Eagle Express
October 6, 2025
Dear Centennial Staff,
Centennial is a great place to be. That opinion is held by many, and it was evident throughout my interview process, as you maneuvered the beginning of the school year without a full-time principal, and as we’ve navigated the last five weeks together.
When you left for the summer reprieve at the end of May/beginning of June, you had expectations of what the start of the school year would be. Those expectations were upended when Carmen announced her departure—an organizational shock to the system. While everyone did a commendable job holding things together, a constant, slowly building strain developed as you waited for a new principal. My arrival then presented another adjustment, as we began to navigate differences in personalities, opinions, and processes. Throughout this complex transition, we barely had time to truly connect and build our working foundation.
Last week, I had an "aha" moment that I want to share with everyone. Dr. Marc Brackett, an expert in emotional intelligence and the author of Permission to Feel, teaches that when we experience change or stress, we must intentionally manage the emotional impact. His model, RULER, is a powerful tool for this:
Recognizing emotions in ourselves and others.
Understanding the causes of those emotions.
Labeling our feelings with a nuanced vocabulary.
Expressing emotions appropriately.
Regulating our feelings to promote better thinking and decision-making.
We've experienced emotional turbulence, and to move forward effectively, we must first grant ourselves the "permission to feel" and then follow the RULER process. This is a powerful restorative opportunity, if we collectively accept it!
Last week I referenced the quote, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” We’ve had some chaos (expected and unexpected), and I am hopeful that we will unite by applying this emotional intelligence framework. Let’s work together to recognize the strain, understand its impact, and rebuild our foundation so we can focus on doing what’s best for all students. This will not happen overnight, and may even take all year. I am fully and wholeheartedly committed to Centennial students, staff, and families. 💕
Kind regards,
Shannon
Rachael A. submitted her resignation last week. We do have the vacancy filled with a consistent substitute all week. A very special thank you goes out to everyone who covered library slots last week. For anyone interested in sharing with potential candidates, the Library Media Assistant position is posted here. Please let me (Shannon) know if you are willing to participate on the interview committee!
PLEASE be sure that you are implementing all accommodations listed in an IEP (and 504 Plan); these should be included in the IEP Snapshots that were shared with you for each student in your class on an IEP.
This document is a general overview of the role of a General Education Teacher.
I encourage you to have grade level exemplars to share with families, especially if their child is performing below grade level.
It's that time of year again when grounds staff will be getting the irrigation systems ready for winter. They'll be at your sites starting October 1st and throughout October blowing out the sprinkler systems.
They will do their best to accommodate schedules and work around recess. However, if they are in the middle of blowing out a system when recess is occurring, please help to keep students away as they finish up.
PTA will meet on 10/9 at 6:30PM this week! The PTA (Parent Teacher Association) cannot be successful without teachers and staff!
2025-26 Grade-Level Classroom Coordinator program
This was a new program we created last year at Carmen's request where 2-3 co-coordinators support a specific grade-level teacher team in the following ways:
1) Communicating volunteer needs on behalf of the classroom teachers to the Centennial Elementary Volunteer Coordinator (Liz Hosch)
2) Assisting classroom teacher(s) with replenishing classroom science materials, snacks, etc.
3) Welcoming any new families who join the classroom throughout the year
4) Planning and/or setting up class parties, as directed by the teachers
Grade level classroom coordinators can be found here. PTA has shared they sent an email to classroom teachers last week.
October: National Bullying Prevention Month
National Bullying Prevention Month focuses on bringing attention to issues and the consequences of bullying and cyberbullying. This is a time to promote a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusion in our communities.
Resources
StopBullying.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
The NCTSN is funded by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and jointly coordinated by UCLA and Duke University.
TSD SORA Reading List - National Bullying Prevention Month/World Mental Health Day
Culturally Responsive Employee Retention Opportunity
In alignment with TSD’s Strategic Plan: Strive 2025- Inclusive and Supportive Culture- Thompson School District believes in school and administrative campuses that foster a welcoming environment, a feeling of hope, a sense of belonging and a safe environment where students, families, staff and community members will feel supported and comfortable in their growth.
In 2020, members of Learning Services and Human Resources partnered to create support for TSD employees through a variety of evidence-based strategies. We piloted support groups for two years, and it was a positive experience for those involved.
Affinity groups offer people who share a marginalized identity a safe space to gather and talk about issues related to that identity.
If you are interested in joining an Affinity/Connect and Support group for Employees of Color, please email edi-team@tsd.org. If you or another employee are seeking a safe and supportive space to openly discuss success and challenges of being from a different protected class group and would like to start a new support group for staff, please contact Dr. maria.gabriel@tsd.org. Thank you!
Upcoming - October 10th: World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is a reminder that well-being is central to learning and growth for students, staff, and families alike. This year’s theme, “access to services - mental health in catastrophes and emergencies,” emphasizes that everyone deserves access to care, understanding, and supportive environments.
We all play a vital role in creating spaces where students feel safe, valued, and connected. Even small, intentional actions such as giving warm greetings/welcomes at the start of each morning, school day, and class period, starting conversations about stress management, building in mindful moments during the day, or reminding families of available resources can make a meaningful difference.
Ideas and activities to share with your learning community:
Share these TSD mental health resources and these TSD well-being resources with families and educators. If you have specific needs, please contact your student’s school counselor.
Staff can visit the TSD Employee Assistant Program page.
Remind staff, families, and students that open conversations about emotions help reduce stigma.
Highlight daily practices that encourage mental and physical well-being such as these families activities from TSD Student Success:
Read Aloud Day 2025
The ancient art of storytelling is celebrated each year on Read Aloud Day. This year, Read Aloud Day falls on Tuesday, November 11.
Starting on September 17, teachers may sign up for a reader to come to their classroom on Read Aloud Day. The deadline to request a reader is October 3. Readers will spend approximately 30 minutes reading to a classroom. Teachers may sign up by clicking HERE.
For anyone requesting a reader, please ensure that on November 11 there is not a field trip or an assembly occurring during the time that a reader is requested and that your students will be ready for the reader at the allotted time.
The VITAL Office can be reached at 970-613-5073 or kathy.gross@tsd.org.
About Us
Email: shannon.brennan@tsd.org
Location: 1555 West 37th Street, Loveland, CO, USA
Phone: 9702908005