Welcome from Head of School

Fall serves traditionally as a time of renewal in a school calendarrebirth. There is no better time of year to be reminded of our potential, not just to be reminded who we are but who we are meant to be.

This past school year at USJ, we have doubled down on mission, strategy and fundamentals.

Our purpose should guide everything we do. We daily accept this challenge by asking, “Is what I am doing today advancing the mission?” Is this lesson, practice, meeting, rehearsal or decision advancing the mission? As we go about the business of school, are we intentionally growing people?

The mission statement is the foundation of our 5-year strategic plan. In year one, we have focused these efforts on the following:

• Expanding professional development funding and opportunities for our faculty

• Collaboratively aligning curriculum in bridge years between divisions

• Completing dramatic campus enhancements to make our students’ and parents’ experience safer and more efficient

• Updating assessments by implementing new testing in Lower School and Middle School while advancing our ACT initiative in the Upper School

• Reviewing and upgrading our SEL/Character Ed programs

• Inaugurating a Middle School Stem lab/class

• Enhancing security campus-wide

In developing and initiating our new plan, we are proud that USJ has been recommended for re-accreditation by the Southern Association of Independent Schools.

We all understand the importance of relying on fundamentals to accomplish any objective. In addition to mission-based decisionmaking, the heart of a school depends on sound instruction. Our teachers and their daily efforts allow this institution to excel and achieve the growth we seek. We strive to continue to improve in our craft and to do so while conducting ourselves professionally and communicating well with all stakeholders.

Let us together be renewed this fall, focusing on our united purpose.

Victor Frankl wrote:

“For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue. And it only does so as the unintended side effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself.”

I am truly honored to partner with you as we strive toward a greater cause.

Don Roe Head of School