WHS Principal's Update

We are absolutely thrilled to share that during the Florida State Board of Education meeting this week, Wellington High School was named a Florida School of Excellence by the Florida Department of Education!

This prestigious designation is a testament to the hard work, dedication and sustained academic success of our students, teachers and staff! Earning this title means that our school has consistently performed at the highest levels statewide!

Parents and Guardians,

Regular attendance plays a vital role in every student’s academic success and overall well-being. This year, one of our key school goals is to foster a community-wide culture of consistent, positive attendance.

To help support your family, we’ve attached a brief guide featuring best practices for maintaining healthy attendance routines at home.

Thank you for working alongside us to help our students succeed!

In partnership with Health Hero, we are pleased to offer on-site flu vaccinations at Wellington High School on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Participation in the Health Hero Florida flu vaccination clinic is completely voluntary and available to all students with completed consent forms, regardless of insurance coverage.

What do you need to do to participate?

If you would like your child to receive a flu vaccination, please complete and sign a consent form. Printed consent forms are available in the main office.

To ensure a dose is reserved for your child, please return the completed consent form to the main office by Monday, October 26, 2026.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please email Jennifer Diaz at jennifer.m.diaz@palmbeachschools.org.

Thank you! We look forward to offering this opportunity to our students.

Unity Day, started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center in October 2011, is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month. This is a day when we can come together to send a visible message of building community through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. The call to action is simple: wear and share the color orange. This vibrant statement becomes a conversation starter, showing support for students who have been bullied and for bullying prevention.

The inaugural class will begin second semester!!! If you are interested in joining the leadership group, please click on the link below, submit an application and complete the survey!!! See the flyer below for more information and the exciting opportunities involved in joining the Air Force JROTC!!!

9th-Grade Bootcamp: A Success!

Thank you to our amazing teachers, hardworking students, and wonderful families for making our 9th-Grade Bootcamp a success! Your commitment to ensuring students attend school and take advantage of learning opportunities makes a difference!

Quarter 2: Growing Together

Quarter 2 is already underway! Students have completed PM1 and USA 1 and 2, giving us valuable insight into their progress. This quarter, our ELA 9/10 teachers are using these data points to provide targeted support through differentiated instruction and small-group learning while introducing new standards.

How can you help at home? Take a few minutes this weekend to review your child's PM1, USA1, and USA2 scores and identify areas for growth. Encourage your child to set goals and take ownership of their learning.

Save the Date: Parent University — November 3, 2026!

Join us to learn how to access and understand your child's assessment scores and discover ways to support their academic success at home. More details are coming soon!

Thank you for your continued partnership! Together, we can help every student grow, achieve, and succeed!

Next week all Classical Studies students will be testing in the gym. Please make sure your students are dressed in layers because the temperature in the gym can vary, but it is usually very cold. Students will go to lunch at 11:15 and report to the gym by 11:45 for the exam. Regular time is 1hr and 30min, so students who have 100% extended time will need to make arrangements to get home after 3pm.

All other Retake exams are still continuing to happen on the dates available on the Fall assessment Calendar -

The 2026-27 Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) is now open! Florida students should submit the FFAA to be considered for state-funded scholarships and grants, such as the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The deadline for graduating seniors to submit their FFAA and complete the requirements for a Bright Futures Scholarship is August 31, 2027.

We encourage all graduating seniors to complete the FFAA by April 1, 2027 because it will increase their chances of qualifying for other state-funded scholarships. Students do not need to wait until they meet all the Bright Futures requirements to complete the FFAA.

Helpful Resources:

• Bright Futures Scholarship Eligibility Requirements: www.floridabrightfutures.gov

• Scholarship Information & Directions to Apply: https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPHome/SAPHome?url=home

• Bright Futures Initial Eligibility PowerPoint and FFAA Reference Guide: https://www.palmbeachschools.org/studentsparents/scholarships-and-financial-aid/bright-futures

The Department of Multicultural Education is partnering with School Counseling in the Department of Elementary Education to help high school seniors complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Join us for a FAFSA Night Workshop to help students and families understand the financial aid process and complete the FAFSA with support.

Date: Wednesday, November 4: Flyer - Register Here

Time: 6:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.

Location: Palm Beach County School District, 3300 Forest Hill Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL - Cafeteria

Who Should Attend: High school seniors and their families

Congratulations to our September Wellington Way Award Winners! These students were nominated by their teachers to win this award under the them, Self Awareness and Self Management! Congratulations!

The Dance Company had an absolute blast celebrating Dance Awareness Day at Nova Southeastern University. Classes were led by NSU dance faculty, current NSU dance majors, guest artists, and choreographers from Princess Cruise Line!

Our Fire Academy students attended the 2026 Firefighter Awards Breakfast! This was a great opportunity to gain additional mentorship, learn from the BEST and immerse themselves in what it means to be a Fire Fighter!!

Congratulations to Brody Bechalany. Brody Bechalany was selected by both the Math and Science departments to represent Wellington High School in the Sunshine State Scholars (SSS) Recognition Program.

Please join me in congratulating Hayden Kane on completing the US Equestrian Interscholastic Athlete Program, earning recognition with a varsity letter in equestrian sport! This accomplishment reflects the dedication, discipline, and hard work required to meet the program’s training or competition requirements. Equestrian athletes develop a remarkable partnership with their horses, built on trust, communication, and teamwork. We are proud to celebrate Hayden’s commitment and achievements beyond the classroom. Way to go, Hayden—you make our Wolverine family proud!

This week, the Vet Bio 2 students learned first aid and emergency vet hospital procedures that included pressure bandaging for horses, wound and splint bandaging for dogs and cats, how to stop bleeding from a wound as well as CPR in pets. Students also learned what life threatening complications happen from heat stroke, the first aid needed on the way to the hospital and the treatments needed to save them once they reach the emergency hospital.

