University School Weekly Update

National School Resource Officer Day is celebrated annually on February 15th to show appreciation and support for the officers who maintain safety in our schools. Thank you to Officers Steele and Loyd and the entire ETSU Public Safety Department for helping keep our community safe!

Hey K-8 Parents!

We are gearing up for our annual Spring Auction, and we need your help. Every year some of our most anticipated and hotly contested items are our classroom baskets. We're super excited about the themes this year, but we need your help to make them amazing!

Each grade has a unique theme, and we're asking every parent to contribute one item to their child's basket. You can donate any item you wish within the theme, or to make it even easier, our awesome volunteers have created Amazon wish lists for each basket. We are still in need of donations for our classroom baskets so if you haven’t already done so, please donate today!

Check them out:

K Squishmallow Basket:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/JVL6PH14QW7K?ref_=wl_share

1st Grade Gardening Basket:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1409IEIMPIXGI?ref_=list_d_wl_lfu_nav_3

2nd Grade Maker Space Basket:

2nd Grade Maker Space Basket

3rd Grade Mario Galaxy Basket:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/EPQQEZYW8RU4?ref_=wl_share

4th Grade Ice Cream Basket:

4th Grade Ice Cream Basket Link

5th Grade Shop Local Basket:

See flyer and pick up items from your favorite local businesses!

5th Grade Lego Basket:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2CTCTN4HYHBCD?ref_=wl_share

6th Grade Fire Pit Basket:

6th Grade Fire Pit Basket

6th Grade Exercise Basket:

6th Grade Exercise Basket

7th Grade Teen Spa Basket:

7th Grade Spa Basket Link

7th Grade Middle School Drip Basket:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3T4R2L8ERQFX?ref_=wl_share

8th Grade Family Movie Night Basket:

8th Grade Family Movie Night Basket

8th Grade Mom Spa Day Basket:

8th Grade Mom's Spa Day Basket

Flyers for each basket are also included.

Your contributions will help make these baskets a hit and support our school community. Let's make this auction unforgettable!

Thanks for your generosity and participation!

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.

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

Mark your calendars - this year's spring book fair is scheduled for February 23-27, 2026.

Our related arts teachers are in need of a few donation items for their classrooms. If you can assist, please send any donation to the library and they will be distributed to the special area teachers.

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.

ETSU New Dual Enrollment Student Meeting-Rising Juniors and Seniors (New Date):
Date: February 19, 2026, 5:30-7:30pm, Ball Hall Room 127-Auditorium- (Ball Hall is to the right of The Blended Pedaler on the Brooks Quad)

This is a mandatory meeting for any current Sophomores and Juniors and at least one parent/guardian who are interested in dual-enrollment at ETSU in the Fall 26 semester, and who are new to dual-enrollment at ETSU. Students who have already taken DE classes at ETSU do not need to attend this meeting. Students unable to attend because of Basketball or Cheer commitments should have a parent or guardian attend. All other sports practices are cancelled for the day.

Meeting Agenda: General dual-enrollment information specific to ETSU, including cost and grant, and how to sign up for dual-enrollment at ETSU.

Juniors: Please sign up for a slot to register for your Senior Year courses and to begin your college planning journey using SCOIR at this link: https://signup.com/go/jSpMKqF.

Every junior must meet with me individually in order to get the registration link. Parents are welcome to attend the meeting, but it is not required. Please be sure that you make note of your meeting slot and do your best to show up because we are very pushed for time after all the snow days. There are 84 available slots for 82 students and they will go quickly.

All juniors received an invitation to create your SCOIR account about two weeks ago. Please find the invitation in your school email, and create your account using your univschool email address. There will be a spot to add a different email address later in the process. Using your univschool email keeps it connected to my account. At least one of your parents/guardians also received a link in order to connect to your account as well.

Please come prepared with one or two college choices that you may be interested in for the future. Additional registration information will be posted in CANVAS in the next few days.

