Mar. 15, 2011
[Update] KQED radio featured a short interview on their California Report this moring with Nikhil Parthasarathy, grade 12, as he and classmate Rohan Mahajan await the judges’ final decision in the Intel Science Talent Search contest in Washington D.C.. Harker is the only school this year with two finalists in the contest.
The extensive article, lauding the strengths of Harker’s science program, is by veteran reporter Lisa M. Krieger, who made several visits to the campus in February and March to spend time with students and teachers. Longtime Mercury News photographer Patrick Tehan captured the photos for the piece. One impetus for the story was the January announcement from Intel that The Harker School was the only school in the country earning two finalist spots at their annual Intel Science Talent Search in Washington, D.C. Winners are announced March 15, 2011.
The story is inspiring comments from educators, alumni, current students, parents and others passionate about education.
The 2011 Winter Concert on Jan. 14 brought together groups from all three campuses for a special two-part show at the Blackford Theater. With eight groups performing, the concert provided a well-rounded view of the talents of Harker’s many instrumentalists.
The Lower School String Ensemble, directed by Toni Woodruff, began the show with their versions of “Sword Dance” by Bob Phillips and “Bach Country Fiddles.” The Lower School Orchestra and Lower School Jazz Ensemble, both directed by Louis Hoffman, then followed, performing a number of popular pieces, including the orchestra’s performance of Strauss’ “Radetzky March” and the jazz ensemble’s rendition of Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music.”
Directed by David Hart, who also directed the Grade 6 Orchestra and the Grade 7-8 Orchestra, the Middle School Jazz Band played well-known tunes such as “The Saints Go Marching In” and Billy Strayhorn’s “Take the ‘A’ Train.” The Grade 6 Orchestra’s set included the Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts” and a rousing performance of the famous “James Bond Theme” by Monty Norman. Grades 7 and 8 played “Jupiter, Bringer of Jollity” from Holst’s “The Planets” and concluded with “New World, Mvt. I” from Dvorák’s “Symphony No. 9.”
The Harker School Jazz Band and The Harker School Orchestra, upper school groups directed by Chris Florio, closed the evening. The jazz band was joined by two special guests from Tamagawa Gakuen, Miyu Kondo on tenor saxophone and Marina Saito on baritone saxophone. They performed such tunes as “Bones For Basie” by English composer Alan Hare and the rollicking “You Can Have It” by Morgan Ames and James Foster.
After a brief intermission, the upper school orchestra concluded the concert with their performances of pieces by Verdi, Schubert and Brahms. Their performance of Saint-Saëns’ foreboding “Danse Bacchanale,” from “Samson and Dalila,” brought the show to an exhilarating close.
The Harker Quarterly and Harker News Online have been awarded second and third place, respectively, in the annual regional CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) contest. The competition recognizes excellence in communication, with eligibility open to any regional CASE institution, including universities and community colleges. It was the first time Harker had entered the competition.
Harker won silver in the Independent School Periodicals, Independent School magazines category for the Harker Quarterly, and bronze in the Independent School Periodicals, Independent School Web-Based or Electronic HTML Periodicals for Harker News Online.The Harker Quarterly and Harker News Online (HNO) were both launched in 2009 to replace the existing monthly internal newsletter, The Harker News, and to reach a broader audience.
Each entry was judged on quality, creativity, innovation and adherence to professional standards. There were 388 entries in this year’s competition.
“Both publications provide us with unique and expanded ways to share our exciting, diverse and newsworthy community with others,” said Pam Dickinson, Harker’s Office of Communication director. “The keepsake format of the Quarterly allows for lush features, while Harker News Online, coupled with our expanding use of social media, provide a more real time outlet for news.”
Dickinson said special kudos go to Bill Cracraft, news and information editor, for his leadership with the Quarterly and HNO content, and Nick Gassmann for the HNO design and continued improvements to that online vehicle. Other key talent contributing to the projects are Catherine Snider, publication editor; Ashley Batz, photo editor; Zach Jones, lead writer; Jenny Sandrof of Blue Heron Design; and Jaja Hsuan of Triple J Design.
Visit our homepage at www.harker.org for the digital online version of the Harker Quarterly, and http://skylark.harker.org/hno/backups/ to view the latest news in Harker News Online.
Harker’s Young Physicists team brought home the championship trophy in early February, a school first, and is prominently featured on the tournament’s home page.