Wellington Speech & Debate enjoyed great success at its second PBCFL tournament of the 2026-2027 season, hosted by Olympic Heights High School on Saturday, October 10.

• In Novice Congressional Debate: Peter Abraham placed first overall in his chamber, while Gio Cyril finished second in his competitive round. Kai Connolly and Connor Hartigan each finished fifth, with Hartigan also earning a gavel for taking on the presiding officer role.
• In Varsity Congressional Debate: Kathryn Polcz finished first, and Riley Hidalgo-Gato fourth, while both Tehila Azulay and Caden Sahlberg placed sixth in their respective chambers.
• Genesis Cabrera took home two trophies, placing second in Poetry Reading and third in Dramatic Performance.
• Gwen Mace finished fourth overall in Informative Speaking.
• In Public Forum Debate, two teams - Beckett Brent & Lara Terragno, and Jon Struthers & Richard Tanton - tied for fourth overall.

Wellington earned six new National Speech & Debate Association degrees and memberships. Lara Terragno earned the Degree of Distinction, surpassing the 250-point mark, while Kathryn Polcz achieved the Degree of Excellence in bypassing the 150-point plateau. Karyna Agababian earned her Degree of Honor and her varsity debate letter by eclipsing the 75-point mark, and three students - Gio Cyril, Camila Salazar, and Sanee Tanton - each earned their NSDA Honor Society membership.

Just wanted to shout out our ladies volleyball team that ended their season last night by coming up just short of their 5th straight district championship! You are all AMAZING!!!

To the Seniors: Maddie, Jill, Juju, Liv, and Kris; THANK YOU so much for leading and mentoring this team. Your teammates, coaches and parents love you and are so proud of everything you've accomplished over the last 4 years! Thank so much for your dedication to the program!!!

Cross Country will be having a spirit night fundraiser at Raising Cane's from 4:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, October 21st. Please mention that you're with the fundraiser during check-out r if ordering online, use the code provided in the flyer.

We are excited to announce Matt Estes as our new head softball coach. Estes brings an extensive coaching background, a proven record of success, and a passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the field.

Estes has served as the head softball coach at Emerald Cove Middle School since 2011, earning multiple county championships during his tenure. His coaching experience also includes stops at Seminole Ridge High School, Palm Beach Central High School, and Oxbridge Academy, where he was part of the coaching staff that made multiple trips to States. In addition, Estes brings years of experience coaching travel softball teams throughout the local area.

With deep roots in the Wellington area, Estes understands the local softball community and the importance of building strong relationships with student-athletes, families, and fellow coaches. His familiarity with the area, combined with his extensive coaching experience and positive attitude, positions him well to lead the program into its next chapter.

Wellington High welcomes Coach Estes and looks forward to an exciting future for its softball program.

Come out to support our talented theatre students! The Wizard of Oz will be presented on October 22nd, 23rd, and 24th at 7 PM in the Wellington High School Theatre. Clear bags only; cash concessions available. Tickets are presale only and can be purchased at wtcwhs.booktix.com. Hope to see you there!

HealthCorps is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people build healthier minds, bodies, and communities through health education, leadership development, and service learning.

Our Teens Make Health Happen (TMHH) afterschool club is open to students of all grade levels! We meet once a week to learn about health and wellness, create Health-Promoting Projects, and organize events to share what we learn with our peers and school communities.

Throughout the year, we promote special health initiatives to encourage everyone to make healthy choices. To welcome the fall season, we’re kicking things off with our Fall into Fitness 5-Minute Challenge! It’s a fun way to get moving, boost our energy, and promote fitness together.

Want to join the club? Email Ms. Smith (sarah.smith@palmbeachschools.org), who oversees the Teens Make Health Happen club at WHS and find out which day the club meets. We’d love to have you join us!

HealthCorps: Healthy Youth. Stronger Communities. Brighter Futures.

Check out the HOSA Monthly Update Here!!!

To kick off October, HOSA is proud to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month! In doing so we will be conducting our annual Pink Pumpkin Fundraiser! For our Pink Pumpkin Fundraiser, we will be putting together goodie bags that feature breast cancer awareness items and pink pumpkins. A majority of funds raised will be donated to breast cancer research facilities, so any support is greatly appreciated! Our goal is to raise at least $300. The pink pumpkin baskets will be on sale during both lunches in front of the Media center and LDLC on October 22nd, 23rd, and 26th! We encourage everyone to spread the word and stop by the LDLC and Media Center to support this meaningful cause!

Come join us on October 25th from 4:30-6:30pm for our annual Trunk or Treat. We will have loads of candy, bounce houses, and fun for the whole family. The event is free for anyone to attend!!

Welcome to the new and improved Wellington High School PTSO. We now have one link that will take you to any of our upcoming volunteer opportunities and events. Using this link, you may also purchase your PTSO membership, place an order for marquee announcements, and during the month of October, you can place an order for a Boo-A-Friend bag. Parents, staff, and students may purchase a bag filled with candy and a message for $3. You must have the recipient's first and last name, as well as their 5th period class. Students can purchase from the PTSO table when we are there during lunch and everyone else can purchase online.

Join the PTSO for their Spirit Night at Jojo's Raw Bar and Grill, Friday the 16th. Be sure to mention PTSO when you dine in from 3pm to close. Grab an early dinner before watching the homecoming parade or late night snack after the game!! Jojo's has been a great supporter of the PTSO and funds raised go back to providing staff and student appreciation activities.

Students, stay tuned for volunteer opportunities and details on our first student membership meeting on October 29th.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/organizations/wellington-high-school-ptso-inc