February 1, 2023

• Compendium Updates
• Campus News & Updates
• Extended Learning
• University Schools Athletics
• Parent Networks
• Mark your calendars!
• UofM Athletics & Events
• Tech Talks
• Helpful Links & Contact Information

We are seeking supervising faculty for the 2024-25 school year. If you or someone you know is interested in joining University Schools, please visit the link below!

Thank you to our amazing community for helping to recruit new Tiger faculty and staff for our schools!

Reminder that our new student enrollment application closed on December 8th. Notifications of enrollment are still being processed.

SchoolMint Registrations are due on February 10th @ 5pm.

Additional enrollment information can be found on University Schools Enrollment Webpage. Questions? Email enrollus@memphis.edu

Swag Alert! Thanks to our friends at Choose 901, you can now represent University Schools! Click on the link below to get your exclusive gear, & support our schools! Go Tigers! 🐯💙

Directions: Add the shirt to the cart first, & then the cart will update with pricing after selecting the size.

https://bit.ly/choose901-us-shirt

The Autism Clinic has two immediate openings for a 3-5 year old child in need of a clinic setting. Interested families can email universityschools@memphis.edu for a referral.

Check out the latest volume of the President's Perspective from UofM President Hardgrave. In this edition, he highlights The Governmental and Community Affairs programs. It also includes a feature about University Schools, spotlighting our amazing teachers and students.

Click here to check it out!

The University of Memphis invites you to enjoy the latest edition of the UofM Magazine — spotlighting our dedicated researchers and ongoing innovations as a top-tier research institution.

Explore the magazine>

In partnership with The University of Memphis, the Jay Uiberall Foundation is supporting the University Schools to provide a family engagement program. Through this program, all University Schools families will be invited to participate in ten engagements with University of Memphis researchers and faculty in order to learn more about specific child-related topics.

These nights will either be focused on early childhood & elementary topics (hosted at Porter-Leath University of Memphis Early Learning Academy at 2869 Park Ave) or on middle & high school topics (hosted at University Middle & University High at 330 Fogelman Drive Memphis, TN)

Family engagement nights 1 and 2 held this past Fall featured information on Supporting the growth of Neurodivergent Learners (ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ODD) through School and Community Based Supports.

Quarter 2

Family engagement nights 3 and 4 featured information on Understanding Secondary Post-Traumatic Stress and Strategies for Self Care during the Holiday Season.

Click on the links below to view the presentations and resources from these past events.

Countries, Experiences, & Cultures

Montessori Classroom

Mrs. Ligia - Supervising Faculty

As part of Montessori Social Studies curriculum, we study one or more continents a semester. During that time, we invite families to talk about their countries, experiences, and cultures with our class. Among the countries we studied are South Korea, North Korea, India, Vietnam, Iran and Japan.

"Once Upon A Classroom"

Reggio 3 Classroom

Mrs. Anna Grace - Supervising Faculty

For the last several months, the three-year-old classroom at the ELRC had been diligently working on writing and illustrating their very own book. The book's title is "Once Upon A Classroom". The pages are filled with individual stories narrated by each student. The students also chose key moments from their stories to draw illustrations for as well. We are so proud of our published authors!

Career Day

As a STEM-designated school, Campus School teachers have a commitment to providing opportunities for students to explore careers. Community and postsecondary STEM/STE(A)M partnerships are established annually. These partnerships provide connections between curriculum taught in the classroom and practical applications outside of school. These partnerships have created an environment in which students develop high-level STEM/STE(A)M skills and knowledge inside and outside of the classroom and increase their readiness for college and careers. These attributes are essential in creating connections between what is taught and real-world settings to sustain a well-rounded STEM/STE(A)M program.

Last month, students in grades 2-5 participated in a Career Day. A variety of community members set up tables in the P.E. Room, Campus School’s multipurpose room, and students rotated through the career fair during a specified block of time. The goal for this event was for students to be exposed to a diverse set of careers and pique their interest in areas of study. For the purpose of this event, the terms 'occupation', 'job', 'profession', and 'career' were referenced as the term 'career'. Additionally, students had the opportunity to 'Dress for Success' for their dream career. Students dressed in school-appropriate professional attire as if they were attending a job interview. Leading up to Career Day, students participated in a series of lessons to learn about how to give handshakes, how to remain eye contact when speaking, and learning about the different careers that were represented at Career Day.

Careers on Wheels - The MLGW Terminator

The Terminator visited Campus School this past month. MLGW’s superhero, the Terminator, came to Half Circle Drive to entertain Kindergarten and First grade students and teach them about electric safety. The fun and colorful bucket truck promoted safe energy use at home. Students also learned about careers at MLGW and all the components that go into learning about electricity!

