Dear Harbor Families,

This is a special time of year at Harbor! With just two weeks until Spiral Night, the excitement in the building is mounting and student projects are coming together in the classrooms. Students are exploring topics of interest related to our theme of “Harbor Takes Flight” - inquiring into all sorts of things that fly and they are having a blast (pun intended) with their learning! Topics include technology such as drones, rockets, planes, and hot air balloons, famous Americans such as Mae Jemison and the Wright Brothers, flying animals such as birds, bats, and dragonflies, and even fictional interests such as Star Wars air vehicles, dragons, and vampires.  

With our interdisciplinary, inquiry-based approach, which is highlighted with our Spiral curriculum, topics are guided by the students’ interests. This makes learning highly meaningful, not to mention motivating for kids! Teachers provide structure in integrating skills in math, reading, writing, music and the arts, and science, and support students in creating hands-on projects, including constructing with cardboard and recycled materials and creating works of art, so learning is purposeful and authentic. Perhaps more importantly, students are developing dispositions of curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and perseverance as they work through challenges in the process of learning in this way. This approach is research-based and a best practice in teaching and learning, which Harbor has been using for years! The first Spiral unit on The Moon, happened in 1990 and it’s been a tradition and important part of our curriculum and approach ever since. 

We can’t wait to welcome you all on the evening of Thursday, February 20th for Spiral Night, the capstone event of our Harbor curriculum. That evening, we’ll welcome everyone at 6 PM for a short program downstairs before inviting families to explore student projects in the classrooms, guided by the students. Whether you are a new or returning family, you are in for a treat! 

As a reminder, tomorrow you will receive an email from me with information to re-enroll your child for the 2025-26 school year. Please be sure to take care of this task by Friday, February 21st so we can ensure that your child has a space in our classes! And, while you are taking care of tasks, don’t forget to register for our annual Gala at Nationals Park - it’s sure to be a Grand Slam celebration in support of our very special school!

Warmly,

Leah Musico
Head of School