University School Weekly Update

Due to the inclement weather this past week, we have now used all of our banked snow days for the year. As a result, Monday, February 9th will shift from a scheduled day off to a regular school day. All students and staff should plan to attend school as usual as we shift this date back to an instructional day.

Using this day allows us to replace the additional snow day used this week without extending the school year in May.

Please also be aware that any future weather-related closures will require us to begin replacing days during the third week of our scheduled spring break. We will communicate promptly should any further changes become necessary.

Thank you for your flexibility and continued support as we work to maintain the best learning environment for our students.

Dear Families,

The University School Foundation Fundraising team is hard at work collecting items and activities for our annual Online Auction, Bloom-Growing our Future. This year, it will be held in April. Please be on the lookout K-8th grade families, for Classroom Basket information sent out by your teacher. These baskets will be a huge part of what we offer in our auction, and we can’t wait to see how wonderful they are this year!

In addition to the baskets, we will have priceless Classroom pottery (K-5th), Vacation property rentals, amazing tickets to local attractions, days with school staff and administration, and so much more!

Every contribution to this event is extremely helpful in raising money for our amazing school and will be used for things like technology advancements, field trips, teacher appreciation and classroom/playground upgrades, just to name a few.

What can you do to help?? Do you have a business or items/services you would be willing to donate? Vacation homes/AirBnBs? Alternatively, ask for donations at places you frequent. If you would like to help in any of these ways or by assisting the auction committee, please reach out to Amber Bumgarner at usfoundation.fundraising@gmail.com. We are always looking for volunteers to help!

We are so happy to be growing our future together!

Warmly,

The UH Foundation

This is your LAST CHANCE TO SECURE YOUR YEARBOOK ONLINE BY 2/26/26!

We do two separate yearbooks, so please go to your specific grade band link below to place your order:

K-8: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A00888640

High School: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A07899710

University School students will complete 3rd quarter benchmark assessments beginning on Thursday, February 28th. 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.

Below are the scheduled testing dates for each grade level:
- Grades 3 & 4 - February 26-March 3
- Grade 5-6 - February 26 & 27
- Grades 7-8 and HS - March 2-5

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Please complete this form by Friday, February 28, 2026, for each child who is currently enrolled and who is returning to University School for the 2026-27 school year. If we do not receive your response by February 28, your child may be at risk of losing their seat at University School for the 26-27 school year.

In addition, we ask that you please pay the material fee for each child returning. These material fees will now cover all individual classroom academic, lab, music, art and technology fees (excluding any field trip and technology repair expense due to damage).

This year's fee structure will be as follows and can be paid through the link on the re-enrollment page or through the University School Payment Link found on our website:

K-5 students - $100

6-12 students - $150

If financial or fee waiver assistance is needed, please contact the school administration directly.

By re-enrolling your child for the 2026-27 school year, you indicate that you and your child agree to abide by the expectations set forth in the University School Student Handbook. You understand that the rules stated in the Student Handbook apply to all students enrolled at University School while at University School or at University School related activities and events. Repeated disregard of school expectations could affect future re-enrollment.

Please review the Spring State Testing Schedule for our school below; we ask that you please avoid scheduling any conflicting appointments on the day your child(rent) are scheduled to test.

If you are looking for a place eat on Thursday, February 10th, stop by the Barberitos on State of Franklin - a potion of the sales will be donated to help support our 8th Grade Trip to Washington, DC!

The middle school winter dance is scheduled for February 20th. Presale ticket sales will be available starting 2/16/26.

Slocumb Galleries and the Department of Art & Design at ETSU is hosting a Regional Middle/High School Art Showcase, themed “Visualize Your Future: Appalachian Youth Art Showcase" to celebrate the talent and vision of young artists across our region while introducing them to the vibrant creative community at ETSU (see ETSU/Community updates for more information).

A number of artworks from University School students in Ms. Squibb's and Ms. Colson's classes will be included in this exhibit at the ETSU Tipton-Ashe Gallery @ the Courthouse, 401 Ashe Street, Johnson City. The showcase runs from January 23 - February 21. Gallery Hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays: 11am - 3pm; Thursdays and Fridays: 5 to 7pm.

There will be a reception on Friday, February 6th from 6:00-8:00 pm.

The University School Performing Arts Department's Production of The Addams Family was this past weekend. The students did an excellent job - Way to Go Bucs!

Track and field practice starts on Monday, February 9th. The team will meet at the Science Hill track at 4:45 PM next to the green storage shed. Coach Dan will send out specific details on the GroupMe site. If you are not currently apart of the group, please reach out to Coach Dan at lwsndn@ comcast.net to be added.

We will be administering the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) this spring to interested 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. This is an optional assessment that will be given at University School by trained ASVAB administrators.

The ASVAB is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. It is administered annually to more than one million military applicants, high school, and post-secondary students.

If you are interested in taking the ASVAB this spring, please email or call Mrs. McRee no later than February 13th.

mcreed@etsu.edu
(423) 439-5925

• Senior Yard Signs Senior yard signs are now available for pickup in the front office. We’re so proud of the Class of 2026, and we know you are too — show your pride at home with your sign!

February 2 to March 6:

Junior Individual Meetings for SCOIR and Registration (sign up link will be posted in CANVAS Counseling Announcements). Only student is required to attend, but parents/guardians are welcome.

