The Harvard Schools Trust has supported the Harvard Public Schools for the past 30 years, and there is no doubt that this school year has been uniquely challenging for the school community. During this difficult time of unexpected school closings, the Trust remains committed to supporting our teachers, staff, students, and families.
Recently, in response to these challenges, we funded requests to enhance distance learning at Hildreth Elementary School. Headphones are now offered to students who must do their online lessons in a noisy setting. Filming stands are now available for teachers to more easily record their lessons and presentations with their smartphones or iPads. The Generation Genius program meets the new science standards in a hands-on and innovative way and is readily adapted to the new normal for teaching—it helps bring the wonder of science to life!
To further supplement distance learning, the Trust has funded the purchase and distribution of real paperback books. Each HES child received a teacher-chosen book at their home. The Trust also helped to fund lawn signs to recognize and honor our wonderful 2020 Bromfield graduates.
We continue to reach out to school administration on a regular basis to see if there are additional ways that we can better offer our support. As a group, we will be available and able to quickly respond this summer as the schools develop strategies for educating our children during this pandemic.
Unfortunately, this spring we will not be hosting our annual Hootenanny Hoedown. We will miss seeing everyone and celebrating together, but nonetheless, we’re still here and we plan to be here for another 30 years.
Thank you to all of our members and donors. We appreciate your continued support and welcome new supporters to help us further our mission of educational enrichment. Thank you to our administration, staff, teachers, families, and community—we will get through this together!
Lindsay Burke and Terry Symula
on behalf of the Harvard Schools Trust (harvardschoolstrust.org)
