The Souza Family
The Stanten Family
Kerry Stevens
The Stiffler Family
Zachary Sullivan and Ashley Jones-Pierce
Jimmy and Lamia Sun
Nicholas Tam and Lillier Anatole
Arunkumar Tamilarasu and Mathura Shanmugasundaram
Anneliese Tanner
Xavier and Tamia Tillman
Sandra Teixeira and Jeffrey Tsao
Robert Tufo and Jessica Cooney
The Venkateswaran Nyayapati Family
Sze-kar Wan & Maria Mak
Becki Warshow
Mason Weintraub and Stephanie Lowitt
Katelyn White
Sarina Wilson
The Yasinovsky Family
Amir Young and Hannah Chasse
The Zenlea Family
Kai Zhao and Shuang Meng
Siyu Zhao and Zhen Ming
$5,000 +
Brian and Sunita Pereira
$1,000 - $2,499
Pamela and Nino Micozzi
Dennis and Barb Alfermann
Cynthia Clifford
Julie DeWitt
The Lee Family
Beth and Hugh Wilkinson
$500 - $999
Anonymous
Ursula Gage
Aileen Waters
James and Kathleen Castracane
$250 - $499
The Jolly-Seligman Family
Lynne Nelson
Up to $250
Jayashri Aragam
Lea Vaughn Dobel
Cindy and Robert Kane
The O'Connor Family
The Rivers Family
Debra and Gary Stiffler
Lynn Smith
Apple
Bank of America
Bella Nail Salon
CVS
Down Under Yoga
Electronic Arts
Fidelity
HealthWorks
Heartbreak Hill Running Company
Institute of Contemporary Art
Intel Corporation
Moderna
Museum of Science
Novartis Institutes of Biomedical
Research
Olympus
Polen Capital
Rainbows Pottery
Salesforce
Santander Bank
Sanofi
STA Design
Sweet Tomatoes
Te Amo
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Tree Top Adventures
UnitedHealth Group
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc
Wellington Management Company
$5,000 +
The Klevens Family
$1,000 - $2,999
The Angell Family
The Havemeyer Family
$500 - $999
Ahsan Alam and Elena Koumna
Up to $250
Anonymous
The Cirasuolo Family
The Perry Family
Stephanie Rowe
This January, Wellan Montessori School hosted a memorable Art Night, a highlight in our calendar of parent-only social events. Led by our talented art specialist, Vanessa Irzyk, parents and staff gathered for an evening of creativity and camaraderie.
This year's project centered around Vincent van Gogh's iconic "Starry Night." Vanessa guided attendees through the process of recreating this masterpiece using oil pastels. The room buzzed with excitement and concentration as participants, some picking up pastels for the first time, transformed their blank canvases into swirling, colorful interpretations of the night sky. The ambiance of the evening encouraged relaxed conversation and a sense of community among our attendees.It was a wonderful opportunity for parents and staff to connect in a non-classroom setting, share laughs, and showcase their artistic talents.
Wellan’s annual Art Night is one of the many adult-only social events we hold throughout the school year, each designed to foster community spirit and provide a platform for socializing in a relaxed, creative setting. As always, this year's event was a resounding success, leaving participants eager for their next opportunity to create.
Thank you to the Parent Association for organizing and hosting community events in 2023-2024. It was wonderful to see our school community bouncing back from the challenges of the past several years, as evidenced by event participation returning to pre-COVID levels. Roughly 150 people participated in three PA-sponsored community service events. New events, including the pop-up Halloween Costume Exchange and Wellan’s participation in the Boston Pride Parade, also had strong attendance. This positive level of engagement was due to the dedicated efforts of many parent volunteers.
Kara Nemeth kicked off the year as PA President, sharing her experience over the past few years. Her historical perspective helped to facilitate a smooth leadership transition to Pontaah Arbtan, who took on the PA President role for the remainder of 2023-2024. Key volunteers worked tirelessly as committee chairs to ensure the success of PA-sponsored events.
