USPA GENERAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 7, 2005

Minutes taken by : Janis McCormick

New president of the 2005-06 school year, Dale Naylor, welcomed all and introduced this year's board: Terry Stoller, V.P./President Elect; Anne Neville, Treasurer; Chris Frazier, Treasurer Elect; Janis McCormick, Secretary. She then introduced U.S.'s new headmaster, Steve Murray.

GUEST SPEAKER - Stephen Murray

First, the school is taking an active role in disaster relief for hurricane victims. Several ideas for fund raisers have been discussed. A letter will be sent to parents asking for host families to host a student from New Orleans. Several options are being explored.

"Envisioning the Future of US"
A strategic plan for the school's future will take 6-9 months to develop, a process that will involve an outside facilitator. the many individual goals of the school will have to be articulated, such as the facilities, curriculum, endowment, etc. Then it has to be broken down into an implementable plan, which takes time. Some sort of Capital Campaign should take place as well as a feasibility study. Murray needs to have a good handle on things before he can move forward. He will attend games, plays and make contact with the school in general. He will have office hours at the Lower School Tuesdays and Fridays, which will prohibit him from teaching (which he will sorely miss). Murray is setting up a series of "senior meetings," so he can get to know the boys before they graduate. He also plans to "spend time with his friends on Monkey Island," since they're right outside his office. He will schedule a series of 8th grade luncheons so he gets to know this group before they get to the Upper School. Murray is sending a letter to all 15-year+ employees so he can meet with each one. He wants to learn about the institutional wisdom of US before he takes the school forward. He also plans to visit classes to see how his colleagues teach. In general, he will be "getting his arms around the school." But he also doesn't want to put the school on hold while he's learning about it.

Murray's Short Term Goals:
* Add Chinese to the curriculum
* Develop a technology policy committee - to integrate the school, faculty, students, parents
     with online management tools. The teachers could put documents online; the students
     could work from home, etc.
* Center to Study Boys' Lives - access to data on boys-only education. On-campus research
     by an outside organization to make sure the boys are getting an optimal education.

Murray's Long Term Goals:
* "Areas of Endeavor" - such as leadership, environment, service, etc.
     Juniors and seniors would be required to make a commitment to one area of interest and
     explore that area through: Junior year abroad; volunteer at a hospital or soup kitchen;
     leadership programs for prefects and team captains, and so on.
* "Round Square Organization" - would explore the possibility of joining this worldwide organ-
     ization of schools who share the same core values.
* Interdisciplinary Education - typically implemented in the 8th grade.

TREASURER'S REPORT - Anne Neville
A. Neville presented this year's budget, which was approved by the committee. Check Request forms can be picked up from Anne and submitted to the business office.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
* Welcome Committee - Deborah Perkins
The orientation for new students went well. Every new family received a call from someone on the committee to welcome them to the US community. Parents' coffees for all grade levels were held last week and were well attended. The 9th grade Parents' Welcome was done differently this year, which included a more formal presentation of information.

*Ninth Grade - Susan Althans
A cocktail party for the parents is scheduled for September 10. A mixer for the 9th and 10th graders is also scheduled for the same evening.

*Tenth Grade - Cyndi Hatch
A cocktail party for the parents is scheduled for October 14.

*Eleventh Grade - Jane Pinkas
A cocktail party for the parents is scheduled for October 14.

*Twelfth Grade - Noha Ryder
Many events are being planned for the seniors including a fall luncheon, post-exam goodies, senior breakfast and senior barbeque.

*Prep Shop - Olivia Demas
Merchandise from the Prep Shop can now be ordered online. Candy is now available for the boys through dispensers - no wrapped candy will be given out this year. There are still volunteer opportunities available - please contact Olivia Demas or Kelly Biggar.

Dale acknowledged and thanked Linda Chittock and Myra Hughes for decorating the school.

The International Dinner will take place the same night of the Fall play - November 11.

Valley Voice - Betsy Stueber
Everyone should have already received this month's issue of the Valley Voice. Any upcoming events or announcements should be submitted for the October issue.

AfterProm - Chris Frazier
The first meeting of the AfterProm committee took place this morning, September 7. The date for the Prom and AfterProm is April 29, 2006. The committee still needs many volunteers. The first fund raising effort will kick off next week - the Lottery. Please buy your tickets.

P.A.C.T. - Michael Sreshta
The P.A.C.T. directories of the 4 private schools can now be ordered.

Annual Fund - D. Naylor
Fund raising for all price levels will be commencing this fall. This year's goal is $1.7 million.

Tower Society - D. Naylor
Fund raising for levels beginning at $2,000.

Committee of 1,000 - Nancy McGinty
Arm plaques can be purchased for $1,000 to "buy" a seat in the auditorium.

Sunshine Committee - Jane Biggar
Please report on happy occasions, not just sad ones.

STATE OF THE SCHOOL - Doug Lagarde
The opening day of school, the late John Jolly was remembered, who passed away this summer at the age of 41. He was loved by all the boys and staff. It was a wonderful acknowledgement.

The school's intranet (www.us.edu) is a wonderful source of information. It could prompt a conversation with your son. This is an exciting time - a time to re-commit to your goals. The students should use the faculty as a resource. The faculty keeps the bar high but works side by side with students.

There are 3 new teachers.

There are a total of 406 boys on campus.

Some areas to pay attention to in the handbook:
Cell Phones - They need to be turned off during the day.
Service - The school handles community service as a school, not on an individual basis. The boys still have to schedule their own Cadmean and school service hours.

Make sure to acknowledge your son's coaches and thank them for all the additional hours they put in.

10th Grade Graduation Test - Everyone passed!

There are 5 students on campus from Australia.

Homecoming is September 24.

Pancake Breakfast to welcome the Murray family - October 1 (free)