Dear Spectrum Families,
First of all, thank you for your ongoing support and flexibility with the winter weather and field trip adjustments.
You will be receiving progress reports next week to prepare for conferences on Friday, February 1. Different levels are sharing Processfolios on different days depending on their teachers’ choice. On February 1, I would like to schedule a few informal coffee chat sessions with me to touch base with you directly on your sense of all things Spectrum, and get feedback for continuous improvement. I also plan to have three mini-workshops: one on our Raise Responsibility System, one on Progressive Approaches to Teaching and Learning, and one from Common Sense media on keeping students safe online. I am not sure how I will fit all that in, so if one of these topics resonates with you, please send an email and I will prioritize my schedule that day based on interest.
We have some exciting developments in our World Language/World Culture programming. We received a grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois to strengthen and expand our efforts to teach world languages, augment linguistic and cultural exchanges, and build international-mindedness through friendships and interactions. Parent Sabine Slocum has agreed to step in and help coordinate logistics. Leighton Barnes will continue with a variety of learning opportunities. Carole Carbone is going to help on the Rockford University connections, Maggie Kasicki will also continue with many learning activities, and I have a meeting with Keiko Hall to see how we will bring back some Japanese. Details are still in the planning phase, but you can look for many enrichment and interest opportunities to expand cultural awareness and appreciation at Spectrum. Special thanks to the Geiselhart family for hosting Chinese students this month, and to all of the Board, staff, and PTO members who joined me in hosting Chinese teachers at Lucha Cantina on Wednesday night.
Congratulations to Jude Rauh, Lilah Rauh, Calum Scroggins, and Ava Kalt who qualified for regional competition for the Illinois Future Problem Solvers. FPS is an intense academic competition that includes research on global topics, futuristic thinking, writing, and collaboration. This is a huge accomplishment for a first year team, and no matter what happens, I am proud of the incredible work they did to qualify.
I am looking for a Chess coach on Wednesdays after school, and hoping some of you will volunteer yourselves or a loved one for our Career Day on February 20, details forthcoming.
Best of luck managing this weather.
Dr. Mary Beth Cunat
