Superintendent's Newsletter Feb. 6
February is a meaningful and powerful month across our District as we recognize and celebrate Black History Month. While we honor Black history every day, this month offers a dedicated opportunity to reflect on and uplift the achievements, resilience, and lasting contributions of African Americans to our nation and community.
As we reflect on these stories of strength and perseverance, we are also reminded of our shared responsibility to one another. This month, many in our community are reflecting on events related to immigration being discussed nationally. During times like these, we reaffirm our commitment to the safety and well-being of all students and to fostering a school community grounded in care, respect, and understanding. I commend the thoughtful engagement of our student leaders and am grateful for the continued support of the University City community. Together, we remain hopeful for peace, justice, and a shared sense of humanity.
A few weeks ago, someone very close to me shared a writing prompt from UCHS English teacher Chris Laird’s class that referenced a line from the movie Black Panther (spoken by King T’Challa): “In times of crisis, the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers.” As a district, we strive to be bridge builders, supporting one another and moving forward with resilience and unity.
Throughout February, our schools will host special events and learning experiences that invite students, families, and staff to engage more deeply with Black history and culture. One such opportunity is Brittany Woods Middle School’s Literacy Night, held in celebration of Black History Month. BWMS invites all families, staff, and students to join an evening of poetry, written expression, music, and book giveaways on Thursday, February 12, at 5:30 p.m. at Brittany Woods Middle School. To register, please visit ucityschools.org/bwmsliteracynight. To see a full list of our schools’ celebrations, please see the Key Dates section below.
This week, we also kicked off our annual Community Book Study. This year’s selection, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee, is grounded in the spirit of Ubuntu and explores how moving beyond “zero-sum” thinking allows communities to thrive collectively. It reminds us that what harms one of us ultimately affects us all. Our next session will be held Monday, February 9 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. It is not too late to join, and we welcome your participation. Registration is available at ucityschools.org/bookstudy2026.
February is also Love the Bus Month, a time to show extra appreciation for our outstanding transportation team. Thank you for safely getting our students to and from school each day and for making the “yellow bus experience” a positive one for our families.
This week, we also celebrated National School Counseling Week. Our school counselors are essential partners in the success and well-being of our students. They support academic growth, social-emotional development, college and career readiness, and provide steady guidance during both joyful and challenging moments. We are deeply grateful for all that they do and thank them for their dedication and care.
UCHS will present their winter musical, Beetlejuice, on Friday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m., with a matinee performance on Saturday, February 21 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are available by clicking here. Finally, on Tuesday, February 24, Jackson Park Elementary will perform The Princess and the Frog at University City High School at 6:00 p.m. We hope you will join us to support our talented students.
As we move through February, we know winter weather can be unpredictable. In the event of inclement weather, the District may utilize AMI (Alternative Method of Instruction). Building leaders will share specific AMI schedules as needed. Please take a moment to ensure your contact information is up to date in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal at ucityschools.org/ParentPortal.
Finally, a reminder that there will be no school for students on Friday, February 13, as staff will participate in a Professional Development Day. The District will also be closed on Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support of our schools. Our strength as a District comes from our shared commitment to our students, our staff, and one another.
BCJ Reading Success Night
Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School recently hosted a successful Reading Success Night in partnership with Bridge 2 Hope, welcoming students with Reading Success Plans and their families for an evening focused on building strong, confident readers. Families learned more about their child’s individual plan, explored classroom reading strategies, and received practical tips to support learning at home. Most importantly, the evening created meaningful opportunities for connection, celebration, and shared progress.
We are grateful for the Emerson Early Literacy Grant for supporting this work and to Teacher Instructional Leader Emily Wesche for all of her work on this program!
Middle School, Here We Come!
Fifth grade students recently had the opportunity to visit Brittany Woods Middle School for a special sneak peek as they prepare for the transition to middle school. Recognizing that this milestone can feel like a big step, the visit was designed to help students feel excited and confident about what lies ahead.
Current Brittany Woods students led tours and shared what makes middle school a meaningful experience. From classrooms to clubs, athletics, and activities, students and staff highlighted the many ways learners can get involved, build connections, and find a sense of belonging at BWMS.
BWMS & UCHS Students Perform at E. Desmond Lee Festival
This week, a select group of band, orchestra, and choir students from Brittany Woods Middle School and University City High School participated in the E. Desmond Lee Fine Arts Festival at UMSL. They spent the day making music alongside students from across the St. Louis metro area, demonstrating dedication, professionalism, and a strong spirit of collaboration. We are proud of their hard work and commitment to the arts.
Fun fact: E. Desmond Lee, for whom the festival is named, was a 1936 UCHS graduate and was inducted into our Hall of Fame in 2000!
U. City Robolions
Our U. City Robolions are hard at work and making exciting progress on their robot!
In just four weeks, the team has strengthened key systems including vision tracking, the shooter, and the climber. Their dedication, collaboration, and problem-solving are on full display. Click here to watch a quick video and see their progress in action.
Good People Know Good People
Do you know someone who is passionate about children and innovative education? The District will host a network hiring event for prospective teachers and administrators from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Brittany Woods Middle School, 8125 Groby Road.
Interview-ready candidates will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with District administrators and staff. Registration is available at www.ucityschools.org/GPKGP26.
Right at School | Virtual Forum
Beginning in Fall 2026, the District will partner with Right At School to provide before-school, after-school, and summer programming for students. Right At School offers safe, engaging, and meaningful experiences and partners with several school districts across the St. Louis region.
Families are invited to attend a virtual forum on Wednesday, February 25 at 6:00 p.m. to learn more about the program. Registration is available by clicking here.
