![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Harker middle school reopens for in-person learning at Union campus
Provided by the Office of Commmunication
Middle school faculty and Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Jennifer Gargano tour the Union campus. On Tuesday, Aug. 17, the administration hosted a special ribbon cutting ceremony to announce the official opening of the middle school campus.
August 29, 2021
After entering the middle school campus on the first day of school, biology teacher Kristen Morgensen recalls walking through the hallway of the main academic building on moving day. She scanned the doors until she found her classroom and took a look inside. Several boxes packed with supplies lay on the floor, and the walls were covered by empty wooden cabinets with glass doors. She traveled to the opposite side of the room and opened the door of her classroom, letting in the fresh air. Taking a deep breath, she picked up the first box and began to unpack for her new classroom.
Over the summer, the Harker Middle School began moving locations from the Blackford Ave. campus to the Union Ave. campus, which was previously the location of the Harker Preschool. After leasing the property on Blackford Ave. for sixteen years, the middle school started developing its own property at a new location on Union Ave., making adjustments for the needs of the students, faculty and administration. The current transportation system also takes students to the Union Ave. campus and follows a new schedule.
On Tuesday, Aug. 17, the administration hosted a special ribbon cutting ceremony to announce the official opening of the middle school campus. History teacher and Middle School History Department Chair Keith Hirota shares his enthusiasm for the transition to the Union Ave. location.
“We’re seeing the students after 18 months,” Hirota said. “ I’m excited about having a fresh start at a new campus, especially coming out of COVID-19. Since the new campus is smaller, I think it will bring everyone closer. I’m really looking forward to having that new energy.”
The layout of the Union Ave. campus provides new opportunities for teachers and students alike. For instance, the science classrooms are all located on the ground floor and contain interior hallway doors as well as exterior doors. Morgensen feels that the design of her classroom contributes to her students’ learning experience.
“If we have experiments that need a little more space, we can open the door to step right outside and do the lab there,” Morgensen said. “As a biology teacher, it’s great to have access to the ecology of the campus. “Now that we’re back in person, I am excited to see [what activities we can do] in this space.”
Earlier in the year, the administration informed teachers that they would be moving to a new location, and they began packing up their classrooms at Blackford Ave. for the move. Since construction was still in progress at the time, the main challenge for the teachers was figuring out which supplies to bring for their new classrooms. On Aug. 9, they began unpacking their boxes with the help of the maintenance and groundskeeping staff.
The new campus, which will open for classes on Monday, Aug. 23, contains many different areas where people can spend time together. After more than a year of remote learning, these spaces provide opportunities for the students to share in-person interactions.
“There’s a lot of seating in the hallways and outside,” Morgensen said. “I’m excited about students filling that space and having a separate gym and theater. They really designed it to have places for students to hang out the way the upper school campus does.”
The design of the Union Ave. location also creates a different atmosphere, with spacious classrooms that have colorful doors and high ceilings. Assistant Middle School Division Head Patricia Burrows, who has been part of the Harker community since the opening of the Blackford Ave. campus in 2005, reflects on the moving process to the new campus so far.
“The new campus feels very appropriate for the age group,” Burrows said. “It feels as if it will be easier to create connections because it’s easier to access people. There are so many great opportunities to redefine who we are as a middle school through this new space.”
Additional reporting by Ritika Rajamani.
