The Harker School’s grade 2 students had their annual pumpkin painting and delivery in late October, a community service project that the school has been taking part in for the last seven years. A discussion about community is a big part of the project. According to Paula Bither, a lower school P.E. instructor, it gives the students a chance to talk about “what a community is.” Bither says the conversation led them to discuss “how we live in a neighborhood that is part of the school’s community. We talked about how challenging it is to live near a school with all its various noises.” Toward that end, it is important to be a good neighbor, and to show appreciation toward the wonderful neighbors the school has. The students decorated pumpkins, and then walked around the neighborhood, delivering pumpkins on porches along with cards. “The pumpkin is a gift to show our appreciation,” says Bither. “We want to thank our neighbors for being so great.”