Dear Friends of Horizons at Harley,
We are two weeks into our Fall Saturday Program, and the smiles abound! This fall, we are focusing on two essential ingredients for healthy, happy children: swim safety and community building. Each Saturday afternoon, our parents and caregivers are taking to the pool for swim lessons with our experienced instructors, building confidence and learning potentially lifesaving skills. Meanwhile, our Horizons students are reconnecting with friends and favorite teachers through cooperative games, playground adventures, and opportunities to simply enjoy being kids. We end each afternoon with one of our favorite Horizons traditions: family free swim! Watching children splash, laugh, and play alongside their caregivers reminds us that some of the most meaningful learning happens outside the classroom. At Horizons, we believe that building strong relationships, fostering a sense of belonging, and creating space for joy are every bit as important as academic enrichment.
Unfortunately, opportunities for unstructured play are increasingly limited for many children. In its updated 2026 policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the importance of multiple breaks throughout the school day, including at least 20 minutes of daily recess. Yet the reality for many children looks very different. Some students receive just 15–20 minutes of recess, while others receive no designated recess at all. Students attending under-resourced schools are especially likely to experience limited opportunities for play. This matters because play is not a distraction from learning; it is a fundamental part of how children learn. Research links recess and physical activity to improved attention, classroom behavior, social-emotional development, and readiness to learn. Psychologist and researcher Dr. Peter Gray, who has spent decades studying the importance of self-directed play, argues that children develop independence, creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience through opportunities to play freely with one another. His work also explores how the decline of independent play may contribute to rising anxiety and declining emotional well-being among young people. At Horizons, we see the power of play firsthand as students navigate friendships, practice cooperation, resolve disagreements, take healthy risks, and discover the joy of belonging to a community. These are not extras in a child's education. They are essential building blocks for lifelong learning and success.
When you support Horizons at Harley, you are investing in so much more than an academic program. You are helping us create a safe, welcoming place where Rochester children can move their bodies, build friendships, strengthen family connections, learn to swim, and experience the freedom and happiness of childhood. For children whose school days may offer limited opportunities for movement, recreation, and connection, these Saturday afternoons are especially meaningful. They support the physical health, emotional well-being, confidence, and long-term success of our students—and, by extension, the strength and vitality of our entire city. We believe every child deserves access to the kinds of experiences that help them thrive, regardless of their family's financial circumstances. If you care about the health of our children, the well-being of Rochester families, and the future of our city, we invite you to make a gift to Horizons at Harley. Your generosity helps us continue creating spaces where children feel safe, connected, confident, and ready to learn. Thank you for believing in our students, our community, and the extraordinary power of play!
With gratitude,
Claire Labrosa
Executive Director, Horizons at Harley