University School Weekly Update

University School students will complete 3rd quarter benchmark assessments beginning on Thursday, February 27th. 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. High school students with dual enrollment classes should follow their DE schedule and report to UH classes according to the modified schedule shown below.

Scheduled testing dates for each grade level.

Grades 3 - 4 - Feb. 27 - March 4
Grades 5 - 6 - March 5 - 6
Grades 7-8 and HS - March 3 - 4

Hey K-8 Parents!

We are gearing up for our annual Spring Auction, and we need your help. Every year some of our most anticipated and hotly contested items are our classroom baskets. We're super excited about the themes this year, but we need your help to make them amazing!

Each grade has a unique theme, and we're asking every parent to contribute one item to their child's basket. You can donate any item you wish within the theme, or to make it even easier, our awesome volunteers have created Amazon wish lists for each basket. We are still in need of donations for our classroom baskets. If you haven’t already done so, please donate today!

Check them out:

K Squishmallow Basket:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3B1R7XPGC2HWN?ref=cm_sw_em_r_un_un_WtaLaBnVjYWvc

1st Grade STEM Basket:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2TNZL9DCMDQW5?ref_=wl_share

2nd Grade Wicked Basket:

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2Q7LG8I74FJEI

3rd Grade We Love Our Pets Basket:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/17JXFKONKHTKN?ref_=wl_share

4th Grade One Spoiled Mom Basket:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/O6RL8NQUS2O4?ref_=list_d_wl_ys_list_2

5th Grade Video Game and Gadget Basket:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2O1XLVL6QVM31?ref_=wl_share

6th Grade Cooking and Baking Basket:

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/MLEXNGTJYJ1N

6th Grade Teen Spa Basket:

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2U3EQBJ2PB6ZA

7th Grade Art for Grown Ups and Art for Kids:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1286QNAD4SWLP?ref_=wl_share

8th Grade Disney Basket:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3E8D1TTMMF8J7?ref_=wl_share

Your contributions will help make these baskets a hit and support our school community. Let's make this auction unforgettable!

Thanks a bunch for your generosity and participation!

⛳ A Huge Thank You to Blackthorn Club! 🍽️ We are incredibly grateful to Blackthorn Club for their generous donation to our University School Spring Auction! They have graciously offered a Round of Golf for (4) people (not valid on weekends or holidays) and a delightful Sunday Brunch for (4) people, (excluding alcohol).

This amazing contribution will help support our school and community. 💙 Join us in bidding for these fantastic experiences when our online auction kicks off on April 12th! Thank you, Blackthorn Club, for your incredible generosity and ongoing support for University School. 🌟

If you or your business would like to donate to our auction and be featured as a U School supporter here and on social media, please email Amber Bumgarner at usfoundation.fundraising@gmail.com.

Our University School Spring Shop is now open with a fabulous collection of new designs and colors just in time for spring! 🌼 Whether you're looking for tanks, tees, bags, shorts, skorts, hats, or visors, we've got you covered!

✨ Why shop with us? ✨

• Exclusive Designs: Get your hands on our latest, limited-edition styles.

• Support the School: A portion of every sale goes back to the school, helping to support our community.

Don't Miss Out: Once the store closes on March 6th, these options won't be available again for the rest of the school year.

🛍️ Don't wait! Visit our shop and show off your school spirit: https://bit.ly/41bsjzY

NED’s Mindset Mission Assembly is visiting University School tomorrow, March 3rd!

NED and our students take a journey to find their positive mindset. The show is filled with storytelling, humor, illusions and amazing yo-yo tricks where our kids learn the hidden message in NED's name: Never give up — understand The Power of YET / Encourage others — spark courage in other people / Do your best® — always be learning and growing.

Our school received this assembly at no-cost because another school paid-it-forward to us. We want to help pay-it-forward too, and you can help by purchasing a NED-messaged yo-yo. Do you want to learn to yo? A yo-yo is both a mindset tool and a tangible reminder of NED's message. While learning to yo, children will make mistakes, try again and improve. See attached flyer for more information!

