Our Kindergarten Naturalists were invited by Dr. Joe and Billie Little (grandparents of Kindergartners James and Caleb Little) to spend the day at Basin Spring, their beautiful haven in Fernvale, Tennessee.
As soon as we arrived, Joe and Billie greeted us and began sharing their love and knowledge of wildflowers. Walking along moss-covered paths, we observed Twisted Trillium, Sweet Betsy Trillium, Spring Beauties, Shooting Stars, Phlox, Phacelia, Green Dragon, Hound's Tongue, Tooth Wort, Yellow Poppies, Jack in the Pulpit, and more.
Dr. Little also showed us a great collection of natural treasures, including an owl skull he had found. He spoke with our Naturalists about the importance of an owl's vision and how that relates to its eye sockets. Fascinating. Next, we all made our way up the creek. As we walked, Dr. Little caught a toad, a frog, a few salamanders, a crayfish, some cased caddis. Clearly, the stream was teeming with all sorts of life right under our feet.
One highlight of the day was the moment Dr. Little thrilled us with one of the best owl calls I have ever heard from a human voice. To hear it with your eyes closed, you would have thought it was the real thing – it was amazing!
Fernvale is truly a magical place, and made for a magical adventure.
An academic and educational leader with experience working with elementary grades in Australia and California, Kristian Noden will join USN for the 2024-2025 academic year.
At the end of the 2023-2024 school year, we will bid adieu to MS/HS Art Teacher Delia Seigenthaler, Operations Staffer Don Brown, and Head of LS Amy Woodson. A retirement reception will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10 in Gordon Multipurpose Room
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.