University School Weekly Update

Heather Lunsford is a proud East Tennessee State University alumna- Go BUCS! She earned her bachelor's degree in Biology in 2008 and her master's degree in Teaching in 2010. While working on her teaching degree, she met her husband, Trey. They have been married for 12 years. Together, they have three daughters here at University School: Ellie, Kate, and Millie.

Heather has taught a variety of middle school and high school courses, including biology, physical science, environmental science, grades 6 & 7 science, 7th grade math, and STEM. She will be teaching career education, robotics, and 7th grade honors math this year. She is excited to bring her enthusiasm, experience, and passion for learning to University School.

When Heather isn't teaching, she enjoys reading, being outdoors, planning adventures, and spending time with her family and friends.

Mrs. M. Casey Nelms is honored to step in as interim high school English teacher for Ms. Meg Robinson this semester, and she will be teaching English 11, AP Seminar, AP Research, and Creative Writing. Mrs. Nelms completed her graduate residency at University School last year while earning her M.A.T. in Secondary English alongside an English as a Second Language Certification from ETSU. After graduating from the University of Tennessee with a B.A. in English in 2001, she spent over a decade in web development as a project manager at a firm in Knoxville and director of digital marketing for an international company in Louisville. After moving back to the Tri-Cities in 2021, Casey decided to return to her roots and pursue teaching as a career. During graduate school, she was privileged to study abroad in West Ayrshire, Scotland, teaching Appalachian culture to students in rural primary schools of post-coal communities.

Mrs. Nelms also raises English Cocker Spaniels for sport and companionship and previously spent summers in Saskatchewan, Canada working at a dog training camp. She loves her hilarious husband Billy, misses her independent daughter Ayla studying at UT, indulges her pink-loving high school daughter Vivian, and cheers for Bo who is her smallest defensive end. In her free time, you can find her baking bread, watching football, or listening to Justin Bieber.

Departure: Dismissal begins at 3:00 p.m. and all students must be picked up by no later than 3:15 p.m., except for half-days which have an 11:30 a.m. dismissal time.

Important Reminders:

• Any elementary student riding with an older student or who is being dismissed as a walker must meet their sibling or parent near the end of the ramp next to the school. Upon arrival, the parent or older sibling needs to notify the staff member on duty to call for their sibling or child.
• Please do not exit your car if you are in the car rider line at any point in the AM or PM. If you are needing to walk your child in to the building, all guardians or individuals permitted to pick up your child must enter through the main entrance at the front of the building and check-in to the school office. For safety reasons, anyone entering the building must check-in with the main office with a government issued ID, which will be scanned for a visitor's pass that must be visible at all times.

Please follow the traffic pattern and procedures below for the Grades 5-12 drop-off and pick-up. We will be issuing car tags for grades K-8, please be sure to request one if you will be picking up your child(ren) in either of the pick-up lines this year.

Departure: Dismissal begins at 3:00 p.m. and all students must be picked up by no later than 3:15 p.m., except for half-days which have an 11:30 a.m. dismissal time.

HS Student Parking: All student drivers must acquire a student parking permit (see Officer Steele) and park in designated student parking for University School listed on the map below.

Important Reminders:

• Car Rider Tags for Grades K-8: Car rider tags will be issued this year for all students in grades K-8. Families in grades 1-5 who had a tag issued last year may continue to use the same tag and any new families in grades K - 5 along with all of our 6-8 students who don't have a younger sibling will be issued a new tag.
  
• Please do not exit your car if you are in the car rider line at any point in the AM or PM. If you are needing to walk your child in to the building, all guardians or individuals permitted to pick up your child must enter through the main entrance at the front of the building and check-in to the school office. For safety reasons, anyone entering the building must check-in with the main office with a government issued ID, which will be scanned for a visitor's pass that must be visible at all times.

Johnson City Kiwanis Club is hosting their fifth annual Back to School Bash, which provides backpacks, school supplies, food and activities for local students in need of materials ahead of the new school year. This event, held on July 24th from 3-7pm, empowers children to start the school year excited, and with more confidence. Kiwanis Club members are asking for donations of school supplies such as backpacks, glue sticks, crayons, pencils, notebooks, pens, markers, folders, erasers, etc. A drop box will be located in the front lobby at University School for donations. The deadline is July 22nd. Thank you!

