Dear Harbor Families,

You may have noticed the vertical signs proclaiming EMPATHY on lamp posts throughout the DMV. Created and mounted by a local artist who prefers to remain anonymous, these signs are meant to spread a simple but profound message. On Tuesday, our students learned about this individual - known affectionately as “the sign man” - during our all-school morning meeting led by one of our third-grade leaders. After watching this brief video, they learned that since the news story first aired two and a half years ago, many more signs have appeared. There are now nearly 2,000 empathy signs posted across the region. Many of our students recognized them immediately; there is even one on Falls Road just a short distance from our own school entrance.

This morning, the community was delighted to find seventeen vertical empathy signs installed throughout the Harbor building!

Though the student artists will remain anonymous, honoring the spirit of the original project, I can share that the idea came from three of our third graders during a leadership meeting with me earlier this fall. They then met with our fabulous art teacher, Ms. Lori, who helped them think through how the project might take shape, and enlisted their classmates to help paint the signs. Yesterday afternoon, the students stayed after school to quietly post all seventeen signs around the building, transforming our hallways and classrooms overnight. The anonymity of the installation offers a meaningful reminder that empathy and compassion do not depend on recognition; their power lies in quiet acts of care.

Third grade at Harbor is a time of immense growth. As the oldest students in the school, they are stepping into new responsibilities, gaining confidence, and developing as leaders - and we are intentional about offering opportunities that nurture these skills as they prepare for their next schools. The empathy sign project is just one of four leadership initiatives small groups have taken on this year. Another group helped shape the offerings for our next session of enrichment classes (and yes, registration opens today!). One group planned and hosted the group games at the Smokey Glen community picnic. And another project is underway -so stay tuned to hear more!

In addition to these student-initiated projects, our third graders support morning arrival in the car line, plan and lead all-school morning meetings, and of course, spearhead the election of our Spiral theme—Art in Three Dimensions, which begins in January when we return from winter break. Again and again, the schools to which our third graders matriculate share the same message: they are confident leaders who transition with ease into larger school environments. Our inquiry-based, differentiated program prepares them beautifully for their next educational chapter, equipping them with the skills and mindset to be thoughtful leaders and joyful learners long after Harbor.

As you consider your own child’s journey through Harbor, please let Andrea or me know if you would like to learn more about the older grades. As shared in the Family Fridays article below, we will offer an opportunity in early February for families to observe rising-grade classrooms and gain a deeper understanding of the Harbor experience through third grade. It is truly special how much growth, independence, and confidence that emerge in these years.

The next time you are in the building, we hope you enjoy spotting the empathy signs created by our third-grade leaders - and seeing if you and your child can find all seventeen!

Warmly,

Leah Musico
Head of School