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Over the past year, we've expanded our curriculum and deepened our focus on early childhood development. The new name, The Harwell Schools, better reflects our commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education. This change is about clearly communicating our focus to our families and the broader community.
No, nothing is changing except the name. The ownership, management, and the wonderful teachers your children know and love are all staying the same. We’re the same organization with the same dedication to your child’s growth and development.
Your child’s daily experience will remain exactly the same. The curriculum and routines that have been thoughtfully developed and implemented over the past year will continue as usual. The name change is simply a reflection of our ongoing commitment to excellence in early childhood education.
This name change is entirely separate from tuition considerations. Any adjustments to tuition, should they occur, will be evaluated around January. Rest assured, if any changes are made, we will provide at least three months’ notice so that you have ample time to plan.
We believe The Harwell Schools name will appeal more to top teachers as our enrollments grow in a highly competitive job market, and will communicate to other families that we are an organization dedicated to early childhood development.
All existing contracts and policies remain exactly the same. The name change does not affect any agreements, and we continue to honor all commitments as before.
Our connection to the community and alumni remains as strong as ever. The name change is a step forward in better reflecting who we are today, but we continue to cherish our history and the relationships we've built over the years.
While we’ve never required children to wear uniforms, we did historically require our teachers to wear them. Beginning in September, teachers will transition to attire that is consistent with the teaching profession, similar to what is seen in local grade schools, but modified for interacting with our younger students. By October, all staff will be badged with a Harwell School photo ID.
We’ll be explaining the name change to the children in a way that’s simple and positive, focusing on how it reflects the growth and exciting learning opportunities they’re already experiencing. Our goal is to make sure they feel comfortable and excited about the new name.
Yes, we’ll be discussing the name change at our upcoming open house. This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions, learn more about the changes, and connect with our staff.
Mari is still very much involved with the schools. She serves on the board and is a resource to local school leadership. Our schools continue to be locally led, with your Head of School responsible for daily operations. The Head of School has always reported to a board, which includes Mari. This structure has been in place since our schools opened and is considered a best practice in early childhood education.
Pioneer has always operated as a traditional family-owned operation, while Jenkins and Oregon City have always followed a more traditional educational structure, with local leadership reporting to a board. This difference in governance is reflected in the names, allowing each center to maintain its identity and best serve its community. Distinct names for different organizational structures make sense.
The Harwell Schools name is being introduced at locations where we've made substantial investments in early childhood education and development. These centers have adopted more advanced curricula and quality management systems, which align with the values and goals of The Harwell Schools brand. Additionally, these centers are designed to grow and expand in ways that the new name better reflects.
The name change to The Harwell Schools is part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the high standards we set for early childhood education. It’s a way to communicate our long-standing commitment to your child’s development and our continuous pursuit of excellence.
There will be no changes to our staff or administration. The same dedicated team that has always cared for your child will continue to do so with the same passion and commitment. The only difference you’ll see is our new name!
The name change will bring a few updates that reflect our evolving focus on early childhood development. First, we will be transitioning away from uniforms that featured the Mari’s Little Lambs logo. Instead, teachers and staff will follow a professional dress code similar to what is seen in local grade schools, with modifications for interacting with our younger students. Additionally, all staff will be issued photo ID badges, which are to be displayed at all times while on duty.Our Center Directors will now hold the title of Head of School, aligning with the educational focus of The Harwell Schools. This change underscores our commitment to leadership in early childhood education.We’re also excited to share that all of our Heads of School will be on track to complete the Harvard Graduate School of Education's program in early education leadership. This initiative is part of our dedication to providing the highest quality education and care, supported by top-tier professional development.
Harwell is a name that is uniquely our own, and it reflects the identity and values we've cultivated as a community. The strong emphasis for us is on the "School" part of the name. We are incredibly proud of the work our teachers do every day in their classrooms and the growth that the children make in their own journey. Harwell will continue to be what all of us in the community make of it.
Harwell, as a name, represents the unique community and culture we have built together. It’s a name that embodies our commitment to early childhood education and the high standards we set for ourselves. While the name itself is uniquely ours, what it truly means is reflected in the dedication of our teachers, the curiosity of our students, and the trust of our families. Harwell is about excellence in education and the shared journey we’re on together.
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