University School Weekly Update

Please be prepared for extra traffic and potential delays on Monday, 8/25/25. ETSU classes begin that morning, so please give yourself extra time during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. Also, it is imperative that you are mindful of the additional car and pedestrian traffic. DO NOT PARK or STAND in specially designated parking areas, such as the medical clinic adjacent to the school, in order to avoid being ticketed or towed. This will be heavily enforced beginning Monday.

Whether you're cheering from the sidelines or brightening the halls with bold colors, our new spirit wear collection has something for everyone.

👕 Sporty & Traditional: Classic school colors, bold Buc pride, and locker-room-ready looks for students and parents who love a timeless vibe.

🌈 Cute & Colorful: Tie-dye, vibrant graphics, and playful designs that bring the fun—perfect for younger Bucs and anyone who loves a pop of personality.

🧵 Featuring 5 brand-new designs in ultra-soft tri-blend and garment-washed fabrics, available in youth and adult sizes. Choose from:

• Long & short sleeve tees
• Sweatshirts & hoodies
• Polos & quarter zips for a polished look
• Hats & bags to complete the outfit

📦 Choose school pickup for ZERO shipping fees—our spirit wear team will have your items ready at school. Prefer home delivery? That’s available too!

🗓️ Store closes August 31st, so don’t wait! 💙 A portion of all proceeds goes directly back to University School—thank you for supporting our Buc community!

👉 https://stores.inksoft.com/university_school_spirit_store/shop/home

The Art to Remember fundraiser is back this year! Our students are working hard on beautiful artwork and their personalized order forms will be sent home after fall break. If your student does not have an art class but would like to participate, please see Ms. Colson for the paper to use for their creation. Fill the page with color - bright colors show up best on the finished products (no highlighters or colored pencils)! For more information or any questions, please reach out to usfoundation.president@gmail.com.

We are now collecting different types of dots (buttons, beads, sequins, lids, bottle caps, etc.) for our collaborative Dot Day Artwork. Dots can be dropped off in one of the donation tubs located at the school.

Want to help our hospitality committee shower our staff with love? Each month, the University School Foundation provides snacks, drinks, and (most importantly!) coffee to show our teachers just how much we appreciate all they do. These monthly treats are a small but meaningful way for us to say thank you and help brighten their day.

To make these special days even better, we’re asking for your support. We’ve created an Amazon Wish List with a variety of individually packaged snacks, drinks, and coffee supplies that can be shipped directly to us. Every donation, big or small, helps us continue this tradition of appreciation and encouragement for our wonderful staff.

Click here to view and donate from our Amazon Wish List:

👉 Teacher Lounge Wishlist

Thank you for helping us keep our teachers fueled, caffeinated, and feeling the love!

Warmly,

Leslie Mullins

Hospitality Chair

University School Foundation

We are excited to announce our 2025 University School's Magic and Mischief Fall Festival will be on Thursday, October 23!

This year, the theme is Harry Potter! You have all been so generous in the past and have helped the foundation raise the money needed to support our school! Students are LOVING the new playground, and we couldn’t have done it without your help!

We want to extend the opportunity to, once again, help our University School Foundation raise money for future projects (ex: benches & trash cans around the playground, a new outdoor covered dining/learning area, special teacher funding requests etc.). Our goal is $15,000. If you own a business or would like to sponsor as a family, please fill out the attached sponsorship form and return it to the office. Thank U for all your support!!

🎉 Senior Discount Cards Are Coming September 1st! 🎉

Support the Class of 2026 and score exclusive deals at your favorite local spots! Each $20 card features offers from 40 businesses—handpicked by our hardworking fundraising team. From coffee shops to favorite entertainment spots, these discounts are good all year long.

Proceeds go directly toward senior year activities—from Senior Sunrise to Project Graduation—creating lasting memories for a class that’s shared milestones, friendships, and school spirit across the years (whether they started in kindergarten or joined along the way!).

Find a senior class member to purchase your card and be part of making their year unforgettable.