The team, seniors Karthik Dhore and Nikhil Parthasarathy, and juniors Vishesh Gupta and Akhil Prakash, accompanied by Drs. Miriam Allersma and Mark Brada, flew to Oak Ridge, Tenn., site of the 2011 U.S. Invitational Young Physicists Tournament sponsored by the United States Association for Young Physicists Tournaments (USAYPT).
At the competition, students from across the country present research on four open-ended physics problems, announced a full year prior, requiring work well above most common high school curricula, said Brada.
“Since the problems are particularly difficult, each student who travelled to the competition worked in a team with one or two other Harker students to complete all of the work that was required,” Brada added.
Dhore worked with Juniors Shival Dasu and Sankalp Raju on the Salt Water Oscillator problem, Parthasarathy worked with Junior Govinda Dasu on the Magic Motor problem, Gupta worked with freshman Sarika Bajaj and junior Max Isenberg on the Domino Wave problem and Prakash worked with Sophomore Payal Modi on the Boiling Water problem.
“Each member of the team contributed a great deal of work to the solutions that were ultimately presented at the competition,” said Brada.
The competition itself is carried out through a series of “Physics Fights,” which are essentially debate-style presentations in which one team presents research findings while another team looks for flaws in how their research was conducted. The team from Harker ultimately prevailed at the taking home the travelling tournament trophy for the first time in school history.
As always, the 2010 holidays were a time of celebration and giving at Harker, with special events, performances and service projects going into full swing.
During the second week of December, performing arts groups from all three campuses, including Downbeat, the Upper School Orchestra, Dance Fusion and Harmonics, gathered for the annual holiday tour, which was provided fun holiday entertainment to audiences at Saratoga, Blackford and Bucknall.
At the lower school, grades 4 and 5 celebrated with holiday parties, where gifts were exchanged, and each class had a special assembly of its own. Grade 4 students had fun with karaoke, a snowball game and playing “Santa Says.” Grade 5 kids were entertained by a troupe of actors and enjoyed hot chocolate and other treats, as well as a special visit from Santa Claus.
The lower school also celebrated with a pair of December concerts. The grade 1 Holiday Show, directed by Louis Hoffman and choreographed by Gail Palmer, brought the entire first grade class together to sing perennial favorites such as “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” as well as lesser-known songs such as “Candy Candy,” “Shine Little Candle” and a medley of Hanukkah songs.
Grades 2 and 3 had a concert of their own, also directed and choreographed by Hoffman and Palmer, respectively. During the show, both grades alternated between sharing the stage as a group and singing as individual classes. Songs performed included “Jingle Bells,” “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Over the River and Through the Woods” and the finale, “Jingle Bell Rock.” Several teachers and guest student musicians also appeared at various points throughout the show.
The lower school’s yearly toy drive saw 925 toys delivered to Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose. Donated items included “sports equipment, board games, stuffed animals and all the popular toys of the season,” said Joe Connolly, lower school dean of students. Harker tech support manager Jesse Lara generously gave more than 125 toys from his own personal collection. “I continue to be touched by the incredible generosity of our parents and students,” Connolly said.
Just before the holiday break, Harker kindergartners got to meet Santa Claus (actually Chris Nikoloff, head of school, in full Santa garb) to share their holiday wishes and enjoy breakfast at this year’s Breakfast With Santa event. All the kindergartners had their photos taken to commemorate their meeting with Saint Nikoloff.
Middle school students and advisories conducted several service projects during the season. The Service Club collected and donated more than 250 pounds of canned and dried food items to the Second Harvest Food Bank. The annual used coat drive, also sponsored by the Service Club, donated 175 coats to InnVision, which provides housing and services to homeless and at-risk families.
In addition, 15 advisories brought holiday cheer to more than 120 preschoolers by purchasing and delivering special gifts to the Kidango Child Center in San Jose. Six other advisories worked with faculty and staff from the lower and middle schools to brighten the holidays for more than 100 children, seniors and mentally challenged adults through Family Giving Tree, for which Harker was a host company this year. Gifts donated included toys, games and clothing that were given according to each person’s preferences.
At the upper school, a massive effort was coordinated to generate food donations to the Second Harvest Food Bank, collecting nearly 850 pounds of food items to offer relief to hungry families in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
Upper school advisories made donations to Scott Lane Elementary School, sending two carloads of school supplies, toys and other gifts for elementary school-aged children. They also helped families in need by donating to Sunday Friends, providing everyday items such as binder paper, pencils, diapers and toiletries.
Continuing a yearly holiday tradition, upper school students lent their hands to decoration of the popular Christmas in the Park attraction in downtown San Jose and also carried the massive Elmo float through heavy winds during the San Jose Holiday Parade.
