For Upper School Parents and Students
Verse of the Week
“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”
Ephesians 4:32
This Week
- First Day of School: Thursday, Aug. 13 – All US grades 7-12 will start classes on this day.
- Dropping Off Students: Students may be dropped off starting at 7:30 AM in the commons (through the gym entrance) where all students must remain until they are released to their lockers/classrooms starting at 8:10 AM. Students may not enter through the the office doors until 8:10 AM. Please see our US Morning Drop Off Map for directions on how to drive through campus.
- Schedule Changes: Class schedules are now available on FACTS. If you would like to request a change, please use our Schedule Change Request Form to do so. Cynthia Durbin, our college counselor, will be reviewing these forms as they come in. Requests submitted by email or through Teams will not be considered. Once a request has been submitted, it will be reviewed according to school scheduling policies and availability. Please continue following your current schedule until any approved changes are reflected in FACTS.
- Email is the preferred method of communication with Cynthia Durbin during this busy time, as it allows her to respond more efficiently and keep track of each student’s needs. If you have a question or concern, please send an email rather than leaving a voicemail, as email will receive the quickest response.
- Lockers: All 7-10th grade students have a locker assigned (locker number and combo can be found on FACTS). If you are an 11th or 12th grade student and would like a locker, please contact Mrs. Meyers in the office to request one. We unfortunately have a limited number, so these are first come first served!
- New Upper School Bell Schedule 2026-27: Please note that our block days have changed! They are now Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please also see that on these days, there are now 3 lunches and community blocks have changed times.
- Student Drivers: All students driving themselves to campus must read our Student Parking Map and Rules as well as purchase a parking pass. After filling out the form and paying online, see Ashley Davis in the office about getting your pass!
- Dress Code Update 2026-2027: We are excited to share an update to the approved WC dress code for the 2026–2027 school year. We are launching a new, streamlined dress code designed to offer clearer guidance, reduce uniform costs, and provide options that students can wear from kindergarten through 12th grade. These updates balance comfort and the intention of the dress code to help students flourish. Please see the quick reference guide with examples of approved outfits, color options, and expectations. Our goal is to maintain a consistent look while supporting comfort and affordability. These updates will go into effect for the 2026–2027 school year. Families may still purchase uniforms at the annual Share the Ware sale.
- Understanding the Changes
- We hope the expanded khaki options are more cost-conscious for families by allowing students to choose any appropriate chino brand. Students no longer need to purchase khakis from only Lands’ End or School Closet.
- The new standardized crewneck sweatshirt is available at School Closet for $30. This provides a more affordable outerwear option for both Lower and Upper School students. Upper School students can wear any WC-branded top on Fridays, including WC-branded T-shirts, sweatshirts, outerwear, or sports jerseys.
- Understanding the Changes
- School Supply Lists 2026-2027:
- Summer Reading List 2026-2027
Coming Up
- Senior Trip Parent Meeting: Thursday, Aug. 20
- Curriculum Night: Thursday, Aug, 20
- House Competition Day: Wednesday, Aug. 26 – Wear your house shirt and jeans or sweatpants/joggers if you prefer. As a reminder, no shorts or yoga pants/leggings are permitted. (If you would like to wear shorts, only UNIFORM shorts are allowed.) This is not a normal “out of uniform day.” You must wear your house shirt!
- US Picture Day: Thursday, Aug. 27 – Students must wear a uniform shirt for their picture (no sweatshirts or other outerwear).
- Completed order forms must be turned in with payment prior to being photographed. If you are not ordering any pictures, you must still fill out the photo order form and be photographed on picture day.
- All-School Tailgate: Friday, Aug. 28
Reminders
- Hours
Office Hours | 8 AM – 4 PM
School Hours | 8:20 AM – 3:20 PM - Dropping and Picking Up Students
Students may be dropped off starting at 7:30 AM in the commons (through the gym entrance) where they will be supervised until they are released to their lockers/classrooms starting at 8:10 AM. Students may not enter through the the office doors until 8:10 AM. After school, the latest supervision will be provided is 4:30 PM in the commons (only 4PM on Wednesdays). - Attendance (Hotline: 614-410-4343)
To report an absence, late arrival, or early dismissal before 9 AM on a school day, call the attendance hotline at 614-410-4343. Messages can also be left the night before and will be adjusted in attendance the next day. After 9 AM on a school day, please call the main office at 614-431-8210.- Attendance Flowchart: Please note that all excused absences will be marked as “unexcused” until proper documentation is turned in.
- Absence Pre-verification: If you are aware of a future absence, please fill out our Absence Pre-verification Form and turn it in to the office at least a week prior to leaving if possible.
- Attendance Policies: This is a brief summary of our policies regarding academic integrity and regulated attendance rules. More details can be found in our student handbook (found in Quick Links, below).
- Items Dropped Off in Main Office:
Our office staff is always glad to help get forgotten items to students when time allows, though the office can be quite busy at times. To help things run smoothly, we encourage students to double-check in the morning to be sure they have everything they’ll need for the day. When dropping off items, we kindly ask that these be limited to essentials, as we can’t always guarantee quick delivery. Please also keep in mind that sending messages about items can interrupt class time. If you do need to drop something off, please label it with your student’s name and place it on the black shelf—our office team will then make sure your student picks it up. - Student Drivers
All students driving themselves to campus must read our Student Parking Map and Rules as well as purchase a parking pass. After filling out the form and paying online, see Mrs. Davis in the office about getting your pass! - Chapel
Parents are welcome to attend any of our chapels during the school year! They are every Tuesday in the Grace Polaris Church Worship Center (1:13-1:53 PM). Please remember that you must sign in at the Upper School office before going to chapel. - Device Usage
Personal technology such as cellphones or tablets may not be used during the entire school day. School-issued Chromebooks are the only devices permitted. If parents need to get a message to their student, please call the main office and either Mrs. Davis or Mrs. Ryan will notify the student. If students need to use their cellphones, they must go to the main office or nurse’s office to get permission. - Work Permits
Students needing a work permit should complete the pre-application form and have their employer complete the bottom portion. Then, bring the form to the office to be filed online. Please allow a minimum of 24 hours for the office to complete the work permit filing process. - Warrior Moms Prayer Group
Join us for a time of prayer every Friday morning at 8:20 AM outside of the Upper School, near the main office entrance. Questions? Contact Justine Styer.