Dear Harbor Families,

One of our core commitments at Harbor is teaching students to take meaningful action to improve their communities. This value is woven throughout our school-wide empathy theme, our DEI philosophy and goals, and our mission as a school. You can see it reflected in our curriculum - from the JK unit on community helpers to the third grade study of environmental sustainability - as well as in student-led initiatives across the grades.

This year in particular, our third grade leadership projects have brought this commitment to life in powerful ways. Our third grade leaders have taken an active role in selecting enrichment class themes, leading the Spiral election, creating and posting anonymous empathy signs throughout the building, and - as the newest project - designing an empathy tree where students, teachers, and families can anonymously share their feelings. Together, these projects remind us that we all experience the world differently, and that understanding and compassion matter.

Each year, we also live out our commitment to service beyond Harbor during the national Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, often described as “a day on, not a day off.” This Monday, we are excited to invite all Harbor families, as well as extended family members and friends, to join us for our second annual Dance-A-Thon, this year benefiting Children’s National Hospital’s therapy programs for children.

Many of you may remember school fundraisers like read-a-thons, walk-a-thons, or jump-rope-for-heart events from your own childhoods. The Dance-A-Thon follows a similar model; children collect pledges from family members, neighbors, or friends for each minute they dance. For example, a pledge of $1 per minute adds up to $60 if a child dances for the full hour. What I especially love about this event is that students feel a real sense of commitment and purpose. They are working hard (and having fun!) for a cause that truly matters. It’s a joyful experience, but one that also reinforces the importance of helping others.

The event will begin at 3:00 PM in the Har Shalom Social Hall. We’ll start with a brief presentation from a representative from Children’s National, followed by two young speakers who will share what it was like to experience serious illness as children. One of these speakers is a Harbor alumnus, and my daughter, Emily, who will be joined by her friend Lawson. Both experienced extended hospital stays and lengthy treatments during childhood, and we are incredibly grateful that both are now healthy and in remission from the illness they experienced. If you’d like to learn more about Emily’s experience, I shared our family’s story in a letter last year.

After the presentations, the music will start, stopwatches will be handed out, and the dancing will begin! An adjoining room will be set up for making cards for hospital staff, which will also serve as a quiet sensory break for students who need it. We are also collecting requested craft materials for children receiving treatment at the hospital (please see the list below). On a personal note, Bill and I remember vividly how meaningful these small comforts were during Emily’s hospital stays - they helped carry us through long days. Donations will be accepted through Wednesday of next week.

Thank you to the HSFA, and especially Heather Tseng and Nicole Moore, for their leadership and care in bringing this event together.

We hope you will join us for a meaningful, engaging, and joy-filled day of service.

Warm regards,

Leah Musico
Head of School