University School Weekly Update

Dear University School Supporters,

We’re thrilled to invite you to Bloom 2025: Growing Our Future Auction, an event that promises excitement, fun, and opportunities to support University School in meaningful ways. The Foundation team is proud to present a fabulous selection of items, including old favorites and brand-new additions!

Among the treasures available are travel packages, birthday party experiences, Spa and Wellness bundles, camps, and so much more. Plus, new items are being added daily! Best of all, proceeds from every auctioned item directly benefit University School, helping us grow and thrive together.

We’re kicking things off at JAM's Pick'n In The School Yard, where you’ll have the chance to preview many of the auction items in person while enjoying incredible musical performances. Remember, the auction opens during this event, and you must register to bid—so don’t wait! Scope out your favorite items, get registered, and join the fun.

And here’s a special bonus: The first 50 people to register are eligible to win a door prize!

Let’s bloom together as we grow our future. Thank you for your unwavering support!

Warm regards,

Your Foundation Auction Team

This Teacher Appreciation Week, from May 5th to May 9th, we’re putting on our rhinestones and embracing a Dolly Parton theme! 🎶 Each day, we'll treat our amazing teachers to goodies and surprises because, as Dolly says, they’re working “8 to 3” and deserve to feel like superstars!

We need your help to make it happen! Whether you can lend a hand with setup, donate treats, or share your creative ideas, there’s a way for everyone to pitch in. Together, let’s show our teachers they’re “Shining Like a Diamond in a Rhinestone World!”

Ready to join the fun and support our amazing educators? Contact Christine Hutchinson at hutchinson.christine@gmail.com. Thank you for helping us make this Teacher Appreciation Week one to remember—Dolly style! 🌟

Traditional music and art will be celebrated and provided by ETSU bluegrass/old-time bands, Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM), University School students, and Storyteller, Sam Smith. Food/art vendors will be available for purchase. Community is welcome! $3 suggested admission.

Lineup:

10-10:35 Waltz, Hardy, and Yeagle (outside)

10:40-11 Elementary School students (gym)

11-11:35 Twin Taters (outside)

11:40-12 Storytelling w/ Senior Smith (gym)

12-1 JAM of Upper East Tennessee (outside)

1:00 ETSU Bluegrass Band (outside)

If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please sign up here or see Kim Greenland (Rm 225): https://signup.com/go/vfMZSUD

If you would like to make a (tax exempt) donation to JAM's annual fundraiser, please go here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=44GXXY7URPGJA

Note: K-8 Art will also be on display along with some of the University School Foundation Auction Items~

University School will be administering state-mandated TCAP Achievement Assessments to students in grades 3-8 and those enrolled in high school subjects with End of Course exams beginning on Monday, April 14, 2023 and ending Tuesday, April 30, 2023. Contact Dr. Campbell (campbellhe@etsu.edu) with any questions related to spring testing.

Required TCAP Assessments for students in grades 3-8 include: Math, English/Language Arts (ELA), Science, and Social Studies. High School End of Course assessments are required for English I and II, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Biology, and US History.

Remote Learning Days - April 16th and 28th will be remote learning days for students in grades 7-12. Students in grades K-6 and any student scheduled to take an EOC test are required to attend school on campus from 8:00 - 3:00. Assignments and remote learning expectations will be communicated by your child’s teacher.

Parent request days will not be approved during state testing. Please do not schedule appointments or early dismissals on testing days. Students cannot be released from the testing room once testing has started.

You can encourage your child to do well on the tests and help them at home by doing

the following:

• Discuss the tests with your child to ease their worries and provide words of encouragement.

• Make sure your child goes to bed early and gets plenty of rest.

• Make sure your child eats a good breakfast.

• Arrive at school on time.

Prohibited Devices During Testing - Students are NOT PERMITTED to possess or access any electronic devices while in the testing room. If a student accesses any of these devices during testing, this will constitute a prohibited behavior and the student's test results in that content area may be invalidated and a score of 0 entered in PowerSchool. Additional disciplinary action may also be taken.

TestNavPractice - Available for grade 6-8 and EOC students who want to practice navigating in the testing platform. Go to: https://home.testnav.com/

AP Exams

Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take AP exams according to the schedule below. More information will be shared with families in late April.

Individual student score reports from the third quarter benchmarks will be sent home with students on Monday, April 7th. Students will receive a score report for each tested subject. These reports contain projected achievement levels for the spring TCAP/EOC tests as well as information regarding how students performed on test domains/assessed standards. Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss the reports with their children. Should you have questions regarding your child’s performance, please reach out to their teacher for additional information.

