Dr. Linda Dwight gets right to work. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)

On her first official day of work, Dr. Linda Dwight, the incoming principal for the Hildreth Elementary School (HES), looked amazingly relaxed and well organized for someone who had recently moved her family—including two 3 year-olds—nearly 400 miles. While admitting that they were still living amid stacks of cardboard boxes, Dwight said the family was grateful for the help they had received on both ends of the move as they relocated here from the Lancaster area in Pennsylvania.

Earlier this year, Dwight traveled to China to adopt a second child, a boy just 9 months younger than the couple's older son, whom she and her husband had adopted from Ethiopia. It was Dwight's second trip to China, and both trips left her impressed with the immense variety of the country.

Since coming to Harvard, Dwight said her family had enjoyed playing on the Mirror Lake beach at Devens, walking along Bare Hill Pond, and watching the Fourth of July parade. They skipped the fireworks for this year, however, thinking they might be a little too late and too loud for the boys.

Dwight had heard about the late ending to Harvard's school year as a result of snow days and "roof days" in 2011. She said that she and her husband, Jim, both love cold weather and skiing, and they are hoping for another snowy winter. "People here may not be glad to hear me say that, though," she acknowledged.

With about 300 students, Dwight's previous school in the Pequea Valley School District was smaller than HES. Asked about the prospect of declining enrollments suggested by demographic projections, Dwight noted that HES is currently using every square inch of space. She cited a second computer room as one high-priority need, should extra space become available. She also pointed to the possibility of more small-group instruction.

Dwight expressed excitement about the new playground project under way at the elementary school. She had heard about the fundraiser for the playground, featuring singer Ashley Jordan, and was impressed at how the community had rallied in support of the project.

Dwight explained that her husband hopes to find a teaching position at one of the many colleges within commuting distance. He has taught courses in English and in educational technology, while he also has a seminary degree.