February 17- 5:30 to 7:30 (Rogers-Stout Auditorium Room 102):
8th Grade Registration for High School- The student and at least one parent/guardian must be present-all middle school sports practices and games are cancelled for this date.

February 18-19- In class- Primarily Social Studies (backup dates 2/23 & 2/24):
Registration presentations for rising 10th and 11th graders along with dual enrollment information for rising 11th graders. PACT score distribution will begin as soon as we receive the reports. All 8th , 9th , and 10th graders will be pulled for an individual meeting with someone in the counseling office to discuss scores. Please keep the materials that students bring home.

Feb/March (TBD) - Make Up sessions for registration

NOTE: Rising 9th , 10th , and 11th graders will need to make registration choices during their designated time period. Individual meetings for students in those grades will not be available until Quarter 4. Changes can still be made in Quarter 4. Junior meetings will be given priority.

We are excited to share that University School Juniors and their parents/guardians will
soon be receiving their invitation via email to Scoir, a modern platform that supports
students—and their families—through the college and career planning process.
The Common App and the Coalition Application are fully integrated into Scoir
creating a streamlined route for tracking applications and documents. Additionally,
most other colleges in the US and many abroad are Scoir connected schools
allowing secure document transmission.

Soon, Juniors will receive an email invitation from Scoir so you can create your free
account. Once you're in, you can:

• Explore colleges and career options

• Build a list of favorites

• Request letters of recommendation and the sending of application materials

• Receive messages, assignments, and helpful resources from your counseling team

Parents/Guardians will receive access to Scoir, and you’ll get an invitation to create
your own account and link to theirs. As a parent or guardian, you’ll be able to:

• View your student’s profile, college list and preferences, and saved careers

• Suggest colleges your student may want to consider

• Explore colleges on your own
• Use financial tools to better understand potential costs across different schools

Scoir is designed to keep both students and families informed and involved throughout this exciting journey, and we’re confident you’ll find it both helpful and easy to use.

Should you have any questions about the program, please reach out to our HS Counselor, Dr. Shaw.

Slocumb Galleries and the Department of Art & Design at ETSU is hosting a Regional Middle/High School Art Showcase, themed “Visualize Your Future: Appalachian Youth Art Showcase" to celebrate the talent and vision of young artists across our region while introducing them to the vibrant creative community at ETSU (see ETSU/Community updates for more information).

A number of artworks from University School students in Ms. Squibb's and Ms. Colson's classes will be included in this exhibit at the ETSU Tipton-Ashe Gallery @ the Courthouse, 401 Ashe Street, Johnson City. The showcase runs from January 23 - February 21. Gallery Hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays: 11am - 3pm; Thursdays and Fridays: 5 to 7pm.

There will be a reception on Friday, February 6th from 6:00-8:00 pm.

No, your not seeing double, we actually have two Barberitos Spirit Nights this week, so if you are looking for a place eat on Thursday, February 12th, stop by the Barberitos on People's Street - a potion of the sales will be donated to our HS Boys' Soccer program. Thanks and Go Bucs!

ETSU Department of Art & Design and Slocumb Galleries in partnership with Bravissima! Women Sponsoring the Arts, Jerry’s Artarama of Knoxville, and the Tennessee Arts Commission proudly present Visualize Your Future: Appalachian Youth Exhibition featuring K7-12 students from six regional schools with rescheduled reception on February 13, Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. with Guests of Honor Johnson City Vice Mayor Jenny Brock, Bravissima’s Belinda Kiener and Scott Manning of Jerry’s Artarama.

Featuring 80+ middle and high schools students under the mentorship of their respective art teachers from Cherokee High School with Ms. Laura Heath; Daniel Boone High School with Ms. Alisa Brandenburg, Elizabethton High School under Ms. Rachel Turbyfill and Ms. Lisa Malone; Happy Vallery High School with Ms. Cydney Trent, Liberty Bell Middle School with Ms. Brooke Velsor; and the University School art educators Ms. Kristin Colson and Ms. Sharon Squibb. The exhibition is curated by ETSU Slocumb Galleries Curatorial Fellows Akintayo Akintobi and Amber Farley.

The Tipton-Ashe Gallery is located at 401 Ashe St. former Courthouse in Downtown Johnson City, Tennessee 37614. Gallery hours are Wednesdays & Saturday from 11am to 3pm; Thursdays & Fridays from 5 to 7pm with extended hours during receptions and by appointments. For more information, schedule a visit or for handicapped accommodations, please email Karlota Contreras-Koterbay via contrera@etsu.edu.

February

9- Third Grade Retention and Promotion Meeting @ 3:20 PM in School Library

9 - Moved to Regular Scheduled School Day - All Students and Staff Report

9 - HS Basketball Away vs Unaka

10 - HS Track Parent/Athlete Meeting @ 5:30 PM in School Library

10 - HS Basketball Away vs Hampton

10 - Barberitos Night for to support 8th Grade DC Trip

11 - Math Help Club

12 - Barberitos Spirit Night on People's Street to support HS Boys' Soccer Program

12 - University School Foundation Meeting in School Library @ 8:15 AM

13 - Reschedule of 4th Grade NAEP Testing

13 - HS Basketball Away vs Cloudland

13 - Visualize Your Future Exhibit @ ETSU Tipton-Ashe Gallery at the Ashe Courthouse (6-8:00 PM)

14 - HS Basketball HOME vs North Greene

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