From the Desk of the Head of School- September 18, 2020

Dear Parents,

I try a few times a year to provide snapshots of life at Harding Academy in this space. They are perhaps small vignettes, or glimpses of an interaction or moments in time, but they all paint the picture of what it feels like to be in school and capture the best of who we are - a learning community where students and families grow in wonderful and exciting ways. Here are a few of those images: 

• I look for the PreK student who has made it a habit to wear a new tie to school each day. He is giving Dr. Fecht a run for his money in terms of formal wear.

• I have enjoyed the glimpses into home life I’ve seen from our remote learners who are tuning into class - whether it be what kind of cereal they are enjoying in their mid-morning snack or which pet is Google-Meet-bombing their English class.

• I have seen a lot of zombie lines passing my office - an exceptionally creative way for teachers to emphasize the importance of social distancing.

• I have seen wooden person models placed in all sorts of angles as our middle school artists discover how to represent form in their drawings.

• I have been serenaded by the band in the middle school courtyard and the turf tent and at Kever...in fact, I think Jay Taylor has taught band/music from almost every area on campus.

• I have been witness to the regeneration of the berm at the Natural Outdoor Playspace as its use by our students has skyrocketed.

• I enjoyed brushing up on my 5th grade Spanish through a Kahoot quiz about our middle school Spanish teacher, Sra. Derrick.

• I have enjoyed hearing poems recited by two of our 3rd graders, a piano solo by one of our 8th graders, and Dr. Bell’s rendition of our alma mater at our remote Tuesday assemblies.

• I love seeing handprints on the kindergarten windows again.

• I hear squeals of delight on the playground, peels of laughter in the hallways, and gasps of comprehension from the classrooms. 

We. Are. At. School. And it feels great. 

Have a wonderful and restful weekend.