Community

Study Group Hosts Book Drive for Star Center

Every club and interest group at USJ is required to fulfill a service project. In the spring, Study Group decided to do a book drive in support of the Star Center. Study Group members collected elementary-level books from April 14 to April 22. It is important to read regularly from an early age, so the Star Center helped deliver these books to families in need to help supplement their children’s/reading at school. The Study Group not only promoted learning by mentoring and tutoring middle school students, but also in the community as a whole by giving children the necessary resources to develop a love of reading. The Star Center was picked because they focus on encouraging and supporting all people with any disability to fulfill their goals.

Middle School Dance Provides Support for Project 541

Chemistry Club members wanted to put forth an event that focused on the Middle School, and they decided a dance was just the thing. The dance was held on Friday, March 25, and organizers chose a neon theme to encourage more participation. The dance was also a fundraiser for Project 541, a nonprofit organization started in 2003 by USJ 2010 alum, Kayla Austin. Project 541 educates and supports children and women in the community of La Moskitia, Honduras.

“We chose this nonprofit because we thought that raising money for an organization that was founded locally at our school was perfect,” said Senior Julianna Schultz. “Normally the anatomy and physiology class puts on a dance for them, but the class was not offered, so in order to keep the tradition alive, the Chemistry Club sponsored this dance for them. We were able to raise over $800 for Project 541.”

Lebonheur Bike Day

USJ students celebrated raising more than $5,000 for Lebonheur Children’s Hospital with a bike day. The LeBonheur Bicycle Team rode through campus last spring. At that time, students presented them with a check for the money they had raised. Students were rewarded with ice cream and cookies to celebrate their participation in the First Le Bonheur Bicycle Ride Fundraiser. What an amazing day at USJ! Thank you to all of our families who donated to this wonderful organization.

2022-2027 Strategic Plan

STRATEGIC GOAL 1: Recruit, retain, and develop mission-driven USJ faculty who provide an exceptional educational foundation for our school community.

- Complete compensation study to ensure compensation and benefits are competitive.

- Develop a retention plan for faculty and staff.

- Grow faculty through an intentionally focused and funded professional development program.

- Advance accountability by defining and implementing expectations of high performing faculty.

STRATEGIC GOAL 2: Foster robust academic curriculum to equip students for success today and to prepare them for a changing world.

- Align K-12 curriculum for a seamless educational experience.

- Evaluate student testing schoolwide options and implement test progression that aligns with school mission and curriculum.

- Advance STEM programming options across divisions and explore ways to integrate design thinking and interdisciplinary thinking into daily coursework.

STRATEGIC GOAL 3: Inspire a culture of character that promotes leadership and community engagement.

- Improve community service program for USJ students, faculty, and families that also strengthens local partnerships.

- Continue evaluation of the USJ character education program for integration in our overall school culture.

- Seek avenues to increase diversity and global-mindedness into school culture.

- Create and/or implement programming for the intentional development of USJ students as leaders.

STRATEGIC GOAL 4: Fund the future of USJ by ensuring financial stability and growth.

- Develop a culture of generosity among all families and faculty.

- Create a multi-year financial projection to prepare for anticipated revenue and expenses.

- Increase the USJ endowment for long-term operational stability.

- Use our campus and brand to generate alternate revenue streams.

USJ and Dr. Charles M. Baldwin Establish the Janice Ann Baldwin Middle School Mathematics Award and Scholarship

This year marked the inaugural Janice Ann Baldwin Middle School Mathematics Award and Scholarship. This award was founded in memory of the late Janice Ann Baldwin, whose love for her students led her to enthusiastically celebrate their accomplishments. Baldwin taught mathematics at Episcopal Day School before joining the faculty at the University School of Jackson in 1988. She taught seventh- and eighth-grade honors math and served as the Middle School mathematics department chair until her retirement in 2012, concluding her teaching career that spanned 48 years.

Dr. Charles M. Baldwin established the Janice Ann Baldwin Middle School Mathematics Endowment Fund to foster excellence in the study of middle school mathematics for students at the University School of Jackson in memory of his late wife. Dr. Baldwin hopes to grow the scholarship over time to benefit more students.

Baldwin’s love for her students was unsurpassed, leading her to encourage them with hope for a better future. Middle School Director Margaret Livingston shared, “We are overjoyed with the opportunity that the Baldwin family has given our students as we honor Janice’s legacy. It was a privilege to work with Dr. Baldwin and to learn how his vision for the award and scholarship aligns with our mission for excellence founded in personal integrity, mutual respect, and lifelong learning.”

The Janice Ann Baldwin Middle School Mathematics Award and Scholarship is granted to an eighth-grade student who exhibits a pattern of service, a love for mathematics, and displays leadership while maintaining a minimum of a B average in all classes. The recipient must also have a particular appreciation for math and STEM courses, with a desire to pursue them in the future. The award is accompanied by a $500 scholarship granted to the student upon graduating from USJ. Along with a $500 scholarship, the recipient’s name will be engraved on a plaque that will be displayed in the USJ Middle School. The inaugural Janice Ann Baldwin Middle School Mathematics Award and Scholarship was proudly presented to Laura Kate Prater.

If you would like to contribute to the Janice Ann Baldwin Middle School Mathematics Award and Scholarship, please contact Russ Ellis at rellis@usjbruins.org.