• For returning students: parents/guardians, if you have not already done so, please log into your FinalForms account and complete the 2026-27 school forms for your child/children. This is mandatory for all students. Please log into your FinalForms (https://washingtoncounty-tn.finalforms.com/students) account and complete the forms.

• For new students: parents/guardians, if you have not already done so, please create an account in FinalForms and add your child and then complete all forms. See included directions (ETSU Parent Playbook) to create your account and add your child/children.

The University School Cafeteria is ran by the Washington County Schools Nutrition Department. You may access their homepage by clicking on the link above to register to place funds in your child's account or to access important contact information, special diet request information, and Free & Reduced Lunch Applications.

Meal prices for the 2026-2027 school year will be as follows:

• Breakfast: K-8 ($2.25), High School ($2.50), Reduced Price (all grades) $0.30, Adult ($3.00)
• Lunch: K-8 ($3.25), High School ($3.50), Reduced Price (all grades) $0.40, Adult ($5.00)

Families can access the online application portal through our district website. We highly encourage all families to apply as early as possible to prevent delays or unexpected charges. Applications submitted online are processed quickly, and eligibility can begin as soon as the next school day. Washington County Schools does offer the traditional School Nutrition Program (SNP). Under SNP, students will only receive free or reduced-price meals if their household qualifies based on income.

What Families Need to Know: Meal Applications Are Required: If you are applying for free or reduced meals, you must submit a meal application to determine eligibility for free or reduced meals.

Online Applications: We are transitioning to an online application system, which will open mid-July after the annual system rollover.

Quick Processing: Online applications are processed immediately, and eligible students will begin receiving benefits the next school day—helping to avoid unnecessary meal charges.
Paper Applications Available: Paper applications will still be available at your school’s front office upon request. These will be delivered to schools before the school year begins.

Student attendance during all scheduled school days is critical for student academic growth. Therefore, we ask that you please plan to make any appointments and vacations during the breaks or during teacher in-service/professional development days to avoid any unnecessary absences. When reporting absences, please contact the school office (423-439-4271) or send in a note. Notes for medical appointments will be excused and do not count toward parental discretion notes.

When submitting parental discretion day notes, please be mindful that you may only request five parental days to be excused as an absence. Any absence beyond those five discretionary days will be marked as unexcused unless a doctor's note is submitted for the absence or prior approval was granted by school administration.

Kindergarten students will follow the staggered scheduled below on July 9-11th:

• Monday, July 13th - half day for all Kindergarten students (Dismissal at 11:30 AM)
• Tuesday, July 14th - Begins full-day schedule (8:00 - 3:00 PM) for both groups.

Please Note: Mrs. Howe will send out group schedules to all families directly. Dismissal for Kindergarten students during half days will be at 11:30 AM.

We’re excited to welcome all University School Middle School students back with our annual Middle School Mixer at Wetlands Water Park on August 27 from 6–8 PM!

Students will enjoy an evening of slides, snacks, and splashy fun as we kick off the new school year together. To help keep this event accessible for everyone, we’re requesting a $5 donation per student, with an optional opportunity to donate for a friend.

Please sign the waiver and pre‑register by August 25.

• Registration Link: https://middleschoolmixer2026.ourfundraiser.events/

• Volunteer to Chaperone: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C45ACAC2DA3FE3-64629302-2026

• Donate Snacks & Drinks: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/36GP7BYH7K03U?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ggr-subnav-share_YMY5YK2AKP2WDCWXD0VS

This is a private event for University School 6th–8th graders only.

We can’t wait to celebrate the start of another great year with our Middle Schoolers!

After-school care will be provided by University School for the 2026-2027 school year beginning on Friday, July 10, 2026. The program is open to students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. The program operates daily until 5:30 in our school building. All school rules will still be in place during after-school.

In the event that school closes early or is not in session, after school care will not be offered.
After school care will not be open on half days. In the event that the school dismisses using a
controlled release due to a threat in the area, after school care will be cancelled unless otherwise
announced.