Officers:
Kara Nemeth
Pontaah Arbtan
Committee Chairs:
Library Volunteer Coordinator – Elizabeth Kane
Paddy’s Road Race – Karina Ku
Halloween Costume Exchange – Azurae Hood and Danni Capalbo
Thanksgiving – Sabeena Chacko Raskin
Service Saturday – Kara Nemeth
Staff Appreciation Week – Meg Feinberg, Rose Micozzi, and Elizabeth Kane
MLK Event – Pontaah Arbtan
Snow Tubing – Jess Alfermann
Book Fair – Jane Epstein and Allison Britz
Newton Serves Spring Cleanup – Vanessa Ho
Boston Pride Parade – Sachie Karmacharya
A heartfelt thank you to Kara Nemeth and Sabeena Chacko Raskin. Kara stepped down as PA President early last year after many years of dedicated service that included holding the com unity together during the COVID years. Kara's commitment to Wellan's parent community has been inspiring, particularly in emphasizing community service as a family-based learning activity. We are immensely grateful for her invaluable contributions as PA President. Sabeena took the lead for organizing our beloved all-school Thanksgiving Feast for many years, a task that involved everything from sourcing the best mashed potatoes to recruiting and training parent volunteers! We are grateful for her tireless dedication.
Graduate Degrees
Caroline Chizek: Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Teaching through Fitchburg State University
Undergraduate Degrees
Kaylee Bond-Brooks: Bachelor of Science: Early Childhood Education Interdisciplinary Studies through Liberty University
Courses
Amy Norrod - American Graphics Institute: Photoshop Class
Barbara Brousal-Glaser - Bridgewater State University: Orff Teaching Training Level 1
Katie Ng - String Instrument Workshop, Ohio State University
Laurie Katz - Harvard Grad. School of Education:
Culturally Responsive Literature
Tashi Haig - Deaf INC: ASL Units 1&2
Certificate Programs
Barbara Brousal Glaser: Orff Level 1 Certification at Bridgewater State University
Esther Lee: American Montessori Society Early Childhood Reading Certificate
Laura Leger: Registered Middle School Athletic Administrator
Montessori Teacher Certification
Amalie Brandvold: Early Childhood Montessori
Teacher Certification for students ages 3-6
Anny Espiritu: Infant & Toddler Montessori
Teacher Certification for students ages 0-3
Jeffrey Bigman: Secondary level Montessori
Teacher Certification for students ages 12-15
Kathi Martuza: Secondary level Montessori
Teacher Certification for students ages 12-15
Montessori Teacher Certification In Progress
Betsy Childs: Early Childhood Montessori
Teacher Certification for students ages 3-6
Brian Johnson: Elementary II Montessori Teacher
Certification for students ages 9-12
Micaela Pierce: Elementary I Montessori
Teacher Certification for students ages 6-9
Ray Niemi: Infant & Toddler Montessori Teacher
Certification for students ages 0 - 3
Rachel Levy: Elementary II Montessori
Teacher Certification for students ages 9-12
Montessori Assistant Teacher Certification
Beth Kilgallon
Elizabeth Gomez
Kaylee Bond
Lauren Moon
Lydia Morrison
Regional MSM Conference Presenters
Beth Black and Haley Blase - Mandatory Fun: Using a Yearlong Theme to Build Community
Katie Ng - Racist songs in Circle Time: Lou, Lou, Skip to My… wait, what?
National AMS Conference Presenters:
Katie Ng, Racist songs in Circle Time: Lou, Lou, Skip to My… wait, what?
