Hi Colts,

What an amazing first six weeks of school we've had! Pat yourselves on the back for getting through the beginning of the school year. Now it's no longer weird to say you have a [insert grade level here] grader. It's just who you are!

October is a fun month in high school. It gets a bit more stressful - the adrenaline has worn off and things get a bit more real, but we try to put some fun days in the mix as well.

We've devoted a lot of our efforts to staff development this year, and I am so thankful for this time with the staff to grow and learn. We also use this time to connect and reflect. Our goal this year is about names. I ask my teachers: Do your kids know your name? Do you know theirs? Do they know each other's? Just learning names is a way for people to connect and ultimately learn about one another. And then they will get into deeper and more meaningful conversations.

This past session was timely for us as we found ourselves trying to connect in a divided world. I talked with the staff about the importance of humanity and connecting with each other at the most human level. Did you know that, contrary to popular belief, humans actually like each other? Studies show that people prefer to be connected in positive ways. So, I encourage you all to do what I encouraged my staff to do: Find ways to connect with other humans through actual human things. Not behind a screen or phone, but in person and breathing the same air. Before you discuss the most controversial topic you can think of, maybe start with "Hi, how's it going?" or "I also like to eat here. My favorite dish is..." Find some common ground through a bowling league or gardening. Then, we can dig into some deeper topics. But not until you know each other's names.

Important Dates:

9/29: Dean Corey Marching Band Extravaganza

9/30: Tennis @ Martin; Fall BSB v. Richland; CVB @ Martin; Orchestra Booster Meeting

10/1: ACT TESTING FOR SENIORS

10/2: Senior Panoramic Pic @ 7:45am - Seniors dress business casual; Senior Parent Meeting @ 6pm; JV Tennis v. Martin; CUSTODIAN APPRECIATION DAY

10/3: CVB @ Haltom; WORLD TEACHERS DAY

10/4: Key Club Car Wash

10/6: Choir Fall Concert; INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES APPRECIATION DAY

10/7: PSAT TESTING; CVB v. SGP

10/8: Drug Prevention Assembly; Fall BSB v. Southlake; Orchestra Fall Concert

10/9: XC District Meet; Tennis Bi-District; 9th/JV FB v. SHHS; ACT Make-ups

10/10: NO SCHOOL - STAFF TRAINING; CVB @ SHHS; FB v. SHHS @ Choctaw

10/11: BSB v. Lamar

10/13: NO SCHOOL - STUDENT AND STAFF HOLIDAY

10/14: CVB @ Bowie

10/15: QUINCEANERA DAY; Theatre Production

10/16: Tennis @ Lamar; 9th/JV FB v. Bowie; Theatre Production

10/17: AM Pep Rally - Punk Rock; CVB v. Lamar; FB v. Bowie; Theatre Production

10/18: UIL Marching Band Contest; Choir Concert @ UTA

10/20: XC Regionals; Global Seal of Biliteracy Ceremony

10/21: BSB Green v. White; CVB v. GP

10/23: Tennis v. Lamar; 9th/JV FB v. Lamar; Musical Auditions; COLT-O-WEEN

10/24: CVB v. Martin; FB v. Lamar

10/25: UIL Area Marching Band Contest; FFA Fall Festival; Cluster Choir Concert

10/30: 9th/JV Football v. GP; Senior Parent Night - FAFSA Completion

10/31: AM Pep Rally - Senior Day and Halloween (Costumes allowed); FB v. GP

11/1: GBB Scrimmage

11/3: NO SCHOOL; GBB v. Lake Worth/Paschal

11/4: NO SCHOOL

11/5: SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST APPRECIATION DAY; 9th/JV FB v. Martin

11/6: FB @ Martin

11/7: GBB v. Bryan Adams

11/8: Lewisville Drumline Competition; BBB @ Mansfield

Let's have a great month together, Colts.

Sincerely,
|Stacie Humbles, Principal
Arlington High School

First here. Best here.