Dear Harbor Families,
You may be hearing from your kids about our performance rehearsals, as we gear up for our annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day and Thanksgiving Program. The children are excited to showcase their Invention Studio projects, show off their classrooms, and deliver a wonderful musical performance for families and friends next Tuesday morning.
Whether your family has invited an older relative, a neighbor, or a nanny, we look forward to a joyous morning together - celebrating the many special relationships that support students as they grow up in our collective care.
Over the years, I have hosted many Grandparents and Special Friends Days, both at Harbor and in my previous school. I find it remarkable how confident children can be when sharing their learning with someone outside of their typical school experience. Their classroom is their “turf” - where they practice independence and take responsibility for their learning (which often translates differently at home). Showing off their hard work is often demonstrated with a sense of true pride and accomplishment; it is such a pleasure to see each child shine in this setting!
In addition, Tuesday’s event provides the opportunity to reflect on relationships beyond that of caregiver/parent and child. We all show different sides of ourselves in different contexts and with different audiences. In my opinion, relationships across generations bring out the best in both the older and younger person. It is such a pleasure to witness a bright smile and twinkling of an eye when children connect with older friends and relatives. I remember the emotions when my grandparents came to town vividly as a child, and watching my own children light up when Grammy and Papa arrive is a gift.
We understand that some students don’t have a friend or grandparent who is able to join us that morning, and we are happy to welcome parents during that portion of the morning, or to share friends and grandparents in the classrooms! We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday morning (9-11 for grandparents and special friends, and 11-12 for the entire community!).
Warm regards,

Leah Musico
Head of School
The Harbor School