Letters from the Principal | Spectrum School

"I learned a new word, "Spectrumy". It was then that I realized I have been a "Spectrumy" educator my entire career. To me, it means putting the learner's experience of school as the number one priority. Their thoughts, feelings, relationships, and learning."

About Dr. Mary Beth Cunat

Dr. Mary Beth Cunat is a life-long learner and educator. She came to Spectrum in 2018, retiring from Chicago Public Schools after serving in multiple roles from teacher, Central Office leadership, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Her pedagogical passion has always been progressive approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment that advance student ownership of learning and foster a child’s love for school. This is why Spectrum is such a great fit. Mary Beth is a grandmother to twin girls, and they are the impetus for her move to Rockford - to lead and nurture this “educational wonderland” for the Rockford community, which now includes her own family!

From Edcuration: “Dr. Mary Beth Cunat, Principal at Spectrum Progressive School in Rockford Illinois, is adamant about equipping her students as global citizens, with World Language skills. However, as a small school, funds are tight for additional language teachers. Mary Beth and her students found the perfect solution with Meg Languages, which goes far and away beyond a typical language learning platform.” Click the blue button below, then scroll to the bottom of the podcast page to “…listen and be inspired!”

Edcuration Podcast with Dr. Mary Beth Cunat!

Letters from Dr. Cunat

Letter from the Principal: April 26, 2024

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, I recently saw a post …

Letter from the Principal: April 19, 2024

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, A successful week was had …

Letter from the Principal: April 12, 2024

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, My partner grandma posted this …

Letter from the Principal: April 5, 2024

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Enjoy this month of poetry …

Letter from the Principal: March 22, 2024

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, A huge thank you to …

Letter from the Principal: March 15, 2024

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, I was so impressed with …

Letter from the Principal: March 8, 2024

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Think of this to the …

Letter from the Principal: March 1, 2024

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, We had an All School …

Letter from the Principal: February 23, 2024

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, We have some passionate and …

Letter from the Principal: February 16, 2024

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Chess and Checkers Jacks, Parcheesi …

Letter from the Principal: February 9, 2024

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, I had to spend several …

Letter from the Principal: January 26, 2024

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, At the last Spectrum School …

Letter from the Principal: January 19, 2024

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, One of my mentors used …

Letter from the Principal: January 12, 2024

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Living in northern Illinois has …

Letter from the Principal: December 22, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Myself and the entire Spectrum …

Letter from the Principal: December 15, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, We had a visit from …

Letter from the Principal: December 8, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Here is a recent email …

Letter from the Principal: December 1, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, What a crazy busy few …

Letter from the Principal: November 17, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, This morning (Thursday), I had …

Letter from the Principal: November 3, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, It’s that time of year. …

Letter from the Principal: October 27, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, It is Thursday afternoon as …

Letter from the Principal: October 6, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, I am proud of the …

Letter from the Principal: September 22, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, I was so excited about …

Letter from the Principal: September 15, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, There is something truly special …

Letter from the Principal: September 8, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, We are finishing our second …

Letter from the Principal: August 25, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Welcome and welcome back! We …

Letter from the Principal: August 4, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, The summer seems long, then …

Letter from the Principal: June 23, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, I am very excited about …

Letter from the Principal: June 2, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, For those who are new …

Letter from the Principal: May 24, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Ms. Jacque just echoed the …

Letter from the Principal: May 19, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, I am going to follow …

Letter from the Principal: May 12, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, There was such synergy and …

Letter from the Principal: May 5, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Here are some quotes which …

Letter from the Principal: April 28, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, I had the chance (and …

Letter from the Principal: April 21, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, We are still hoping for …

Letter from the Principal: April 14, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, There have been several instances …

Letter from the Principal: March 31, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, With poetry month around the …

Letter from the Principal: March 17, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Thank you to all of …

Letter from the Principal: March 3, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, When I come off of …

Letter from the Principal: February 24, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Between a snow day, Presidents’ …

Letter from the Principal: February 17, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Thank you to the teachers, …

Letter from the Principal: February 10, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, My adult daughter is my …

Letter from the Principal: February 3, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Nearly the most overcast January …

Letter from the Principal: January 27, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, This week, many schools across …

Letter from the Principal: January 20, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, What do you love about …

Letter from the Principal: January 13, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Thank you for the tremendous …

Letter from the Principal: January 6, 2023

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, In its 55 year history, …

Letter from the Principal: December 16, 2022

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, There is a reason why …

Letter from the Principal: December 9, 2022

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Thank you to the parents …

Letter from the Principal: November 18, 2022

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, The Spectrum School Board is …

Letter from the Principal: November 4, 2022

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Thank goodness Halloween is over. …

Letter from the Principal: October 28, 2022

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Below is a lovely email …

Letter from the Principal: October 21, 2022

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Our teachers go above and …

Letter from the Principal: October 14, 2022

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, I attended the Progressive Education …

