Final Form email reminders are being sent regarding form completions that are needed by our families and any student in grades 6-12. These reminders come from FinalForms and are legitimate. This is our new back-to-school forms platform that we are using for both our school and athletic form warehouse. Please be advised that only authorized users who would need access any data submitted are granted rights as needed per their designated role of authority.

Dot Day is this Friday! Wear your polka dots, celebrate all that starts from a tiny dot, and enjoy the giant Starry Night recreation from K-8 Art students located by the University School Library!

Students interested in retaking an AP Exam for a higher score may indicate their interest on the google form linked below. AP Seminar and AP Research are not eligible for retakes due to the unique requirements for those courses. Once responses are received, students will receive an email indicating if space is available in the testing room. Retakes will not be available for courses that reach max capacity for seating.

The deadline to submit an AP Exam retake request is October 30. Requests will be honored in the order in which they are received. The cost of retaking an AP exam is $98. Payment will be due by November 3. Students should not submit payment until they receive an email confirmation from Dr. Campbell indicating there is space available in the testing room. Students and parents with questions should contact Dr. Campbell at campbellhe@etsu.edu.

AP Retake Request Form - http://tinyurl.com/26wrfys8

To aid in the support of athletics at University School, we will be selling sports passes this year to help defray the costs of operating expenses of athletics. Passes include admission to all regular season HOME Athletic Events (both middle school and high school) for the entire 2023-24 school year. Passes do not include admission to away games or tournament play. All passes are non-transferable and must be presented at the gate for admission to the athletic event. Each family member (IMMEDIATE HOUSEHOLD ONLY) will receive his or her own pass that must be presented for admission into home contests. Picture IDs may be required when presenting passes at the gate.

The following passes are available:

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).

To place and order, please print the order form below and return to the office with your payment.

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.

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.

Tuesday, October 17th will be a remote date for all students in 11th grade. Assignments will be posted in Canvas.

University High School has partnered with FLIGHT Foundation to offer orientation flights for high school students on the morning of Friday, September 29, 2023 out of Greeneville, TN Municipal Airport. The purpose of this collaboration is to expose our students to flight, and for those that desire to do so, learn more about aerospace education, open up the possibility of earning a private pilot’s license, and perhaps even explore the opportunity of a career as a pilot.

Orientation flights consist of 2-3 students taking part in 15-20-minute flights. These orienting (introductory) flights are designed to introduce students to aircraft and flight in a 4-seat plane. Though the large majority of the costs associated with this opportunity have been covered in grants, there is a $10/student fee. This fee must be paid in the school office to be considered registered. The program is limited to the first 15 students who register with complete paperwork (BOTH permission slips) and fee payment.

Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Bill Powley, a former F-4, A-7, F-16 fighter pilot and Vietnam veteran, will be the pilot for all flights. For more information on FLIGHT FOUNDATION, visit www.flightfoundation.com. To register or for more information on U-School’s collaboration with the FOP (Flight Orientation Program), please email Dr. Penley (penleyj@etsu.edu).

Both permission slips must be completed and returned along with payment to Dr. Penley to be considered registered. Registrations accepted until Sept. 15 OR until all available spots are filled.

Wednesday, October 25 - UNDERCLASSMEN Make-up Picture Day (Grades K-11 in School Library)

We are working to ensure a safe environment while continually providing education to our students. One of our top priorities is protecting students, families, faculty and staff.

COVID-19 is here to stay, but we have learned methods and gained tools to decrease its impact on our health and well-being. Our school is able to manage this disease in a sustainable and adaptive manner. Additionally, many of the strategies used to address COVID-19 can protect from other diseases and support healthy learning environments in our school.

We will continue to recommend best practices:

• Face masks are recommended by the CDC but are not required.
• Encourage regular handwashing and use of hand sanitizer.
• Reinforce respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes).
• Social distancing when possible.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly.

Response to COVID-19-related Illness:

• Parents should monitor their child for a temperature greater than 100.4, cough, congestion, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal symptoms, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, headache, and body aches each day. If any of these symptoms are present the student should: Stay home and be fever free, without the use of fever reducing medication, for 24 hours with symptom improvement before returning to school.
• Staff are expected to follow these same procedures should they develop COVID-19 symptoms or test positive for COVID-19.
• Athletes should follow the TSSAA COVID Return to Play protocol which states "a minimum of no exercise for 3 days from symptom onset or positive test. Medical Clearance is required if fever > 100.4, chills, flu-like symptoms for > or = 2 days, or chest pain, difficulty with respirations, or palpitations." See attached TSSAA protocol and clearance letter. Nurse Beverly Pritchard and Trainer Ellie Jordan will manage those needing clearance to return to sports after a COVID-19 illness.

Attendance

Positive COVID-19 test

• As with other illnesses, students or staff who test positive for COVID-19 or are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 may return once they are fever free 24 hours, without the use of fever reducing medication, and with improving symptoms. Should a parent/guardian choose to follow the TDOH recommendations for isolation/quarantine, the student's absence will be marked excused once the parent provides one of the following: Doctor's excuse or Parent note.
• Home tests will not be accepted. Please contact your doctor for an excuse or use a parent note.

Close contact regardless of vaccinations status

• If an individual is exposed to someone with COVID and does not exhibit symptoms, they do not need to stay home. They may continue to attend school and work. If symptoms develop, they should be excluded from school until they can be tested for COVID-19.

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

Dear University School Community,

This past week all K-6th grade students learned about our University School Foundation’s plans to work with a company called Play by Design (PBD) to build a new backyard play space together. It was really inspiring to see the excitement of our younger students as they drew their dream playgrounds, which were then submitted to our designer at PBD. She has already started looking at their great ideas, which will help guide the design of a new playground/backyard space at University School.

All older students in grades 7-12 are also encouraged to contribute their ideas - either by emailing them before 10/20 to usplayground@univschool.etsu.edu or by submitting them directly to our PBD designer when she comes for our school’s Design Day on Friday, October 27th. She will talk with the students and help to bring their ideas together. Our Playground Design Day will culminate that same evening, Friday, October 27th, as the final draft for the new playground/ backyard design will be revealed to help kick off the Fall Festival.

Once the design is made, the next step will be to continue fundraising and building awareness, as this is a community project that will require a great deal of sweat equity but will be a rewarding and fun experience. For more information or to join the email list to receive Playground news, please email usplayground@univschool.etsu.edu.

The University School Fall Festival has become a favorite annual event, sponsored by the University School Foundation for our school community and we hope to see all of you there on Friday, October 27th.

-University School Playground Committee

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 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)

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!!

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.

Congratulations to our HS Cheer Team on their recent spirit day performance at the University of Tennessee Home Opener this past Saturday. Great job and Go Bucs!

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

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

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: 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.

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.

September

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)