Week of 10/30/23

 Something Personal

This week I saw an example of a student in a tough emotional spot and a group of lead learners jumping to their side. It was amazing to see, and I couldn't help but think about what a nurturing environment we have created at QUEST. 

There's this term "unconditional love" which is often tied to the what a parent feels for their child, or perhaps that of a very best friend. This idea, whether we have been fortunate to experience it or not, follows the belief that the care you have for someone is without conditions. They mess up, you still care. They slip, you care. Your care is not dependent on anything other than that responsibility to be there with grace and love. 

I would argue that the greatest classrooms have this belief front and center. No matter what mistakes a child makes, no matter how many times they push our button, the care is still the same. And these beliefs are communicated and articulated both verbally and nonverbally. This.Is.Hard. 

Our students all come from different homes, and we adults all come from different upbringings as well, but the greatest opportunity we can give each other and our students is a "nothing is going to change my mind about how awesome you are" kind of belief. We are human, we have emotions, people can rub us the wrong way...but this idea is worth the pursuit. Again, this-is-hard. 

For those that are interested, check out this podcast that unpacks it much more eloquently than I can.

 CHECK OUT THE PODCAST HERE!

Something Professional

No Meeting Weeks

Next week we begin no meeting weeks, where we have no building scheduled meetings until Thanksgiving. For those new to the Q, this is a time where we honor the amount of work that goes into three-way conferences and report cards. Please use the extra time to stay afloat. 

Parking on Tuesday, 11/7

On Tuesday, 11/7, the district has a big retirement breakfast and presentation occurring in central office. They are expecting near 125 people, some of which have issues with walking. 

If you don't mind and are able, it would be awesome if we could park behind the school on Tuesday. Although this is not convenient, this is the kind of school we are and it's a chance to do a nice deed. Thanks!

Report Cards

Report cards are officially open. Please email me right away if you see an error that needs to be rectified through Tom.

Derek out Wednesday 

I will be out of the building on Wednesday of next week. Katie Jo will be in.

MTSS Update

November 10^th will mark the end the first inaugural MTSS Cycle.  Our Interventionists will suspend instruction from the 10^th until after Thanksgiving break.  During that time they will be assessing students, forming groups, creating new intervention schedules and planning and preparing for the next cycle of interventions.  Intervention cycle #2 will begin on November 27^th.