Careers on Wheels - The Ambulance

Recently, Acadian Ambulance Services visited Campus School Kindergarten and First graders. Students learned about the importance of medical careers. Students had the opportunity to ask the ambulance workers questions and learn about the day to day operations of being a frontline worker. Students then had the opportunity to climb around the ambulance and see the components of the vehicle. This was a wonderful, powerful, and positive learning experience for our students and showed students how important it is to be a helper.

We Care, So We Share - Moriah House

In the spirit of giving, Campus School students collected items December 11th- December 14th for Moriah House. Moriah House is Memphis Union Mission’s safehouse for women and their children. Campus School families helped by donating items such as paper products, school supplies, bedding, toiletry items, cleaning products, and non-perishable food items.

6th grade STEM Wolf River Conservancy Field Trip

The 6th graders had the BEST time at the Wolf River Greenway for their field experience! Students learned about the health of different habitats that will allow them to take a more informed approached with creating their conservancy plans for PBL.

6th & 7th PBL Exhibition Night

Our 6th and 7th grade students showcased their Fall PBL projects last month. Checkout these highlights of projects created by our very own Tigers! We are so proud of your work!

Health Science Career Panel

UHS 10th graders had the opportunity to hear from a variety of professionals at the Health Science Career Panel. This is a great way to explore various career pathways!

Quarter 2 Award Ceremony

UHS students recently celebrated their accomplishments earned during Quarter 2. Way to go Tigers! We are so proud of all of your hard work!

Extended Learning for Spring 2024 kicked off last week! Thank you to our partners, students, and families for a great start to a new semester! We can't wait to showcase all of the amazing learning and activities taking place across our schools!

We have officially shifted all Extended Learning activities registration to Final Forms. You will also notice that this is the same platform for University Schools athletics. This administration platform allows us to go paperless, and easily maintain records of activities for your students. Thank you for your patience as we made the transition!

Please save the Spring EL Guide, linked below in blue, so you can come back and address any questions you may have regarding dates, programs, or other details.

• May 16th – EL Spring 2024 finishes

The Summer Arts Integration & Leadership Immersion Program (SAIL) targets a national audience of rising 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students to live and learn on campus at the University of Memphis.

Participants will engage in academic seminars with distinguished faculty, serve the community through various non-profit volunteer activities, and get to have a taste of life on a college campus by living in a residence hall, eating at the Tiger Food Den, and exploring (with adult supervision) a college campus. SAIL is an amazing opportunity for students to reflect on their next step after graduation.

Applications (click here to apply) are due on Friday, February 23, at 4pm. All admission decisions will be provided by Friday, March 1, at 4 pm. The cost of the experience is $2,000 and includes food, lodging, transportation, and activities. There is a section of the application for consideration of financial assistance.

We are excited to announce that all of our schools have received an "A" according to the Tennessee State Report Card for the 2022-2023 school year, which is the highest rating for any school in the state!

Congratulations to Campus School, University Middle, and University High School for this amazing accomplishment!

The grade reflects performance in measurements of achievement, growth, and college and career readiness. The grading is also a distinct recognition of the the hard work taking place across our schools. Thank you to our directors, faculty, staff, students, and families for all of the hard work you do day in and day out! We are so proud of our Tigers!

Congratulations to the following students at University Middle School for their works of accomplishment! Way to go, Tigers!

• Izzy Stuart (8th grade): Gold Key in Photography, "This Is What Losing Someone Looks Like" Gold Key and Special Award: Junior Division 1st Place in Photography, "A Quiet Drive" Silver Key in Photography, "The Siren"

• Olive Stevens (8th grade): Silver Key in Drawing and Illustration, "Windows"
• Maya Brown (8th grade): Honorable Mention in Sculpture, "The Stingray"
• June Buchanan (8th grade): Honorable Mention in Sculpture, "Making Waves"
• Ash Mosely (8th grade): Honorable Mention in Painting, "Little Girl Drinking Juice"
• MJ Jerrolds (8th grade): Honorable Mention in Drawing and Illustration, "In My Mind"
• Izzy Olivio (8th grade): Honorable Mention in Drawing and Illustration, "Belladonna"

Students with Gold Key winning work will advance to National judging in New York. Their work will be on display at the Brooks Museum from January 26-February 18, 2024. The award ceremony will be Saturday, February 17, 2024.

Campus School’s music department had an exciting month! Fifth Graders from Campus School sang the National Anthem ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies basketball game December 11th. Led by Mrs. Erin Johnson, the students did a great job and had a wonderful time cheering on the Grizz! The National Anthem is very tricky to perform well. Students had to really work at enunciation and the melody is difficult to sing in tune. Our students knocked it out of the park! Campus School 4th graders performed for the University of Memphis President’s Holiday party. They performed holiday songs for a variety of December holidays. Their performance was accompanied by the intermediate guitar students.

