University School Weekly Update

Attention Juniors and Seniors: Please join us on Monday, November 9th at 7:00 PM by clicking on the registration link below to learn more about competitive program opportunities across the state.

The singing and dancing Bucs look forward to sharing our production of Legally Blonde, Jr. with you this weekend, November 14 and 15 at 2:00 and 7:00 in the Bud Frank Theater!

We have a phenomenal cast, directors, and crew who have been rehearsing since early August to bring you a fantastic show that you don't want to miss! Tickets are available online and are $6 for students and $11 for adults. Tickets will also be available at the door, but we are expecting to sell out, so advanced purchase is recommended.

Saturday, November 14, 2:00 https://gofan.co/event/7038168?schoolId=TN8206

Saturday, November 14, 7:00 https://gofan.co/event/7038169?schoolId=TN8206

Sunday, November 15, 2:00 https://gofan.co/event/7038170?schoolId=TN8206

Sunday, November 15, 7:00 https://gofan.co/event/7038171?schoolId=TN8206

Meet the Bucs Night has a new time!

Join us on Friday, November 13, from 7:00-8:00 PM in Brooks Gym as we kick off the 2026-2027 season and introduce our basketball, cheer, and dance teams!

We look forward to a fun evening of games, prizes, special performances, and celebrating the start of another great season.

Go Bucs! 🟦🟨 #BackTheBucs #GoBucs

November is a season of gratitude, and we'd love to help our teachers feel just how much they are appreciated.

Has a U School teacher encouraged your student, sparked a love of learning, offered support during a challenging time, or simply made a difference in your family's life? Take a moment to share your thanks.

Whether it's a favorite memory, a few kind words, or a story about a meaningful impact, your message can be as short or as detailed as you'd like. Responses may be submitted with your name or anonymously.

The Foundation will print and display all submissions in the Teacher's Lounge so our faculty can read the heartfelt notes of appreciation from the students and families they serve each day.

A few words can mean the world.

👉 Click here or scan the QR code below to share your message of gratitude.

ETSU President Brian Noland, SGA Executive Vice President Macy Miller, and Bucky invite you to celebrate the start of the holiday season at the annual Holiday Lights Celebration!

• 📅 Tuesday, November 17

• 🕔 Festivities begin at 5:45 p.m.

• 📍 Alumni Plaza (Burgin Dossett Hall, facing the Carillon)

Join us as we light up campus for the holidays and enjoy an evening full of seasonal cheer!

✨ Highlights include:

• The grand lighting of the Holiday Lights

• The opening of the ETSU Synthetic Ice Rink

• Live music by the ETSU Jazz Ensemble

• Two screenings of Mickey's Christmas Carol at 6:15pm and 7:00pm in the Bud Frank Theatre

• Hot cocoa, cookies, and more!

Bring your friends and family and make it a night to remember.

🎁 For full details, visit www.etsu.edu/holidays

Congratulations to the following Morning Mile Runners:

• 5 Mile Club: Jaxson Puckett (K), Finn Hughes (2), Joelle Sheffey (2), & Emily Bowman (5)
• 10 Mile Club: Liam Stinson (K)

• 15 Mile Club: Coda Mullins (K), Isaac Jimenez (1), Jensen Suhy (1), Ruby Seehorn (2)
• 20 Mile Club: Elliot covert (K) & Everett Andrew (1)
• 25 Mile Club: Nathaniel House (5) & Samuel Pennington (5)
• 30 Mile Club: Theo Burton (5)

• 35 Mile Club: Addie Bowling (5)

• 45 Mile Club: Annie Bowling (5)
• 55 Mile Club: Steven Kipfer (5)

Calling all K–8th grade students! Join the University High School Cheer and Dance Teams for a fun-filled Cheer & Dance Mini Clinic on November 19 from 3:00–6:00 PM in the University School Gym!

For just $40, participants will learn cheers, stunts, kicks, turns, and dances from our high school cheerleaders and dancers. Participants will also receive a snack and FREE admission to perform what they learned during halftime of the high school basketball game on November 21 at 3:30 PM!

We can't wait to see our future Jr. Bucs cheering and dancing with us!

Registration forms and the $40 fee can be turned in to the Front Office or Ms. India Barrett.

We are excited to announce a new venue for our University School Middle School Boys Basketball, Middle School Girls Basketball, and Middle School Cheer teams for the 2026–2027 season!