The yearly gingerbread house contest, during which each upper school class, as well as faculty and staff, constructs a gingerbread house, was another annual favorite. The juniors’ gingerbread house was judged the best by voters. In another annual holiday tradition, students painted the windows of Manzanita Hall with colorful, detailed scenes, each based on a different animated character. The seniors’ scene based on the movie “Nightmare Before Christmas” was the winning painting.
The eagerly awaited fashion show 2011 “When I Grow Up … Dream Big!” lived up to its name, with a big, exciting event. Guests were greeted at the Santa Clara Convention Center by middle school student hosts and led to the event foyer, where they could peruse the beautifully decorated tables filled with auction items. Some tried their luck at the gift wheel, while others headed into the ballroom to find their tables and listen to the Harker Jazz Band, directed by Chris Florio, music teacher.
Banquet tables, decked out with floral centerpieces, surrounded a cross-shaped runway flanked by three active video screens. Chris Nikoloff, head of school, welcomed guests and introduced the show’s honorary chair, Diana Nichols, with a short video clip. Pictures of Nichols as a child and a voiceover explaining her passion for science provided a sweet introduction to Nichols herself, who took to the runway to thank the guests, sponsors and fashion show committee for their work.
Show organizer Sue Prutton, Harker’s director of volunteers, stood to specially thank all the people behind the scenes, pointing out that, this year, Harker students played an integral roll backstage, in the lobby, as videographers and as live and program photographers.
The show’s theme was creatively laced through the show by director, Laura Lang-Ree, chair of the performing arts department. Before and during fashion segments, video screens showed clips of teachers and staff discussing their dreams and giving advice on finding one’s passion. Along with taped video, live video of the action brought excitement and immediacy to the proceedings; J Gaston, graphic arts teacher, and Adi Parige, grade 12, were on the sides of the room ably handing the live video cameras.
But what about the fashion? Macy’s and Eli Thomas for Men of Santana Row provided most of the clothing, and the Giants Dugout Store even got into the action for a segment dedicated to our own hometown World Series heroes. Models of all ages strutted their stuff with confidence, showing off smooth form from weeks of practice. Varsity Dance Troupe, Downbeat and Dance Fusion wowed the crowd with stunning routines, and Downbeat also provided a vocal backdrop to the final modeling segment.
At the evening show the fun continued after the fashion portion with a live auction, ably led by Harker favorite Damon Casatico. He cajoled, wheedled and prodded guests to raise paddles for tickets to the Grammy and Emmy awards, spectacular vacation trips, a quilt made by our kindergartners, a fly-over with the San Jose Police Department, and much more. Guests relaxed their grip on their paddles after the auction and hit the dance floor, enjoying the terrific cover band, The Cheeseballs.
The excited buzz heard throughout the evening continued as guests filed out, suggesting the event was a success for all who attended, and thus for Harker!
Approximately 130 parents attended the forums, which were held Jan. 19 at the lower school, Jan. 24 at the middle school and Jan. 25 at the upper school. Participating administrators included Christopher Nikoloff, head of school and Jennifer Gargano, assistant head of school for academic affairs, as well as deans, division heads and counselors from each campus.
Nikoloff opened each event by highlighting where Harker is, has been, and is going with respect to some of the issues raised in the film. By way of background, he referenced the 1981 book “The Hurried Child.” “Over the last 30 years, there have been a lot of hurrying dynamics in our children’s lives,” he said. “Now there is something of a backlash. It’s important not to get caught up in either end of the pendulum swing.”
With that in mind, Harker is continually evaluating its own programs from the perspective of its core values. “Our guiding star is love of learning, or intellectual curiosity,” Nikoloff said. “So when we ask questions … our goal is always deeper learning.” He then outlined some concrete steps Harker has taken over time in accordance with this philosophy, including the following:
Quarterly grading periods were changed to trimesters for K-5 and semesters for grades 6-12 to allow more time between assessments. Characterizing this as “a good start,” Nikoloff observed that there is still room for changes in pedagogy at all levels to decrease reliance on tests and incorporate more kinds of assessments.
The number of awards and awards ceremonies has been scaled back in favor of more cumulative annual recognitions. Almost every Harker student is among the top 10-15 percent of students nationwide, Nikoloff said, so comparisons must be undertaken with that in mind.
The requirements for summer courses and challenge tests have been increased in an effort to allow truly advanced students to work above grade level while avoiding artificial acceleration. Experience has shown that some accelerated students, particularly in math, do not develop the conceptual foundations they need for continued success.
