RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATIONS

September 19, 2024

Greetings University Schools Community,

University Schools will be open for in-person instruction tomorrow, September 20. All school activities will proceed as scheduled tomorrow including aftercare and athletic programs. Today’s (9/19) afterschool and athletic programs remain cancelled.

After consultation with state and local safety officials, our University of Memphis Police Services Department has advised that there is no active threat to our school community and that it is safe to return to our school buildings for in-person learning tomorrow morning. We are grateful to the students and families who informed our district leaders of the initial threat, and we encourage our entire school community to remain vigilant and maintain open lines of communication with school and district leaders as it relates to school and student safety. If you see something, say something- no matter how big or small.

Thank you to our University of Memphis Police Services Department for their support and partnership, including the leadership of the Chief of Police, the Command Staff, and our School Resource Officers. Together, they worked through the night and arrived onsite at an early hour to implement safety and security protocols including thorough security sweeps of each of our buildings, constant monitoring of school sites, and providing critical support and advisement throughout the investigative process. Our school community is a better and safer place thanks to each of you and we are grateful for all you do to keep our schools safe.

If your student is experiencing any anxiety or nervousness as a result of today’s events, that is normal. Please reach out to your school counselor for additional support.

If your family is experiencing challenges related to receiving University Schools emergency communications, please email universityschools@memphis.edu.

Thank you for your partnership. We will see you at school tomorrow.

Sally G. Parish

Vice Provost & Director of Schools

University Schools/University of Memphis

Helpful Links

• Bookmark the University Schools 2024-25 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
• Bookmark the University Schools social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

Central Team (901.678.4200)

• Dr. Sally G. Parish, Vice Provost & Director of Schools sally.parish@memphis.edu
• Josh Czupryk, Chief Academic & Operations Officer, University Schools josh.czupryk@memphis.edu
• Mary Tucker, Chief Policy & Compliance Officer mhtucker@memphis.edu
• Kelsey Ryan, Director of Student and Family Engagement ckryan@memphis.edu
• Dr. Lee-Ann Kight, Executive Director of Academics lckight@memphis.edu
• Kendra Lambert, Senior Director of Federal Programs, Finance, and Compliance ktillis@memphis.edu
• Angela Hargrave, Senior Director of Student Services lhrgrave@memphis.edu
• Jessica Hernandez, Director of Instructional Technology & Student Information jessica.hernandez@memphis.edu
• Marcos Villa, Assistant Director of Extended Learning marcos.villa@memphis.edu
• Veronica Cooney, Assistant Director of Operations and Finance vgcooney@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

The University of Memphis | University Schools

Memphis, TN 38152

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