Rising 10th and 11th Graders: Dr. Shaw will be visiting Mr. Petty's classes on Wednesday 2/18 and Ms. Lee's classes on Thursday 2/19 to discuss high school registration for next year. For students who are absent or do not have a class with either Mr. Petty or Ms. Lee there will be two make up sessions on 3/4 at 8:30 am and again at 1:30 pm for Rising 10th and 11th graders in Room 217. Student will receive handouts to take home to discuss registration with their parents. Students will register using a google form which will be posted early Wednesday morning 2/18. Please wait to complete the form until I have presented in your class.

Rising 11th and 12th Graders: Rising 12th graders who have already met with Dr. Shaw need to complete their google registration by Monday 3/2. Students who have individual appointments will be given the link during their scheduled appointment. Any rising 12th grader who has not met with Dr. Shaw or have a scheduled appointment will have a make-up registration session Wednesday 3/6 at 8:30 am in Room 217. However, the group meeting will not be very detailed. It will primarily focus on University School registration.

There will be a make-up session for students who will dual enroll at ETSU for the first time, but missed the evening meeting on Thursday 2/19, on Monday 2/23 at 8:30 am in Room 217. Parents are welcome to attend. Students who attended the meeting but have additional questions are also welcome to attend. The first dual enrollment assignment will close on February 25, but it will be replaced by a new assignment with a later due date. Some ETSU departments have not yet posted their complete schedules. Students interested in dual enrollment at other schools should email Dr. Shaw.

All High School Grade Levels: Dr. Shaw will not be able to meet with everyone requesting individual appointments. Please try to have your questions ready for the times posted above. You may also send an email with your questions. Most of them can be answered more quickly that way. Remember, that even though these assignments will close on a specific date, you can still request to make changes by emailing Dr. Shaw or Dr. Day. Only Juniors will have scheduled one-on-one meetings in Q3.

Congratulations to Dalencia Kittrell and Emma Johnson, members of the University High track team, on who competed last weekend with outstanding results. Dalencia competed Sunday, February 8th, in the TSSAA Indoor State Championship held at Vanderbilt. She competed in the 60m, 200m, and 400m, finishing 5th in the 200 and 3rd in the 400.

Emma won a half marathon (13.1 miles) the previous day (February 7th) in Knoxville, finishing with an exceptional time of 1:38.32, a 7:31 per-mile pace. Both athletes are looking forward to the track and field (T/F) season which begins on Monday. If you are interested in participating this spring on the UH Track and Field team contact Coach Dan at lwsndn@comcast.net

University High’s Robotics Teams 2536A and 2536S made a stellar appearance at Sullivan East Middle School Patriot Push Back Competition! Team 2536A debuted a new robot with Peter Fagerburg as its captain. Despite different setbacks that couldn’t be avoided, the team fought back from 10th place all the way to placing in 3rd. 2536S performed better and better as the day went on, thanks to Fisher Wallace who has relentlessly improved his robot to make it to the quarter finals. “We did significantly better than last time, and we keep improving,” said Wallace.

There are two major competitions left to qualify for the State and World Events. UH Robotics is adding two more teams this next weekend rosters, making it the first time UH will have four competing robotics teams! “As a team, we all have all stepped up, taken responsibility for our teams’ advancement and steady motivation to do better and better.” Coaches Nicole Havert and Carter McVeigh are so impressed with these students. Go Bucs!

Pharmacy Career Showcase (This event fills quickly.)

Pharmacy Career Showcase, Saturday, Feb. 21, is designed to help students learn more about pharmacy careers, as well as the flexible pathways to pursue pharmacy at ETSU.
Check-in will begin at 9 a.m. in Building 7, ETSU’s main pharmacy building at the Quillen Mountain Home VA. The event will end at 1:30 p.m., followed by an optional tour.