🛍️ Participating Businesses Include: Dos Gatos Coffee Bar • Chicken Salad Chick • Greekos • Bubbakoo's Burritos • Italian Pizza Pub • Barberitos • Boomtown & Co • The Black Olive • Auntie Ruth's • Into the Fire • Tropical Smoothie • Holiday Lanes • The Scoop • Juan Siao • Buffalo Wild Wings • Little Caesars • Chili's Grill & Bar • BURG'r & BARREL • Quantum Leap • Paradise Acres • Mountain View Restaurant • Nothing Bundt Cake • Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop • Main Street Cafe and Catering • Tiebreakers • Crazy Tomato • Red Pig Bar-B-Q • Wheeler's Bagels • Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop • Dry Clean City • Downtown Axe Throwing • White Duck Taco Shop • Backwoods Burger • The Roots Vietnamese Restaurant • Jeremiah Cafe • Downtown Yoga Center • Fearless Coffee & Kitchen • Mahoney's Outfitters • Terrarium Plant Store • Domino's Pizza

Applications are now being accepted from qualifying junior or senior high school students to participate in the 2026 United States Senate Youth Program. Two Tennessee student delegates will be selected to attend the USSYP Washington Week planned for March 7-6, 2026. The selected delegates will also receive a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship from The Hearst Foundations. Applications close on September 22. More information about the program, including qualification criteria and application materials, can be found on the Tennessee Student Opportunities webpage.

A place for young hearts to grieve and heal together - Camp Firefly is a free, one-day camp designed for children and teenagers who have experienced the death of a loved one. Grieving can be an isolating experience, and Camp Firefly provides a safe and supportive environment for participants to come together, share their stories, and find hope and healing. Our camp activities are led by professional social workers, counselors, and nurses.

Camp Firefly 2025
Saturday, September 27
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Warriors’ Path State Park
409 Hemlock Road
Kingsport, TN 37663

What is Camp Firefly? Camp Firefly provides a safe, fun and caring atmosphere for campers and their families to explore their feelings by:

• Developing an age-appropriate understanding of death

• Forming relationships with peers who have experienced similar losses

• Improving self-esteem

• Reducing feelings of isolation

• Strengthening coping skills

Lunch is provided, with time for families to reconnect and relax. The camp day concludes with a memorial ceremony.

For children and teens: Campers come together in age-divided groups to address their feelings of grief, remember loved ones and learn healthy coping skills. Camp Firefly is fully funded by donations and is offered at no charge to participants.

To register for camp, please fill out the online form.
https://balladhealth.jotform.com/form/251054137583152

Attention Parents and Guardians Grades 6-12! Become an OBSERVER on CANVAS!

Want to know what your student is working on and get an early peek at grades? Want to see all the high school announcements from Dr. Shaw, Ms. McRee , and Dr. Campbell? Please become an OBSERVER on CANVAS! THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR SENIOR PARENTS!! You can find directions here:

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Observer-Guide/How-do-I-sign-up-for-a-Canvas-account-as-a-parent/ta-p/540

Your student can generate your OBSERVER CODE by signing in to CANVAS clicking "ACCOUNT", then "SETTINGS" from the menu on the left, then " PAIR WITH OBSERVER" on the right.

University School has been randomly selected to participate in a Pilot Study with the Tennessee Higher Education Council and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation called TN DIRECT ADMISSIONS. This program will be active for current seniors at University School who should expect to get letters during November regarding pre-approved admission to at least three participating schools in Tennessee.

As the program evolves, Dr. Shaw will continue to provide updates to students and families. Students who have specific schools where they will apply should continue with the normal application process. Some schools operate on a first come, first served basis so please DO NOT DELAY applying to a school to wait for your letter.

ALL SENIORS will be expected to apply for TN Promise because that application will trigger the TN DIRECT ADMISSION process for the pilot study. Students will need to use a specially calculated GPA in their TN Promise Application. Ms. Gabby, our new Niswonger CARE Advisor has those GPAs and will begin pulling students on Mondays and Tuesdays, or you can make an appointment via the link in her profile that was posted in CANVAS.

University School Juniors and Seniors will be taking a field trip to the Tri-Cities College Fair at Freedom Hall on August 28 from 8:30am to 10:30am. Permission slips and money ($2) should be turned in to Ms. Stephanie in the Counseling Office Monday to Thursday by August 22.

