University School Weekly Update

As we prepare for the upcoming week, we ask that you please review the following information:

University School students will complete the 3rd and final round of CASE benchmark assessments beginning on Monday, February 21st. Teachers will use data from these comprehensive assessments to measure student readiness for TCAPs and EOCs.

• 2/21 - 2/22 - High School EOC Classes
  
• 2/23 - 2/24 - Grades 7-8
  
• 2/25 & 2/28 - Grades 5-6
  

Grades 3 & 4 will test according to the daily schedule set by the classroom teacher.

Any student planning on returning to University School during the 2022-2023 school year, must complete this re-enrollment form for each child returning by February 28, 2022. Any student who has not completed the re-enrollment form by February 28, 2022 risks losing their spot to a student on the waiting list, so please be sure to complete the form located in the link above. The material fees can be paid when re-enrolling or by the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

All additional documents that will need to be completed, will be sent home when students return in July, 2022 (see approved 2022-2023 calendar).

University School will be celebrating "TwosDay" on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. Dress up with Tie-Dyes, Tutus, Tennis Shoes, Tube Socks, Ties, Famous Duos, etc. Get creative!

Also, there will be a 2 minute and 22 second dance party at 2:22 in the gym for K-5 students. We may get to share it live on our school Facebook page!

Please turn in your four senior casual pictures for the yearbook. These do not have to be professionally taken. The deadline to submit them is March 5, 2022. Please email Mrs. Hammonds at hammondse@etsu.edu or give to one of the journalism seniors or Mrs. Hammonds in Room 301B.

February 21 & 22- High School Registration for grades 9-11

Registration information will be given to students at school and Dr. Shaw will go over graduation requirements and class options for the upcoming year with students. Some 11th

grade students who are dual-enrolled will meet with Dr. Shaw at a later time if they miss the meeting due to their dual-enrollment classes. Students will be able to take the information home and discuss with parents before signing up for classes for 2022-23 on PowerSchool.

February 28 @ 5:00pm-6:30pm- 8th grade registration for HS (Location TBD)

This meeting will be for all current University School 8th grades students and at least one parent/guardian. Dr. Shaw will go over high school graduation requirements, GPA, and other important information. Students will select their classes for 9th grade at this meeting. Please make plans to attend.

Reminders:

• Students will find materials relevant to scheduling, graduation, and more in their Counseling class in CANVAS. Parents can sign up to be an observer in CANVAS and will have access to this information as well.
• High school students and parents should join their grade level Remind group to receive timely information about events happening that are available to them.

Dhruv gives his best effort everywhere he goes. He knows how to put a smile on other students’ faces. His questions and comments are helpful to the class. He is wildly encouraging. He is constantly learning new things that helps explain the world around him and he shares this with others. His capabilities are endless.

Getting to know Dhruv Ramu:

• Dollywood for a day, beach for a day, woods for a day?

“I would pick beach for a day. I like to swim!”

• What do you consider the worst chore you have to do at home?

“Cleaning my room. It’s so messy!”

• What is your idea of fun?

“Playdates and sleepovers, golfing and Legos!”

"Dhruv is an excellent friend, and carries a positive energy everywhere he goes,” said Mr. Oliver, Dhruv’s SEL Educator. “He knows the coolest facts that help to explain the world around us. His excitement for learning is contagious!"

Millie is a voracious reader and a great artist. Millie often gives her drawings away to brighten up someone's day, or as a gift. She is always willing to help out with anything that the teacher or a friend might need. Her kindness and sweet spirit shine through!

Getting to know Millie Lester:

• Dollywood for a day, beach for a day, woods for a day?

“The beach. I love the warm climate.”

• What do you consider the worst chore you have to do at home?

“All the laundry because it smells!”

• What is your idea of fun?

“Read, playing video games like the Legend of Zelda, and watching Sailor Moon.”

“Millie has really been working hard and focusing on getting as much done at school as possible,” pointed out Mrs. Ledbetter, Millie’s 6th-grade Language Arts teacher. “She loves to read, draw and dance...now she has more time for that at home since she is working so hard at school. Way to go at setting a great example Millie!"

Colton is a dedicated band member. He puts forth a strong effort in class every day and offers thoughtful insights to classroom discussions. Each day after the high school class, the room requires a reset before the K-4 students come in. Colton has become an expert at efficiently racking music stands. His assistance with this daily task helps everyone work together better at the end of class.

Getting to know Colton Cary:

• Dollywood for a day, beach for a day, woods for a day?

“Given these options for how to spend my day, I would likely choose either Dollywood or the woods for how to spend the day, depending on the day. You see, I simply do not enjoy the beach. For one, the salt is never pleasant. And for another, the sand. I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough and irritating…and it gets everywhere.”

