University School Weekly Update

Congratulations to the University School Class of 2024 "Top Ten!" This year's class had 25 students with a weighted 4.0 or higher. Their future is bright and we can't wait to see what all they achieve!

PLEASE MARK THE DATE: SOLAR ECLIPSE – MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2024 – PLANNED EARLY DISMISSAL

On April 8, 2024, Tennessee will experience a partial solar eclipse. Per nasa.gov, our area will experience an 87% solar eclipse that is indicated to be at its maximum between 3:05 pm - 3:15 pm. The maximum eclipse activity will be during the time of school dismissal.

Out of an abundance of caution, we will dismiss school 2 HOURS EARLY at 1:00 PM on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Lunch will be served at school prior to dismissal.

No after school events (including after-care), programs, and/or practices will be permitted to begin until 4:30 p.m. or later on this date.

All students will be provided eclipse glasses to take home for viewing, please adhere to all safety recommendations prior to using.

Additional information on how to safely view the solar eclipse can be found on the NASA website via this link:https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety

Graphic representation of the timing of the solar eclipse path provided by NASA is as follows:

We are thrilled to announce that this year's outstanding teacher award recipient for University School is Ms. Meg Robinson, who teaches HS English (9th & 11) and AP Seminar and Research. Ms. Robinson consistently goes above and beyond, volunteering as a sponsor for multiple student clubs and serves as a member of the ETSU Faculty Senate. She is an incredible teacher and we couldn't be prouder to have her as the 2024 award recipient for our school!

We enjoyed celebrating Dr. Ariane Day this past Friday during National Assistant Principal's Week. Dr. Day has been a member of the University School Faculty for over 20 years and is an incredible asset to our team. Thank you, Dr. Day - we are so lucky to have you on our team and appreciate all that you do for our students and school community!

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.

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).

Individual student score reports from the third quarter benchmarks will be sent home this week. Students will receive a score report for each tested subject. These reports contain projected achievement levels for the spring TCAP/EOC tests as well as information regarding how students performed on test domains/assessed standards. Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss the reports with their children. Should you have questions regarding your child’s performance, reach out to their teacher for additional information.

University School will be administering state-mandated TCAP Achievement Assessments to students in grades 3-8 and those enrolled in high school subjects with End of Course exams beginning on Monday, April 15, 2023 and ending Tuesday, April 30, 2023.

Required TCAP Assessments for students in grades 3-8 include: Math, English/Language Arts (ELA), Science, and Social Studies. High School End of Course assessments are required for English I and II, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Biology, and US History.

April 17th and 25th will be remote learning days for students in grades 7-12. Students in grades K-6 and any student scheduled to take an EOC/SDC Challenge Exam/ASVAB test are required to attend school on campus from 8:00 - 3:00. Assignments and remote learning expectations will be communicated by your child’s teacher.

Parent request days will not be approved during state testing. Please do not schedule appointments on testing days and encourage your child to do well on the tests and help them at home by doing the following:

• Discuss the tests with your child to ease their worries and show you are interested.
• Make sure your child goes to bed early and gets plenty of rest.
• Make sure your child eats a good breakfast.
• Arrive at school on time.
• Send your child to school with words of encouragement.

TestNav Practice - an online tutorial is available for grade 6-8 and EOC students who wish to practice navigating in the testing platform. Go to: https://home.testnav.com/

University School has been doing several security upgrades this year through recent safety funding from the Governor's office. These upgrades which will include the following:

• Second SRO housed in Warf-Pickel and Brooks Gym
  
• New Front Door Entry Camera and buzz in system
• New security camera installation to monitor interior and exterior halls and entry points
• New Raptor Check-in System

The new check-in system will require any visitor entering the building to scan their license or government issued ID in the front office. As a result, we ask that you please be sure to make sure that you have IDs available when entering the building.

"Pickin' in the School-Yard", our annual JAM fundraiser, will take place this Saturday (4/13) from 10am-2pm! Please come out and celebrate this beautiful day of art at University School.

Appalachian music will be provided by ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots, Music Studies, JAM of Upper East Tennessee, and University School students from Elementary, Middle, and High School. "Our community garden", a K-8 collaborative canvas, will also be on display. Vendors will be available for purchase. $3 suggested admission.

Schedule:

10-10:35 ETSU Old-time band (outside)

10:40-11 Elementary school (school gym)

11-11:40 ETSU Old-Time band (outside)

11:40-12 Middle and High School Choruses (school gym)

12-1 JAM Showcase (outside)

1-1:45 ETSU Bluegrass band (outside)

Donations (tax deductible) can be made:

• at admission to the event or through jaminthemountains.com

Contact for questions:

Kim Allison

allisonk@etsu.edu

Be sure to come by and see the latest K-8 art students' collaborative canvas at Pickin' in the School yard on Saturday, April 13th, 10am-2pm on the front lawn of University School!