If you want to know more about NED and the presentaiton, please visit:

http://www.mindsetmission.com/assembly.html

SAVE THE DATE ~ JAM fundraiser, Pickin' in the School-Yard is April 12th from 10am-2pm!!!

If you are interested in being a vendor or host a workshop, please sign up at this link before March 10th: https://forms.gle/C7t1qqBT61TQLbRk6

The K–3 Home Library program is an annual summer book delivery initiative that serves public school students across Tennessee, made available by Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF). The purpose of the program is to provide students with books and resources to support learning in the home and help combat student learning loss. This is accomplished by delivering a pack of high- quality, age-appropriate books and literacy building materials directly to the homes of participating elementary school students during the summer, at no cost to families or schools.

If any of our K-2 Families are not interested in participating in this program, please review the Opt-Out information below.

Our school was invited to participate in the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation’s K-3 Home Library program this summer. Through this program, all rising 1st-3rd grade students in our school are being given the opportunity to receive six high-quality books and activity pages, delivered to their homes this summer at no cost to families.

For more information, click here.

By completing the process below, you are opting your child out of participating in the K-3 Home Library program in Summer 2025. This means your child will not receive six high-quality books and activity pages, delivered to your home this summer.

If you choose NOT to participate, call the University School office at (423) 439-4333 and let them know that you would like to opt your child out. Taking this step will ensure your child will NOT receive the books. In order to opt out, you must call by 3:30 PM on Friday, March 7th. After that time, we will
not be able to remove your child from the recipient list.

University School is currently reviewing K-12 Science textbooks/curriculum materials for adoption and implementation during the 2025-2026 school year. Families may preview materials approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education at Washington County’s Midway Center from 9:00-2:00 during the week of March 3-7. Materials may also be viewed digitally at https://www.tn.gov/textbook-commission/textbook-online-samples.html. Comments or other feedback may be submitted using the Google Form link below.

Felix Duncan recently placed sixth in the state at the TSSAA Single A Wrestling Individual Championships.

Felix wrestles for David Crockett High School, which sent eight wrestlers to state this year and had four placers, the most in school history.

Felix served as a team captain and had 40 wins and 8 losses on the season, with 29 wins coming by way of pinfall. On the way to medaling at state, he surpassed the 100 win mark, placed second at section, and was regional champion. Congratulations Felix!!

Congratulations to members of our high school basketball teams on being recognized following the 2025 District Tournament held earlier this week at West Ridge High School. The following University High student athletes were honored:

Girls:
Emma Chandley – Regular Season All-Conference 2024-25
Vania Ortiz – Regular Season All Conference 2024-25, All District Tournament 2025

Boys:
Brady Weems – Regular Season All Conference 2024-25
Paddy Boynewicz -- Regular Season All Conference 2024-25
Mason Croley -- Regular Season All Conference 2024-25, All District Tournament 2025
Andrew Cole – Regular Season Watauga Valley Conference Player of the Year 2024-25, All District Tournament 2025

The high school boys soccer team is looking for help keeping the scoreboard & stats at home games, which are held at the Winged Deer turf fields. High schoolers will get volunteer hours for helping. Please use the link below to signup or reach out to Amanda Onks for more information (amanda.g.onks@gmail.com).

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0E4AA8A72AA3F9C25-54972530-uhboys

March

3 - Third Quarter Benchmark Testing (grades 3-4 & 7-12)

3 - NED Character Education Program (Grades K-6)

3 - HS Tennis @ Greenville High

3 - MS Baseball @ Unaka

3 - MS Softball @ Happy Valley

3 - Beta Club Meeting @ 3:00 PM in School Library

3 - D&D Club @ 3:15 PM in Mrs. Doran's Classroom

3 - MS Cheer Parent Interest Meeting (U-School Gym @ 5:00 PM)

4 - 3 - Third Quarter Benchmark Testing (grades 3-4 & 7-12)

