University School Weekly Update

December 12th is a half-day (dismissal will be at 11:30 AM) and the last day of the semester prior to our Winter Break (December 13 - January 5th; students return on Tuesday, January 6th).

After-care will not be available on December 12th or through the winter break; however, there is an ETSU sponsored enrichment camp for K-5th grade students on December 15-19. See the flyer in the K-8 section below for more registration information.

Congratulations to the following students for making it to the school-wide Spelling Bee:

Atley Mitchell, Haven Dunavan, Elijah Trivett, Allison Comerford, Zaara Charkaborty, Annie Quillen, Sienna Mosca, Davis Reed, Omkar Chaudhary, Krish Joshi, Brynlei Forney, Vihaan Vatrana, Zooey Hammonds, Adriel Martin, Sawyer Jane Hayter, Chandon Azima, Jibraan Salman, Sebastian Gray, Chloe Mullins, and Charlie Cox.

3rd place: Omkar Chaudhary

Runner-up: Vihaan Vatrana

And a big congratulations to our school-wide Spelling Bee champion, Sawyer Jane Hayter! Sawyer Jane will now move on to the regional qualifier! We wish her the best of luck!

The 8th grade class will be hosting a Chipotle spirit night on Dec. 10th at Chipotle on State of Franklin.

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 that will go directly toward trip expenses.

Our next family engagement event will be on Thursday, Dec. 11th. Come ice skating at the ETSU rink from 5:00-6:30. The Foundation will cover the cost. Our 8th graders will be there selling hot chocolate and cookies to raise money for their DC trip.

And while in the area, grab dinner at Jersey Mike's (State of Franklin location). UH boys basketball will receive 20% of all sales between 4-8. Take a night off of cooking and support our basketball team! Flyers with more information for both are included below.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated to the Foundation on Giving Tuesday. We set a goal of $10,000, with all funds going towards further improvements to our outdoor spaces (adding benches, trash cans, and outdoor classroom/dining spaces). Through your generosity, we raised $3,260 on Tuesday! Don't worry if you missed giving. Our donation site will remain open through December 12th for anyone who would like to make a tax deductible contribution: website

Students, we are looking for your help in creating our next design for a spirit wear t-shirt to be sold through the front office.

Designs must be submitted by January 16th, either on paper (turned into the office) or by email to usfoundation.president@gmail.com.

The winning design will be printed on our next round of spirit wear t-shirts!

University School students will complete 2nd quarter benchmark assessments began on Thursday, December 4th and will run through December 11th. 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 7-8 and HS - Dec. 8-11

It's time to register for JAM for Spring semester, which teaches small group bluegrass & old-time music to 4-12 graders! Give the gift of music this holiday season by going to jaminthemountains.com before 12/15. For donations/questions, please contact Kim Greenland at allisonk@etsu.edu.

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.

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

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

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:

• 15 Mile Club: 4th Grader - Christian Brady

• 40 Mile Club: 5th Grader - Dominic Morrey

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:

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

December:

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 - HS Boys' Basketball Spirit Night @ Jersey Mike's (State of Franklin Location)

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