Wellan Institute Instructors
Amanda Cusanno
Ana Marban-Lorenzo
Beth Black
Jessica Brennan
Kayla Stiffler
Priya Venkatswaran
Rebecca Alukonis
Sandra Fernandes
Conference Participation
Amanda Cusanno and Azurae Chambers HoodAISAP Annual Admissions Retreat
Amy Norrod, Caitlin Bowring, Elizabeth Schuch, Jeffrey Bigman, Ryan Burden, Wendy SmithAISNE: Dialogue, Division, and Depolarization
Ana Marban-Lorenzo - AISNE: Health and Wellness Conference
Azurae Chambers Hood - ISM Advancement Academy
Beth Black - AISNE Head of School Annual Retreat
Azurae Chambers Hood and Maria GionfriddoFuture FocusED Conference, Hosted by Beaver Country Day School
Caitlin Bowrin, Colleen Dischiave and Beth Black - Identifying and Addressing Antisemitism in Our Schools, Hosted by Brandeis University
Elisabeth Gomez, Sachie Karmacharya, Katie Ng, Priya Venkateswaran - AISNE: DEI Conference
Emma Mahony - World Language Teacher Summit
Lisa Fauman - New England Ocean Science
Education Collaborative: NEOSEC Ocean Literacy Summit
Mara Weitzman Mooiweer - American Montessori
Society: Montessori Conference
Sachie Karmacharya - MASS: IDEAS Educator Conference
Approximately 60 Wellan faculty and staff attended the annual Montessori Schools of Massachusetts (MSM) Conference
Workshop Participation
Amy Perrault - TEACH-IN: Rehumanizing Math Through Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
Amy Perrault, Caitlin Bowring, Kayla Stiffler, Rebecca Alukonis - Teacher Collaborative Institute: Facilitative Leadership for Teachers
Anny Espiritu, Jodi Fredrickson-Niemi, Ryan Jean-Louis - CDC Heads Up: Concussion Training
Azurae Chambers Hood - Writing School
–Statements, by Julie Faulstich from Talking Out of School
Barbara Brousal-Glaser - New England Chapter of American Orff: Music Workshop
Colleen Dischiave, Lynn Hall - PESI: MA Education and Section 504 Law
Deanna Griffiths - Gowan Hiring Firm: Teacher Value Proposition
Elizabeth Schuch - Atrium School: Math Institute K-5th grade
Rebecca Alukonis, Ana Marban-LorenzoMontessori Schools Massachusetts: Responsive Parenting Workshop
Jeffrey Bigman, Wendy Smith - Facing History and Ourselves: Teaching Democracy and Freedom
Katie Ng - Lyndon B Johnson Presidential Library and Museum: "It's Tricky: American Music & Culture"
Laurie Katz - Bureau of Education and Research: Difficult Students and Behavior - Ongoing
Laura Leger - NIAAA: Middle School Athletic Administrator
Meredith Dourian - American Camp Association Workshop
Sandra Fernandes - Montessori Movement
Vanessa Irzyk - AEP Connections: No More Meltdowns: Managing Frustration and Anxiety
Victoria Zenlea, Wendy Smith - Deep Dive into Disability Classifications: ADHD & Executive Functioning - Education Modification
Webinars
Anne Dupiton, Jessica Hoyt - Montessori Assistant Tool Kit: Infant/Toddler Edition, Trillium
Gabriella DaSilva, Linsey Torchon - Assistant Toolkit, Trillium
Jennifer Cardy - Creating an Art Curriculum, Trillium
Jessica Chahanovich - Create a Montessori Music Program, Trillium
Leslie Burden, Tashi Haig, Beth KilgallonPositive Discipline, Trillium
Stacey Alstrom - Center for Guided Studies: Gentle Education
Tashi Haig - Montessori Assistant Tool KitElementary, Trillium
Vanessa Irzyk - Creating an Art Curriculum, Trillium
Veracross Training
Amanda Cusanno - Admissions and Enrollment Management V3 Modules
Azurae Chambers Hood - Admissions and Enrollment Management V3 Modules
Deanna Griffiths - Paycom: Benefits Administration Webinar
Deanna Griffiths - Paycom: ACA Webinar
Other Professional Accomplishments
Vanessa Irzyk - Korean Art Exhibit @ MFA
Michael Silverstone served on the faculty of the Montessori Elementary Teacher Training Collaborative (METTC) certification program, offering presentations in Mathematics, English Language Arts Curriculum and Planning, and Montessori Philosophy and Management
Klevens Family Travel Grant
Our community is growing! From heartfelt vows to the arrival of precious little ones, these moments never fail to inspire happiness and hope. Join us in celebrating our staff’s biggest 2023-2024 milestones and welcoming our newest owls!