🏀 Middle School Girls Basketball
🏀 Middle School Boys Basketball
📣 Middle School Cheer

📍 NEW VENUE: FREEDOM HALL AUXILIARY GYM
1320 Pactolas Road, Johnson City

🚗 PARKING & ENTRANCE
Please refer to the attached map for parking areas and the designated entrance. Follow the marked directions to help you find your way into the gym!

🕒 DOORS OPEN
Doors will open 45 minutes before the first game.

🎟️ TICKET PRICES (Middle School)

Adults: $5

Students: $3

🚫 FREEDOM HALL POLICIES

No outside food or drinks are permitted.

Players only may bring plastic water bottles with screw-on lids.

We look forward to welcoming our players, cheerleaders, families, and fans to our new location. Thank you for your continued support of University School Athletics!

🟦🟨 GO BUCS! 🏀🏀

8th Grade families interested in purchasing an advertisement/acknowledgement page, for your 8th grader, you may purchase one by clicking on the image below.

The ETSU School of Marketing and Media and ETSU American Marketing Association are offering a summit for students interested in a career connected to podcast creation, sports media, AI, or Digital Media/Game Design. Registration through Mrs. McRee is required.

Date & Time: Friday, November 13, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Students interested in this career path should contact Mrs. McRee as soon as possible. Reservations due no later than 8:00 AM on Thursday, October 29th.

mcreed@etsu.edu
(423) 439-5925

⚽ Interested in playing UH Boys Soccer this spring? ⚽

All 9th-12th grade boys interested in playing for the UH Boys Soccer team are invited to attend an interest meeting on Tuesday, November 10, at 5:00 p.m.

📍 Parents are encouraged to attend.
🚪 The door will be open from 4:45-5:05 p.m.

For questions, please contact Head Coach Morgan Richards at UHBucssoccer@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing all prospective players and their families!

These ETSU opportunities for high school students are a great way to get started.

• Pharmacy Career Showcases – February 20

• Intro to Pharmacy Dual Enrollment Class – Spring 2027

• GattonRx Summer Camp – June 6 – 11, 2027

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, contact:

• Mrs. McRee - University School College and Career Coordinator

• Email: mcreed@etsu.edu

• Phone: (423) 439 - 5925

High School students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service for graduation. Seniors who complete 80 hours of community service will be recognized at the Awards Ceremony and will receive a cord to wear at graduation (if the documentation is received by 3/5/27). Documentation of community service should be turned in to the main office.

Please see the two attached documents:

• Community Service Document to document the hours completed.

• Community Service Guidance Documents: what counts and what doesn't count for community service.

Contact Dr. Day or Dr. Shaw if you have any questions about community service hours.

If you are interested in this fantastic opportunity, please contact Mrs. McRee as soon as possible.

We need your school spirit and fun friends' pictures for the yearbook!

Send them to: yearbook@univschool.etsu.edu

TCAT has asked that we start creating student waiting lists several trimesters in advance for the more popular programs. We want to make certain that University School students have access to their program of choice. Several programs are already full for the Spring 2027 term. If you have any interest in attending TCAT as a dual enrollment student in the Spring 2027 or Fall 2027 terms, please contact Destiny McRee as soon as possible (mcreed@etsu.edu or (423) 439-5925).

This year seems to be flying by, and before we know it, we will be looking at graduation. Between now and then, there is work to be done to make sure our students feel celebrated!

Fundraising Initiatives There are two options to help fund senior activities:

• Discount Cards: $20 per card, with each student encouraged to sell 10

• Opt-Out Option: Families may choose to contribute $225 directly instead of fundraising.

* All proceeds will go toward senior trips, Senior Week events, and more.

Parent Committees We’re forming several committees to help organize and support senior events. If you'd like to get involved, please keep an eye out for an email with ways to sign up.

• Fundraising Committee: Coordinate card sales and donations

• Baccalaureate Committee: Plan an inclusive, interfaith celebration and reception at a local church

• Trip Team: Organize Senior Week trips and other activities during the year (must be approved by Dr. Partin)

• Communication/Graphics Team: Help with communication, programs and any other graphic needs

Senior Week & Graduation Schedule - Graduation is scheduled for May 21, 2027. Here’s a preview of Senior Week:

• Senior Sunset—Date in May to be determined

• Monday: Senior Trip

• Tuesday: Senior Skip Day

• Wednesday: Second Trip

• Thursday: Graduation Practice, Senior Lunch, Baccalaureate, Senior Prank

• Friday: Hallway Walkthrough, Class Photo, Graduation, Project Graduation

Project Graduation is a safe, substance-free overnight celebration held at CPA following the graduation ceremony. While it’s a popular tradition, it requires significant parent involvement—including food donations and prize giveaways. We will need a good number of volunteers if we want to continue this tradition!!

