At Harbor Day School, we know that joining a new school community is an exciting step for both students and parents. It can also feel a little overwhelming, with new routines, teachers, and classmates. That’s why we make it a priority to create a warm and thoughtful transition for every family that joins our community. From the moment a family joins the Harbor Day community, we do everything we can to make sure students and parents feel connected, supported, and celebrated.
A Personal Beginning
The HDS welcome begins with a personal touch. Along with their acceptance email, families are greeted with a personal welcome video and invited to explore our ‘Welcome New Families’ webpage. There, they’ll discover helpful resources such as key dates, uniform guidelines, FAQs, and summer assignments, all designed to make the transition smooth. To add an extra touch of Harbor Day spirit, parent volunteers and their children deliver a surprise welcome bag filled with school swag to kindergarten families. The new middle school students will receive their welcome bag from their buddy at the Middle School Social event.
Our Buddy Program
Each new family is connected with a member of our HDS community, who reaches out to answer questions, share insights, and simply say, “We’re so glad you’re here.” We believe relationships are the heart of our school, and those first conversations help set the tone for the year ahead.
In middle school, starting something new is always easier with a familiar face. That’s why we pair each new student with a “buddy,” a classmate in their grade who offers support, guidance, and someone they can ask questions. Their buddy will attend the Middle School Welcome Event, New Student Orientation, and on the first day of school, show our new students around campus, sit with them at lunch, and introduce them to their friends. For parents, our “family buddy” program pairs incoming families with returning families who can answer questions, share advice, and extend an invitation to community events.
Getting to Know Harbor Day
In addition, we design events to help new students and parents feel at home before the school year begins:
Kindergarten Welcome Playdate – This event takes place on our kindergarten playground and in classrooms, allowing families to meet one another, see the classrooms, and meet many of our faculty.
Middle School Welcome – An after-school event where new students and their buddies participate in icebreaker activities, enjoy a scavenger hunt around campus, and meet the teachers they’ll have in the fall while their parents gather in the library for more school information and introductions.
New Student Orientation - A special opportunity on the afternoon before the first day of school for students to get comfortable on campus, learn expectations, and ease first-day jitters. Students meet their teachers, explore their classrooms, and begin building connections with classmates. While students settle in, parents and guardians attend a short session covering back-to-school information and have the chance to connect with fellow families and community members.
New Parent Reception - The Board of Trustees hosts an event to connect with new parents and celebrate their arrival to the HDS community.
These events offer opportunities to build friendships and get to know Harbor Day School even before the first day. Once a family has enrolled at HDS, they will receive invitations to spring events, such as Make a Difference Day, parent socials, and grade-level parties.
Everyone is invited to Harbor Day’s Back-to-School Picnic. While this annual tradition isn’t specifically directed towards new families, it’s a great opportunity to see everyone, from our newest students to our alumni.
A Tradition of Belonging
At Harbor Day School, we want every family to feel not just welcomed, but truly at home. When families feel a sense of belonging, children thrive. To support this, we share resources such as Unlocking the Lingo: An HDS Glossary of Terms (Part One and Two), which explains school-specific events and terminology.
Welcoming new families isn’t a one-time event; it’s a culture we nurture throughout the year. Whether it’s a parent coffee, holiday program, Blue-Gold event, or volunteering to serve hot lunch, these shared experiences knit new families into the fabric of our community.
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About the Author:
In 2021, Ms. Hehn joined Harbor Day School as the Director of Admission and Enrollment. Ms. Hehn oversees the admission process, teaches a seventh grade science class, and previously served as an eighth grade class advisor. A former member of the US National Swim Team, Ms. Hehn swam for Team USA in the World Championships, Pan American Games, and World University Games. Starting her swimming career in Fargo, ND, she attended college at the University of Minnesota and eventually finished her career at the University of Southern California. Ms. Hehn loves swimming, going to concerts, and traveling.
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