Laurie Gallagher traveled to Japan and learned about the culture, history, and food.
Sachié Karmacharya traveled along the Civil Rights Trail that included Charleston, SC., Atlanta, GA., and Selma and Montgomery, AL.
“One night in April, during an overnight trip to Cape Cod to study environmental science, we went to the beach to look at tide pools. Little did we know it would be one of the most magical evenings. With a pink, blue, and “every color in between” sunset, as well as a rainbow arching over the sky and an empty beach, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to run into the frigid waves.
Holding hands and laughing, we ran into the ocean. Salty, sandy and cold, with pants rolled up to our knees, carrying our socks and shoes, we made our way back across the beach, satisfied, but with a touch of melancholy, because we could feel the beautiful moment ending and knew that this was the start of the end of the year.
And now we’re here, about to graduate. It’s a moment full of so many emotions but in the end we’re all happy. As we head off to different high schools, we’re doing so with a strong sense of our unique and individual identities along with the knowledge that community can be incredibly powerful.”
Isla Scott, Graduation Speaker
On behalf of the 8th grade Class of 2024
Families enjoyed listening to a panel of five Wellan alumni who shared their unique experiences and perspectives on the transition to high school. The event was filled with nostalgic stories, valuable advice, and celebrations of our Voyager graduates' incredible accomplishments. Our alumni highlighted Wellan's role in preparing them for high school, expressing the importance of self-confidence and open communication. Maria Alam '21 and Maggie McNeal '23, attendees of large public high schools, emphasized Wellan's tight-knit community and the importance of self-advocacy and the ability to work independently. Sophia DeDomenico '22, Sebastian Perry '22, and Calum Scott '22, representing private schools, credited Wellan's personalized academic and enrichment programs for their success. The panel served as a reaffirmation of the impact of a Wellan education and the Voyager Program, demonstrating that our graduates leave academically prepared, with a strong sense of self and essential social skills. Thank you to our panelists, attendees, and the entire Wellan community for your support as we continue to challenge, inspire, and empower our students on their journey forward.
Wellan’s Voyager graduates were excited to see one another and their former teachers at last year’s alumni reunion. A fun-filled bowling night was held at King’s Dining and Entertainment in Dedham. As the bowling pins crashed and laughter echoed, alumni exchanged stories about their high school experiences and reminisced about the time spent together in middle school at Wellan.
Reflecting on their preparation for high school, alumni shared examples of specific aspects of the Voyager program that had not only eased the transition to high school but set them up for academic success. Their feedback about what assignments and types of feedback were especially valuable was appreciated by the faculty members present, who are engaged in efforts to ensure the continued excellence of the Voyager program.
Over pizza and later while playing arcade games, alumni enjoyed inside jokes and stories about special Wellan memories. Overall, the evening was a great reminder of the lasting impact the Voyager program has on student learning and adolescent growth as well as the strong ties among members of our school and alumni community.
“Interested
in buying Parent Repellent Spray? It’s 100% effective and safe.”