The University School High School Prom will take place on Saturday April 27, 2024, from 7:30-10:30pm, at the Carnegie Hotel, lower ballroom. The prom is open to Juniors and Seniors. Students can bring one guest who is not a current Junior or Senior. Guests must be at least in high school and must be under 21 years old (photo ID will be checked for guests who are not current University School students). A guest permission form must be completed and turned in to Dr. Day for any guests who are not current University School students. Forms must be received no later than Wednesday 4/24/24.

To register for prom, students need to complete the steps below:

1. Submit your registration no later than 4/26/24.
2. Purchase one or more tickets (University School Seniors are free - do not purchase a ticket).
3. If you are brining a guest who is not a current University School student, turn in the completed guest permission form to Dr. Day no later than Wednesday 4/24/24.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Day (daya@etsu.edu).

The Jonesborough Storytelling Guild hosts tours at the Christopher Taylor Cabin in Jonesborough on the 4th Saturday of every month from 11:00 - 2:00 PM. They are in need of people who will give a little 5-minute history of the cabin (training provided on April 20th at 1:00 PM) for people as they come and go. They are very interested in using our HS students, so if you are interested you may reach out to the storytelling guild directly or stop by and see Dr. Dycus for more information.

University High School girls basketball will be having open gyms on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Lower Brooks from 3:30-5:00pm throughout the month of April. Current students in grades 8-11 that are interested in playing high school basketball next season are encouraged to attend. Please contact Coach Hazelwood at hazelwoodbud@gmail.com with any questions.

The University High boys basketball team will be having off season workouts every Wednesday & Friday 3:30pm-5:00pm for the months of April & May. This is open to any high school or 8th student interested in tryouts out for the high school team. If interested, please report to the boys locker room in brooks gym after school. If you have any further questions, please email me at bucscoach55@gmail.com

It's time to start ordering yearbooks. As most of you know, we have two options: one for grades K-8 and another for grades 9-12; please see the links and order forms below:

Grades K-8:

https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?affiliateId=2591462

Grades 9-12:

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1041219/University-High-School/2024-Yearbook/2023120710150405084/CATALOG_SHOP/

Discover the exciting world of STEM learning this summer by joining our STEM summer camps! We have designed several new camps this year that are aimed at providing a fun and engaging experience for students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, we've got something for everyone. So don't miss out on this opportunity to explore and learn about the fascinating world of STEM!

Where: ETSU Valleybrook Campus

122 Pickens Road

Kingsport TN 37663

Cost: $150.00 per week

Are you ready for the ultimate STEM adventure this summer? Look no further than our immersive and exciting STEM camp! With an array of topics, including robotics, underwater robotics, coding, and much more, you'll be sure to expand your knowledge and skills in STEM. Our hands-on projects will challenge and inspire you, allowing you to learn about the latest technologies in the field. Whether a beginner or an experienced coder, this camp perfectly fits you. Plus, you'll have the chance to explore and learn about other summer camps that complement this program. This enriching and fun-filled experience is one to take advantage of! Join us for an unforgettable summer of learning and growth.

At the forensics camp, we get to learn cool stuff about solving crimes using science! We learn how to analyze fingerprints and other types of evidence to figure out who the bad guys might be. We also use fun techniques like DNA analysis, ballistics, and forensic photography to help us solve cases. By doing hands-on activities and simulations, we become super-sleuths and learn to combine all the clues to solve tough mysteries. It's like being a real-life detective!

8 - MS Boys Soccer Home vs Liberty Bell (5:00 PM, Varsity - CPA)

8 - HS Baseball @ North Greene (5:00 PM)

8 - HS Softball @ North Greene (6:00 PM)

9 - HS Boys Soccer @ Cumberland Gap HS (6:30 PM)

9 - HS Tennis @ Chuckey-Doak HS (4:00 PM)

9 - MS Boys Soccer Home vs Sullivan East (4:30 PM, Varsity and JV - CPA)

9 - HS Softball Home vs Chuckey Doak (5:00 PM - Carnegie Park)

9 - MS Baseball Home vs. Unicoi (5:30 PM - Seaver Field)

9 - MS Softball @ Johnson County Middle School (5:30 PM - Carnegie Park)

11 - HS Softball @ Hancock County (5:30 PM)

11 - HS Baseball (JV Only) @ Providence Academy (5:00 PM)

11 - MS Softball @ Unaka Elementary (5:00 PM)

11 - MS Baseball Home vs. Unaka (5:30 PM - Seaver Field)

11 - HS Tennis @ West Ridge HS (4:00 PM)

12 - HS Baseball (V & JV) @ Elizabethton HS (5:00 PM)

12 - HS Tennis @ North Greene HS (4:00 PM)

12 & 13 - HS Boys Soccer @ Providence (Tournament Times TBD)

13 - HS Track Frank Carver Invitational @ Tennessee High