The Junior-Senior Prom will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 7:30-10:30 pm, at the Carnegie Hotel, lower ballroom. Use the back entrance to the hotel for easiest access.

PRE-REGISTRATION:

Juniors and Seniors planning to attend prom must complete this FORM.

Guests: Current University School Juniors and Seniors may bring one guest who is not a current University School Junior or Senior. Guests must be at least a high school student and under 21 years old. For guests who are not University School students, a guest permission form (printed forms available in the office) must be turned in by Wednesday 4/23/25. Approved outside guests must bring an ID to be admitted to prom.

TICKETS:
Current University School Seniors do not need to purchase a ticket for themselves. University School Seniors are free, but they still need to pre-register. If bringing a guest/date who is not a current senior at University School, a ticket will need to be purchased for the guest.

Current University School Juniors will need to purchase a ticket.

Current Sophomore or Freshman who has been invited by a Junior or Senior to the prom must complete the pre-registration form.

Tickets can be purchased online for $15. TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BEFORE THE EVENT - NO TICKET SALES AT THE EVENT.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Day (daya@etsu.edu).

High School Boys' Basketball will begin off-season workouts on Monday April 14th. All high school boys interested in trying out for the basketball team and not currently in a school-sponsored spring sport are encouraged to attend.

Workouts are scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:30-5:00pm in Lower Brooks.

Workouts will run from April 14 - May 12.

**Tryouts will be held Wednesday May 14 and Friday May 16 from 3:30-5:00pm in Lower Brooks.** Contact Coach Rice at bucscoach55@gmail.com for more information.

Congratulations to Kindergarten-8th grade art students! Their collaborative artwork recreation of Sunday Afternoon on the Island of the Grand Jatte, received a grand prize from The Center of Excellence in STEM Education. Artwork is now displayed at The Center of Excellence in STEM Education office. Special thanks to everyone who contributed dots for the project and to Dr. Lange for all the STEM supplies!

Attention graduating class of 2026! Senior Pictures will take place July 18th, 2025.

Berea College is Visiting on April 9! Please use the google link to sign up! Berea College, located in Berea, Kentucky, is a unique and highly respected liberal arts institution that offers a world-class education with a commitment to social justice and community service. What sets Berea apart is its dedication to providing a tuition-free education to every student, making it an excellent choice for those seeking academic rigor without the burden of tuition costs. Berea College also places a strong emphasis on work-study programs, where students gain valuable hands-on experience while contributing to the college community. Known for its diverse and inclusive environment, Berea encourages students to explore a range of academic disciplines, engage in leadership development, and build lasting relationships that support personal growth and success. With its rich history and commitment to service, Berea College is an exceptional option for students who are eager to make a difference in the world.

PLEASE SIGN UP TO ATTEND THE VISIT in ROOM 301B (Mr. Howell's Room):

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/166zVL82pHCChSnd-iHK8YY_wXnaL-b-vJKbVbyk11iQ/viewform?pli=1&pli=1&edit_requested=true

Austin Peay State University will visit on April 8! Use the Google link to sign up. Austin Peay State University (APSU), located in Clarksville, Tennessee, offers a dynamic and supportive environment for students seeking a high-quality education. With a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, APSU provides students with the opportunity to explore various fields of study, from the arts and sciences to business and health. The university is known for its close-knit community, where students receive personalized attention from dedicated professors and have access to numerous extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities. APSU also boasts a strong commitment to student success, offering resources like career services, tutoring, and mentorship programs to help students thrive academically and professionally. Whether you're interested in athletics, the arts, or academic achievement, Austin Peay provides a well-rounded college experience that prepares students for a successful future.

PLEASE SIGN UP TO ATTEND THE VISIT in ROOM 217 (Ms. India's Room)
https://forms.gle/6JxwgLFTUFEUsMKfA

Any high school student planning to attend the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) in the fall or spring of next school year needs to complete the Google form at the link below. There is a waiting list for several programs and an early reservation is key to having a spot in the program of your choice.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeGx3nvqXA9yZHhUZOkXQr-r1z2BbtHqWWKTssA5NRWVKOwA/viewform?usp=sharing

For more information, please contact Destiny McRee at 423-439-5925 or mcreed@etsu.edu.