Beginning and Intermediate guitar students performed a variety of pieces at the Extended Learning Showcase. The entire school performed holiday songs at Family Gathering for several December holidays. December holidays included Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. All classes learned music for these holidays.

Two of our fabulous lower elementary teachers enjoyed learning some fun STEAM activities at the Literacy Association of Tennessee Conference in Franklin, TN! Allison Buchanan and Carmen Echols represented Campus School at the conference in December.

UHS - Lauren Beaupre - College and Career Coordinator

School Counselor's Week is February 5-9, 2024 and we are excited to highlight our counselors across University Schools! Thank you for all of the hard work that you do to take care of our students, faculty, and families. You are so appreciated!

Congratulations to our very own Kerrith Griffin, Executive Director of University Middle School for being featured on the Meanwhile in Memphis podcast! She was chosen as part of New Memphis Educators of Excellence, which she was recently selected as last fall. Thanks for representing us well, Ms. Griffin! We are grateful for your leadership and commitment to making us better!

Click here to tune in!

It’s hard to believe that it’s 2024 already! Winter sports are coming to a close as we ramp up for an exciting and busy Spring. Big shout out to all of our Winter athletic programs for their hard work as they navigated their way through the setbacks and successes that athletic preparation and competition present. Great job Tigers! You have shown remarkable growth this year. Also, thanks to all of the students and families for supporting our programs. We truly couldn’t do it without you!

As we transition into the new year, let's not overlook the significance of Interscholastic Athletics in shaping our students holistically. These programs are pivotal in improving overall well-being, nurturing character, boosting academic achievements, fostering social and emotional growth, and engaging with the community. Moreover, they provide invaluable life lessons that go beyond competition and training. Our heartfelt applause goes out to our student athletes and their families for their unwavering support of our athletic programs!

As we transition into the Spring, we will launch University Schools Final Forms for Athletics. Many of you may already be familiar with Final Forms through your student's participation in Extended Learning (EL) activities. Final Forms is our Athletics and EL administrative management platform. If you have already created an account for EL, you will use this same account for Athletics. Easy!

Final Forms allows us to go paperless for athletic administration. So, that thick stack of forms you have been filling out every year for your student to play sports is a thing of the past! You will simply access the digital version of these forms in your account, review, and digitally sign each year. Your single account will give you access to all of your student's EL and Athletic activities for Campus School, UMS, and UHS. If your student plans to participate in athletics at University Schools, we ask that you please set up a Final Forms account and complete all of the required forms.

Coaches for each sport will utilize Final Forms for team roster management, emergency contact information, parent communication, and student athlete eligibility.

Our UMS Basketball teams had fantastic seasons. Our UHS Boys finished 3rd in the Division and made it to the playoffs.

Our Cheer team has done a superb job supporting our basketball teams. They have showcased their hard work at nearly every game this season! Great job UMS Cheer!

Our UMS Swim Team has had a great season. They represented UMS very well in the Middle School Swim Championships.

We appreciate all who lend a hand to support University Schools Athletics, especially the hard work and dedication of our coaches. Without them, none of this would be possible! Coaches are the guiding forces behind the success of athletes and teams in sports. Their role extends beyond teaching skills and strategies; they are mentors, motivators, and leaders. Coaches instill discipline, foster teamwork, and inspire confidence in their athletes. They play a crucial role in developing character, teaching resilience, and imparting life lessons that extend well beyond the playing field. Coaches have a profound impact on the personal and athletic growth of their students, making their role indispensable. Thank you coaches!

Campus School

4th Grade Boys Basketball: Coach Ashley Gordon

5th Grade Girls Basketball: Coach Rachel Gibbons

5th Grade Boys Basketball: Coach Sally Parish, Coach Danny Parish, Coach Tiger Thompson

UMS

Girls Varsity Basketball: Coach Alisha Gigger

Boys Varsity Basketball: Coach Joey Patrick, Coach Terrence Williams

Boys JV Basketball: Coach Brodrick Patton

Cheer: Coach Kyla Davis

Swim (Sponsors): Mrs. Bridgette Flack and Mrs. Lori Patterson

UHS

Girls Varsity Basketball: Coach Cedric Lewis

Boys Varsity Basketball: Coach Donte Pryor

Cheer: Coach Kyla Davis

Swim (Sponsors): Mrs. Lori Patterson and Mrs. Bridgette Flack

Special thanks to our University Schools Athletic Support team:

Aaron Whitmore

Tiger Thompson

As our schools grow, so does our need for athletic facilities to practice and compete. Our partnerships with the University of Memphis, Campus Recreation, Transportation, College of Health Sciences, MSCIAA, Shelby Farms Park, and Memphis Youth Athletics are just a few that have played a major role in our ability to host quality athletic programs. This year we are excited to partner with the Memphis Sports and Events Center (MSEC) and The Blue Line! Our Volleyball programs have been cruising in comfort on the Blue Line and practicing in the amazing MSEC! As basketball season approaches, our hoopers will also be riding the Blue Line and practicing at the MSEC! More to follow on opportunities through our MSEC partnership!

