From the Desk of the Head of School- January 6, 2023

Dear Harding Academy Learning Community,

I hope you had a restful winter break. It’s nice to be back on campus and see the halls filled with current and former students.

A treat for faculty and staff during our recent in-service, the Alumni Office hosted a luncheon on campus for our college and high school age alumni and their former teachers. I was reminded how important it is that we continue to foster a deep sense of community in our students as I watched our graduates update their former teachers on their lives and reminisce on Harding memories. A bright point came when several students lamented to Mr. Folger that they were never able to participate in a favorite Harding Moment- lighting their hands on fire. Mr. Folger promptly took these alumni to his lab and afforded them a chance to see flames sprout from their hands as they cheered with delight. Like the ringing of the birthday bell in Kindergarten, it is moments like this that, even for high school and college age students, will resonate with them for years to come. Over the past two days, we have also had the pleasure of hosting Sophi Stankiewicz ‘20 during her St. Cecilia Academy interim. We are delighted to have the opportunity to support Sophi’s interest in education as she shadowed our lower school faculty.