University School Weekly Update
July 16 - July 22, 2023
Family Update: September 3 - 9, 2023
No School on Monday, September 4th due to Labor Day Holiday
Tennessee Growth & Achievement Score
Congratulations to our students, faculty and staff on achieving a Level 5 status in academic growth for the 2022-2023 school year! Way to Go Bucs - we are proud of you!
Best High Schools - U.S. News & World Report
Way to Go University High Bucs on achieving a #12 ranking out of the 445 High Schools in Tennessee and #1,130 out of the 17,680 High Schools in the Country. This places University School in the Top 3% of schools in the state and within the Top 7% in the Country! This is an incredible accomplishment and one that is a direct reflection of the high standards and commitment to excellence displayed by our school community. Thank you to our faculty, staff, students, parents, ETSU and Washington County/Johnson City Community Partners for all their continued support and dedication toward the overall growth and success of our school!
HS Seniors: TN Free Application Month
School Picture Make-up Day
Final Forms - Please Complete and Sign
We have several families and students (grades 6-12) who still need to complete and sign the FinalForms documents that house all of our back-to-school forms for the year. This is new platform that we are using which will streamline the process moving forward. We thank you for your continued patience as we have made this transition.
Regarding safety guideline questions, the forms required for athletes are the same as the paper versions you have been providing. The same individuals who have access to those paper copies are the same ones allowed access to the electronic versions. The medical information you submit is pre-loaded for you to print and to take to your doctor to streamline those visits as well; however, you may also print the blank form and upload them or have our staff upload for you if needed. If you have any questions regarding the FinalForms for Athletics, please reach out to Mr. Dustin Honeycutt or to Dr. Ariane Day for any of the school only related documents.
Fall Break Camp Options (5-12 Year Olds)
It has been brought to our attention that the Johnson City Parks will be offering two camp weeks over our fall break at the Memorial Park Community Center for students ages 5 -12. These camps will run October 2-6 and October 9-13. There are limited slots still available for each camp, so if interested we advise you register early. It is our assumption the camp schedule and plans will be a repeat from one week to the next, so please be aware of that possibility since they are scheduled to coincide with the Washington County and Johnson City Schools fall breaks.
Information about the camps and the links for registration to each week are listed below:
- Camp Description: Enjoy fall break at MPCC. During camp they will enjoy sports, arts and crafts, movies, games, and swimming. Please pack a lunch and a snack for your child every day. Camp is from 9:00am-4:00pm with an option for early drop off and late pick up at 7:30am and 5:30pm for an additional $10.Camp information will be emailed to each participant. Please be sure your email is up to date.
- October 2 - 6th link: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/jcparks/activity/search/detail/1547?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true
- October 9 - 13th link: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/jcparks/activity/search/detail/1857?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true
University School Foundation Playground Replacement Project
We are very excited to announce that, after several years of discussion, fundraising, and planning, we have finally received permission to move forward with our goal to renovate our backyard space with a community-built playground.
We are working with a great company called Play by Design. Our new playground and backyard space will be imagined by our children this coming week as they each contribute ideas and drawings to our designer.
On Friday, October 27th our designer will be at our school for Design Day to talk with all of our students about their ideas. She will utilize their suggestions to draw our school’s new custom-designed playground, which will then be revealed to our school community during our Fall Festival that evening.
We are looking for volunteers to serve on our Playground Committee now - to help with planning and preparations; specifically to help with:
- Fundraising and donations
- Volunteer coordination
- Publications
- Materials
- Special Needs
As the actual build day approaches we will need our entire school community and beyond to get involved. Please reach out to Shellie Ford (usplayground@univschool.etsu.edu), who is volunteering as the University School Foundation Playground Project general coordinator, if you are willing to help in any way.
We are so excited this is happening and will share more details as things continue to move forward.
University School Foundation Meeting Schedule
The University School Foundation is open to all parents interested in attending. The meeting dates are listed below and are scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM in the school library on each of the designated days. Immediately following the meeting, all executive officers will remain to vote on pending requests.