Please make plans to join us along with several college representatives (see list of universities below) from across the country during the April 27, 2025 Story Info Session & College that will take place from 2:00 - 4:00 PM at the ETSU D.P. Culp Student Center.

April/May Club & Activities:

7 - D&D Club @ 3:15 PM in Mrs. Doran's Classroom

8 - Girls on the Run (3:00-4:30 PM)

8 - Key Club Meeting

9 - Math Help Club (3:00-4:15 PM)

10 - Girls on the Run (3:00-4:30 PM)

12 - Pickin' in the School Yard

14 - D&D Club @ 3:15 PM in Mrs. Doran's Classroom

15 - Girls on the Run (3:00-4:30 PM)

16 - Math Help Club (3:00-4:15 PM)

17 - Girls on the Run (3:00-4:30 PM)

Spring Choral Concert joint rehearsal: Monday, May 12, 3:00-5:00 in room 010 at University School
Spring Choral Concert joint rehearsal: Tuesday, May 13, 4:00-5:30 in Bud Frank Theater
Spring Choral Concert performance: Tuesday, May 13, 6:00-6:45

Athletics - April:

High School Track:
8 - Science Hill High School Meet, Johnson City, TN
15 - Big 11 Conference, Kingsport, TN
25 - Trojan Timing Classic — 45th annual, Johnson City, TN
29 - Twin Lakes Conference, Rogersville, TN

High School Baseball:
7 - Cloudland @ Cloudland 5:00
8- Unaka @ NE Comm CU 5:00 (JV After)
10-12 - Buddy Hawk Classic Greeneville Area
14 - North Greene TBD 5:00 (JV After)
15 - Hampton @ Hampton 5:00 (JV After)
17-18 - Tribe Classic @ Kingsport
19 - Johnson County @ Johnson County 12:00 (Varsity After)
21 - West Ridge @ West Ridge 5:30 (JV After)
22 - Morristown East @ Morristown East 5:30 (JV After)
25 - Virginia High @ VA High 6:00
28 - FCA Flames @ Mary Hughes MS (JV After)
29 - FCA Flames @ NE Comm CU (JV After)

High School Tennis:
10 - West Ridge Non-Conference Home
11 - Providence Non-Conference Home (SENIOR NIGHT)
14 - West Green Conference Away
15 - Johnson County Conference Home
16 - Science Hill Non-Conference Away
21 - North Green Conference Away
23 - Unicoi Conference Away
24 - South Green Conference Home

High School Boys' Soccer:
8 - Home 6:30pm Cumberland Gap District game
15 - Home 6:30pm Cosby District game
17 - Home 6:30pm Gatlinburg-Pittman District game
22 - Away 6:00pm Chuckey-Doak District game
24 - Home 6:30pm David Crockett

High School Softball:
7 - South Greene Home 5:00 (JV after)
8 - Cloudland Away (At Hampton) 4:30
10 - I.A.M. Home 5:00 (JV after)
11 - Avery County Home 5:00 (JV after)
14 - West Greene Home 5:00 (JV after)
15 - North Greene Away 5:00 (JV after)
17 - Unaka Away 5:00 (JV after)
21 - Happy Valley Away 5:00
22 - Hancock County Home 5:30
25 - Hampton Home 4:30 (JV after)

28 - Chuckey Doak Home 5:00 (JV after)
29 - West Greene Away 5:00 (JV after)

Middle School Boys' Soccer:
7 - Unicoi Home 5:30pm
8 - Tennessee Middle Away 5:30pm
14 - Providence Away 5:30pm
16 - Chuckey-Doak Away 5:30pm
21 - Providence Home 5:30pm
23 - Indian Trail Away 5:30pm

Middle School Baseball:
7 - Away @Hampton 5:30
8 - Home vs Unaka 5:00
11 - Away @Johnson County 5:30
14 - Home vs Providence 5:00
15 - Away @Lamar 7:00
17 - Away @Happy Valley 5:00
22 - 28 -Conference Tournament TBA

Middle School Softball:
8 - Providence Academy* 5:00pm (A) Providence
10 - Cloudland Middle School* 5:30pm (H) Winged Deer Park (Huff 5)
14 - Johnson County Middle School* 5:00pm (A) Johnson County
15 - Lamar School 5:00pm (A) Lamar School
17 - Happy Valley Middle School* TBA (H) Winged Deer Park (Huff 5)
22 - Lamar School 5:00pm (H) Winged Deer Park (Huff 5)
24 - Hampton Elementary* 5:00pm (H) Winged Deer Park (Huff 5)