Bear Cub Tracks 11.6.2026

Happy Friday, Bear Cubs! 

I don't know about you, but I can't help but think about the fact that we are just ten school days away from Thanksgiving Break! I know many of us are counting down the days, and rightfully so. This time of year can feel like a marathon, and I think we are all looking forward to a little time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the people and things that bring us happiness.

I've been in my feels quite a bit lately. There is something incredibly special about being part of a child's earliest experiences in school. We have the privilege of helping children discover what they are capable of, but that privilege comes with an enormous responsibility.

I once heard a story about a teacher who kept a small collection of seemingly insignificant items in her desk drawer. There was a broken pencil, a handwritten note, a little paper heart, and a drawing that was barely recognizable. When someone asked her why she kept those things, she explained that each represented a child who had needed something more than a lesson that day. The broken pencil belonged to a student who was so frustrated that he didn't believe he could learn. The paper heart came from a child who simply needed someone to notice her. The drawing was from a student who had finally found a place where he felt safe enough to be himself.

None of those moments appeared in a lesson plan. None were reflected by a grade in the gradebook. Yet, each represented something meaningful that happened in that classroom.

I think about that story because so much of what we do extends far beyond academics. We teach children how to read, write, and solve problems, but we also teach them how to manage disappointment, form friendships, navigate emotions, persevere through challenges, and believe in themselves. Some days, we are teaching skills that children haven't yet had the opportunity to develop. Other days, we are simply trying to help a child feel safe, loved, and ready to learn. In teaching those lessons, we are constantly pouring from ourselves. 

I can tell you how much I love and appreciate each of you, and I mean every word. But I recognize that appreciation doesn't erase the exhaustion, frustration, or weight of the responsibilities you carry. Education is a tough arena. Accountability and expectations continue to grow, student needs are increasingly complex, and our time and resources don't always grow alongside them. It doesn't just feel heavy. It IS heavy. I won't minimize that reality by suggesting a positive attitude or reminder of our purpose makes everything easier. It doesn't. There are days when you give everything you have and still leave feeling it wasn't enough. Days when the needs seem endless and the victories are difficult to see.

Think about the child who struggled to enter the classroom in August but now walks through the door with confidence. The student who once gave up when something became difficult but now tries one more time. Or the child who struggled to make friends but can now be seen laughing with someone at lunch. Those are not small accomplishments. 

I am incredibly proud of the work happening at CRPS, but even more proud of the people doing it. Our Bear Cubs are surrounded by adults who care deeply about their success, even when the work is exhausting.

As we look ahead to the next two weeks before Thanksgiving Break, I know many of us are running on empty, and some may be questioning whether everything you're doing is enough. I wish I could take some of that weight off your shoulders. While I can't eliminate every challenge or expectation, I can examine what is within my control to make your work more manageable. I want to be intentional about how I use your time, what I ask of you, and whether those expectations genuinely support our work with students. I don't have all the answers, but I am listening and committed to making changes where we can.

You deserve more than words of appreciation. You deserve leadership that listens, examines expectations, and makes adjustments when something isn't working.

I hope you have an amazing weekend, 'Cubs. 

Love & Hugs, 

Christina