Dear Harbor Families,

Since 2019, Harbor has maintained a cross-constituent Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee made up of teachers, administrators, parents, and Board members. Together, the committee helps ensure that we are living out our mission and values around DEI work, which remains central to who we are as a school community.

Guided by input from across our community over several years, the committee developed a set of philosophy statements rooted in the belief that “our differences enrich us and make our community stronger.” From these beliefs, the committee also identified meaningful goals appropriate for a small early childhood and elementary school like Harbor. These philosophy statements and goals continue to guide our work each year and are shared with both current and prospective families via this publication.

This year in particular, our work has been deeply connected to Harbor’s school-wide theme of empathy. Throughout the year, students and adults alike have explored what it means to listen with curiosity, consider perspectives different from our own, and build a community where every person feels valued and understood. One highlight this year was welcoming Dr. Omékongo Dibinga for impactful sessions with both students and faculty/staff. Dr. Dibinga encouraged us to reflect on identity, community, and the ways we can create inclusive learning environments.

Tomorrow, our DEI Committee is excited to host one of Harbor’s most meaningful traditions: the fifth annual Celebration of Culture! At the heart of the event is a simple but meaningful question: What makes your family unique? We use this prompt intentionally, helping children understand that culture can be expressed in many different ways - through traditions, languages, foods, stories, hobbies, celebrations, values, and everyday family experiences.

Our Celebration of Culture includes three important components:

• First, families create a project that represents something meaningful about their family culture. In past years, these projects have included posters, artifact collections, collages, and time capsules to share family traditions and heritage. This year, families have been creating displays of Family and Friends Concentric Circles, which represent the communities that surround each child.
• Second, each class studies a country connected to one or more Harbor families or faculty members. Students learn about traditions, customs, music, and culture directly from members of our own community, and classes prepare a song or dance to perform for families. We know you will enjoy tomorrow morning’s performances!
• Finally, each year we collaborate on a community art installation that symbolizes the idea that our differences strengthen and enrich us. In past years, families have contributed to projects including the woven installation in our front stairwell, a mosaic “UNIQUE” display, and a rock garden of painted rocks representing their family names, identities, and cultures. This year, we look forward to building a three dimensional representation of the homes we live in, inspired by this year’s Spiral theme, Art in Three Dimensions!

A few logistics for tomorrow…
Please remember to have your child wear the colors of the flag of the country they are representing (these are listed below). The performance will begin at 9:30 AM in the Social Hall, which will open shortly after 9:00 AM for families arriving early. If possible, we encourage families to stay for the full morning so you can participate in the classroom activities following the performance. Families will have the opportunity to share their family culture projects together and contribute to this year’s collaborative art installation.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the many DEI Committee members whose thoughtful work and commitment have helped shape this important tradition over the years. A special thank you goes to Yuki Wilson and Jasmina Hinton for their efforts in preparing tomorrow’s musical and movement performances with our students.

We look forward to spending the morning together, celebrating the many things that make each of us - and our Harbor community - unique.

Warmly,

Leah Musico
Head of School