Dear Harbor Families,

Over the past eight years, I’ve had the privilege of hearing - and helping to shape - so many stories about how the Harbor experience through third grade has profoundly influenced students’ educational journeys. Our preschool through third grade model is intentionally designed with research-based understanding of these formative developmental years, providing a small, personalized, and responsive foundation that prepares students for the intermediate and middle school years ahead. I can say with confidence and pride - there truly isn’t another school quite like Harbor! (Psst… if you haven’t yet, be sure to complete the re-enrollment agreement by tomorrow’s deadline!)

One of the most cherished expressions of this model, and a perfect example of our inquiry-based, interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning, is Spiral Night. Year after year, the Spiral experience fosters deep thinking, meaningful collaboration, and a tremendous sense of accomplishment for our students. It creates lasting memories, and most importantly, nurtures a genuine love of learning. As you have heard, this year’s Spiral experience has been complemented by our Project Zero professional development, in collaboration with the National Museum of Art, for our teachers.

Each year, Spiral Night transforms our entire building into a museum celebrating students’ inquiries and discoveries. This year’s theme, Art in Three Dimensions, lends itself especially well to that museum experience. Our students will serve as docents and guides, inviting you into their explorations of design, artistic expression, and the work of diverse art and artists. As if Spiral Night weren’t exciting enough, we will culminate our experience with a school-wide visit to the National Gallery of Art, where museum docents are collaborating closely with us to curate a meaningful and memorable field trip connected to our Spiral learning.

A few logistical notes as you plan for the week ahead:

• As is our tradition, we will send home Spiral shirts for your students to wear for Spiral Night. Please plan on having them wear the shirts on Friday for the field trip as well! 

• Spiral Night begins at 6 PM in the large multipurpose room to the right as you enter the synagogue. We’ll share some community activities before welcoming you to our “museum” upstairs in our classrooms.

• On Friday, if you are meeting us at the National Gallery of Art with your child, please plan on arriving at 10 AM. We will meet in the Atrium of the East building - the entrance is on 4th Street.

• If you are not attending with your child, we will communicate early next week with plans for our carpool. Those families who will be carpooling should meet at the carline loop by 8:45 on Friday morning.

• The museum has graciously provided us with a space for lunch. Students may bring a packed lunch, and families joining us may choose to purchase lunch onsite if they prefer.

• Our formal programming will take place in the morning, followed by time to explore the galleries together. The field trip will conclude at 2:00 PM to allow carpooling families to return to school by 3:00 PM. Families are welcome to remain at the museum longer if they wish. Preschool families who need to head home for naptime may also choose to depart earlier.

We are so looking forward to celebrating this joyful culmination of learning with you. Spiral Night is always a highlight of the year—and a beautiful reminder of what makes Harbor so special.

Warmly,

                      
Leah Musico