From the Director: Checking in during Spring Break
Given the dynamically changing situation, we are more motivated than ever to stay connected as the USN community. Here is what is on our minds. Director Vince Durnan shared the following column in the USN Newsletter sent Wednesday, March 18.
Dear USN families and faculty,
Here’s the next in a series of updates that I anticipate will come your way at least weekly. Hard to identify this as Spring Break given all that’s transpiring and disorienting with each new day, but staying connected with our school community offers me a welcome anchor. Such a combination of living fast and living slow. So thanks at the start here for making time to read these messages. The latest:
We continue to receive offers to help get remote learning rolling and to help households with child care challenges. Our networks of colleagues around the nation provide a wide range of perspectives and experiences on remote learning programs, and we’re thinking constantly about what will best meet needs and developmental realities across our K-12 enrollment. What’s obvious is that we’ll learn as we go, and we’ll encounter unforeseen circumstances. We’re logging all the suggestions, and we won’t be reluctant to call when needs arise. Monday, March 23 and Tuesday, March 24 are designated for faculty preparations, most likely at a distance given recent guidance, and Wednesday, March 25 we’ll start with students. Look for messages from Division Heads with all the specifics.
On the child care front, let me acknowledge both the inherent difficulty that social distancing presents and the absolute urgency of our collective commitment to do our part preventing chances for virus transmission. We know that there are lots of college students home, and we know that there are needs in homes with adults who have to get to work. What I can say is that we’re thinking through the many dimensions of this challenge and putting public health considerations first, but there’s nothing to announce just yet.
Even with our last day at school now about a week ago, the important core messages on the health front remain — regular hand washing, staying home and distanced wherever possible, and checking with your physician if you don’t feel well. It’s wisest just to recommend vigilance on your end. Certainly, there may be undiagnosed cases in our extended circles, and there are confirmed cases in the Nashville school community, many thousands strong as it is.
Let me close by saying that we’re looking for ways to help and to stay engaged in both our neighborhood and our city. Even from a distance, there may be ways we can help meet emerging needs for basic necessities and for supporting medical response teams. What I can promise is that we’re doing our best to stay in touch with agencies performing that essential work — consistent with an ongoing commitment to do our part.
I am still an email or a phone call away, feeling like we’ll be in this together for a while.
Take care all,
Vince Durnan
Director
Director
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies
The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.Read More -
USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success
For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.Read More -
Middle School Quiz Bowl competes at national championship
The Middle School Quiz Bowl finished off another successful season with a trip to the Middle School National Championship Tournament in Chicago. The team fought hard and ended the season as a top-100 program in the country, finishing 75th overall. Congratulations to the team on a great performance and to Lucas Lupu ’31, named an All Star for being the fifth-highest scorer nationwide.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.