Letter from the Principal: September 30, 2022

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Our Guess Jar for this …

Letter from the Principal: September 23, 2022

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Being around public school colleagues …

Letter from the Principal: September 16, 2022

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, There have been a few …

Letter from the Principal: September 9, 2022

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, I confess. As a principal, …

Letter from the Principal: September 2, 2022

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, We have a grand initiative …

Letter from the Principal: August 26, 2022

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Spectrum Laughter in …

Letter from the Principal: August 5, 2022

Spectrum Families and Friends, Educators experience August as a “down-to-the-wire” …

Letter from the Principal: May 25, 2022

Spectrum Families and Friends, I’d like to take this opportunity …

Letter from the Principal: May 20, 2022

Spectrum Families and Friends, I had the opportunity to spend …

Letter from the Principal: May 13, 2022

Spectrum Families and Friends, Congratulations to the Trailblazers on their …

Letter from the Principal: May 6, 2022

Spectrum Families and Friends, Thank you on behalf of the …

Letter from the Principal: Apr. 29, 2022

Spectrum Families and Friends, I’ve wondered at times after a …

Letter from the Principal: Apr. 22, 2022

Spectrum Families and Friends, Earth Day Thoughts: Living …

Letter from the Principal: Apr. 8, 2022

Spectrum Families and Friends, I’d like to offer my formal …

Letter from the Principal: Mar. 18, 2022

Spectrum Families and Friends, As I was writing a proposal …

Letter from the Principal: Mar. 11, 2022

Spectrum Families and Friends, I just participated in a webinar …

Letter from the Principal: Feb. 25, 2022

Dear Spectrum Community, The Board is considering parent input and …

Letter from the Principal: Feb. 18, 2022

Dear Spectrum Community, As the Executive Committee of Spectrum’s Board, …

Letter from the Principal: Feb. 11, 2022

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, GroundHogs, Presidents, and Valentines …

Letter from the Principal: Feb. 4, 2022

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Your 2022-23 re-enrollment packet includes …

Letter from the Principal: Jan. 28, 2022

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, You should be receiving from …

Letter from the Principal: Jan. 21, 2022

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Hello, again! It’s Calum, the …

Letter from the Principal: Jan. 14, 2022

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Our Middle School Spanish teacher …

Letter from the Principal: Jan. 7, 2022

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Early next week, you will …

Letter from the Principal: Dec. 17, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, I had so much fun …

Letter from the Principal: Dec. 10, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Spectrum kids are…. Terrifyingly talkative …

Letter from the Principal: Dec. 3, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, It is me, Calum. I …

Letter from the Principal: Nov. 19, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, I’ve been cultivating an attitude …

Letter from the Principal: Nov. 12, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, As I watched on Wednesday …

Letter from the Principal: Nov. 5, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, As the crazy of Rockford …

Letter from the Principal: Oct. 8, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Feel free to take a …

Letter from the Principal: Oct. 1, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Happy First Day of October..or…..Socktober, …

Letter from the Principal: Sept. 24, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, This has been a week …

Letter from the Principal: Sept. 17, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, I had a chance to …

Letter from the Principal: Sept. 10, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, If you build it, they …

Letter from the Principal: Sept. 3, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, I ruminate throughout the week …

Letter from the Principal: Aug. 20, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, The last weeks of August …

Letter from the Principal: July 9, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, It was so great …

Letter from the Principal: May 25, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, I wish you all the …

Letter from the Principal: May 14, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, As you receive progress reports …

Letter from the Principal: May 7, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Why appreciate Spectrum teachers and …

Letter from the Principal: Apr. 30, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Our GoFundMe team pages have …

Letter from the Principal: Apr. 23, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Whew. The “site visitors” just …

Letter from the Principal: Apr. 16, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, I was invited in the …

Letter from the Principal: Apr. 9, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, High performing teaching faculties engage …

Letter from the Principal: Apr. 2, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, As I was thinking of …

Letter from the Principal: Mar. 19th, 2021

Dear Spectrum Community, In reflecting on my priorities for April …

Letter from the Principal: Mar. 12th, 2021

Dear Spectrum Community, As the rest of the world cites …

Letter from the Principal: Mar. 5th, 2021

Dear Spectrum Community, Melting snow and soaking suits Happy noises, …

Letter from the Principal: Feb. 26, 2021

Dear Spectrum Community, I just had a remarkable conversation with …

Letter from the Principal: Feb. 19, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, We witnessed the success of …

Letter from the Principal: Feb. 12, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Over the weekend, I re-discovered …

Letter from the Principal: Feb. 5, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, I am not sure if …

Letter from the Principal: Jan. 29, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, As January comes to a …

Letter from the Principal: Jan. 15, 2021

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Oh, oh, the joy of …

The Innovative Elves — Presented by Spectrum School

Who pulls off a school holiday program with 80 preschool …

Letter from the Principal: Dec. 11, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, I had so much fun …

