We are excited to begin a new school year. Below you will find important information from each division about how to prepare for the upcoming year.
Tuesday, August 11
Early Childhood Parent Orientation (Jr. Cubs - K)
* Using Zoom - More information to Come
Wednesday, August 12
Lower School Come and Go Day (Jr. Cubs - 5th)
This is an opportunity to see your classroom and meet the teacher.
* Using Sign Up Genius to sign up for a time - Uniforms are not required.
Wednesday, August 12
Middle/Upper School Half Day - Uniforms required
Thursday, August 13
First Full Day of School
This is the first full day of school for students in grades 1 - 5.
The hours are 7:50 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. for grades 1-3 and 7:50 a.m. – 2:40 p.m. for students in grades 4 & 5. *More Carpool Information to Come
Thursday, August 13
Staggered Start for Jr. Cubs - Kindergarten
We will have a staggered schedule beginning on Thursday, August 13. August 13 & 18 Girls only 7:50 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.
August 14 & 17 Boys only 7:50 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.
August 19 first full day for all students Jr. Cubs - K.
Thursday, August 20
Parent Orientation for Grades 1-5 5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
*Using Zoom - More Information to Come
Information and questions will be shared and answered by your teacher on the new school year. (Grades 1-5)
• All “Back to School” information can be found under the blue “My USJ” tab on usjbruins.org
• Teachers will email welcome letters to their students on Friday, August 7.
Lower School Handbook (2020-2021)
June 10, 2020
Dear Parents,
While our minds are moving to summer’s relaxing days I would like to take this moment to gently remind everyone of the importance of reading over the summer. While we want our students to rest, grow, and explore new things there are ways to support your student's growth particularly in reading through the days of summer. Data indicates that students who do not read over the summer face a significant loss of skills in reading when they return to school. This phenomenon is so predictable in students who do not read it is called the “summer slump.” So how to avoid this issue but honor the vacation time of the children? A key factor in engaging students in reading and ultimately reading success is building intrinsic motivation within a child. How to achieve this is to encourage and support them in reading books of their choosing that are at a "just right level." This "just right level" is a book that your child can read and discuss with you with passion. Your child might love to read non-fiction, comic books, online resources, or discover new series of books; we urge you to support them as they explore these jewels of text. Remember what you believe is a great book might not be what interests your child.
Along with supporting your child as they find texts that interest them there is much more the adults in their lives can do to support and nurture reading skills over the long summer months.
(Source pbs.org/parents/, readingrockets.org)
Kindest regards,
Louise Dunn,
Lower School Director
Middle School Handbook (2019-2020)
6th Grade Supplies (20-21)
7th Grade Supplies (20-21)
8th Grade Supplies (20-21)
Rising 6th Grade
Magician’s Nephew – C.S. Lewis
-ISBN#9780064405058
Hatchet – Gary Paulsen
-ISBN#9781416936473
_______________________________________________________________
Rising 7th Grade
Paperboy – Vince Vawter
- ISBN #978-0307931511
Island of the Blue Dolphins – S O’Dell
- ISBN #9780547328614
_________________________________________________________________
Rising 8th Grade
The Outsiders – S.E. Hinton
– ISBN #9780142407332
The Giver – Lois Lowry
– ISBN #9780544336261
_________________________________________________________________________
Rising 9th Grade
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- ISBN# 9781451673319
Honors (read two)
A Separate Peace by J Knowles
- ISBN # 9780743253970
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- ISBN# 9781451673319
Middle School Textbook Information
Upper School Handbook (19-20)
School Supplies List by Teacher
Below are the summer reading assignments for the English department. Please talk with your future English teacher if you have any questions about any assignments.
Upper School Summer Reading List
9th Grade Summer Reading Assignment
10th Grade Summer Reading Assignment
11th Grade Summer Reading Assignment
Download and print our Bruins First Day signs to document the first day of school!
02/24/2021
USJ Announces New Director of Auxiliary Programs and a New After School Care and Camp Bruins Coordinator After School Care and Camp Bruins Director Faith Dixon and Assistant Development Director Cathy Garrett recently announced that they would leave USJ at the end of the school year. Both of these administrators...
Read More