University School Weekly Update

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Please join us for the following concerts from our Instrumental Music and Vocal Arts groups:

• Tuesday, December 2nd - Instrumental Music Concert in the Culp Ballroom @ 6:00 PM
• Thursday, December 4th - Choral Concert in the Bud Frank Theatre @ 6:00 PM

Last Tuesday aternooon, track and field standout Dalencia Kittrell was honored at a signing ceremony after school in the library. Dalencia has signed to continue her career at Lipscomb University.

In addition to being a TSSAA state champion in the 400m, Kittrell holds 3 school records: 100m, 200m, and 400m. In 2025, she accomplished the trifecta in two different meets, winning all three (100m, 200m and 400m) at both the conference meet as well as the Trojan Timing, which had athletes from three states completing in the event. At Trojan Timing it was the first time an athlete won all three events since 1987.

She also won the most "valuable athlete award" at Trojan Timing and the Frank Carver meet. She competed in 4 events at both sectional and the state championships, capping off the season at state with a 4th in the 100m, 2nd in the 200m, and becoming a state champion in the 400m with a winning time of 55:54 which is the fastest 400 ever run by an athlete from East TN. She was voted MileSplit's performer of the week for the state of Tennessee during the season. She continued to race through the summer, including in the Adidas National in North Carolina, where she earned All-America honors with a 6th place finish in the 200m and 3rd in the 400m. Kittrell also participated in the AAU District, Regional, and the National meet in Houston, TX.

"Dalencia has been arguably the best sprinter to have ever gone through the doors of UH,” stated University High Head Track and Field Coach Dan Lawson. “She has been a coach's dream to work with since she began competing for UH in 8th grade. What stands out the most to me though is not only her superb athletic accomplishments but who she is as a person and student. Whatever her future holds she will be successful and I'm looking forward to watching her compete at the next level as a Lipscomb student-athlete.”

Congratulations Dalencia!

Registration is NOW OPEN for Spring until 12/15, which will resume in late January (details on the website). We ask returning students to continue within the same instrument the full year. Please go to jaminthemountains.com to register your student, and share the attached flyer as you see fit and to help spread the word.

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.

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

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.

Middle School SGA invites our K-8 classes to make a difference this holiday season by
donating to Jeramiah School!

Chipotle Spirit Night: The 8th grade class will be hosting a Chipotle spirit night on Dec. 10th at Chipotle. Please come support the 8th grade as they raise funds to go to Washington DC this spring. We will get 25% of the evening sales.

Johnson City Christmas Parade - Hot Cocoa Fundraiser:

Any 8th grade parent who would like to participate in fundraising for the Washington DC trip, please sign up below.

Math Olympiad students will not meet on Wednesday, December 3. That meeting is cancelled and we will meet again on Wednesday, December 10.

Congratulations to the following students who will have artwork displayed at the Johnson City Public Library for the month of December!

5th Grade: Nora Bunger, Evyanna Mosca, Cecilia Suttles, Olivia DeLong.
6th Grade: Natalia Mejia, Mai Wilson, Corrine Anderson
7th Grade: Katherine Clopton, Vivian Waers, Aaliyah Leary, Maddie VanZant, Violet Lindvall, Taylar Barnett, Colton Cobble, Humza Ali, Max Mefford.
8th Grade: Derek Ford, Brendan Wang, Brynn Elliott, Naarah Martin, Rebecca Mussard, Elisa Hong.

Congratulations to the following Morning Mile runners:

5 Mile Club:

10 Mile Club:

15 Mile Club:

25 Mile Club:

40 Mile Club:

50 Mile Club:

All K–8 students are invited to join us for a Cheerleading Clinic hosted by the High School Cheer Team on December 8th, right after school in the gym.

Participants will also get to cheer at halftime of the High School game on December 9th! Additional details are included in the flyer below.

For any questions, please contact Coach India Barrett at barretti@etsu.edu

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.

At this meeting, seniors will learn more about the college-going process, TN Promise scholarship requirements and supports offered at tnAchieves. The meeting will last approximately 30 minutes and students are required to remain in attendance for the full duration of the meeting.

If any student has a conflict and are unable to attend their TN Promise Meeting, please direct them to complete this request form for the Virtual TN Promise Webinar. After submitting the request form, students will receive follow-up communication from tnAchieves to the email address listed on the TN Promise application. If a student’s request form is approved, the student will be given access to a webinar to view to satisfy the meeting requirement. Completing the TN Promise Meeting by March 16, 2026 is a mandatory requirement for the TN Promise scholarship.

Meeting Date: 12/08/2025
Meeting Start Time: 9:00 AM
Meeting Location: University School - Johnson City (Forum Room on the 3rd floor of the Culp Center)

The ETSU American Marketing Association and the School of Marketing and Media invite your students to participate in our focused, half-day professional development event designed to accelerate their college and career readiness: the Level Up Marketing & Media Summit.

Expert Keynote Insights: Students will gain exposure to current industry trends and essential career skills from regional leaders, including members of the Cumberland Marketing team.
Skill-Based Breakout Sessions: Interactive, practical sessions will be led by successful alumni, such as Content Associate/Producer at ESPN, Anthony Salas. These sessions bridge academic knowledge with professional application.

When: 01.30.2026 | 8:30 – 11:15 AM
Where: East Tennessee State University - D.P. Culp Center Ballroom

Due to the specialized nature of this event, capacity is strictly limited. We encourage early registration to secure placement for your interested students.

REGISTER HERE. If you have any questions, please reach out to blacksm1@etsu.edu.

This year, many seniors across Tennessee will receive Direct Admissions Offers to participating colleges. Only students who completed the TN Promise Application will receive a letter. If you have already applied and been accepted to one of the schools listed, you do not need to do anything, but if you would like to apply to a school in your offer, you can complete the application using the QR Code included in your mailing. Be on the lookout for a letter that looks like this:

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).

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

December:

2 - Instrumental Music Concert @ 6:00 PM in Culp Ballroom

3 - Math Help Club in School Library

3 - Chess Club

4 - STEM for Kids Club - Library

4 - MS Basketball @ West View (AWAY)

4 - Winter Choral Concert (5-12) @ 6:00 PM in the Bud Frank Theatre

5 - HS Basketball @ TN High (AWAY)

6 - Holiday Photo Sessions for 8th grade Fundraiser

8 - Cheer Mini Clinic in School Gym

8 - MS Basketball VS. Sulphur Springs (HOME)

9 - HS Basketball VS. Sullivan East (HOME)

9 - MS Basketball @ Lamar (AWAY)

10 - Math Olympiad

10 - Math Help Club

10 - 8th Grade Chipotle Spirit Night @ Chipotle

11 - MS Basketball VS South Central (HOME)

12 - Early Dismissal @ 11:30 AM

13 - Winter Break Begins

15 - HS Basketball @ South Greene (AWAY)

15 - MS Basketball @ Hunter (AWAY)

16 - MS Basketball @ Boones Creek Middle (AWAY)

17 - HS Girls Basketball - Big H Tournament (AWAY)

18 - MS Basketball VS. Hunter (HOME)

January

2 - Faculty In-Service Day

3 - HS Basketball VS. TN High (HOME)

5 - Faculty Professional Development Day

6 - Students Return

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