“Nerv-ited”
by Bridget Yoko & Caroline Powell
Our 9th year has officially begun! The energy on the first day of school was contagious. Returning learners jumped out of their cars to find their friends, screams and hugs commenced, and new learners were greeted with enthusiasm. The vibes were joyful and as some of our learners have coined it “nerv-ited”, a mix between being nervous and excited.
“Nerv-ited” - it’s the feeling of being more than joyful, you can’t help but smile, or even scream with delight. It’s the feeling of your tummy jumping, your mind curious and full of wonder about how this school year will feel. Will my studio feel the same? Will I still play with the same people? What will happen now that we have new learners? What will happen if things have changed? Will I still fit in?
The beginning of the school year is always full of questions from the learners. Many of the questions the guides cannot or will not answer just yet. We carefully curate these first few weeks to build in time for the learners to answer them for themselves.
Will my studio feel the same?...“What do you think will happen this year?”, “Does every year feel the same?”
Will I still play with the same people?... “When will you find out?”, “When is our first park day? I wonder what you will play and who will join you…”
“What will happen now that we have new learners?”... “What has happened before?”, “Who was new last year that you play with today?”
“What will happen if things have changed?”... “What have you done before when things have changed?”, “Can you think of a time when things changed for you? What did you do?”
“Will I fit in?”... “What makes you feel like you fit in?”, “Can you think of a time when you didn’t fit in? What did you do?”
As guides, we often answer the learners’ questions with questions. We do this as a way to build space, space for the learners to decide for themselves how they will create a school year that is meaningful to them. So far, the meaning that we have seen them create has been full of hope, blossoming friendships, new connections, and the beginnings of trust.
In Spark Studio, our studio with the newest and youngest learners, they have participated in several circles, sharing about themselves, their families, and their favorite things. Afternoons of play have begun. There have been "tsunamis" in the sandbox, water wars, ball tossing games, sled runs, and circus performances. The morning work time has left space for leadership. Our oldest learners are leading the way, showing our new learners how to care for themselves, the materials, and be self-directed in morning work choices.
In Discovery Studio, many returning learners have welcomed our new learners with joy. The eagerness to welcome them is overpowering at times and endearing to watch. Returning learners gather around, arms in the air, saying “I can help! I can help!”, each of them wanting to show their knowledge of how to be a Discovery learner. The culture is being built through games, the creation of a studio contract, and lots of outdoor play. Soccer tournaments have already begun, impressive fish have been caught in the creek, and new challenges like crocheting have taken off like wild fire. The learners have jumped into the school year with contagious energy.
Adventure Studio welcomes several new learners this year! Some of our learners moved up from Discovery and one can tell - they are the definition of “nervited”. The first day of school was filled with that joyful, nervous excitement. Many of them asked about “Civ.” (our renowed civilizations curriculum) or when we would finally get to morning work (asked within the first 30 minutes of the day). The guides have carefully crafted the first few days to be a slow build of trust in each other, knowing that each member of the studio is vital to our success as a community. On the third day of school, our learners even participated in white water rafting!
We all started this school year with a feeling of being “nerv-ited”. At The Village School, the feeling of “nerv-ited” will wear off as we build trust, friendships, culture, and community. We know that these things can only be built with the space to build them, without the answers from the guides, and instead the participation and engagement of each member of our community. We are so excited to see what the school year will bring.