September 5th
September 21st
November 6th
December 4th
January 8th
February 5th
March 4th
April 2nd
May 6th
June 3rd (tentative time. The last meeting of the year is typically used for voting members to vote on any requests needed for the summer, as well as to vote on the 24-25 board and budget)
U-School Foundation Fall Festival
The University School Foundation will host its annual Fall Festival on Friday, October 27th. This will be a night of family fun with proceeds going to help fund the annual operating budget of the Foundation. The Foundation uses these funds to provide a variety of programs, equipment, and technology for the students of University School. The Fall Festival is a fun event that encourages students, families, and the community to come out and support the school while enjoying inflatables, trunk-or-treat, costume contests and other activities. Wristbands and tickets will be available for purchase soon. We can't wait to see everyone at The Monster Mash Bash!!
Fall Festival Community Sponsors Needed
Hey there University School families! We are super excited to host our annual Fall Festival Fundraiser coming up on October 27th - The Monster Mash Bash! It's a night of classic monsters and spooky fun for the whole family. It's one of the students' favorite events, but we need your help! We are so excited about the support we have already received - Thank you for your generosity! We can't pull off an event like this without the financial support of our business community and families. Please consider sponsoring our event or asking a local business to help. All levels of sponsorship are important to the success of the Foundation's programs and any amount is appreciated. Check it out below, grab a form from the office, or visit our website at https://ourschool.support/2023MonsterMash to see all the perks of being an Official Monster Sponsor including having your family name or business on our event T-Shirt.
Monster Mash Bash Trunk or Treat
Senior ACT Retake
All seniors will participate in the ACT senior retake on Tuesday, October 17th. This is mandatory for all students in Tennessee. Room assignments will be sent out over break via email and the senior Canvas Counseling page. Students testing in alternative locations will receive information prior to testing. Check your emails over break!
Seniors will need to bring the following items on test day.
CHARGED, School Issued Chromebook (see Mr. Moore if you do not have a school issued device)
Charging Cord
ACT Approved Calculator (https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/ACT-calculator-policy.pdf)
#2 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, and smart watches.
PreACT Grades 8-10
All students in grades 8-10 will take the Pre-ACT on Tuesday, October 17th. Testing room assignments will be sent out over break via email. Check your emails over break!
Students will need to bring the following items on test day.
ACT Approved Calculator (https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/ACT-calculator-policy.pdf)
#2 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, and smart watches.
Reminder - Remote Day for 11th Grade Only
Tuesday, October 17th will be a remote date for all students in 11th grade. Assignments will be posted in Canvas.
University School Student Highlights
Sathvik Ramu - AP Research Presentation
Sathvik presented a poster presentation of the research findings from his AP Research project this summer at the 52nd Annual Symposium of The Voice Foundation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The poster was titled “Generation Z’s Attitudes Toward Individuals with Glottal Fry.” His research was supervised by Dr. Chaya Nanjundeswaran from Speech-Language Pathology at ETSU. Excellent Job, Sathvik - we are proud of you and thank you for representing our school community in Philly!
Jordan Havert - Eagle Scout Honoree
Congratulations to Jordan Havert on her recent Court of Honor Ceremony recognizing her for successfully completing all of the requirements for the Boy Scouts of America's highest rank. Jordan is the first female in NE Tennessee to receive this rank and honor. The ceremony took place this weekend in Gray with Troops 360 and 240 in attendance along with her family, friends, mentors, teachers and administrators. Jordan is the fourth member of her family to achieve the Eagle Scout Ranking - Way to Go, Jordan!
Cooper Booth, AJ Campbell, Owen Henley, and Cooper Onks
Way to Go, Cooper, AJ, Owen and Cooper on their victory at the Triangle United Fall Classic in Chapel Hill, NC. Their travel soccer team brought home the championship after remaining undefeated over the course of four games.
Elementary Art Exhibit at Johnson City Public Library
The following students in 1st through 4th grade will have their artwork on display at the Johnson City Public Library for the month of September.