Students who are not able to attend because of dual enrollment, illness, etc may attend on their own with their family from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on the same date.

Students should register on STRIVE SCAN prior to attending the College Fair so that you can electronically connect with colleges of your choosing! Please register here: https://app.strivescan.com/registrationLinks to an external site. PLEASE TAKE A SCREENSHOT OF YOUR STRIVE SCAN BARCODE IN CASE YOU DO NOT HAVE PHONE/INTERNET SERVICE WHILE ATTENDING THE FAIR.

5 Mile Club:

• Fifth Grade: Cooper Glennon

10 Mile Club:

• Sixth Grade: James Adams

15 Mile Club:

• Fourth Grade: Theo Burton

20 Mile Club:

• Sixth Grade: Lindall Hanson

Athletic Season Passes are now on sale. These are year-long passes and will get you in all middle and high school University School events except for tournaments.

Athletic Pass Prices:

• Student Pass: $35.00 each available to all enrolled students at University School with seating in General Admission.

• Adult Pass: $75.00 each available to adults or college students with seating in General Admission.

• Family Pass: $175.00 per family (IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS ONLY– to include General Admission passes for two adults and up to four school age children living in the immediate household).

Case Benchmark Quarter 1 Testing Window - Sept. 4 - Sept 12
Senior ACT Retake - October 7
Optional PSAT/NMSQT for 11th Grade Students - October 14

University School Testing Calendar - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BApkbePIr6L_ZSNp2xid_2_8GCLx0PMzVtlCpVlNyjM/edit?usp=sharing

University School students will complete 1st quarter benchmark assessments beginning on Thursday, September 4th. Teachers will use data from these comprehensive assessments to measure student readiness for TCAPs and EOCs. Detailed student score reports will be sent home as soon as they are available.

Grades 3 & 4 - September 4-9
Grade 5 - September 9-10
Grade 6 - September 8-9
Grades 7-8 and HS - Sept. 8-11 (Testing during normal class period times/no modified schedules)

10/7 Mandatory Senior ACT - Required Steps to Complete or Students WILL NOT be able to Access or Send Official Score Reports

All 12th grade students will participate in the Senior ACT Retake on Tuesday, October 7th. This test is a Tennessee graduation requirement. Prior to testing, all students must enter their unique ACT Student Code into their MyACT accounts. If students do not complete the steps in the email sent to their univschool accounts, they will be unable to access scores or send their 4 free score reports to score recipients. Colleges require official score reports. The only way to access scores or send an official score report is through MyACT.org.

ACT student codes and instructions have been emailed to all students. Check your univschool account for an email from Dr. Campbell. Stop by Room 111 if you did not receive an email or need help.

You are encouraged to complete these steps prior to Fall Break in case you run into difficulty.

All students are required to test on a school issued Chromebook. See Mr. Moore if you need tech help.

Please Note: This is the menu published by Washington County Schools and may vary slightly since we operate on a different academic calendar.

August

25 - MS Girls' Soccer Home v. Lakeway (6:00 PM)

25 - HS Golf - Warriors Path GC (4:00 PM)

25-28 - Scholastic Book Fair in Library

26 - School Picture Day for Grades K-11

26 - MS Girls' Soccer Away v. Indian Trail JV (7:30 PM)

26 - HS Girls' Soccer HOME v. Gatlinburg-Pittman (6:30 PM)

27 - Math Help Club (3:15 PM)

27 - Chess Club (Grades 5-12)

28 - College Fair Field Trip for 11th & 12th Graders (Freedom Hall)

28 - HS Golf - Twin Creeks GC (4:00 PM)

28 - HS Girls Soccer Away @ Sullivan East (6:30 PM)

29 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (Parent-Teacher Conference Day)

30 - High School Cross Country - Arthur Ashe (Knoxville)

Email: UNIVERSITYSCHOOL@etsu.edu
Website: www.usbucs.com
Location: 68 Martha Culp Dr. Johnson City, TN, 37614
Phone: (423)439-4271
Facebook: facebook.com/uschool1911
Twitter: @USBucs