Our new Head of School, Jeff Waxman, joined our community of learners in July, and since that time he has been learning about our school, our faculty and staff, our board and, since September, our students and families. He is invested in helping Bridgeview Montessori adhere to its mission while moving forward with passion and grace. Welcome, Jeff. ~ Suzanne Lawson
Hello Bridgeview Montessori Families,
As a way of welcoming each of you to this new school year, I wanted to share some thoughts about the feelings that sometimes arise when we begin again.
Jeff works with our 6th Years as they figure out how much sand we need delivered to our sandboxes.
A new school year stirs excitement—and sometimes, a bit of unease. For children, it may be the uncertainty of a new classroom, new peers, or new expectations. Maybe you have a new Bridgeview Montessori student, or maybe your child is moving up to a new classroom. As parents, watching our children worry about a new situation can bring about our own quiet fears of stepping back, of letting go, of watching our children navigate challenges without rushing in to smooth the path.
It’s natural to feel this tension. We often unconsciously harken back to our own childhood and the fears we felt when change was coming. Perhaps our parents were the type who jumped in and tried to rescue us or maybe the opposite. We all want our children to have it easier than we did. Were you the type who jumped in with enthusiasm feeling you could conquer anything? Were you a bundle of nerves on the first day? Emotions stir, regardless.
The realization of change brings risk peppered with discomfort. But it also opens the door to growth. When we meet our own fears with courage and calm, our children learn by example that change is not something to be avoided, but something to be welcomed.
This school year, let us not only encourage our children to take on new challenges but also challenge ourselves. Let’s practice patience when routines shift, openness when surprises arise, and confidence when uncertainty lingers. After all, change reminds us that we are always learning—about our children, about ourselves, and about what it means to grow alongside them. When we lean into change with openness, we model curiosity and courage. By pushing through our own fear of change, we give our children the greatest gift: the courage to do the same.
Here are some tips you might try:
Normalize. Remind your child that feeling scared is natural. You might tell them, “It looks like you might be feeling scared. Is that how you are feeling?" As we all know, sometimes just being seen and naming a fear can diminish its power. We may offer: "Would you like a hug? Do you want me to listen? Or is there something else you need?”
Reveal. Share a story of a time when you felt the same way explaining how you pushed through and overcame it. It might have been when you were this age. It might have been last month!
Reframe. Help shift focus from lack to abundance. If your child is focusing on what may have been lost friends who moved on, a teacher who left… remind them that this new beginning is full of new opportunities and very soon, it's going to feel so good. They might be crying now because they don’t want to say goodbye to you. Soon they will be crying because they don’t want to go home!
Ask. Talk about change as an adventure. Model curiosity. “I wonder what new things you will learn this year!?” Do you think you will lose teeth? Get taller? Learn to ride a two-wheeler? Tell me how you are feeling?” and ask, “What can I do to help you?’
Simplify. Break things into small, manageable, easy steps. Create routines to make big changes feel easier.
Trust. Help your child understand that change is not always comfortable. It’s scary to take the training wheels off and wobble and sometimes, fall. But the satisfaction that comes from pushing through is truly joyous. Remind yourself and your child that every challenge builds strength, courage, and adaptability.
Celebrate. Make sure to acknowledge the small steps and risks your child navigates. Each success will build more grit and determination for the next small challenge!
I am so excited to embark on this new year with each of you. It takes courage. It takes tenacity. We have everything we need to succeed as parents (and faculty). And our children have all of the raw material they need as well. Let’s jump in with both feet, roll up our sleeves, and model that resilience is possible. When we resist the urge to cling to the familiar, we give them permission to step boldly into the unknown. When we trust the process, they learn to trust themselves.
Here’s to a GREAT 2025-26 school year FULL of change and growth! We’ve got this!
Best,
Jeff Waxman, Head of School