If you’re interested in volunteering or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Ginine Argueta at 423-833-1152 or seniorclassuh@gmail.com

Are you tired of selling cookies, wrapping gifts, or begging friends and family for fundraising donations? We get it—and we want you to focus on enjoying senior year instead!

This year, we are offering a hassle-free alternative to fundraising: the Senior Fundraising Opt-Out Fee.

With a one-time payment of $225, you can completely skip fundraising while still fully supporting our seniors. 100% of your contribution goes directly toward funding essential senior milestones all the way to Graduation Day.

Ready to Opt Out?

You can make your payment quickly and securely online: · Click here to pay: https://buy.stripe.com/bJeeVdbaggLf9YU3q5dMI05 or scan the QR code.

Check out the flyer below for details, opt out with pride, and let's make the Class of 2027's final year unforgettable!

Deadline to opt out is November 16!

Senior honor ads available now! Please click the link below for more information regarding senior ads for our yearbook.

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Postseason PRs are calling! Join us under the lights at one of the fastest tracks in East Tennessee for a high-energy night of racing.

The Vibe: High-energy music, a live MC, and optimal evening racing conditions timed perfectly for when the wind drops.

The Extras: Live Results by Trojan Timing, pacemakers courtesy of Milligan University, on-site merch, and concessions!

Sidney Smallwood Track Complex (Science Hill HS | Johnson City, TN)

4:45 PM | Packet Pickup & Warm-ups Open

Awards: Medals for the top 3 finishers in each event

Race Schedule:
🔹 6:15 PM — Elementary School Boys 1600m
🔹 6:30 PM — Elementary School Girls 1600m
🔹 6:45 PM — Middle School Boys 1600m
🔹 7:00 PM — Middle School Girls 1600m
🔹 7:15 PM — Open Boys 5k
🔹 7:45 PM — Open Girls 5k
🔹 8:15 PM — High School Boys 3200m
🔹 8:30 PM — High School Girls 3200m
(Schedule subject to minor adjustments for heats)

Entry: $10 per athlete

Register now on MileSplit!

Hosted by Science Hill HS & University High.

November Events for School Age Kids (Ages 5-18)

• Teen Homework Cafe: Each Monday ages 12-18 can bring your friends and your homework to work on papers and projects in the Teen Space from 3-5 p.m. Library staff is available to help find research materials and resources. Snacks will be provided.
• READing Paws: Children ages 5-12 can register for a 15-minute time slot to read to a trained listening dog. They read aloud in the Library's Storytime Room between 4-5 p.m. on the first Monday of each month or from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month. In an effort to maximize the number of participants served by this program, time slots are limited to one per child for each event. Children's caregivers must sign a permission slip when they arrive at each reading session.
• Tween & Tenn Tech Tack Apart: Ages 10-18 explore how everyday electronics work by safely taking them apart on Tuesday, November 3 from 4-6 p.m. in the Library's Polly Peterson Room. This hands-on, drop-in workshop encourages curiosity, problem-solving, STEM learning, and responsible recycling. Electronics and tools will be provided.

Visit jcpl.org/events to find more upcoming events.

November

10 - Annual Heath Screenings (School Library)

10 - Math Mentoring Program

10 - MS Basketball Home vs Bridgeport & Indian Trail (Freedom Hall Aux)

10 - HS Boys Soccer Parents' Meeting (Library)

11 - Veteran's Day Holiday - No School

12 - AP Psych Class Trip on Campus

12 - Little Chicago After Dark 3200s @ Science Hill Track

12 - MS Basketball Home vs Cloudland (Freedom Hall Aux)

12 - HS Boys' Basketball Scrimmage Away vs Sullivan East

12 - HS Girls' Basketball Scrimmage Away vs Crockett

13 - Meet the Bucs @ 7:00 PM (Brooks Gym)

14 - Legally Blonde, Jr. Performances (2:00 PM & 7:00 PM - Bud Frank Theater)

15 - Legally Blonde, Jr. Performances (2:00 PM & 7:00 PM - Bud Frank Theater)

25-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday - No School

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