University School Weekly Update

The Tennessee General Assembly has passed new legislation (Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-1016) requiring schools to provide annual instruction on firearm safety, beginning with the 2025–2026 school year. This legislation was developed in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education, the Department of Safety, and the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Instruction will be age and grade-appropriate. Instruction will focus on:

• Safe storage of firearms.

• School safety relating to firearms.

• How to avoid injury if a firearm is found.

• The importance of never touching a firearm if discovered.

• The need to immediately notify an adult about the location of a firearm.

Each grade level will view an approved firearm safety video that is approximately 3 to 7 minutes in length, tailored to the appropriate grade level instructional outcomes identified (attached below). These videos will be available for families to preview upon request and use them as a starting point for conversations at home if desired along with an opt-out option, which will be detailed in a separate correspondence and implementation plan that will be sent to families on Monday, November 17th.

All University School families are cordially invited to this year's ETSU Holiday Lights event on Monday, November 17, 2025 @ 5:45 PM. This annual event officially kicks-off the holiday season on campus and is one you will not want to miss!

This December, the University School Class of 2026 is proud to participate in Wreaths Across America, a national initiative to honor our veterans by placing wreaths on their graves at Monte Vista Funeral Home & Memorial Park.

For every wreath sponsored through our class link, we receive $5 to support senior year activities—but this project is so much more than a fundraiser. It’s a chance for our students to serve, reflect, and give back to those who gave everything. Participation in the wreath-laying ceremony on December 13 is eligible for community service hours, and we encourage all seniors to get involved.

🎄 Sponsor a wreath for $17 or sign up to volunteer:http://wreathsacrossamerica.org/tn0436p

To make this campaign a success, we ask that you share the link with friends and family who may also wish to support this meaningful cause.

Let’s come together in the spirit of the season to Remember. Honor. Teach.

All students in Grades 8-10 will take the PreACT on Thursday, January 8th. Testing will begin at 8:00 am and students should report directly to their testing location. Room assignments will be shared with students on the Canvas Counseling course for their grade level. Students testing in other locations will receive an email from Dr. Campbell in early January.

Students will need to bring the following items on test day.

• ACT Approved Calculator (calculators will not be provided) (https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/ACT-calculator-policy.pdf)

• #2 Pencils (No mechanical pencils)

• All electronic devices and backpacks must be stored in lockers or student vehicles. These items will not be allowed in the testing rooms. Examples of prohibited items are cell phones, Air Pods, Smart/Meta Glasses, and smart watches.

Schedule after Testing - Students will resume their normal class schedule after testing is finished.

Lunch Information - Testing for standard time rooms will finish prior to lunch. Students who receive testing accommodations should bring a bagged lunch since testing may run past lunchtime and the cafeteria will be closed.

Asynchronous Learning Day for 11th and 12th Grade Students

Thursday, January 8th will be an asynchronous learning day for all students in 11th and 12th grade. Students will complete assignments at home through Canvas.

University School students will complete 2nd quarter benchmark assessments beginning on Thursday, December 4th. 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 - Dec. 4 - 9

• Grades 5 - 6 - Dec. 4-5

• Grades 7-8 and HS - Dec. 8-11

Congratulations to the following Morning Mile runners:

5 Mile Club:

• Kindergarten - Caleb Bray
• Second Graders - Riley Tester & Endly Gaus

35 Mile Club:

• Fourth Grader- Theo Burton
• Fifth Grader - Domnic Morrey

45 Mile Club:

• Sixth Grader - Lindell Hanson

The ETSU Office of Professional Development will be offering a special Winter Enrichment Camp for Grades K-5 on December 15-19. If interested please call (423-439-8084) or scan the QR Code below for more information.

Congratulations to team members Lucy Smith and Harry Harker for their recent appearance on the News Channel 11 sports broadcast! They were featured alongside their coach, Dan Lawson, discussing the team's recent State Championships.

They provided fantastic insight into the effort and dedication that paved the road toward these accomplishments!

Tennessee Governor's School application are now open for the 2026 Governor's School in the Integration of Biological and Statistical Sciences at ETSU. This opportunity is open to rising juniors and seniors from anywhere in Tennessee.

Applications are open and close December 5, 2025, at 11:59pm ET.

Apply: https://www.etsu.edu/coe/stem-education/govschool/application.php
Learn More: https://www.etsu.edu/coe/stem-education/govschool/default.php

If you are applying for Governor's School, you must schedule an appointment with Mrs. McRee either by E-mail (mcreed@etsu.edu) or phone (423-439-5925).

Tryouts for the 2026 high school boys soccer team will be held this coming week: Tuesday, Nov. 18 and Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 5:30-7:00pm each day at Winged Deer turf fields. Any HS boy interested in playing for the school team is encouraged to attend the tryouts. Please note that all players must have a completed physical, SCA form, and concussion form on file with the school athletics trainer. Email Coach Richards (UHBucsSoccer@gmail.com) for more info.

• Teen Yoga- Tuesday, November 25 at 6 p.m. Explore breath and movement with these teen-centered yoga sessions led by local yoga teachers. If possible, bring a yoga mat; a mat will be provided if you need one. Registration is required.

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

University School follows the same menu schedule as the Washington County School system when our school calendars align.

November:

17 - MS Basketball @ Cloudland

18 - MS Basketball @ Ridgeview

18 - HS Basketball (Varsity Only) HOME vs. West Greene

19 - Math Help Club

19 - Chess Club

20 - MS Basketball HOME vs Fall Branch

20 - HS Girls' Basketball @ David Crockett

21 - HS Boys' Basketball HOME vs Johnson County

24 - MS Basketball HOME vs Grandview

24 - HS Girls' Basketball @ Happy Valley (Tournament)

26 - 28 - NO School - Thanksgiving Holiday

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