Students with work displayed are listed below:
1st: Aria, Swasthi, Robert Bruce, Miles T., Carver, & Mae
2nd: Lucas, Emily, Charli, Natalie, Juniper, & Calliope
3rd: Clara, Ruby, Makenna, Nora, Jasper, & Sadie
4th: James, Irene, Liam, Zoee, Jasper, Vihaan, Laney, Archer, Brynlei, Barrett, Nolan, & Virgil
Figuratively Speaking - Art Exhibit @ Reece Museum
Figuratively Speaking: Art Inspired by the Reece Museum Permanent Collection
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Figuratively Speaking: Art Inspired by the Reece Museum Permanent Collection is now on display at ETSU’s Reece Museum through September 22. A reception will be held on Saturday, September 9, from 1 to 3pm.
Figuratively Speaking is an exhibition curated and organized by Lyn Govette, a local artist, curator and educator. The project was mentored by art teachers from Providence Academy and University High School and began with Govette selecting artifacts from the Reece Museum permanent collection that heavily feature or represent the human form. Students, grades 10 through 12, from both Providence Academy and University school then created their very own works of art inspired by these selected artifacts.
Speaking on the project and exhibition, curator Lyn Govette says, “One of my greatest pleasures as an artist is collaborating with other people to create art in the community, and it's especially a privilege to be able to reach out to the youth of our community and offer them opportunities to display their creativity.”
Portraying the human figure is more than simply reproducing a likeness of a person in a painting or sculpture; it also captures and expresses the artist's view of their subject. These emotive artworks can cause us to feel sorrow, amusement, identification, empathy, or even adoration. Artists continue to find inspiration in the figures of dignitaries, royalty, heroes, deities, saints, and people they personally know. The thirty-two students featured in this exhibition have followed this grand tradition by submitting their artworks of the human figure.
When presented with the idea for this exhibition, Reece staff were excited to be involved. “This exhibition provides students with a museum experience and it also allows us to share a unique selection of our art collection for young artists to engage with,” says Spenser Brenner, Exhibition Coordinator at the Reece. Brenner continued, “The Reece has a proud history of working with local curators and educators to provide meaningful art experiences to the region, and we are happy to continue that legacy with Figuratively Speaking.”
The Reece Museum is a unit of the Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services, which is housed in the ETSU Department of Appalachian Studies. The Reece Museum is located on the campus of East Tennessee State University and is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Follow the Reece Museum on social media for more content and digital programming. For more information, please visit http://www.etsu.edu/reece or phone (423) 439-4392. ETSU is an AA/EEO employer.
For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346.
Rep. Harshbarger To Host Third Annual Military Academy Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) announced that she will be hosting her third annual Military Service Academy Day for students and their families in Tennessee's First Congressional District who are interested in learning about the educational opportunities available at the United States Service Academies.
"Attending one of our nation's elite service academies is a tremendous honor, and I am proud to assist students in East Tennessee who seek to serve our country in the future," said Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger. "I am excited to announce my office's third annual Military Service Academy Day, and connect prospective cadets with representatives from our nation's military academies. Through sharing their distinct experiences and unique programs with students intending to serve, this annual event is an important opportunity for our nation's next generation of military leadership."
Students will have an opportunity to speak with representatives about course selections, extracurricular activities, and more.
The event will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at the Kingsport Center for Higher Education, located at 300 W. Market Street in Kingsport, TN. Registration begins at 9:00 AM.
RSVPs are required for attendance. Attendees are encouraged to contact Congresswoman Harshbarger's office for updates and seat confirmations at: TN01.Academy@mail.house.gov.
Representatives from the following Military Academies will be in attendance:
- U.S. Air Force Academy
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- U.S. Naval Academy
- U.S. Military Academy - West Point
Join the National Congressional App Challenge!
The Congressional App Challenge is OPEN - students from across the country have until November 1, 2023 to Code for Congress!
The Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the House of Representatives aimed at encouraging middle and high school students nationwide to spark a passion for CS. Students can code apps on any subject using any coding language, and over 300 participating Member of Congress will select local winning teams to represent their district at the U.S. Capitol next spring.
