Sixth Year Natalie who now attends Sandwich Middle and High School shared her story with us last spring during her graduation ceremony. I am most intrigued by how she articulates the connections she made over the years. At Bridgeview Montessori we definitely KNOW each other. Enjoy. ~ Suzanne Lawson

Pictured: While a First Year, Natalie and her classmates presented images and facts about Martin Luther King, Jr. to students in our Children’s House.

Isn't it crazy how time flies? It feels like it was just yesterday that I was inspired and looking up to the older kids, knowing I'd be one of them some day. I'm heartbroken to be ending this incredible Bridgeview journey that I have been in since my Kindergarten years. If my younger self looked up at me today, little Natalie would be so proud of herself! I have come such a long way, and saying goodbye will be hard. 

I can remember just a bit of my first day of Kindergarten and thinking how this was a big step in my life. I remember being overwhelmed by all the new people and the new materials I had never seen before. Immediately welcomed by all of the kids and teachers, I felt so special and fit right in! I remember the little games my friends and I would play at recess, and the songs we used to sing with the teacher. These memories are everything and after that, Bridgeview has always felt like that second home to me. 

Progressing through the years now in Elementary I, I built my confidence and knowledge bit by bit everyday. Meeting my best friends helped me become the best person I am today, and I would never want to ask for more. Introduced to super cool works, I was very intrigued and would always be so excited to learn more. All of the teachers helped me realize that it's okay to ask for help and make mistakes . . . very important to remember to this day.   

I can look back and picture my years at Bridgeview, here in the amazing Green Room [our upper Elementary]. With teachers like Jolie, Kathleen, and Cathy, I could always be myself and feel comfortable. Walking into school in the morning and being greeted by everyone's smiles makes me feel so grateful. On any day, I could be found problem solving new materials, learning in fun lessons, having an awesome time in an enrichment, or on an amazing field trip. All of these are some of the best ways we spend our time in the Green Room. And, being able to hang out with the Children's House students is always a privilege; inspiring and teaching them is one of the best things to do as an older kid.

I want to say thank you to my teachers, the amazing teachers that have taught me so much and have gotten me to where I am now. Thank you, Jolie, who is an expert at teaching lessons and helping me understand what I’m working on. You taught me so much in writing, math, science, and I will use my new knowledge to excel next year. Thank you, Kathleen, who always knows how to have fun in the classroom. You have taught me lots of history, reading, geography, and some new songs too. Thank you Cathy who helped teach me new tricks and tips in math and history. You are always there when I need you and can explain things perfectly. And thank you to teachers like Sandy, Courtnenay, and Britt who have taught me so well. I always look forward to seeing you everyday, and I am going to miss you all so much! 

I would also like to say thank you to my fellow sixth year friends too. You have all helped me so much through my Bridgeview journey since Kindergarten and you all mean a lot to me. Thank you, Melanie, who has always been that big sister to me. You are kind, humorous, and very responsible. Thank you, Lydia, for always being there to cheer me up. You are upbeat, playful, and you always find ways to make me laugh. Thank you, Cassidy, who is always so generous and kind to me everyday. You are funny, loyal, and you always make me smile. Thank you, Teddy, who has always been able to make my day a little better. You are amusing, curious, and very entertaining when it comes to Try Not To Laugh. Thank you, Diego, who has always been there for me as a great friend. You are smart, kind, and I’m definitely excited to go to school with you next year. And I would never forget to say thank you to my family for bringing me into this program and supporting me all the way through. 

These have been some of the greatest moments in my life. Being at Bridgeview has taught me so much and next year is going to be tough. I will be attending Sandwich Middle and High School for seventh grade, and I am super excited, but I will never forget the Bridgeview traditions, materials, and teachers that guided me through my journey to who I am now. I will remember to be the confident, kind, and smart kid I was trained to be and hope to inspire younger ones. So instead of saying goodbye, I would much rather say hello to a new step in my life. Hello to my new journey.