New Fairfield’s middle school and elementary campuses will soon be in a wonderful frenzy of activity, and their two new principals are ready. Though NFMS Principal Karen Gruetzner and elementary Head Principal Allyson Story will lead schools filled with students who are at different stages in their lives, they will both prioritize the same goals: to foster ge nuine connections and encourage positivity and kindness in their schools.

With the district at a time of great change, the leaders say that they both believe it is important to build community within the buildings, while also strengthening the connection between home and school. They are working from the foundation that schools should be safe, welcoming environments where students and staff feel a strong sense of belonging, Gruetzner speaks for both leaders when saying that they strive to “create an environment where relationships can flourish.” The middle school and elementary campuses will open with teachers and students “doing many different activities that encourage making connections with others, having fun, and envisioning what lies ahead for the year.”

At NFMS, Gruetzner said, “we need students to come prepared with kindness.” She wisely pointed out that, “Adolescence is such a turbulent age, and we need more than ever to lift one another up. Kindness is free and yet its impact is priceless.” Story is juggling a multitude of changes at Consolidated and Meeting House Hill School with the new addition, the combined staff and student bodies, new students and staff, a small amount of ongoing construction, and more. Her enthus iasm is infectious, “we want students to come to school ready and excited. We are going to have an amazing adventure this year. It is important for all of us to remain positive and flexible.”

Both leaders are spending time with their staff. Story says, “I am excited to bring the two [elementary] staffs together to have opportunities to learn from each other. I am looking forward to developing strong relationships with all of the staff. There are man y amazing educators in both buildings, and we have hired some very talented professionals to join our team this year.”

Gruetzner is “excited to get to know the staff and see first-hand the incredible work they do with students.” She said that she knows, “They are an extremely dedicated group, and are deeply invested in their students’ academic and social-emotional growth…Nurturing and educating adolescents is not easy work, but the staff at the middle school is very collaborative. I look forward to being a part of that.”

The two principals acknowledge that with new leadership, the culture is bound to change. “Building a positive school culture is some of the most difficult work there is, and it is a powerful driver. It is the result of ongoing reflection, conversations, and communication,’” Gruetzner says. She believes, “It is a balance of honoring what’s working, providing the staff with what they need, and giving them the tools to grow (while growing alongside them) and supporting them along the way.”

Keeping with the themes of change, connections, and positivity, there will be shifts at each school to support the goals. At NFMS, “The schedule is adjusting ever so slightly this year to incorporate daily Community Conversations,” Gruetzner explains. Elevating these morning meetings from once per week sets aside time daily, “for these community building dis cussions and activities. The Community Conversations build upon the Responsive Classroom work at the elementary level. They help build empathy, teach perspective taking, and contribute to team building.” The elementary campus will, “continue our work with the Responsive Classroom approach. Students will be a part of c lassroom morning meetings, and other activities that help build a strong sense of classroom community,” Story says.

Story and Gruetzner are both happy to offer W.I.N., a flexible, dedicated time during which students get what they need in terms of support, intervention, and enrichment. There is also STEAM, a new hands-on class offered to students in kindergarten through eighth grade focusing on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

The elementary campus and middle school will open in the coming week and their energized principals are looking forward to the exciting journeys ahead.

By Sarah Opdahl