University School Weekly Update

• It has been brought to our attention that some families are parking in the ETSU Medical offices on West Walnut Street. This lot must remain open for the medical facility to operate safely, so we ask that you do not park or arrange for a pick-up in this lot.
• All student drivers must have an ETSU parking pass if parking on campus.
• Please do not use cell phones while waiting or driving in the pick-up lanes. We have a lot of pedestrian and car traffic, so we need everyone to remain vigilant of your surrounding in order to keep everyone safe and to keep the traffic moving.

Interim Reports Go Out This Week! Most of you have been at University School for awhile and know how interim reports work, but we wanted to give everyone a reminder and explain it to new students.

Every 4-1/2 weeks (meaning mid-term and end of term) teachers turn in a report to administration for any students who have a "D or below" in any class. Along with a report of the grades, teachers leave comments about why the grade is so low and suggestions for ways to bring it up. Once the reports are received, they are mailed out to parents, and a team of teachers and administrators meet in person to discuss each student individually to create a plan for success.

The interventions may include parent/teacher conferences, scheduling time in the testing lab, extra help, etc. The most common intervention in high school is changing students to a different study hall.

Not only are these reports used to ensure academic success, they are also the checkpoint for athletic eligibility.

Now, is the time to turn in any missing assignments and to make up any missed tests or quizzes--before the reports are completed and released.

If you are struggling in a class, please go see Dr. Shaw or Ms. India in the counseling office and they will try to find a way to help!

We want your input! As the Foundation kicks off another school year, we would love your feedback and input to help shape our focus for the year. Please complete the short attached survey.

The Art to Remember fundraiser is back this year! Our students are working hard on beautiful artwork and their personalized order forms will be sent home after fall break. If your student does not have an art class but would like to participate, please see Ms. Colson for the paper to use for their creation. Fill the page with color - bright colors show up best on the finished products (no highlighters or colored pencils)! For more information or any questions, please reach out to usfoundation.president@gmail.com.

REMINDER! Middle school grade level shirt order forms are due on Monday, August 11th. These shirts will be worn for field trips, field day, etc. Cost is $7 per shirt. A hard copy order form has been sent home and is included below. Extra copies of the forms are in the front office.

We are now collecting different types of dots (buttons, beads, sequins, lids, bottle caps, etc.) for our collaborative Dot Day Artwork. Dots can be dropped off in one of the donation tubs located at the school.

We are excited to announce our 2025 University School's Magic and Mischief Fall Festival will be on Thursday, October 23!

This year, the theme is Harry Potter! You have all been so generous in the past and have helped the foundation raise the money needed to support our school! Students are LOVING the new playground, and we couldn’t have done it without your help!

We want to extend the opportunity to, once again, help our University School Foundation raise money for future projects (ex: benches & trash cans around the playground, a new outdoor covered dining/learning area, special teacher funding requests etc.). Our goal is $15,000. If you own a business or would like to sponsor as a family, please fill out the attached sponsorship form and return it to the office. Thank U for all your support!!

Thank you to all the parents and students who came out for Senior Sunrise! The clouds may have hidden the sunrise, but they couldn’t dim the spirit of the Class of 2026. We had a fantastic turnout and a fun morning—thanks to our amazing senior parent volunteers who made it all happen.

☁️☀️ The future is still shining bright for this incredible class!

Please note: there are still a few chairs and blankets that were left from the event. If these belong to you, please stop by the school office to pick them up.

Huge thanks to the amazing businesses supporting our Senior Class! Your generosity is helping make senior year unforgettable.

🎉 Participating Discount Card Partners (so far): Greekos • Bubbakoo's Burritos • Dos Gatos Coffee Bar • Chicken Salad Chick • Italian Pizza Pub • Barbaritos • Boomtown & Co • The Black Olive • Auntie Ruth's • Into the Fire • Tropical Smoothie • Holiday Lanes • The Scoop • Juan Siao • Buffalo Wild Wings JC • Little Caesars (RMG) • Chili's Grill & Bar • Mountain View Restaurant • Burg'r n Barrell

💌 Are you a U-School parent who owns a business—or do you have a favorite spot you'd love to see on the card? Email us at seniorclassuh@gmail.com to get involved!

Applications are now being accepted from qualifying junior or senior high school students to participate in the 2026 United States Senate Youth Program. Two Tennessee student delegates will be selected to attend the USSYP Washington Week planned for March 7-6, 2026. The selected delegates will also receive a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship from The Hearst Foundations. Applications close on September 22. More information about the program, including qualification criteria and application materials, can be found on the Tennessee Student Opportunities webpage.

