The Harker School’s lower campus filled with the happy sounds and delicious aromas of an outdoor barbecue during two separate events held to welcome students and their families back to school.

On Aug. 24, Harker’s newest students – its kindergartners – took to the lower school’s playground for their own special, mouth-watering and fun-filled barbecue. That event was followed on Sept. 7 with a larger, combined barbecue for grades 1-5 held on Rincon Field.

At both events students and parents alike enjoyed the warm summer air and friendly atmosphere, as well as tables filled with a range of tasty barbecue offerings, veggie and regular hamburgers, the always-popular hot dogs, chips, and plenty lemonade and water.  Many parents also generously brought dessert and fruit which, as one participant happily noted, went faster than the cookies!

At the grade 1-5 barbeque, while the students continued their after-school romp, parents and younger siblings lounged on blankets on the grass in the shade. Administrators, including Chris Nikoloff, head of school;  Jennifer Gargano, assistant head of school for academic affairs; Ken Allen, lower school dean of students; Sara Leonard, primary division head; and Kristin Giamonna, elementary division head (Gr. 4-5) all circulated among parents to answer questions and just shoot the breeze on a beautiful, warm, sunny evening.

The barbecues are a recent innovation to welcome new and returning students and families to Harker in a casual, fun, atmosphere.