Recent initiatives to improve the student experience include holding final exams before the holiday vacation so students can enjoy a real break, as well as adjusting the middle school bell schedule to eliminate conflicts between performing arts and athletics.
The upper school wellness program deepens in scope each year, and deals with such topics as sleep, stress, drugs, relationships and preparation for college. In 2010, student input was institutionalized by the creation of the Wellness Board, which includes representatives from each grade as well as Butch Keller, upper school head, along with faculty, counselors and the school nurse.
Advisories were established in grades 6-12 to build community and provide a scheduled opportunity to “take the pulse of the students’ lives and check in with them,” said Nikoloff, who went on to acknowledge an upper school parent’s perception that, yes, “sometimes community hinges on food.”
Teacher meeting time in grades 1-8 formerly spent arriving at consensus citizenship grades is now used to discuss students proactively and collaborate about how to best serve the needs of each.
A new dean of studies position was established last year, in part to help educate upper school students and families about how to choose an appropriate courseload and a balance of activities.
The dean of studies will meet with each grade 8 family this year to help them outline a suitable plan for high school, one customized to accommodate individual interests. Nikoloff recommended Ken Livingston’s book “The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything,” as a good read and a tool that helps inform these discussions.
Harker is exploring the possibility of becoming a Challenge Success school, which would formalize its ties with that organization, based in Stanford’s School of Education. Challenge Success schools work closely with such experts as Denise Clark-Pope and Madeline Levine, who have both spoken at Harker, as well as other member schools to explore best practices in support of student well-being and engagement with learning. “They work with you to help you do what you do better,” said Nikoloff. “Our goal is: How can we deepening the learning?”
Harker has been cultivating dialogue among parents, students, faculty and the public in a variety of ways, including through a homework survey, the Common Ground Speaker Series, and the “Race to Nowhere” screening and its ensuing conversation. Other examples of Harker’s expanding community outreach include The Harker Speaker Series, Harker Research Symposium, Harker Arts Series and ongoing parent education programs.
Harker wants above all to hear what its own students have to say about the “Race to Nowhere,” and has scheduled round table discussions to solicit their feedback.
After outlining these initiatives at each event, Nikoloff moved to address some common questions, including about homework. “We are doing a deep homework audit and we do think we can accomplish more with a little bit less,” said Nikoloff. But he also cautioned, “you probably will not feel that tonight. It’s a reflective process that will slowly yield results.”
That sat well with Julie Moncton (Michael, grade 7), who said she appreciated the opportunity for parents to weigh in. “It’s nice to see that change is in the works and yet it won’t be changing so radically that we end up with something that won’t work out,” she said.
Other questions focused on math and language arts grouping and whether it contributes to competition. Nikoloff urged parents to see grouping as part of the process of learning, not as a goal to be achieved. The idea behind grouping is to match each student with “the pace that is within their zone of proximal development,” he said. “That means children are being challenged without being stressed.”
Seeking Balance in Parenting
As Nikoloff opened the discussion to attendees, specific questions naturally evolved into lively parent discussions. Parents in each division raised the twin issues of 1) how to provide opportunities and encouragement for children without exerting unwitting pressure, and 2) how to preserve those opportunities for activities they are truly passionate about, especially when schoolwork encroaches.
One question hung over all the others: How will colleges ultimately view them? On this as on other points, Nikoloff urged parents not to compare their children with anyone else’s, but to evaluate their activities by whether they are happy and meaningfully engaged. “That will translate into getting into the college that is right for them,” he said.
His message resonated with Trish Tobin (Sheridan, grade 8; Brendan, grade 6; Ryan, grade 2), who said, “I really appreciate how much time this school invests in learning how children learn and what’s best for them as a whole – not just their academic selves.” Parent Jennifer Hargreaves (Sydney, K) agreed. She particularly valued the “variety of perspectives from parents” at the forum, she said, and the fact that “the school is leading the conversation in the best interests of our children.”
Dodging Trouble in the Teen Years
Discussion at the upper school event focused heavily on the specifics of right now, with many parents wanting to know warning signs of stress to watch for in their teens. Among the recommendations offered by Nikoloff and upper school counselors Lori Kohan and Chris Colletti were to find some unscheduled time with children in which to gauge their stress levels, and to take notice of an extreme response to a bad grade.
At school, teachers and advisors make sure to work as a team to solicit one another’s observations if something seems amiss, the counselors said, and parents should always feel free to contact them with concerns as well.