4 - Girls on the Run from 3:00 - 4:30 PM in School Library

4 - Key Club Meeting

4- HS Dance Team Parent Interest Meeting in Cafeteria @ 5:00 PM

4 - MS Baseball HOME vs Cloudland @ 5:30 PM (Winged Deer Park - Huff 1)

5 - Third Quarter Benchmark Testing (grades 5-6)

5 - Field Trip for HS Criminal Justice Class

5 - Math Help Club from 3:00-4:15 in School Library

6 - Girls on the Run from 3:00 - 4:30 PM in School Library

6 - HS Softball HOME vs Hampton @ 4:30 PM (Winged Deer - Huff 2)

6 - MS Baseball HOME vs Hampton @ 5:30 PM (Winged Deer - Huff 1)

6 - MS Softball HOME vs Unaka @ 5:30 PM (Winged Deer - Huff 5)

6 - MS Boys' Soccer @ Rogersville (6:00 PM)

6 - HS Boys' Soccer HOME vs Elizabethon @ 6:30 PM (Winged Deer - Ellis E)

6 - HS Track & Field Scrimmage (Time - TBD)

7 - HS Softball @ Hancock County (5:00 PM)

7 - MS Baseball HOME vs Church Hill @ 5:00 PM (Winged Deer - Huff 1)

7 - HS Baseball HOME vs Sevier County @ Milligan University (5:30 PM)

8-30 - University School Spring Break

8 - HS Baseball HOME vs Boone @ 1:00 PM (Broyles Field)

8 - HS Track & Field @ West Ridge for Alpha Wolf Relays (Time - TBD)

10 - HS Softball HOME vs. Happy Valley (Winged Deer - Huff 2)

10 - MS Baseball HOME vs. Jonesborough (Winged Deer - Huff 1)

11- HS Softball @South Greene (JV after)

11 - MS Boys' Soccer @ Unicoi

11 - HS Soccer @ West Ridge (Time TBD)

12 - MS Soccer HOME vs. Chuckey-Doak (CPA Field)

13 - HS Soccer @ Volunteer

13 - HS Track & Field Elizabethton Early Bird Meet

14 - HS Softball @ Mitchell (NC)

14 - HS Baseball @ Crockett (JV After)

15 - HS Baseball vs. Johnson County (Time & Location TBD)

17 - HS Baseball @ Cloudland (JV After)

17 - HS Softball @ Cherokee (JV after)

17 - MS Baseball HOME vs Chucky-Doak (Winged Deer - Huff 1)

18 - HS Baseball vs. Cloudland @ Home (JV After)

18 - HS Softball vs. Unaka (JV after)

18 - MS Baseball @Jonesborough

20 - HS Softball @ I.A.M. (JV after)

20 - HS track & field DB Opener @ KPT

20 - HS Baseball @ DB (Time TBD)

21 - HS Baseball vs. Hampton (Time & Location TBD)

24 - HS Baseball vs. Unaka (Location TBD) -JV After

24 - MS Softball HOME vs. Providence (Winged Deer - Huff 5)

24 - Teachers Return from Spring Break

24 - 28 - Teacher Professional Development Days

25 - HS Baseball @ Unaka (JV After)

25 - MS Softball HOME vs. Cloudland Middle (Winged Deer - Huff 5)

27 - 29 - HS Softball @ Sweetwater (Overnight)

27 - 29 - HS Baseball Clinch River Class @ Knox West

28 - HS Track & Field Hardin Valley @ KNOX

28 - HS Soccer vs. Carter HS Tournament (Location TBD)

29 - HS Soccer Tournament vs. Gibbs HS (Location TBD)

31 - Students Return from Spring Break

31 - D&D Club @ 3:15 PM in Mrs. Doran's Classroom

31 - HS Baseball vs. North Greene (Location TBD) -JV After

31 - HS Softball HOME vs. Mitchell, NC (Winged Deer - Huff 2)

31 - MS Baseball HOME vs Happy Valley (Winged Deer - Huff 1)

31 - MS Softball @ Hampton Elementary

31 - MS Soccer HOME vs. Unicoi (CPA Fields)