Dear Harbor Families,

As the school year draws to a close, families are turning their attention to the summer and the next school year. Earlier this week, you received an email from our Summer Camp Director, Seth Fangboner, seeking feedback on potential formats for virtual summer experiences, including continued academic support. Along with our administration, Seth and his team are using your feedback to plan for the summer; he will be sharing more information soon.

As we think about a physical return to school, there is much to consider. We have always been proud of our small class sizes and low ratios for their role in differentiating instruction and developing a supportive social/emotional environment for young children. In the new reality, in fact, our low ratios and the large, new building where we will be moving this summer translate to physical safety - in ways that other schools will larger class sizes are not able to replicate.

With continued uncertainty about how the pandemic will impact our lives, we have been busy planning for various potential scenarios regarding the 2020-21 school year. With resources from the health organizations and our school associations, we are thinking through measures for safe, physically "socially distanced" learning in school - which would include regular deep cleaning, small group learning environments, physical distance, and potentially protective coverings. We also understand that families have different needs and situations, and are looking at ways some students may opt to continue to distance learn, once our physical doors are able to open again. Should there be times when we all are required to stay home, we are taking a close look at adapting our current distance learning model to further accommodate individual family schedules and student needs.

This is a very difficult situation, in many ways, for each and every one of us in the Harbor community. We understand that the pandemic has affected each family in unique ways, and want to understand ways we can support each of you and your children. As always, I am eager to have individual conversations with you to hear your thoughts and needs. Andrea and I also hope to see many of you at our parent coffee tomorrow morning at 10:30!

Warmly,

Leah Musico

Head of School