The 2024-2025 school year is in full swing, with kids in the classroom eager to learn. At Wellington Elementary, this is no different. Castle Country Radio sat down with Principal Paulie Vogrinec to talk about the start of the school year, upcoming fundraisers and how to get involved with your child’s education.

The first topic Principal Vogrinec discussed was how the start of the school year has gone for the Wellington Warriors,” it has been a busy start of the school year. Our enrollment has gone up a little bit. So we have a lot more new students, which is awesome to have. But it’s been busy with all of the beginning-of-the-year testing. Our teachers also have been working hard over the summer. They attended some trainings for a new language arts curriculum that we’re implementing, and so it’s good to see some new things being brought into the schools.”

A big part of each school year is the different fundraisers that are put on by the school and the PTA, with Wellington being no exception. Coming up for the elementary is their annual Halloween Carnival Fundraiser, which will be held on Friday, Oct. 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. “One of the things we don’t want to do is a fundraiser that would make the kids go sell door-to-door and things like that. So the PTA is always wanting funds to help support the activities that they do. I have an awesome group that wants to do fun things with the kids.” Vogrinec continued,” And so this was a way to help put some funds back in their budget to help with those activities. So they have put together this fundraiser that for every $100 that they earn through this carnival, the student government will get to throw pies at me. So I said, ‘You know what, if it’s going to go back to the kids, I’m great with it.’”

One important aspect of school, especially at the elementary level is the parent’s involvement not just with their student, but with the school as a whole. One way parents can get involved is through volunteering their time in the classroom. Principal Vogrinec explained how parents can get involved,” the only requirement that we have is that they contact the district office and they get set up to have a background check. We do this for the safety of our children …We love having parents. And I think the more you can be a part of your child’s education and the more you know what’s going on, it’s great for your kids.”

Closing out our conversation, Principal Vogrinec shared,” We’re excited for our new school year. We’re moving forward and upward, and it is going to be a great year.”

To stay up to date with Wellington Elementary, you can follow the school on Facebook or visit their website here.