The event offers hands-on learning experiences, opportunities to talk with student pharmacists and faculty, personalized admissions pathway information and campus tours. A complimentary lunch will be provided, sponsored by CVS Health. Space is limited and fills quickly.
Learn more and register by Feb.19 at etsu.edu/RxAdmissions.

GattonRx Summer Camp
The annual GattonRx Summer Camp will be held June 1-5. The overnight camp is open to high school juniors and seniors interested in learning more about the pharmacy profession. The event will include lots of hands-on activities; opportunities to learn directly from students, faculty and practicing pharmacists about the profession; campus tours; and fun with peers.

An online application for the camp is required. If accepted, the residential camp fee is $400 for a double-occupancy room and $500 for a single-occupancy room. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

Register at etsu.edu/pharmacycamp.

If you would like additional information, please contact Destiny McRee.
(423) 439-5925
mcreed@etsu.edu

The United States Military Academy at West Point is excited to offer your rising seniors (current juniors) the Summer Leaders Experience (SLE)—a rigorous five-day, overnight immersion led entirely by current West Point cadets.

SLE offers an authentic look at cadet life and challenges students academically, militarily, physically, and socially. Participants will experience:

Hands-on academic workshops:

• Choose from 17 sessions taught by West Point faculty.
• Physical and military training: Army PT workouts, obstacle courses (indoor and outdoor), the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA), and more.
• Leadership and character development: Team-building exercises, the Leader Reaction Course, ethics discussions, and cadet-led activities.

Students can choose between three SLE sessions:

• Session 1: May 30 – June 3

• Session 2: June 5 – June 9

• Session 3: June 11 – June 1

West Point provides scholarships to cover the $495 SLE fee and travel expenses for students with documented financial need.

Any junior interested in this opportunity should contact Destiny McRee as soon as possible.
(423) 439-5925
mcreed@etsu.edu

Dr. Rachel Miller-Slough, a licensed child psychologist from the ETSU Psychology Department is offering a free parenting program for parents (see information below):

• We are providing a free virtual 1-session parent education group (Tuning into Teens) for parents of teenagers, focused on ways to support teen emotional/mental health and improve parent-child relationships.

• The group will focus on skills to support youth emotional well-being, reduce family conflict, build effective parent-child communication, and support parent emotion regulation. We offer this as part of a research study focused on ways to improve access to behavioral healthcare in our region, and how to adjust these programs to better meet the needs of local families.

• Attached is a recruitment flyer that describes the program in more detail, with a QR code for families to sign up for the program.

Teen Homework Cafe is held each Monday in February from 3-5 p.m. in the Library's Teen Space. Ages 12-18 can bring their homework to complete after school. Library staff is available to help find research materials and resources, and snacks are provided. No registration.

Teen Wilderness Survival Skills for ages 12-18 will take place in the Library's Jones Meeting Center on Wednesday, February 18 at 6 p.m. Learn wilderness survival skills with experts from the Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute. You’ll hear survival stories and pick up tips for how to safely explore the outdoors. Registration is required at jcpl.org/events.

Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is open to anyone ages 12-18 who is interested in helping make the Teen Space a safe and exciting place for teens. TAB will meet on Wednesday, March 11th at 6:30 p.m. to share ideas for the Teen Space, collection, programming, and vision for the future. No registration.

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

February

16 - GOTR/ Heart and Soul Practice @ 3:30 PM

16 - GOTR/ Heart and Sole Parent Meeting @ 4:00 PM

17 - 8th gr. HS Registration meeting @ 5:30 PM in Roger Stout Auditorium

18 - Math Help Club

19 - Chess Club

19 - GOTR/Heart and Soul Practice @ 3:30 PM

19 - ETSU Dual Enrollment Meeting for New to DE (Ball Hall Auditorium @ 5:30PM)

19 - HS Basketball District 1A Tournament Begins @ Happy Valley HS

20 - Jump for Heart K-5 (11:30 - 2:30 PM)

20 - Middle School Winter Dance (6:00-8:00 PM - School Gym)

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