LEADING THROUGH LISTENING

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Can't see the forest through the trees?" Recently, I've been involved in too many conversations that make me wonder if people can even see the trees. In fact, the forest is made up of so much more than trees and most people can't even comprehend it. Our profession has been one of the most drastically transformed professions in terms of expectations in the last 10 to 15 years. However, with this drastic change in expectation, there has not been much adjustment to the structure of education. Meaning, the number of days school is in session, the number of hours kids are in school, the way in which schools look and operate on a daily basis, etc. I know hundreds of teachers and leaders who would reinvent education tomorrow for the better, but every time you try, there is a regulation or law that completely stifles creativity. It's not all that different that teaching. If you know a teacher, ask a teacher what their day looks like an

 With each passing week, it is easy to feel as if life is returning to more of a "normal" feeling post-COVID. I mean, we are 3 full years removed from that extraordinarily disruptive and divisive period in our history. But, it doesn't feel like 3 years, does it? Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, that period in our history has caused a lot to change, regardless of how much we think it feels like "normal" to those of us that knew a world pre-COVID. What am I getting at, you may ask? I'm getting at the fact that many of our youth were not old enough to have a "normal" perspective on life and the world pre-COVID so all they know is their current life. "Normal" for them is their current world that is filled with everything that has been a personal experience for them. As a school system, we are often asked about what support we have for staff, students, and families in relation to almost anything you can think of. Believe it or not, if

Spring break is officially past (unfortunately) which is generally a landmark in the education schedule for the year. With roughly 60 school days remaining, or ask a senior if you want the exact count, it will be a mad dash to the finish line in all schools. There are many events that will take place over the next 8 weeks within our schools including the State assessments, AP exams at the high school, non-stop athletics, junior prom, senior ball, concerts galore, academic achievement ceremonies, and all culminating with RFA's graduation. The anticipation of the end of the school year can bring mixed emotions for many people, so please take time to have a conversation with your student if you notice any changes in behavior. Also, our school administration and staff are available to work together in the event that concerns arise. Likewise, staff can develop some level of anxiety as the end of there approaches for various reasons, so let's work together to keep everyone sharp for