Hello Harding Community,
I have an update on when we will know what school might look like next year. The district is now looking at mid-July for completing plans for how school will be administered. I’m sure that with any scenario, we will all have to remain flexible depending on how COVID progresses throughout the school year.
Parent leaders and I met last week to map out how to welcome transitional kindergarten and kindergarten families to the school and assist with this important new beginning in such an uncertain time. Our first event will be a virtual meeting on June 27 with other “meetings” to be held throughout the summer for other families new to the school as well. Stay tuned for the schedule.
I hope everyone is enjoying some sort of summer. Teacher summer learning recommendations focused on getting children away from screens/technology as much as possible. In any case, we all hope that the whole family is reading daily. Rising 5th and 6th graders have a special opportunity to join a free reading club. Click the link from Ms. Hanssler, Harding 5th grade teacher, for more information – starts on June 22!
As I work with teachers on a social justice/social studies curriculum, I continue to think about how our school systems support inequities. We have worked on our instructional and discipline approaches, classroom libraries, and our own understandings and beliefs. Every year, every approach, every interaction, success or mistake, is an opportunity to learn and improve. One of our former teachers, Imani Pierce, is putting this kind of thinking, and more, into the creation of a school to “reclaim excellence in the education of African American youth.” They hope to open in the fall of 2021. If you are looking for an action to take, consider donating to Sile School, the Ed Fund West COVID-19 Response Fund, or The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.
Take care and stay safe.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Takimoto