The homerooms of Gr. 1 teachers Mary Holaday and Rita Stone combined for their third annual Friendship Gathering. With stellar support from the many parents attending, students made decorative flowering pencils Holaday will take to students in Japan, during her upcoming exchange trip to our sister school in Tamagawa. Many Harker first graders remember their video “meetings” with Tamagawa students during kindergarten, so the idea that these gifts would end up with the children seen from a distance made the project extra special.

Besides helping little hands, parents had the opportunity to connect with other adults and plans were made for other gatherings and celebrations. No gathering would be complete without a tasty treat, so the students enjoyed cookies and juice. They also heard two funny stories turned into meaningful lessons about friendship. Both Holaday and Stone hope to keep this tradition going as a great start to the year, combining students, crafts and parents.