As we start the year, I have been reflecting on the values of our district — Start With Heart, Strength In Team and Contagious Drive. Our values are integral in everything we do in our schools each and every day, and they are even more important as we come back together in our schools.
Since I became the superintendent of Upper Arlington Schools on July 1, I have witnessed these values firsthand, both in our schools and in the community. I have always known that Upper Arlington was a very special place, and I can’t tell you how happy my family and I are to be here. We are already so impressed with the schools and the community.
These values have also resonated with me as we prepared to welcome back our staff and our students for the start of a new school year in August.
This is an incredible time in the Upper Arlington Schools, as we continue our work to set the standard for excellence in public education. Our strategic plan is extremely focused, with just two priority areas: academic excellence - or what we call “whole learning,” and the well-being of our students and staff. Those priorities are supported by a foundation of continuous improvement and are rooted in our mission — to challenge and support every student every step of the way.
As I think about the future of our district, I believe it is incredibly important to take the time to listen and learn from all of our stakeholders to truly understand the current state of our schools and our opportunities for growth. This fall, I will be spending a full day in each school building to engage with students, staff and families and experience what it’s like to be part of each unique school. We are also planning sessions for community members to provide feedback on our schools. This is an extension of the Board of Education’s commitment to community engagement through the Listen Learn Lead process and will provide valuable feedback as we prepare to launch our district’s next strategic planning process during the 2023-2024 school year.
I want to thank you on behalf of the entire UA Schools staff. A public school is a reflection of the community, and the excellence provided in our schools is only made possible through your support. It is an honor to serve this community and spend our days helping our students learn and grow to their full potential.
Robert Hunt, Ph.D., is the superintendent of Upper Arlington Schools. You can follow him on Twitter at @Hunt_EdLeader.