At all three forums, parents were encouraged to communicate their own values, for example by asking kids more questions about the “process” of learning than about their grades.
Alumna Casey Near ’06 offered valuable perspective based on her own experience. The Harker students who thrive are “the ones who really take the Harker message to heart — that it’s about the process, and it’s about the ability to think critically,” she said. “So it’s the parents’ role to make sure that’s the focus – and not that test, that quiz or that homework assignment.”
Feb. 16, 2011
[Update] Nikhil Parthasarathy and Rohan Mahajan were awarded commendations during the San Jose City Council meeting in mid-February. “The Harker School has a long history of producing high-achieving students,” said Councilman Pete Constant. “Each year since I’ve been representing San José’s Council District 1, it seems I have the chance to recognize such students for their achievements. It’s great to have Rohan and Nikhil carrying on this tradition of excellence and I congratulate The Harker School for being the only school in the nation with two finalists in the Intel Science Talent Search.”
Feb. 9, 2011
San Jose Councilmember Pete Constant has invited Harker Intel Science Talent Search finalists Rohan Mahajan and Nikhil Parthasarathy, both seniors, to attend the San José City Council meeting on Tues., Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. Constant will formally recognize and congratulate the budding scientists for their noteworthy achievement. San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed will invite the young men to the lectern where he and Constant will present the commendation, and give the recipients a chance to say a few words. Read the full story of their Intel wins and of the record seven semifinalists from Harker this year.
Those planning to attend should arrive 10 minutes early. City Hall is located at 200 E. Santa Clara Street, in downtown San José. The meeting is held in the Council Chambers in the Wing section of City Hall.
“It’s OK to be busy, but not crazy busy!” said Dr. Edward (Ned) Hallowell, a leading expert in the study of human focus. Hallowell gave a riveting talk to an audience of about 300 on the topic, “Crazy Busy: Overstretched, Overbooked and About to Snap,” at Harker’s Nichols Hall as part of the Common Ground Speaker Series in late January.
A leading voice in American psychiatry, Hallowell had simple and practical strategies on how to handle a fast-paced life. He warned that living in a state of chronic brain overload increases toxic stress and can lead to an “F state” (frantic, frenzied, fluttered, forgetful and furious). Hallowell noted it is important to protect and preserve the “C state” (cool, calm, clear, consistent, curious and courteous). Based on brain psychology, when you enter the angry state, your brain becomes primitive. The greatest damage from being too busy is that it prevents people from setting their own temperatures, controlling their own lives, he added.
Hallowell addressed some of the key issues we face today: losing track of time while online; multitasking in today’s wired, Smartphone wielding culture which makes people feel busier than ever; parents fearing their children’s futures will be compromised if their children are not top-tier students, and thus spending large sums on tutoring; social disconnection and anonymity occurring when one doesn’t know neighbors but shares private information online.
Hallowell’s approach, rather than addressing task management, addresses how to focus and nurture our most valuable human assets: time, attention and mental energy. His strategies for handling the fast-paced life include knowing what matters most to you and performing a quantitative time analysis of daily activities to get rid of time leeches; spending time cultivating lilies (things that are worth it), but being wary of too many lilies (then they become leeches)!; spending time at the intersection of three spheres: what you are good at, what you enjoy doing and what adds value. Hallowell says curtail, delegate or eliminate the rest.
Hallowell concluded by saying personal connection predicts success and urged families to find ways to have fun together and create a positively connected environment. If you are busy doing what matters to you, then, busy is bliss!
The Harker School is a member of Common Ground, a coalition of Bay Area schools working together to provide parent education to their communities. The coalition provides opportunities for parents to learn from experts in the fields of education and parenting, to share ideas with other parents, and to support each other’s efforts to enrich our school communities. This report was provided courtesy of Vidya Lakshmi Chari.
Alumni gathered in the Windy City in early January for a get-together at Sable Kitchen & Bar, inside downtown Chicago’s Hotel Palomar. Half a dozen alumni from the Chicago area and Christine Yan, director of alumni relations, introduced themselves to each other. Yan brought the group together so she could hear what the alumni office can do to support Chicago alumni and to let those who know each other catch up. The meeting at Sable, well-known for great food and inventive cocktails, was so much fun that Will Redfield ’87 and Mariposa (Widdoes) Brant ’96, both of whom have young families, are planning to organize something for Harker alumni and their families again when the weather warms up. Emily Chow ’08, currently at Northwestern University, came for the fun and took photos, too!