That product pitch by a Wellan elementary student was heard during a "Shark Tank" event spearheaded by Wellan alum Aidan John ‘21 and his high school business partner Aayan Sharma. The duo reached out to Wellan to share their passion for entrepreneurship and provide students with an engaging experience in the world of business. In this activity, Aidan and Aayan introduced the concept of the popular TV show "Shark Tank," emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. Students divided into teams, brainstormed real-world problems, and crafted inventive solutions, exploring a wide range of topics such as business fundamentals, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and case studies. Following the brainstorming session, the teams presented their ideas and solutions to the group, employing a voting system with "fake money" to select the most promising concepts. Each participant received a fun prize, such as fake gold chains and sunglasses, further encouraging their enthusiasm for business ventures. Ten students from Wellan participated in the events, both lasting two hours. The response from our young innovators was overwhelmingly positive, as they reveled in the opportunity to develop their ideas and collaborate with their peers. The event fostered an atmosphere of respect and camaraderie, while also nurturing individual potential and fostering hands-on learning, reinforcing fundamental Montessori values. This unique event demonstrated the lasting impact of a Wellan education but also serves as an inspiring example of how our alumni continue to enrich the lives of our students by sharing their passions and expertise.
"I see you, you see me, together in community.”
"I see you, you see me, together in community.” This mantra of identity, unity, and community was recited and ingrained in me countless times during my nine years at Wellan. What felt redundant and simplistic at the time became my personal mantra for the last six years since graduating Wellan.
So, let's break it down. "I see you, you see me.” This line means not only seeing another person's individuality, but also respecting them, listening to them, and loving them for both their strengths and weaknesses. At Wellan, we are taught to form friendships with everyone and to cultivate kindness and respect in our classrooms, friend groups, sports teams, and beyond. How beautiful and rare that is! My advice is to hold onto that quality, that ability to be friendly, caring, and respectful to others. Seeing another person and wanting to hear their story will get you farther in life than you could've imagined.
On the flip side, we all expect the same treatment in return. I want to be seen, and listened to, and loved, but that can only happen once I know who I am. So find what makes you happy, excited, uncomfortable, and awkward. Pursue all of those interests because you never know what lies beyond a closed door. A couple years ago, I was invited to become an umpire for the Newton Girls Softball organization. The idea of being a decision-maker and in control of an entire softball game terrified me; I did not want to open that door. But, I knew I could do it because I knew myself. I knew if I practiced, studied the rules and movements, and eased into it, I would flourish as an umpire. And that is exactly what happened. Had I not opened that door, I would've missed out on this opportunity to give back to the softball community. What I'm saying is: Learn to be authentically you. From the wise words of one of the most influential philosophers from our time, Shrek, "I'm not interested in being perfect. I'm interested in being myself."
The final phrase of the mantra is, "together in community." This is what I find most important. Community is a common thread that connects us all and often, we don't know the power and depth of community until we take a step back. The Wellan community was and continues to be nurturing, supportive, and inspiring for all members. As a student, I was inspired by my teachers everyday. Maybe I took "inspired" to the next level as I literally copied the mannerisms, handwriting, and even clothing choices of my two favorite Wellan teachers, Ms. Ruth and Ms. Caitlin. I'm not kidding when I say my handwriting in comparison to theirs was identical! Parents and students, never underestimate the influence of the teachers here at Wellan because they are truly transformative.
But back to community, I found confidence in myself because of the strong Wellan community behind me. That confidence allowed for a smooth transition to Ursuline Academy. Wellan provided me with academic, social, emotional, and advocating skills that some of my classmates lacked. That's what I mean about the power of community; I didn't know how much I had learned during my time at Wellan until I stepped away. Over the last 6 years, Ursuline became another home for me, where I learned more about myself and how to lead and be a role model for others.
As I transition to a new community at Colby College next year, which is coincidentally the alma mater of Ms. Ruth, I am equipped with skills, knowledge, and the everlasting support of the communities here. I am eager, ready, and confident to cultivate a new community.
Congratulations to the Wellan faculty, staff, administration, family, friends, and students on another successful school year. It has been an honor to be invited back and reconnect. To conclude my speech, would you all please join me one last time in saying, "I see you, you see me, together in community."