To learn more, confirm your Member of Congress is hosting, or begin the registration process, visit the website.
Fall Formal - Grades 9-12
FALL FORMAL: Saturday Nov. 4th, 2023, at the Heritage in Jonesborough, 7:30pm-10:30pm.
The Fall Formal is open to all 9th -12th grade University School Students. Outside Guests are not allowed. Students must purchase tickets prior to the dance. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Tickets will go on sale after fall break. Please see Students Handbook for dress code and exceptions for special occasions.
Middle School Co-Op Wrestling Opportunity
University School is connected with Crockett High for a Co-Op for Wrestling, so they are able to allow our students to wrestle at the Middle School and High School level. The Middle School season is September to December, and they practice from 6:00 - 8:00p.m. at DCHS on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. Please contact Coach Hylton if you are interested in participating. There will be a parent meeting early September for more information.
Jerry Hylton
4239481295
Scholarship Opportunity - HS Seniors
Seniors Getting ready for the
2024 Coke Scholars application!
The Coca-Cola Scholarship (open to high school students who will graduate during the 2023-2024 academic year) will be available from their website August 1 through October 2, 2023. Note they have an earlier deadline this year!
Click here to view program details and a listing of the 2023 Coke Scholars.
Calendar of Events
4 - Holiday - No School for Students
5 - HS Girls Soccer Home vs Chuckey Doak @ 6:30 PM
7 - MS Girls Soccer Home vs Chuckey Doak @ 5:00 PM, ETSU CPA
9 - MS Cross Country Meet, time TBA, @ Ashley Academy
9 - HS Cross Country, Knights Crossing Invitational, Salem, VA
11 - MS Cross Country Meet, time TBA @ Providence
12 - MS Girls Soccer Home vs Lakeway @ 5:00 PM, ETSU CPA
12 - HS Girls Soccer Away vs West Ridge @ 6:30 PM
14 - MS Girls Soccer Home vs Cocke County @ 5:00 PM, ETSU CPA
14 - HS Soccer Home vs Cumberland Gap @ 6:30 PM
15 - Annie Jr. @ 7:00 PM, Bud Frank Theater
16 - Annie Jr. @ 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM, Bud Frank Theater
16 - MS Cross Country Meet, time TBA @ Jonesborough
16 - HS Cross Country, Fender's Farm, Jonesborough, TN
18 - HS Girls Soccer Away vs Elizabethton @ 6:30 PM
19 - MS Cross Country Sectionals, time TBA @ Daniel Boone
19 - MS Girls Soccer Away vs Chuckey Doak (CDMS) @ 5:00 PM
21 - HS Girls Soccer Away vs Boone @ 5:30 PM
22 - Last Day of Quarter 1
25 - MS Girls Soccer Away vs Church Hill @ 5:30 PM
25 - Fall Break Begins (September 25-October 16)
26 - HS Girls Soccer Away vs Pigeon Forge @ 6:00 PM
28 - MS Girls Soccer Exhibition Game Home vs Unicoi @ 5:00 PM, ETSU CPA (8th Grade Night)
28 - HS Girls Soccer Home vs Unicoi @ 6:30 PM
30 - HS Cross Country, Bristol Cross, Bristol
October
3 - HS Girls Soccer Home vs Sullivan East @ 6:30 PM
5 - HS Girls Soccer Away vs TN High @ 6:00 PM
13 - Teacher In-service Day No School for Students
14 - HS Cross Country, Trailblazer, Bristol, TN
16 - Teacher PD Day No School for Students
17 - Quarter 2 Begins, Students Return EXCEPT Grade 11 (see testing update)
24 - HS Cross Country, Region 1A-AA and AAA Championships, Gray
25 - MAKE-UP PICTURE DAY for Grades K-11
November
3 - HS Cross Country, Class A/AA TSSAA State Championship, Hendersonville
10 - Holiday, No School
22-24 - Holiday, No School
December
15 - Last Day of Quarter 2, Dismissal @ 11:00 AM
16 - Winter Break Begins (December 16 - January 7)