Every spring, something special happens in the Lower School at Harley. Hallways transform and classrooms become alternate worlds like oceans, rainforests, outer space, or deserts. New snacks appear (a favorite change for both faculty and students) and assemblies fill the days. For one unforgettable week, the entire Lower School is united by a single idea. It’s called Focus Week!
What began decades ago as a collaborative learning experience has become one of the defining traditions of the Lower School community. More than a themed week, Focus Week is the culmination of an entire year spent learning how to be part of something larger than yourself.
That sense of togetherness begins long before Focus Week arrives. During the first six weeks of school, students simply get to know one another. They meet weekly in the Centrum for assemblies, creating a close-knit environment where children feel safe and connected. By Thanksgiving assembly in the Wilson Theater, students join the larger school community for the first time, realizing they are part of something bigger. Traditions like Twoville, Pageant, and May Day continue to build those connections throughout the year, pairing younger students with older ones and reinforcing a joyful truth about school: you come here to learn, and to have fun.
By spring, the lower school students are more than ready for Focus Week. For four to six weeks before the official week begins, students start exploring the chosen topic through their regular curriculum. Every grade studies the same broad idea, but through a different lens and at a developmentally appropriate level.
For the final week, daily assemblies allow students to see what other grades are learning. Teachers transform classrooms into elaborate environments. Decorations spill into the hallways and the Centrum. There are themed snacks, guest speakers, FaceTimes with experts, and contributions from members of the broader Harley community. On the final day, students showcase what they’ve discovered.
Behind the scenes, Focus Week is powered by months of collaboration. Teachers meet repeatedly to brainstorm and debate possible topics, making sure that any topic brings on thoughtful exploration rather than stereotypes. Every faculty member has an opportunity to contribute ideas, and every idea is considered. Some concepts stay on the list for years before finally gaining traction. Voting can stretch across multiple faculty meetings, but that process is intentional.
Dr. Terry Fonda Smith P ‘19, ‘21 (Music, 1994-2007, Head of Lower School, 2007-present) explains, “The list is pretty long and you get to vote for everything you like (an idea inherited from Pam Kimmet P ‘92, ‘95, GP ‘30, ‘33, Lower School, 1970-89, Head of Lower School, 1989-2007). It really creates consensus, builds a sense of buy-in, and as the list gets whittled down, it eases you into the chosen topic.”
There are committees for every detail: assemblies, visuals, resources, snacks, and the culminating event. Teachers stay after school, working together decorating spaces and building installations. In past years, beloved Harley educator Dean Kindig (Lower School Learning Resource Specialist, 1986-2014) created dramatic Centrum displays, including a pyramid made from milk cartons.
Ask any teacher about their favorite Focus Week and the answers come quickly. Molly Matz (Lower School, 2024-present) remembers Space Week, when her classroom became a spacecraft for student explorers. Margaret Tohurst P ‘12, ‘15 (Lower School, 1992-present) loved “Everything Big,” complete with oversized pencils and giant airplanes. Dr. Smith recalls the Great Lakes theme, when students built boats and raced them in the pool while singing a unifying song that echoed through the Lower School. Christina Kerr (Lower School, 2009-present) still remembers Oceans. Meredith Cavallaro P ‘20, ‘23 (Lower School, 1998-present) admits choosing a favorite is impossible. “You love the one you’re in,” she says.
Since at least the early 1980s, Focus Week topics have transported students around the globe and beyond: Mexico, West Africa, Medieval Castles, Egypt, Alaska, Rainforests, Transportation, Space, Olympics, Big Backyard, Early Rochester, and Oceans among them. Some years explored places, others explored ideas. No matter the topic, all of them invited students to learn and wonder, together.
This year’s focus was on Rainforests, and as you can see from the photos, the students had a blast!
