University School Weekly Update

AP exams begin on May 5th for any student enrolled in an AP course. Students enrolled in AP courses at University School are required to take AP exams at the scheduled date and time. Students are responsible for knowing their login credentials. Stored passwords will not work for the Bluebook testing app and students will not be able to access their phones/emails for password resets. Signs with room locations as well as what students will need on test day have been posted throughout the school and in Canvas.

AM Exams - Students need to arrive to University School by 7:45 and report to their testing location

PM Exams - Students will eat lunch at 11:00 and report to their testing location at 11:30. Afternoon exams will run until 3:30/4:00 for standard time rooms.

The University School Foundation plays a vital role in ensuring our teachers and students have the resources they need to thrive. While school budgets cover the basics, there’s often a gap between what’s provided and what our school community truly needs. That’s where we come in!

We raise funds to enhance classrooms, supply materials, and support innovative programs—helping bridge that gap and giving our students and teachers the best possible resources. But we can’t do it alone!

We invite you to join the Foundation Board, where your ideas, time, and enthusiasm can make a meaningful difference. Whether you have fundraising experience or simply a heart for helping, we’d love to have you involved!

If you're interested or have questions, reach out to usfoundation.president@gmail.com—we’d love to connect with you!

Thank you for being part of this incredible school community. Together, we can make a lasting impact!

Teachers pour their hearts into shaping young minds every single day, and we’re rolling out a week of gratitude to celebrate their dedication—with a little extra sparkle, just like Dolly Parton herself!

Here’s what we have planned for Teacher Appreciation Week:

Monday: “9 to 5” Kickoff "It’s hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world." Teachers work tirelessly, so we’re starting the week with a little shine—thank-you notes and coffee shop gift cards to keep them fueled and appreciated.

Tuesday: “Jolene’s Sweet Treats” "If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours." We’ll sweeten their day with candy, chocolates, and homemade goodies in the lounge!

Wednesday: “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” Wellness Day "The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain." Midweek rejuvenation with fruit-infused water, healthy snacks, and wellness activities to help our teachers recharge.

Thursday: “Smoky Mountain BBQ” "Find out who you are and do it on purpose." Nothing says Southern hospitality like a traditional BBQ feast! We’ll provide a grab-and-go lunch with all the fixings.

Friday: “Dolly’s Rhinestone Rodeo” "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap!" We’ll end the week with a full-on Dolly celebration—glitzy décor, Dolly’s greatest hits, photo props for fun snapshots, and a spread of delicious snacks to embrace her rhinestone-studded spirit!

Let’s make this Teacher Appreciation Week one to remember! A huge thank-you to all the incredible educators who inspire, uplift, and guide our students every day.

The senior parent committee is finalizing donations for our seniors, and we could use your help! We would like to make sure all seniors receive a gift at project graduation and you can help by purchasing from our senior registry on Amazon. It’s quick and easy, and we appreciate your help and support!

Class of 2025 - Amazon Gift List - https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3IMPZDTG3WMI6

Dear Senior & Senior Families-

This email has lots of important information about graduation, Baccalaureate, and graduation tickets. There are 2 Google Forms linked within this email that must be completed once for each senior. Please read the information at the top of each Google Form and complete them by the due dates.

Graduation Tickets and Special Seating Requests Due May 10
https://forms.gle/2xNxxKnWCXgsRQ6g7

A senior week schedule will be available soon!

Dr. Shaw

Students in grades 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12 will turn in their Chromebooks and chargers on Wednesday, 5/14. (12th grade students who are scheduled for an AP exam on 5/15 or 5/16 will need to go to room 216 to turn in their Chromebooks after their last AP Exam.)

Students in grades 9-11 will turn in their Chromebooks and chargers on Monday 5/19.

Please be sure to bring Chromebooks AND chargers to school on those dates.

Remember to remove all personal covers and stickers prior to returning the devices. Also, any damages not previously documented during distribution will result in damage repair charges.

Mandatory school forms for all students returning for the 2025-26 school year have been updated and are ready to be completed.

Please log into your FinalForms (https://washingtoncounty-tn.finalforms.com/students) account and complete the forms at your convenience.

These forms must be completed before the start of the new school year.

Please contact Dr. Day (daya@etsu.edu) if you have any trouble accessing your account or if you have any questions.

Congratulations to the University School Boys' Tennis Team on capturing this year's district championship. In addition to the team title, Junior Graham Mefford won the singles championship and Senior Brady Weems and Junior Gavin Olsen were the doubles champions - Way to go Bucs and Good luck at Regionals!

Congratulations to the University High Baseball Buccaneers on capturing this year's District 1-A Baseball Championship.

The team will now host the Regional Tournament this coming weekend.

Good Luck, Bucs!

Congratulations to University High Baseball Coach Christian Taylor, who recorded his 50th win as UH coach this past Friday night. Over the last two seasons, Coach Taylor and the Bucs are 50-19, including two regular season Conference Championships, two District Tournament Championships, a Region Tournament Championships (with another opportunity to come), and a TSSAA State Championship game appearance. Way to go Coach Taylor, assistants Jay Seehorn, Hunter Seehorn, and Garret Gleason, and all of the Buccaneer players! We are proud of you!

Congratulations to University Middle School's Sydney Evans for being voted All-Conference Player for the 2025 season in softball. Sydney showed leadership, tenacity, and maturity throughout the entire season. Additionally, Maddy O’Donnell was voted District All-Tournament for her stand-out performance as a pitcher.

The Hughes Crew 3rd Graders are published authors!!!

A book of poetry inspired by 'The Best Part of Me.' We call ours 'Beautiful Me.'

Way to Go, Buc Writers!

Please Note the change of dates for the meeting -- The MS Girls Soccer Parent/Player Interest meeting for the upcoming fall 2025 season will now be held this Thursday, May 8, 5:30pm, in the school library. Reach out to Coach Campos (carloscampos62@yahoo.com) for more information!

Tryouts and spring practices for the Fall 2025 UH Girls Soccer team will be held Monday and Tuesday, May 12th and 13th, at Winged Deer Turf Field E. Check-in begins at the field at 5pm, with tryouts being from 5:30-7pm.

Contact Coach Morgan Richards (Morgan.Richards@coxautoinc.com) for more information. All current paperwork required by TSSAA must be on filed with the school.

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.

• High School Honors Program - May 12th @ 6:00 PM in Culp Center Auditorium

• Instrumental Band Concert - May 13th @ 7:00 PM in Culp Center Auditorium
• Middle School Awards Night - May 15th @ 6:00 PM in Culp Center Auditorium

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

May Club & Activities:

12: Spring Choral Concert joint rehearsal from 3:00-5:00 in room 010 at University School

12: High School Honors Program @ 6:00 PM in Culp Center Auditorium

13: Spring Choral Concert joint rehearsal from 4:00-5:30 in Bud Frank Theater

13: Spring Choral Concert performance @ 6:00-6:45 in Bud Frank Theater

13: Instrumental Band Concert @ 7:00 PM in Culp Center Auditorium

15: Middle School Awards Night @ 6:00 PM in Culp Center Auditorium

May Athletic Events:

5-10: Regional HS Championship Events (TBA)