SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

“Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten.” - Natasha Bedingfield, Unwritten

The first Friday of the school year was no ordinary Friday. On this Friday, the newest members of the Nightingale community—the Class of 2036—had arrived for their very first day of Kindergarten. At the same time, the Class of 2024 was excitedly waiting in the lobby, ready to carry out one of Nightingale’s most beloved traditions—greeting the new Kindergarteners and walking them up to their homerooms.

“In a year filled with milestones, walking up a Kindergartener has, to me, been the most exciting and meaningful (thus far). As someone who’s been at Nightingale for thirteen years, almost all of my childhood, it was such a full circle moment to be able to accompany a young student on the same journey. My student was excited and full of smiles, but I’m sure she was still a bit nervous; I hope I helped quell some of those potential fears and that she remembers the moment as something to look forward to one day when she’s in my shoes,” Esme G. ’24 shared.

One by one, each Kindergarten student made her way to the blue doors to say hello to Mr. Burke and meet her Class XII student. With warm smiles, encouraging words, and outstretched hands, the Class of 2024 officially welcomed their youngest classmates to the Schoolhouse. Together, they strode through the lobby and climbed up the stairs all the way to the 4th floor—the homebase for the Lower School.

Reflecting on the morning, Eden B. ’24 shared that she hopes her Kindergarten student remembers that she was incredibly brave, even in a moment that undoubtedly felt scary and daunting. “I hope she remembers the day as being joyful and exciting, one where she found a place that felt like home and a welcoming community. I especially hope she remembers that it is okay to need a hand to hold through a difficult moment and that her school community is always there to guide her through the challenging moments.”

In those very special meetings on the sidewalk in front of the blue doors, the first words of 47 new Nightingale stories were written. We can’t wait to hear all of the chapters yet to come!

Click here to watch a video of the morning.