The daily cost of the program is $15 per day, with a $60 maximum charge per week, for students who use the program. Payment is only expected for the days your child attends after school care.

Payments should be made to University School.

The site for online payments can be accessed here:

University School Online Payments

Registration for after-school will be submitted online using the following link:

2026-2027 University School After School Registration

If your student is interested in playing middle school tennis in the fall for the 26-27 year, please complete the attached interest form, https://forms.gle/R5hD1XACwi9bu5fS7, by Friday July 17th.

If your child is interested in playing middle school baseball in the spring for the 26-27 year, please complete the attached interest form, https://forms.gle/RfPCkmMDDXQpx4YNA, by Friday, July 24th.

Any HS student driving and who plans to park on campus must have a school issued parking pass, which will need to be purchased from ETSU Parking Services (132 Stout Dr.). If you are dual enrolled, you may purchase it online. Otherwise, all other students will need to purchase one in person.

High school students interested in trying out for the UH golf team, please complete the registration form via the QR code located on the graphic. Tryouts will be held Tuesday, July 28 and Thursday, July 30 at Pine Oaks Golf Course. Students must have their own clubs, transportation to and from practices and matches, and a completed physical on file prior to attending tryouts. If numbers warrant, we will have varsity (up to 6 boys, up to 3 girls) and JV Team (up to 4 boys, up to 2 girls). Any questions can be directed to Coach Penley (penleyj@etsu.edu) or Coach Havert (havertn@etsu.edu).

UH XC -- University High Cross Country for grades 9th-12th will begin next Monday, July 13, from 5:00-6:30pm at the Tweetsie Trail. Students must have a current physical (dated April 15, 2026 or later) on file with the school in order to participate. There will also be a parent/athlete meeting on Wednesday, July 15 at 3:30pm in the school library. For more information, contact Coach Lawson (dan.law55@icloud.com).

(JOHNSON CITY, TENN.) The Chamber of Commerce, serving Johnson City, Jonesborough and Washington County, is now accepting applications for its 2026-2027 3D Youth Leadership program, a class focusing on highschoolers’ leadership development. Online applications, along with the $100 tuition, close on Friday, July 31 at 4 p.m.

The program is open to high school juniors and seniors and runs from September 19 to April 3, with the class meeting once a month on Saturdays. 3D Youth Leadership aims to equip, empower and inspire students to become more engaged and impactful leaders in their schools and community.

“Since 1998 over 700 students have graduated from the Youth Leadership program” said Chamber Director of Leadership & Engagement Elisa Britt. Each member is a steppingstone to a prosperous community.

Facilitators of the class, with the help of business leaders and community partners, provide programming that covers effective communication, team building, time management, leadership effectiveness and more. Students graduate with a refreshed knowledge of what it means to be a leader both inside and outside of the classroom.

Classes begin soon, submit your application today. The online application and payment system for the program are live and can be found at https://johnsoncitytnchamber.com/3d-youth-leadership/

About the Chamber

The Chamber of Commerce, serving Johnson City, Jonesborough and Washington County, is a 501-C6 organized to promote business, enhance economic and community development, and serve as a catalyst for improving the overall quality of life in the community and region. It is also supported by the Chamber Foundation, a 501-C3 dedicated to promoting education, leadership and business development programs. Through strategic programming, advocation and resources, we position our members to achieve their greatest business and community potential.

For more information, visit www.johnsoncitytnchamber.com.

July

13 - Full Day for Grades 1-12 and 1/2 day for Kindergarten

14 - First Full Day for Kindergarten

16 - HS Class Meetings (all 9-12 students are required to attend - 11:00 - 12:30 PM)

August

6 - Senior Picture Day - CPA Studio (Formal Shots Only)

19 - Early Dismissal @ 1:00 PM for all students

27 - MS Mixer Event @ Wetlands

28 - Parent-Teacher Conference Day

Please note the following changes to our schedule this fall:

• August 19th - Early Dismissal Day for all students; students will be dismissed at 1:00PM on this day due to a University Meeting for the College of Education and Human Development that our faculty will need to attend.

Email: partinbk@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