• What do you consider the worst chore you have to do at home?

“The worst chore I've had to do was the mixing and laying of concrete, which I've luckily avoided doing recently, though there's doubtlessly more to be made and laid in my future. As for current chores, the prize likely either goes to wood splitting or feeding the chickens.”

• What is your idea of fun?

“Well, if we're being pedantic, then my idea of fun is ‘A source of enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure.’ But some examples of such sources are reading, writing, target practice with an air rifle, practicing swordplay, knife collecting and making, forging of decorative items, learning of useful, and not so useful, skills and knowledge, and indubitably a litany of other activities I've not had the time, nor word count, to illuminate you of here.”

"Colton is a hard worker and is always willing to lend an extra hand,” said Dr. Mullins, University School Band Director. “His generosity, wit, and sense of humor make him a great member of our community.”

Dear eighth grade parents/guardians,

Eighth grade is a big year for your child since he/she will be leaving middle school and beginning high school next year. The journalism staff believes that eighth graders deserve some form of recognition for all their hard work. To help celebrate this achievement, we are including “dedications” in the 2021-22 K-8 yearbook.

If you would like to have your child in this section, please send a picture of your child (baby or current) and a short message to him/her that will be featured in the yearbook. Some examples are pictured below. There will be no extra charge for this feature. We hope to have all eighth graders included.

Please email Ms. Hammonds your picture and message by March 25, 2022, to hammondse@etsu.edu. Thank you for helping us recognize the University School class of 2026!

Sincerely,

2021/22 Journalism Staff

To be recognized as a TN Scholar at graduation, please complete all documentation and application listed in Canvas Announcement. Applications are due March 31st. This is a HARD Deadline. Please see Dr. Shaw for more information.

After some delay, it is now time to start ordering the 2021/2022 yearbooks. The good news is that there will not be a price increase for the yearbooks; however, this yearbook price does not include personalization.

There are two ways you can order your child’s yearbook.

You may order online at www://yblive.net (links to an external site). Once on the website, click on “Shop Online”. There are drop down menus for state, city, and then a choice of two yearbooks (University School Elementary/Middle or University High School). Once selecting the yearbook you wish to purchase, you may click order. You will then be prompted to create an account for the publisher, and once the account is created, you will be able to complete your order.

The price for ordering online is $50.40 for high school yearbook and $29.40 for elementary/middle school yearbook. The online cost includes a nominal ordering fee.

We are offering a chance to have your child’s yearbook personalized. This is an additional $5.20 per book. This will be added to the cost of the book.

The second way you can order is to complete the attached yearbook order form and return the completed form with a check made out to University School to either your child’s teacher or to me. Please make sure the form is completed.

The price for ordering through the school (and not online) is $40 for high school yearbook and $28 for elementary/middle school yearbook. If you want to personalize the yearbook, the cost to order through the school is $45.20 for high school yearbook and $33.20 for elementary/middle school yearbook.)

The deadline to order is April 15, 2022.

In addition, we are looking for any pictures of vacations, pets, outings, ballgames, or activities that your child has participated in this school year.

If you would not mind sharing your pictures, please send them to school with your child, or email them to me at hammondse@etsu.edu. Please make sure each person in the picture is identified.

We need the pictures as soon as possible as our deadline is quickly approaching. I will scan the pictures and return as soon as possible.

Thank you for your help,

Evelyn Hammonds

Yearbook Adviser

Dear University School Families,

Thank you for everything you have helped the Foundation do this year. We have accomplished so much, and are looking forward to our largest fundraiser of the year, our Annual Spring Gala and Auction. This year, the Fundraising Committee has selected “Back to the 80’s” as our theme and exciting plans are being made for the evening of Saturday, April 9, 2022 at the Carnegie Hotel. The University School Foundation acts as a PTA for University School and we rely heavily on this event which generates much needed funds for our school, with proceeds used towards technology, sports, playground improvements, teacher appreciation, and to meet other needs of the school’s operation.

To make this event a success, we need your help. We are in dire need of items for both our silent and live auctions at the event. Please take a few minutes to think about the places you visit every week. Maybe you have a favorite restaurant or sneak away for an occasional massage. Maybe you use a personal trainer or enjoy a mani/pedi. Think of the places you visit and spend your money, and please approach these businesses for a donation. You can also help us by donating personal items or your own business services at our event. Do you own a Beach House or a Mountain Cabin? These make great auction items! The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-1453829, and donated items are tax deductible. We will provide receipts for the fair market value of the items donated. The Foundation will also provide our tax exemption letter or any additional paperwork you might need upon request.

