Dear Harbor Families,

Yesterday afternoon, you received a letter from Board of Trustees Chair Naomi Senkeeto, as well as a formal letter from me, announcing my departure from Harbor at the end of this school year.

I want you all to know that I have so many feelings! I am very excited for this new chapter in my career and for my family and eager to discover and lead a new school community, with all the joys and opportunities a new challenge will provide. At the same time, I am already feeling wistfully nostalgic about leaving a community I hold so dear.

Eight years ago, in the fall of 2017, I learned about the Head of School position at Harbor. At the time, I had been the Primary School Associate Principal at the Washington International School for eleven years, and was looking for just the right opportunity for professional growth. When I first heard about this position, I was full of excitement and hopeful anticipation that it could be the right role for me. As it turned out, this special school was the most perfect fit, aligning beautifully with my values and beliefs about education. Harbor’s commitment to high standards and continued growth, to continually seeking out best practices in early childhood, and to doing what is right for children - all with a deep sense of warmth and community connection - allowed it to quickly become a home for both me and my family.

I share this to say that, like me eight years ago and again this year, I know for a fact that there are many eager and talented candidates seeking a professional growth opportunity. In addition to my mixed feelings of excitement and sadness, I have an overarching sense of assurance in Harbor’s future and a deep trust that the school is well positioned and ready for new leadership. I have complete confidence in the Board of Trustees and search committee to facilitate a process to determine the school’s next Head. I can’t wait to see what is in store for Harbor!

Acknowledging the somewhat awkward timing for our community, I am off campus this afternoon at a Head’s professional development retreat for local schools. If I didn't have the chance to connect with you in this morning's car line, I will be in the building tomorrow during parent teacher conferences (and I have appointments with some of you). I hope to have the opportunity to see many of you between meetings, and if not, I look forward to connecting with each of you over the coming days.

Tomorrow, I wish you the very best for your in-person conversations with our amazing Harbor teachers! When you arrive to the school for your appointment, please drop your children off in the playroom downstairs for child care with two of our regular and trusted substitute teachers, Ms, Jackie and Ms. Rama. The teachers are eager to meet with you to share your child’s progress, along with assessments and work samples. In addition, you will receive a written summary of your conference. Following the conference, I encourage you to talk to your child about their strengths and learning goals! Even at a very young age, children deserve to be a part of the conversation, and the practice of  reflection and goal-setting is meaningful and impacts their learning.

Finally, I want to thank you for taking the time to come to the school for in-person conferences this year. I recognize that this shift away from virtual conferences may represent an inconvenience or challenge for you. Our faculty and staff considered this alongside the many advantages of an in-person connection, and look forward to the authentic connection and sharing of student learning that will be made possible by this shift.

When you arrive for your conference, please come to the main entrance. Conferences will take plac ein the your child's classroom, specials teachers meetings will take place in the Chesapeake Room, and meetings with me will be in my office. 

We will see you tomorrow!

Warmly,

Leah Musico
Head of School