From the Director: And Off We Go

Three tips to make 2019-2020 the best school year yet for your family.
By Vince Durnan, Director
 
No matter how many times the first day of school rolls around, the energy of it all feels remarkably brand new. Sure, last May at the 100th commencement exercises some of us wondered how we'd ever fill the gap left by those student leaders, but just as surely here comes the next wave, starting with the 64 dear kindergarteners in—the class of…wait for it… 2032. How best to welcome the launch moment, whether it's your first at USN or your umpteenth? Here's a shortlist, born of long experience:

Identify your point(s) of contact here at school. By that, I mean the person(s) you'll call when you need something. Sounds simple, but in those rare instances when things get in the ditch during the year, more than likely there was a communication gap somewhere early along the way. For the K-4 folks, that's usually the lead teacher, and for 5-12 that's the advisor, but there's no hard and fast rule. What essential is that there's somebody you know you can reach when the time comes. And it could be more than just one; it could be members of the admin group, it could even be me—really, I'd be honored (and maybe even helpful).

What's key is that these people know they play that role for you and your family. Additionally, establish what your preference would be—phone, text, email—and maybe even time and frequency preference. When we picture all that in advance, things just go better, and end up feeling like teamwork, like a compliment, as it should.

While you're visualizing things, imagine how you'd like to connect with the life of the school this time around. More than 70% of USN parents and guardians are part of USNA's myriad program offerings, including welcome events and the Middle School musical, Fall Fest, Fall Book Frenzy, and Artclectic—all in just the next 90 days. You don't need to raise your hand very high or more than once, just make that first call or visit the nerve center USNA Office adjacent to the 19th Avenue entrance. Sign up for Dads' Alliance, or Tiger Arts Patrons, or Tiger Club, or the mindfulness group, and the list goes on. Never think for a minute that your presence won't make a difference, to paraphrase the perhaps apocryphal Margaret Meade quote. Those efforts make all the difference. Always have.

One more suggestion: find a regular window onto the big, beautiful, packed to the rafters school calendar, via the constantly updated usn.org. Really, tunnel your way in. If an army travels on its stomach, a school travels on its calendar. There's the big-picture stuff and the day-to-day stuff, and to have those details in hand is to function from a position of strength. Planning ahead is the antidote to events sneaking up on us, or worse, passing by unnoticed. There's a kind of rhythm to what we do, and it's best when we are in sync with what you're doing at home. And knowing more offers a perfect chance to pick a few chances to watch other grades and other programs beyond the basics you might hear about in your daily routines.

That's probably plenty for now, as you get logistics together for next week and we bring the faculty together for our own kind of running start together before students' arrival. The floors are waxed, the parking lots refreshed, the backfield green as, well, grass, and lists of every sort proliferating. The Popsicle Party is in the works for Sunday, Aug. 11, reminding us to celebrate the chance to be back with one another. So many little things combining to make one big, miraculous thing, so full of potential. No wonder we get excited. See you soon.

And happy new year,
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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.