We are happy to pick up any donated items or you may drop them off at the University School front office. Please email Christine Hutchinson at hutchinson.christine@gmail.com if pickup is needed. Alternately, items can also be mailed to University School Attn: University School Foundation, PO Box 70632, Johnson City, TN 37614-1702. Attached you will find a donation form. Please fill it out after you receive a donation. We also have hard copies available in the front office.

In addition to the above, we offer the opportunity for support via monetary sponsorship of the event, which helps defray the costs and increases our overall success. Please see the next page or visit our website https://tinyurl.com/uschool-80sgala for exciting sponsorship opportunities for your family or business. In return for your generosity, we will highlight your business on the evening of the event. To do so, we ask that you provide a high-resolution company logo (jpeg or png file) which can be emailed directly to: usfoundation.fundraising@gmail.com Subject Line: Back to the 80’s Sponsor Logo. Tickets are limited to 150 and are available for purchase through our website. You can pick up your tickets and auction paddle at check-in at the event.

If you have any additional questions, need more information, or are interested in volunteering for this event, feel free to contact us. On behalf of the Foundation, thank you for considering supporting our school. We look forward to music, food, fun and fundraising with you!

With Gratitude,

Dionne Ganger & Melanie Richards

University School Foundation

Fundraising Co-Chairs

Attention parents: Classroom Baskets are a fun and easy way to contribute to the Spring Fundraiser! Plus—- Whichever basket raises the most money, we will win a fun Pizza Party for the winning class! Be on the lookout for information from your classroom representatives about the theme of your basket and how to contribute to this fun project!

ETSU Health will host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Thursday, February 24th, from 1:00p.m. -4:00 p.m. in the Millennium Center. Based on availability, it is the goal of ETSU Health to provide both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines at each clinic. However, check ETSU Health.org prior to each clinic to verify which vaccines are available that day. Availability will be updated regularly. Free and no appointment required. For more information, visit ETSUHealth.org.

Below is the Spring schedule of all COVID clinics on campus:

ETSU Health: All Clinics are free and open to the public and will be held as follows:

• Thursday, February 24th: 1-4pm in the Culp Center
• Friday, February 25th: 10am-1pm in the Culp Center
• Saturday, February 26th: 10am-1pm in the Millennium Center

View Events for Entire School Year | Printable Calendar: This Year or Next Year | Schedule Change Policy

February

February 21 High School Registration, Grades 9-11
February 21 HS Girls BB District Championship, @Happy Valley
February 22 TwosDay Celebration
February 22 K-5 TwosDay Dance Party, Gym, 2:22 p.m.
February 22 High School Registration, Grades 9-11
February 22 Photography Club, Room 301A, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
February 22 HS Boys BB District Championship, @Happy Valley
February 23 FCA Club, Room 219, 7:30-7:50 a.m.
February 23 Bible Study Club, Warf-Pickel Hall Room 127, 3:15-4:00 p.m.
February 23 Green Club, Room 010, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
February 24 Chick Chat Club, Room 010, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
February 24 College Ready Club, Library, 3:00 p.m.
February 24 JAM, 3:15-4:30 p.m.
February 26 Senior Bash at the Barn, Information
February 28 Last Date for Lottery Inclusion for Applications for 2022-2023 School Year
February 28 Last Date for Re-enrollment Forms
February 28 Math Help Club, Library, 3:15-4:30 p.m.
February 28 Entrepreneur's Club, Room 214, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
February 28 High School Registration, 8th Grade, 5:00-6:30 p.m.

March

March 1 Testing, Spring ACT
March 2 FCA Club, Room 219, 7:30-7:50 a.m.
March 2 Bible Study Club, Warf-Pickel Hall Room 127, 3:15-4:00 p.m.
March 2 Key Club, Room 011, 3:05-3:30 p.m.
March 3 Chick Chat Club, Room 010, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
March 3 College Ready Club, Library, 3:00 p.m.
March 3 Math Help Club, Library, 3:15-4:30 p.m.
March 3 JAM, 3:15-4:30 p.m.
March 4 Hoops for Heart, Grades 5-8, CPA, 8:00-3:00
BREAK March 5 - 27 No School - Spring Break
BREAK March 7 No School - Administrative Day
BREAK March 12 UH Class of '70 Reunion, Information
BREAK March 13 Daylight Saving Time Starts, Turn Clocks forward 1 hour
BREAK March 24 No School - Faculty Professional Development

BREAK March 25 No School - Faculty Professional Development

March 28 First School Day after Spring Break

Email: partinbk@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