A Hawk's Eye View: November 21, 2025

Fall is my favorite time of year with changing leaves, different wardrobes, fall recipes, and cooler weather. (At least one hopes with the Second Summer we are currently experiencing!) At Harding Academy this time of year brings about our Fall Festival, Second Harvest Food Drive, and, of course, Grandparents Chocolate!  

Grandparents/Special Friends Chocolate has been a time honored tradition here at Harding since 1976. It was designed as a way for children to give the gift of song to those special to them and to share a bit of their school experience as a way to deepen that already existing special bond with their grandparents/special friends.  

Each year as the students begin to prepare for Grandparents Chocolate, many wonderful connections begin to develop. Not only do students grow individually in their musicality as they practice but they also learn to work together with their classmates and their grade level in a different way. It’s heartwarming to watch as the children celebrate each other’s successes and to hear students exclaim, “That song is SO stuck in my head!”  

This year kindergarten through second grade will perform two songs for the concert. Third and fourth graders will each share a grade level song and then join together for several others.  It is such a beautiful moment to watch over one hundred twenty children lift their voices!  Fourth graders have embraced a special leadership roles while playing their recorders, reflecting on our Community Code, and sharing about our Artist In Residence program and Second Harvest Food Drive.  At the end of the concert in the theater, grandparents and special friends will visit classrooms where their student(s) introduce them to their teacher, show their work, and share items that they have made. 

And, of course, what would Grandparents/Special Friends Chocolate Day be without chocolate?!?! After enjoying refreshments, visitors are presented with a very special chocolate bar, one that has been wrapped with love and displays a piece of artwork from three of our very own Harding students on the sleeve! 

As the morning draws to a close, fifth grade students, in their role as ambassadors, help our visitors find their way from the classrooms to the depot. Fifth graders have a unique and wonderful opportunity as the leaders of the lower school to meet and chat with grandparents and special friends as they both arrive and depart.

Our hope for each of you is a restful holiday, filled with good food, hugs, and much joy!

And as always, remember to keep a song in your hearts!

Pam Rhett

Lower School Music Director