At This Point, It Has All Been Said

Director Vince Durnan shares a reminder of how each decision impacts the USN community and appreciation for those participating in the Vanderbilt COVID-19 study and following guidelines to keep USN's numbers low.
But the urgency of the moment leaves me eager to reiterate. Here comes our brief Thanksgiving hiatus, and it feels, at long last, like an end of semester exam. What we've been able to accomplish in the quest to preserve USN happening in-person continues to amaze me. Maybe you too. What's not being done in the wider community, where even mask-wearing adherence barely reaches 50% in Tennessee, amazes me in the other direction. Next week we’re going to part company for a few days, and those two worlds, depending on our household choices, may well collide.
 
This message is meant for two audiences. The first, however wildly optimistic this may be, is the group who've tuned out the community-health-first messages that we've been sharing all along. And the second is the group who've been wondering if anyone appreciates all they've been doing to mitigate risk and keep us all healthy. Over the last few months, it sure feels to me that the gulf between those groups has diminished, partly as the reality of COVID-19's threat grows more evident and partly as appreciation for us being together at school grows and deepens.
 
To that first bunch, and I’m presuming it’s a small segment, please understand that the decisions of a few families, of yours in particular, can determine the availability of education for scores and scores of others. And once that shoe drops, no amount of regret or remorse can undo what’s been done. That’s one of the great unfairnesses of this virus—the element of collateral damage via contact tracing, for starters. The good news is that staying safe boils down to a shortlist of commitments—each of which can easily be applied to situations you may confront next week and all of which loom more important in light of national trends. You have all the answers to this test in advance.
 
And to the second group, presumably far more numerous, stay strong! What you're doing (and not doing) is keeping us open. Of course, everything could change, and perhaps in ways beyond our control, but our tracker numbers have been what they've been because of you. Our High School student testing, planned to be followed by MS student testing, is working and providing invaluable insights thanks to you. Your concern for others continues to shine through as we generate data that help point the way forward for USN and schools in general.
 
There could not be a worse time for a case of COVID-19 fatigue. One thing we’ve seen is that once elevated, case numbers take weeks to subside, and what’s called for now is sustained effort. Where you go, who you’re with, how you get there, and what you do when you arrive all matter. The CDC could not be more explicit in its guidelines. To borrow a quip from Peabody Demonstration School alumnus Jack May '47, who loves quoting Sherlock Holmes, as said to Watson, "You know my methods. Apply them, and it will be instructive to compare results."
 
We know what to do, and we have every reason to look out for one another as we look out for our own families. If you’re in a tricky circumstance, by all means reach out — and don't worry about starting with me. Let’s be careful out there. May we find reasons aplenty to give thanks, even in the midst of it all, and among those may we find reason to be thankful for this uncommon, hardworking, pretty darned dedicated community at University School of Nashville.
 
In that spirit of gratitude, and starting to look toward December,
Vince Durnan
Director
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More USN News

List of 3 news stories.

  • 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
  • Interim Director Juliet Douglas roars with laughter as students hold photos of her on sticks during the High School Awards Assembly on Friday, May 8 in Durnan Auditorium.

    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
  • The team poses for a photo after competing in the Middle School Quiz Bowl National Championships.

    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
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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.