Letter from the Principal: Dec. 4, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, I’ve been thinking a lot …

Letter from the Principal: Nov. 20, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, It is Tuesday. As I …

Letter from the Principal: Nov. 13, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Happy World Kindness Day! I …

Letter from the Principal: Nov. 6, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, We posted an ad thanking …

Letter from the Principal: Oct. 30, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Here is a great hurrah …

Letter from the Principal: Oct. 23, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, I had the opportunity yesterday …

Letter from the Principal: Oct. 16, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, As things settle into new …

Letter from the Principal: Oct. 2, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, As I walked through the …

Letter from the Principal: Sept. 25, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, See me sing this …

Letter from the Principal: Sept. 18, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, We are just finishing our …

Letter from the Principal: Sept. 11, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, We have made it through …

Letter from the Principal: May 29, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Thank you to everyone who …

Letter from the Principal: May 22, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Kudos to the Middle Schoolers …

Letter from the Principal: May 15, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, As I sat in front …

Letter from the Principal: May 1, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, This week’s letter will actually …

Letter from the Principal: Apr. 24, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, This week, I have been …

Letter from the Principal: Apr. 17, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, I hope this greeting finds …

Letter from the Principal: Apr. 10, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, Please give yourself lots of …

Letter from the Principal: Apr. 3, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, We have completed Week 2 …

Letter from the Principal: Mar. 13, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, As we approach Spring Break, …

Letter from the Principal: Mar. 6, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, We had a surprise visit …

Letter from the Principal: Feb. 28, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, February was a whirlwind, with …

Letter from the Principal: Feb. 21, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, As I write this, we …

Letter from the Principal: Feb. 6, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, It is hard to believe …

Letter from the Principal: Jan. 31, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, As we finish up National …

Letter from the Principal: Jan. 24, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, As we celebrate School Choice …

Letter from the Principal: Jan. 10, 2020

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, As you can see from …

Letter from the Principal: Dec. 20, 2019

I’m dreaming of the winter vacation And looking forward …

Letter from the Principal: Dec. 13, 2019

Spectrum Families and Friends, I attended our band concert at …

Letter from the Principal: Dec. 6, 2019

Spectrum Families and Friends, Generosity and good will. Mary Baldauf …

Letter from the Principal: Nov. 22, 2019

Spectrum Families and Friends, Since next week is a short …

Letter from the Principal: Nov. 15, 2019

Spectrum Families and Friends, Wednesday was World Kindness Day and …

Letter from the Principal: Nov. 8, 2019

Spectrum Families and Friends, For those in Early Elementary and …

Letter from the Principal: Oct. 18, 2019

Spectrum Families and Friends, It is Wednesday as I write …

Letter from the Principal: Oct. 11, 2019

Spectrum Families and Friends, As you can see from our …

Letter from the Principal: Oct. 3, 2019

Spectrum Families and Friends, As we reflect on the first …

Letter from the Principal: Sept. 27, 2019

Spectrum Family and Friends, It’s finally here! Spectrum’s Fall Festival …

Letter from the Principal: Sept. 13, 2019

Spectrum Family and Friends, I was so happy to see …

Letter from the Principal: Sept. 6, 2019

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Welcome back to Spectrum! We …

Letter from the Principal: May 28, 2019

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, There is a lot to …

Letter from the Principal: May 10, 2019

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, See SAVE THE DATES below. We …

Letter from the Principal: May 3, 2019

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, In case you missed it, …

Letter from the Principal: Apr. 19, 2019

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, What an amazing school we …

Letter from the Principal: Mar. 22, 2019

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, Several dreams have come true …

Letter from the Principal: Mar. 8, 2019

Dear Spectrum Family and Friends, As I was looking at …

Letter from the Principal: Feb. 22, 2019

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, There was so much insight …

Letter from the Principal: Feb. 15, 2019

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, PTO leadership asked if I …

Letter from the Principal: Feb. 8, 2019

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, As I was getting to …

Letter from the Principal: Jan. 25, 2019

Dear Spectrum Families, First of all, thank you for your …

Letter from the Principal: Jan. 11, 2019

Dear Spectrum Families, We are in full swing, with the …

Letter from the Principal: Dec. 21, 2018

Dear Spectrum Community, By the time you read this, we …

Letter from the Principal: Dec. 7, 2018

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, I am AGAIN impressed and …

Letter from the Principal: Nov. 30, 2018

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, What do Tangrams, blowing paint …

Letter from the Principal: Nov. 16, 2018

Dear Spectrum Parents, We are very happy to report that …

Letter from the Principal: Nov. 2, 2018

Spectrum Family and Friends, Thank you to the parents, staff, …

Letter from the Principal: Oct. 26, 2018

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, I wanted to give you …

Letter from the Principal: Oct. 19, 2018

Dear Spectrum Families and Friends, First and foremost, a huge …

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