Stop. Go. Wait. Grow.
Trying to stay in the moment, but my mind is already spinning and planning for fall. There are so many moving pieces here at The Willow School as we finally begin phase one of our expansion and renovation projects. I’ve been ordering new rugs, designing new cubby areas, and thinking about how we can improve the toddler and preschool rooms as well.
Right now, we are still waiting for approval for the addition to the preschool room. We have been waiting almost four months for them to get back to us about a closet design. Yes, one closet is the thing that has been holding us back.
This whole process has felt like the longest game of Red Light, Green Light I have ever played in my life. Stop. Go. Stop. Go. Stop. Wait. Go. Wait.
In some ways, summer in Maine feels exactly the same—but at lightning speed. You blink, and suddenly it is almost over.
This summer, we have had wonderful counselors who have been learning about lesson planning, developmental observation, and classroom management. Ms. Cricket and Ms. Tara have done an amazing job mentoring and supporting these new educators, and I am so thankful for and proud of them—and of our students.
I am also grateful for the trust you have placed in The Willow School: trust that allows new educators to learn and grow while also creating restorative space for our full-time teaching staff.
Over the next three weeks, we will welcome Ms. Sara back to the toddler room, and I will finish the summer in the Oak Room. I am extremely excited to spend these last weeks with one of my favorite crews!
Ms. Tara will spend the rest of her summer helping one child move into their first apartment, another into their first dorm room, bringing another back for the fourth year of a five-year program, and preparing her youngest for the second year of high school. I am in awe of everything she manages to do for both her family and our community.
Ms. Cricket will spend the final weeks of summer running the nonprofit she founded and directs, Campfire Institute, and its Spark Summer Camp for Girls. We are so lucky that both Ms. Tara and Ms. Cricket shared their time, experience, and hearts with us this summer.
As we head into these final weeks, I am trying to hold both things at once: the excitement of everything that is coming and the joy of what is happening right now. There is so much ahead for The Willow School, but there are also three full weeks of summer left—three weeks to make things, explore, get messy, learn together, and enjoy this wonderful little community we have built.
Fall will come soon enough. For now, we are going to soak up every last bit of summer.
Warmest Regards,
Jenny
