Departing Family Reflections

Lucy L., Parent of Hawaiian Hummingbird Bella and Capri Alum Joshua

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. And how lucky was I to have Ms. Gretchen and Principal David (from Capri), who I had the pleasure of having known with Bella’s brother Joshua, come over the same year Bella was to start her journey at Village. Ms. Gretchen, who taught Josh for Kinder at Capri, and has known Bella since she was 3 months old, now being able to teach her in class!!! How lucky was I! She is the best! And that was the hard decision of looking into Village, not having Ms. Gretchen teach Bella for kindergarten at Capri! But I did!!! Again, how lucky am I?!

Joshua didn’t come to Village because Becky told me that with parent participation, I would need to be AT school, and being pregnant with Bella, I knew I could not be there, leaving her with a babysitter…had I maybe talked to another veteran parent at the time, as we all know, Village is flexible. But as fate had it, I would never have Ms. Gretchen for Joshua. And my straight A student is doing fine at Westmont. :)

But I knew, for Bella, this was a school I wanted to get into, to be part of her elementary school experience! A little scary at first, but with Ms. Gretchen and I hugging each other, we tackled Kinder/Village together that first year, as I was the lone parent on Wednesdays in her class. Experiencing book browse, classroom time, recess, field trips…all the memories these past 6 years…

The Village community of teachers, staff, kids and parents has made these last 6 years an incredible journey that my family will never forget. It really is its own “village,” and when you step through those gates, it’s a wonderful feeling — safe and welcoming. Bella was given the skills to become a confident, respectful, smart, caring individual. And I thank you for that.

One of my favorite things at Village is Centers. So much so that, while also having the family job of keeping track of family commitments in Membership, I volunteered every year of my time here in Centers, and I will miss that and seeing the kids’ faces every rotation.

So as we venture to Rolling Hills, I am confident that Bella will excel there from her journey here. She and I have made life long friends here, and Bella has made me promise we will visit when she can to help out, or just for whatever, and I will gladly keep that promise. We are so lucky to have been here and will miss the daily life here at Village!

“Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean, I’ll miss you until we meet again.” — Author unknown
 

Stephanie B., Parent of Classy Cucumber Rachel Faye and Village Alum Bella

As I reflect on my time at Village, I smile to myself. I’m going to miss it after 12 years of having it be part of each morning. I chose Village for the size, the whole-child approach, and the lovely way the teachers let the children be themselves.

It’s wonderful to be part of a community where we all say “Good Morning, Buenos Dias” to each other. We invite new people to join our conversations on coffee mornings and give early morning hugs to our friends.

I appreciate that Village embraced having Spanish in the classrooms and that children still come up to me to say “!Hola!”

Village has given my girls the sensibility to know themselves and what is best for them. It has given them strength to say “yes” to adults with confidence and trust and to say “no” when they don’t feel good about something. I love that so many adults are around to show kindness and respect to all the children at Village. I love how teachers speak to children with joy and understanding.

My girls literally grew up at Village, and the memories I have from here and what I have learned about being a parent and a teacher will last throughout my life. I will greatly miss it and am already feeling the gap in my life as we head for middle school. Thank you for all you have given to my family and me. Sending a school-wide hug. With love, Stephanie B.

GiGi G., Parent of Hawaiian Hummingbird Ben and Village Alum Zoe

We chose Village because I still very much wanted to be part of my kids’ daily lives, know the friends and families they were meeting and be able to help the teachers at school. We actually did not get in the first year we applied and had to attend our neighborhood school to remain on the waitlist. Fortunately, we applied again for first grade and that time we got in. In addition, the year at our local school helped reinforce why we wanted to be at Village and I so appreciated everything I was getting from Village because we had experienced the alternative.

I will remember the parents at school. The ones who helped create centers, classes, field trips, events, experiences and memories that would not have been possible without them. I am grateful for the parents who looked out for kids at recess to make sure everyone was safe and comfortable asking for help if they needed it. I appreciate the parents who made connections, either by playing or interacting with kids, inviting and including other parents in activities or events, and those who would tell me a little tidbit about what my kid did or experienced that day when they were with them. I know I will continue to use the tools I learned in the parent education classes. Finally, I will continue to make the new foods my kids fell in love with via Village class snacks! Thank you, Village parents, for sharing your cultures, foods, stories, talents, time and compassion!

I will remember the teachers and staff. The ones who connected with students and met them where they were. I will cherish the creative, hands-on, high-impact lessons and activities in the classroom, the ones that made learning fun and were meaningful to the kids. I will remember the field trips that took advantage of the opportunities in our area.

I will remember how comfortable I felt approaching the teachers with a question or an idea and how welcome I felt in the classrooms and on campus. I know that I am a better parent by watching how the teachers interacted with the kids and how they managed their classrooms. Thank you, Village teachers and staff, for not only teaching our kids how to count, but also teaching them what counts most, like generosity, integrity, compassion, effort, courage, resilience, persistence, gratitude and kindness.

I will remember the children — the sounds of happy kids running on the field and learning in the classrooms, and the sights of a group of 5th graders including a kindergartener in their basketball game. I will remember students resolving differences using the Wheel of Choice and/or using the common positive discipline /ABC/growth mindset vocabulary that we all as a community use. I know these children will leave Village with a strong social emotional foundation that I hope will carry them through their lives.

I will remember how my children grew at Village. I will remember watching my shy kindergartner son, who had a hard time saying goodbye in the morning, grow into the confident, independent kid who didn’t even blink an eye when he ran off to start his first overnights away at Walden West. And that same son who still wants me around and isn’t afraid to give me a hug or peck in front of his friends.

I will remember how both my children were allowed to explore who they were without being afraid of being teased. I will remember how they were given the time and opportunities to find out their interests and passions by trying new things via centers, after school activities, events such as the talent show, rallies and serving on student council.

I will remember Village: the warm, caring community that embraced my family and gave my children the childhood I always wanted for them.

Kelli S., Parent of Hawaiian Hummingbird Ethan

I wish that Village was a 1–5 grade school. That would give all parents the opportunity to experience other schools and give them something to compare our little Village to.

The down to earth community, the volunteer spirit, a school where you and your child are not just a number.

This experience has been invaluable and something not to take for granted.