Thank you again for having me. I wish the best of luck to all graduating and moving up students.
38 Priya Raskin, former Wellan student and recent graduate of Ursuline Academy, was the Alumni Speaker at the 2024 End of Year Ceremony for students in grades 1-8. Priya is now in her freshman year at Colby College.
"My name is Mr. Ben"
My name is Mr. Ben.
Benjamin Jolly, an 8th grade graduate from the Wellan Voyager program, was the Alumni Speaker at the 2024 End of Year Ceremony for Primary students. Ben is now a junior at Newton South High School. He works part-time at Wellan in the after-school and summer programs.
Many of you already know me, because I work at Wellan part-time and in the summer. What you might not know about me is that, just like you, I used to be a Primary student here.
When I was your age, I was in Primary 3 with Ms. Esther as my teacher. I remember learning a lot of the same things that you've been learning this year. Just like you, I made number rolls that stretched along the halls, I learned how to write the alphabet, I made pinhole maps of all the continents.
I know you have also enjoyed doing Primary Montessori works. The good news is that you have more interesting work ahead of you in elementary and middle school! After being in Primary 3, I went to Angier Elementary School for a few years. I later returned to upper elementary and stayed through middle school at Wellan and graduated after 8th grade. The Voyager program at Wellan is very challenging, which made me well-prepared for high school at Newton South. Wellan teachers taught me how to construct intelligent theses in English and how to use MLA citations in my papers. I learned how to complete complex algebraic equations and visualize long division in my head. I also learned about social justice and how to give back to my community.
When I started high school, I wasn't thinking about coming back to Wellan. But then an opportunity opened up for me to work with the summer and after-school teams, and I have been back ever since. I have really enjoyed playing outdoor games with students of all ages, fostering the learning of sportsmanship and empathy, and creating bonds with individual students.
One surprising experience I had this year was helping out in Primary 3. Ms Esther had been my teacher when I was three and suddenly we were working side by side. That can only happen in a school where students are respected and given responsibilities that build leadership skills - not to mention a community that welcomes you back.
Seeing the school from the point of view of someone who works here has given me a new appreciation of the Wellan community and the value you are all getting by going to this school. You're not just learning when you're in the classroom - you're also learning when you're playing outside with your friends. I see you practicing taking turns and being kind to each other. I see you learning how to regulate your frustration and helping your friends get up when they fall down. You're learning to be caring and empathetic toward others, which might be the most important lesson.
You have a lot to celebrate today. Congratulations!
It’s always exciting to hear about our former students’ accomplishments. These graduates and alumni shared what colleges they now attend. We’d love to include you in the next Year In Review, so please get in touch!
Wellan Graduates*
Concetta Vitale - Graduate, Dana Hall; Now a Senior, Arabic Pre-Med, Boston College
Isabella Barbaria - MassArt
Maya Dimmick - Graduate, Fusion Academy; Planning to attend Simmons College after a gap year
Priya Raskin - Graduate of Ursuline Academy; Now at Colby College
Sabah Vitale - Graduate, Dana Hall; Now at Boston College
Sasha Lambergs - Graduate of Boston Latin Academy; Now at Florida State University
*Students who completed the Voyager program and left after 8th grade OR prior to the launch of Voyager in 2019, students who completed Grade 6.
Wellan Alumni**
Ellie Jolly - Amherst College
Caroline Fai - Yale University
Jhoran Laffin - Boston College
Ariana Rowe - Kenyon College
**All students who attended Wellan for any period of time
AN OWL, ALWAYS AN OWL
Wellan Graduates, we know you’ll succeed wherever you’re headed next! As Linda Woodard, professional educational consultant and former Wellan Board Chair, notes: “Montessori students have a huge advantage over students who are more traditionally prepared.”
We invite you to stay in touch! If you are active on social media, follow us! If you would like to schedule a visit, volunteer during your school vacation, update us on your latest success, or just say hello, email us at alumni@wellan.org
