Dear Harbor Families,

A few years ago in the field of education, a distinction was made between the commonly used term “community service” and a more comprehensive descriptor “service learning”.  Whereas community service describes an important goal of providing support, resources, or services to others, the term service learning incorporates the goals of understanding, learning, and investment in community for those who are volunteering their time and efforts. 

The Harbor School mission reminds us to teach students to celebrate uniqueness in themselves and others, and to develop confidence, kindness, and capability. Service learning fulfills these goals, with the purpose of developing empathy toward others’ experiences, understanding concepts of privilege, and making connections with the wider community. 

This Monday, across the country, we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a Day of Service - described as a day on, not a day off. For the past few years, The Harbor School has participated in this national effort in honor Dr. King’s work and give back to the community. Each year, we have chosen a different focus, and this year, we are looking forward to supporting Comfort Cases, an organization dedicated to supporting children in foster care. Our school is tasked with creating toiletry bags that will be included in backpacks full of items to comfort and support kids as they enter their new foster homes.

Thank you to those of you who have sent in travel sized items this week in preparation for Monday (see below for more information)!  As part of our service learning experience at 3 PM on Monday, we’ll learn more about foster care so that our students will understand and have empathy for and a greater understanding of the experience of some children, including hearing from a Harbor teacher who was in foster care herself. Students will participate in a “packing party” to create the toiletry bags and create bookmarks to include in the cases as well. (Psst, there will also be a special guest appearance of our Harbor mascot!)

We hope to see you on Monday afternoon for a special community experience with service learning - and a day on, not a day off!

Warmly,

Leah Musico
Head of School