Dear Harbor Families,

It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad news that Archer, one of our beloved school dogs and our art teacher Ms. Lori’s sweet pup, passed away yesterday. 

This is sudden and sad news for the Harbor community, and our thoughts are with the Hurwitz family. Archer was a very special golden retriever who was almost seven years old. While exploring the woods near his home yesterday afternoon, he suffered a fall and badly fractured his shoulder. Upon closer examination at the emergency veterinarian, doctors discovered an underlying mass - osteosarcoma, a bone cancer- which had contributed to the fracture. The mass was inoperable and because Archer was in pain, he passed peacefully yesterday evening.

Archer was a friend to all and graced our classrooms and hallways at Harbor for the past two years. His sweet and calm demeanor was a gentle and calming presence in our community, and he supported our students in so many ways. He “read” with children, sparked creativity in art class, and seemed to know just when a student needed a quiet moment of connection. His presence was a gift.

We are sharing this news with you today so that you may talk with your children in a way that feels right for your family before we let students know in their classrooms on Friday. Children process loss in many different ways, and educators recommend being direct and clear with language, following the child’s lead, and validating feelings with developmentally appropriate responses. Below are a few resources you may find helpful:

• Helping Children Deal with Grief, Child Mind Institute

• Children and Pet Loss, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine

• How Children Understand Death and What You Should Say, American Academy of Pediatrics

Just a few weeks ago, I wrote about the many benefits of having dogs in schools in a Harbor Highlights letter: they ease anxiety, support emotional regulation, provide motivation, and increase engagement. We’ve seen how their presence comforts children in difficult moments and helps them open up in ways they otherwise might not. Dogs also nurture empathy, as children learn to notice and respond to another being’s needs. With his quiet, loving spirit, Archer gave our community all of this and more.

We are deeply grateful to Lori and her family for sharing Archer with us, and our warmest thoughts are with them as they grieve this loss. He will be dearly missed.

Sincerely,

Leah Musico
Head of School