We have great parent networks for our family members to join! Our parent networks support our schools through volunteering, fundraising, and providing other supports. Reach out to them today to get involved!

ELRC: Parent Resource Page (Parent Network re-launching soon)

Campus School: Campus School Parent Network. Venmo @umcspn your gift today! Click here to subscribe to CSPN Newsletter.

University Middle: University Middle Parent Network (UMPN)

University High: Parent Resource Page Email the University High School Parent Network at UHighParentNetwork@gmail.com

• February 2: 6th grade STEM Field Trip (Agricenter) / UMS Spelling Bee @ 2:30pm
• February 5-9: School Counselor Week
• February 8: Campus School 5th grade Music Field Trip
• February 9: UMS/UHS Black Excellence Panel / UHS Practice ACT Test 8am-12pm
• February 12-16: Campus School Celebrates Random Acts of Kindness Week
• February 15: Campus School CSPN Family Dinner Night
• February 13-14: UHS Spring Shadow Days
• February 16: UMS/UHS Black History Program
• February 19: Faculty In-Service (NO SCHOOL for Students)
• February 20-22: Campus School & UMS Parent Teacher Conferences
• February 20-23: Campus School Book Fair
• February 23: UMS/UHS Black Excellence Panel / Campus School Black History Month STEM Play
• February 23: UMS 6th grade STEM Field Trip (Overton Park Conservancy)
• February 29: Campus School Black History Program
• February 29-March 7: UMS Quarter 3 CFA's
• March 11-15: Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)
• March 18: Faculty In-Service (NO SCHOOL for Students)

Click here to view the UofM Athletics & Events for the upcoming month. Support our Tigers, and buy tickets here!

Tech News, Information, and Support for University Schools Families

As we approach testing season, this is a friendly reminder to NOT wait to submit a tech ticket for device repairs. If your student device is need of repair, please have it checked by Mrs. Hernandez, so she can get it in, and back to you in working condition, as quickly as possible.

Please reach out to Mrs. Hernandez if you have any questions jessica.hernandez@memphis.edu

A Tech Ticket station has been setup for student use for UHS students on the 4th floor. It is located on the main hallway by the teacher work room. Students may submit a tech ticket for broken and malfunctioning devices + broken or lost chargers. Students may also visit Mrs. Hernandez during Tech Support Hours. See below for more information.

If you are in need of a device repair, don't wait! Submit a request in person to Mrs. Hernandez during her office hours.

Helpful Links

• Bookmark the University Schools 2023-24 Calendar
• University of Memphis Volunteers Form (complete for field trips, festivals, class parties, etc.)
• Bookmark the University Schools website
• Bookmark the University Schools Technology Hub
• Bookmark the University Schools Policy Manual
• Bookmark the University Schools Student & Family Handbook
• Share the University Schools Student Enrollment 2024-25 Interest Form
• Bookmark the University Schools social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

Central Team (901.678.4200)

• Dr. Sally G. Parish, Associate Vice President of Educational Initiatives sally.parish@memphis.edu
• Josh Czupryk, Chief Strategy & Operations Officer, University Schools josh.czupryk@memphis.edu
• Mary Tucker, Assistant Director of Policy and Standards mhtucker@memphis.edu
• Marcos Villa, Assistant Director of Extended Learning marcos.villa@memphis.edu
• Teniesha Anderson, Assistant Director of Operations and Finance tdpender@memphis.edu
• Jessica Hernandez, Coordinator of Technology & Communication jessica.hernandez@memphis.edu
• Keith Loupe, Coordinator of Athletic Programs keith.loupe@memphis.edu
• Art McKenzie, Coordinator of Facilities lmcknze1@memphis.edu
• Michael Carter, UofM Information Technology Liaison michael.carter@memphis.edu

Early Learning & Research Center (ELRC) (901.678.2120)

• Brooke Willis, Executive Director of Early Childhood Programs bwillis3@memphis.edu

Campus School (901.678.2285)

• Dr. Rebecca Scott, Executive Director rhscott@memphis.edu

University Middle (901.678.4200)

• Kerrith Griffin, Executive Director kdgriffin@memphis.edu

University High (901.678.4200)

• Dr. Kristle Hodges-Johnson, Executive Director k.hodges.johnson@memphis.edu

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