On Monday and Tuesday, August 18 and 19, we will have a Distracted Driving Simulator at University School. This lets students experience what it is like to drive while distracted by things like phones or passengers. The point of the experience is for students to understand the importance of not being distracted while driving. The simulation takes 5-7 minutes and we plan to schedule all of our 10th graders to experience the simulator. The schedule for students will be posted in the office and teachers will also be made aware and help remind students when it is their time to go.

If you do not want your 10th grader to take part in this simulation, please email Dr. Day (daya@etsu.edu) so we can remove them from the schedule.

We have a few time slots available for 11th and 12th grade students. They need to come by the office to sign up for a time slot. Time slots available on a first come first serve basis.

5 Mile Club:

• First Grade: Charlotte Pratt & Kendal Stinson
• Second Grade: Chyler Mullins
• Third Grade: Theo Carter
• Fourth Grade: Christian Brady
• Fifth Grade: Olivia Gonder & Olivia Delong
• Sixth Grade: James Adams
• Seventh Grade: Taylar Barnett

10 Mile Club:

• Third Grade: Leo Giuliani

15 Mile Club:

• Fifth Grade: Levon Hanson & Dominic Morrey

Mrs. Kristen Johnson, High School English and Advanced Placement Teacher, on the upcoming release (August 21st) of her second book in the trilogy series she has written.

Mrs. Johnson will be promoting the release this week on Daytime Tri-Cities this Tuesday and on Friday during an author visit at the Kingsport Public Library.

Congratulations Mrs. Johnson, we are proud of you and look forward to the upcoming release of your new book!

Athletic Season Passes are now on sale. These are year-long passes and will get you in all middle and high school University School events except for tournaments.

Athletic Pass Prices:

• Student Pass: $35.00 each available to all enrolled students at University School with seating in General Admission.

• Adult Pass: $75.00 each available to adults or college students with seating in General Admission.

• Family Pass: $175.00 per family (IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS ONLY– to include General Admission passes for two adults and up to four school age children living in the immediate household).

Middle School Girls Basketball -- Parent/Player Interest Meeting will be held Tuesday, August 19 at 5:30pm in the School Library. Our new coach will be introduced and speak to parents and players, including he plans for getting workouts started. E-mail Coach Penley with any questions (penleyj@etsu.edu).

Case Benchmark Quarter 1 Testing Window - Sept. 4 - Sept 12
Senior ACT Retake - October 7
Optional PSAT/NMSQT for 11th Grade Students - October 14

University School Testing Calendar - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BApkbePIr6L_ZSNp2xid_2_8GCLx0PMzVtlCpVlNyjM/edit?usp=sharing

Naturalist Marty Silver will be visiting the library on Tuesday, August 12th at 6 p.m. Kids of all ages and their families will have the opportunity to learn more about nature with Marty’s engaging, interactive presentation in the King Commons Natural Adventure Area. No registration.

READing Paws is held from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, August 16th. Ages 5-10 register for a private 15-minute time slot to read to a trained listening dog in the Library's Storytime Room. Registration is required at jcpl.org/events.

Pokémon Trading Card Day is held Saturday, August 30th from 2-3 p.m. in the Children's Library. Kids of all ages bring Pokémon or other types of cards to trade. No registration.

Visit jcpl.org/events to find more upcoming events.

Please Note: This is the menu published by Washington County Schools and may vary slightly since we operate on a different academic calendar.

August

11 - Online High School Niswonger Classes Begin

11 - HS Golf - Tri-Cities Golf Club (3:30 PM)

11 - MS Girls' Soccer Away v. TN MS JV (7:00 PM)

12 - MS Girls' Soccer Away v. Unicoi (5:30 PM)

12 - High School Girls' Soccer Scrimmage Home v. Daniel Boone (6:30 PM)

14 - High School Girls' Soccer Scrimmage Away v. TN High (6:30 PM)

14 - HS Golf - Pine Oaks GC (3:30 PM)

18 - MS Girls' Soccer Home v. Providence (5:30 PM)

19 - HS Golf - Pine Oaks GC (3:30 PM)

20 - Dismissal @ 1:00 PM for all students

20 - MS Girls' Soccer Home v. Cocke County (6:00 PM)

21 - HS Golf - Pine Oaks GC (3:30 PM)

23 - Middle & High School Cross Country - Run for the Hills (South Holston Dam)

25 - MS Girls' Soccer Home v. Lakeway (6:00 PM)

25 - HS Golf - Warriors Path GC (4:00 PM)

26 - School Picture Day for Grades K-11

26 - MS Girls' Soccer Away v. Indian Trail JV (7:30 PM)

28 - HS Golf - Twin Creeks GC (4:00 PM)

30 - High School Cross Country - Arthur Ashe (Knoxville)

Please note the following changes to our schedule this fall:

• August 20th - 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: 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