In an age where traditional support networks have fragmented, many parents find themselves navigating the challenges of raising children in isolation. The "village" that once naturally surrounded families has often been replaced by geographic distance and busy schedules.

However, at Harwell Schools, a remarkable opportunity exists to build your modern village from scratch. Parents with children in the same developmental programs—from our infant rooms to Pre-K—are facing similar challenges and sharing a fundamental connection through our schools in Beaverton and Oregon City. By intentionally connecting with these families, you create a safety net of trusted peers for everyday parenting challenges.

Strategy #1: Master the Art of the "Slow Pickup"

While morning drop-off is often a race against the clock, pickup time offers the best chance for social interaction.

## Action steps

• Budget an extra 10 minutes: Instead of a quick transition, spend a few moments in our common areas or near our dedicated science, art, and music rooms.

• Observe and engage Notice which peers your child is interacting with during play. Use that as an opening: "I see Maya and Leo are having a great time in the art room today. Are you Leo's mom?".

• Be consistent Picking up at a similar time each day allows you to see the same group of parents regularly, building familiarity.

Strategy #2: Leverage Harwell’s Proprietary Parent App

At Harwell, we provide a parent app, ProCare, for real-time digital updates and photos. This technology is a powerful tool for staying connected to the classroom community.

## Action steps

• Be an active participant When you see updates or photos of class projects, use that information as a conversation starter with other parents during pickup.

• Coordinate with the Head of School Ask the Head of School about class-wide updates or how to best connect with other families for event planning. Digital spaces allow for easier coordination of playdates and community building.

Strategy #3: Host Low-Pressure "Micro-Socials"

Moving a relationship from the school hallway to real life doesn't require a formal or stressful event.

## Action steps

• The Park Invite Suggest a weekend meetup at a local playground in Beaverton or Oregon City. Schiffler Park in Beaverton is a great playground and plenty of space. Mountain View Champions Park near Mountain View Middle School is an incredible inclusive playground that's big enough to keep any preschooler busy. In Oregon City, Rivercrest Park is famous for its "spray park" (in summer) and great play structures and Clackamette Park has plenty of room to run near the river confluence.

• Pitch the play-date. Keep it casual and provide a specific time frame so they don't feel trapped.
• To ensure the playdate is a success, keep these three things in mind: Always bring snacks for your own child, but ask before offering anything to the other child. Allergies are common in preschool circles. For a first meetup, 60–90 minutes is the "sweet spot." It’s long enough to have fun but short enough to avoid the dreaded "overtired meltdown." Remember that preschoolers are still learning to play with each other rather than just near each other. Don't stress if they don't interact perfectly the whole time.

Strategy #4: Offer Help First

One of the fastest ways to build a tribe is to be the person who offers support.

## Action steps

• Share resources If you find a sale on school-appropriate gear or a great local resource, share it with your fellow parents.

• Offer emergency backup Build trust by offering to help if another parent is running a few minutes late for pickup.

Strategy #5: Lean Into Social-Emotional Connection

At Harwell, our focus on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) isn't just for the children; it's a philosophy that can help parents connect as well.

## Action steps

• Share a struggle Admitting you’re feeling overwhelmed with work or a specific developmental milestone gives other parents permission to be honest too.

• Ask for advice People love to feel helpful. Asking others how they handled the transition into our Toddler or Preschool programs is a great way to start a meaningful conversation.

Building Your Village, One Connection at a Time

Building a parent "posse" takes effort, but the investment pays dividends in the form of reduced stress and a genuine sense of community. Your child's school is more than just a place for them to learn—it's the place where your modern village begins. Take the first step today by saying "hello" to that parent in the hallway.