Greetings Spectrum Families,
Impactful: 
Educator, author, and businessman, Steven R. Covey, encourages us to “seek first to understand, then to be understood.” My message today is about being curious. I don’t believe that being curious is only about learning new things. Please don’t get me wrong, it certainly helps when curiosity is present in a classroom full of high school students. But, being curious is also about working to understand and appreciate one another.
I’ve been fortunate in my life to have had many opportunities in which people whom I’ve just met are extraordinarily curious about me. I only recently recognized the way this makes me feel, and how it has had such a positive impact on me. This kind of curiosity has the power to help someone feel heard, to feel like they matter, and to feel worthy. These feelings are something we all need in our lives. I know I’ve done the opposite for others at times in my life. After this opportunity to reflect and share, my hope is to now be more curious in my daily interactions and provide this unique gift to others more often.
Covey also says, “most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” My final encouragement today is for all of us to reflect on the kind of listener we are, and to listen with curiosity and the intent to understand. I believe we will all be better for it in the end.
Practical:
As you are likely aware, our fall parent/teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, November 4th and Tuesday, November 9th from 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm. Both evenings, there will be a virtual conference option for families as well as an in-person option. Virtual conferences will be held from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm each night. Virtual conference slots will be limited, so when the window opens for signing up, please be sure to be responsive. In-person conferences will be conducted in a open house style format and will be held in the gymnasium of your student’s respective building. In-person conferences will run from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm each evening.
Please look for an email communication that includes directions on how to access the virtual conference sign up application soon.
I will add that we are continuing to work toward being responsive and appreciate communication from our families. If you reach out to any of our teachers, we will work to make the connection as our goal is to collaborate and partner with our families in an effort to provide the best educational experience possible for your student(s).
Weeks At A Glance:
Monday, November 1: C@SH day / Delayed start
Thursday, November 4th and Tuesday, November 9th: Parent/Teacher Conferences
*3:30 pm - 5:00 pm = Virtual (pre-sign up only)
*5:00 pm - 6:30 pm = In-person conferences - Open house format @ SHS gym
Monday, November 8th: C@SH day / Delayed start
Thursday, November 11th: Veterans Day Program (look for further communication soon)