By Sarah Opdahl

Dr. Jennifer Hildebrand is thrilled to be going into her fifth year at the elementary school in New Fairfield. This year brings with it added excitement in the form of her new role as Upper House Principal, leading students and staff in grades 3 through 5. “I have been fortunate to be part of this school community for the past four years, so stepping into this role feels both new and very familiar,” Hildebrand said, going on to say, “I already know our students, our staff, and so many of our families, and I care deeply about our school and the New Fairfield community.”

As assistant principal at the elementary school over the past four years, Hildebrand was focused on building and supporting systems, solving problems, and helping to carry out the school’s larger vision, while her priorities will now shift to “shaping the vision, connecting that work to the district’s strategic plan, and making sure the decisions we make continue to move us forward.” She plans to continually challenge and ask herself, “What is best for kids? What do our students and staff need to be successful? And how do we continue building a school where people feel connected, valued, and excited to be?”

One of Hildebrand’s biggest priorities lies in “building a strong sense of belonging and connection for students. I want every child to know that they are seen and valued, and that there are adults in this building who believe in them.” She explained that this work will be important for students and staff alike. For students, “belonging and high expectations go hand in hand. We want students to be challenged, to take risks, to make mistakes, and to understand that growth comes from doing hard things.” Whereas for staff, she wants to build upon a foundation of a culture of “trust, respect, and collaboration.” She plans to continue to encourage them to prioritize “relationships first. Children may not remember every lesson we teach, but they will remember the adults who made them feel safe, heard, and seen.” She believes that at a school’s best, the students, educators, and families will all feel like they are on the same team.

The elementary school was certainly abuzz with activity in recent weeks, and Hildebrand is grateful for the work that was accomplished. “I am incredibly thankful for our secretaries, custodians, and technicians who have been working behind the scenes to prepare our school for students and staff. Materials are arriving and being delivered, classrooms and spaces are being cleaned and painted, and countless details are being attended to throughout the building,” she said, going on to say, “Our PTO has also been hard at work updating our playground with new stenciled activities that will give students more choices at recess.”

There were also a large number of meetings occurring, of course, to prepare for this year’s students. “Whether we are reviewing data, discussing student strengths and needs, ensuring systems are up and running, or simply making the school beautiful for their return, it all comes back to them.” Teachers have recently arrived to set up classrooms and Hildebrand is happy to see them. As she walked through the building on the Saturday before the academic year started, “I found myself smiling at how much love and care had already gone into getting our school ready for our students. I continue to be amazed by how many moving pieces it takes to open a school.”

Hildebrand knows the trust that’s needed among educators and families and understands that in addition to happiness on the first day of school, there will also be nerves and tears—she quipped, “maybe from the parents.” She wants the community to know that “One of the things I believe most strongly is that every student’s journey matters. Learning and growth will not look exactly the same for every child, and it shouldn’t. Our responsibility is to know our students well enough to understand what they need to grow, challenge them, and celebrate milestones both big and small. We also need to have fun and, most importantly, ensure each student knows they belong here.”

Always in search of a solution, Hildebrand shared that the most challenging aspect of starting a new school year “is balancing the needs of each individual with the needs of the larger school community. I care deeply about people, and my natural instinct is to want to make things work for everyone. The hard part is knowing that I can’t always do that. With many decisions, I have to step back, look at the bigger picture, and consider what is best for the school community as a whole. I hope that even when someone doesn’t get the answer they were hoping for, they know I listened, that I care, and that their perspective mattered.” She added, “If, at the end of the school year, students have taken risks, built relationships, grown academically, discovered new interests, and unlocked strengths they may not have known they had, I will consider it a successful year.”

Hildebrand’s overarching advice for families is to “Give yourselves and our children a little grace. We will figure it all out. The beginning of a school year brings excitement, but it can also bring uncertainty. New teachers, new classmates, new routines, and new expectations take time to settle into.” She thinks it’s important to “acknowledge any nerves while talking positively about the upcoming school year. Remind them that there are adults in the building ready to help and support them. Give them an opportunity to navigate new experiences, knowing that we are here to support them along the way.”

With all of the students arriving today, Hildebrand expects to be filled with joy and the energy that naturally comes with the opportunity to build something together. She emphasized, “joy matters. Children should come to school each day knowing that learning is not just about working hard but is also about laughing, creating, building relationships, and making memories.”