Updates from Dr. Hunt
![Members of the high school staff looking up at a camera and posing for a photo in their Proud to Be Golden Bear shirts]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1787598633/uaschoolsorg/zpivkvoimau0n7fmnvuq/UAHSProudtoBeaGoldenBear.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1787598633/uaschoolsorg/zpivkvoimau0n7fmnvuq/UAHSProudtoBeaGoldenBear.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1787598633/uaschoolsorg/zpivkvoimau0n7fmnvuq/UAHSProudtoBeaGoldenBear.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1787598633/uaschoolsorg/zpivkvoimau0n7fmnvuq/UAHSProudtoBeaGoldenBear.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1787598633/uaschoolsorg/zpivkvoimau0n7fmnvuq/UAHSProudtoBeaGoldenBear.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1787598633/uaschoolsorg/zpivkvoimau0n7fmnvuq/UAHSProudtoBeaGoldenBear.jpg","width":2200}])
The start of a new school year is always a moment filled with anticipation and excitement. This year, however, our first days together didn't go quite as planned.
The storms that moved through our community on August 11 brought significant damage and power outages, delaying the first day of school and disrupting plans for our students, families and staff. While that was certainly not the way we hoped to begin the year, the days that followed offered a powerful reminder of what makes Upper Arlington such a special place.
![The Jones cafeteria filled with residents seated at tables for the community conversation focused on Jones]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780924115/uaschoolsorg/zcgjpinjwg6tjjzcaakz/JonesCommunityConversation.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780924115/uaschoolsorg/zcgjpinjwg6tjjzcaakz/JonesCommunityConversation.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1780924115/uaschoolsorg/zcgjpinjwg6tjjzcaakz/JonesCommunityConversation.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1780924115/uaschoolsorg/zcgjpinjwg6tjjzcaakz/JonesCommunityConversation.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1780924115/uaschoolsorg/zcgjpinjwg6tjjzcaakz/JonesCommunityConversation.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1780924115/uaschoolsorg/zcgjpinjwg6tjjzcaakz/JonesCommunityConversation.jpg","width":2200}])
One of the greatest strengths of our schools has always been the willingness of this community to engage in important conversations about the future of public education in Upper Arlington. That commitment has been especially evident throughout our facilities master planning process.
Since this work began two years ago, we have had more than 8,500 touchpoints with students, staff, families and community members — including approximately 3,500 interactions since February. Through community meetings, surveys, workshops, focus groups and individual conversations, our residents have continued to share thoughtful feedback, ask important questions and help shape the direction of this work at every turn.
As we move through the final weeks of the school year, we have the opportunity to both celebrate meaningful progress and look ahead to what’s next for Upper Arlington Schools. Across our district, the work connected to our Excellence & Innovation 2030 Strategic Plan continues to take shape in ways that directly impact our students, staff and community
At the start of this school year, I challenged our staff to think about the power of both the big and the little everyday moments that have an impact on our students. Drawing inspiration from the book by Chip Heath and Dan Heath called The Power of Moments, we set out to spark the moments that matter for our students — and celebrate those moments throughout this school year.