October 18, 2024

Dear PDS/USN community,

We are excited to share with you an update on the Task Force that will reflect internally on our processes as a school and offer a vision for improvement in student safety and reporting.

At this point, all Task Force members have accepted their positions and are preparing to engage with the vital work of reflecting on our community’s processes and identifying ways to make USN a safer, more welcoming environment for all. These community members will examine current practices, policies, and communication strategies concerning issue response with the goal of identifying areas for improvement, proposing actionable recommendations, and ensuring that USN fosters a safe, supportive, and transparent environment for all members of its community. Formally named the Task Force on Educator/Staff Appropriate Behavior and Misconduct Response, Communication, and Policy Review, its composition and charge are available at usn.org/school-safety. 

The week has provided USN with many opportunities to gather and reflect on where we are as a school. Wednesday’s protest, as well as the ongoing Artclectic art show and festivities, reflect the guiding principles of USN in action: responsible citizenship and artistic expression through not only visual arts education but also more than 50 artists visiting USN from across the nation. We look forward to seeing you at this fantastic event as we celebrate the arts and support innovative teaching by providing funds for our extraordinary faculty to attend workshops, explore new ways of educating, and bring back innovative and visionary ideas to share with our students and our community.

We look forward to sharing updates from the Task Force with all of you as their work progresses and remain incredibly appreciative of your commitment and care for our school.

Sincerely,

Benjamin Goldberg ’98, Committee Co-Chair, Parent ’32 and ’36

Kristin Wilson, Committee Co-Chair, Parent ’29 and ’32

Mike Bivens, Annual Fund Co-Chair, Parent ’25

Marcya Carter-Sheats, Parent ’34

Vinh Duong, Parent of Alumna ’23, Parent ’28

Reagan Farr, Parent ’26 and ’30

Eric Kopstain, Board President, Parent ’25