University School Weekly Update

January 25-29, 2021

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University School Families: As we prepare for the week ahead, we ask that you please review the following information:

Quarter 3 Schedule Change

In order to accommodate the required in-person ACT testing for 11th grade students, we will need to utilize the majority of the staff to accommodate for smaller testing groups on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Since this date is not a flexible one, we will be switching the remote learning day for all students from Wednesday, March 3rd to Tuesday, March 2nd (see highlighted revisions below). Additionally, we have rescheduled the Pre-ACT for our 10th graders for February 17th. Both of these tests can only be issued in-person, so we ask that our students and families to please plan accordingly for these testing dates.
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In-Person Safety Protocols

We ask that anyone attending in-person for classes or during scheduled events on campus to please adhere to the following safety protocols:


  • Wear face coverings or masks in public settings
  • Avoid close contact by practicing physical distancing and staying at least six feet apart
  • Frequent handwashing for 20 second
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surface
  • Stay home if you are not feeling well
  • Monitor symptoms daily

School Pictures

School pictures will be taken on Tuesday, January 26th and Thursday, January 28th. In order to accommodate for our REMOTE ONLY students to attend for their photo, we have reserved several time slots on both of these days. A time can be reserved by clicking on this link. Remote only learners also have the option of submitting a headshot similar to the photos below if you are unable to attend in-person. For those remote only learners selecting this option, please indicate that in the survey link above and separate submission directions will be sent to the email listed on your survey response.
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University School Foundation Update

Foundation Spotlight: The Fridge Fairy


Did you know that University School has its very on Fairy?


Last fall, a group of parents started an initiative to make school staff feel special and say “Thank you” for all of their hard work and dedication to make our year a success. As a result, the University School Foundation Hospitality Committee is continuing this project by leaving special notes of thanks, drinks, and treats in the staff lounge each week. If you would like to contribute to the “Fridge Fairy Project”, please make donations to the Foundation via our PayPal account, usfoundation.treasurer@gmail.com please just make sure to tell us that this is for the Fairy.


The funds will be used to purchase items needed on a regular basis to help give back a small token of appreciation and gratitude for their ability to continually go above and beyond for our school’s success. We know now more than ever the hard work and love the teachers, faculty, and staff pour into our children on a daily basis. You can also participate in our Facebook Poll to name our Fairy. But you will need to hurry! The poll ends at the end of this month. For more ways you can help, please reach out to Christine Hutchinson at hutchinson.christine@gmail.com to get involved with the University School Foundation.

2021-22 Re-enrollment Sign Up

Please complete the following form no later than February 28th, 2021. This is for your children who are currently enrolled at University School and who are returning to University School for the 2021-22 school year. Please submit this form for each child returning next year.


Re-enrollment Link:


https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUlE8bPTm4jjd2qRQbQ7YCMrOz1fUc78M_9eNbmcFctcj2BQ/viewform?usp=sf_link


For each child who is returning, please also submit the $95 material fee using this link:


https://epay.goldlink.etsu.edu/C20071_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=645&SINGLESTORE=true

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2021-2022 Calendar Link

Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight

Olivia Ares wins Citizenship Scholarship Contest


JOHNSON CITY – (Jan. 21, 2021) Olivia Ares, a senior at University School, is the winner of the Good Citizens Scholarship Contest hosted by the John Sevier-Sarah Hawkins Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.


In addition to being the chapter winner, Ares is also the Appalachian District winner and will be part of the state competition.


For the competition, Ares prepared an essay on a topic related to American heritage. At University School, Ares is president of the Green Club and is also a member of the soccer team. Within the community, she has volunteered and performed at Johnson City Community Theatre and has been active with the Girl Scouts where she received the Girl Scouts Gold Award in recognition of a women’s history project she completed.


Following graduation, she plans to attend college to study economics or sociology.

Ares is the daughter of Angelica and Jennifer Ares.

Student Spotlight

Athletics & Activities Update

Game Attendance

In order to meet TSSAA attendance guidelines (see website for a detailed explanation), spectators will be limited to parents, guardians, grandparents, and immediate household family members only who must be on a team list submitted prior to game day, which will limit the option of additional staff and fans to attend the games this year.

High School Softball

Attention those who are interested in High School Softball: conditioning will be starting soon! If you are interested in participating for the University School High School Softball team, please e-mail Coach Jeffers (keithjeffers411@gmail.com) Once logistics of conditioning (date, time, Covid protocols, format, etc.) have been determined, Coach Jeffers will reach out with that information. Remember that all student-athletes must have current physical, concussion, & SCA forms on file with the school prior to participating.

Middle School Softball



Parents of middle school girls interested in trying out for the University School middle school softball team please email Coach Preswood, Preswood@etsu.edu to let her know of your kiddo’s interest in playing. Once logistics of tryouts (date, time, Covid protocols, format, etc.) have been determined, Coach Preswood will reach out with that information.

Tryouts will be held in February so be sure your kiddo has turned in their physical (dated this school year) and the cardiac and concussion forms into the office. (Links on Athletic Web page). Questions can be directed to Coach Preswood (Preswood@etsu.edu) or Middle School AD Coach Penley (penleyj@etsu.edu).

High School Baseball

Anyone 9th-12th grade student interested in trying out for the high school baseball will need to email Coach Petty at petty@etsu.edu. Try-outs will be held on February 15th and 16th from 3:30-5:00 at a location TBD.

HS Boys' and Girls' Basketball

DATE OPPONENT TIME (Schedule Revised 1-21-21)


Jan. 23 @ Cherokee (Girls Only) 5:00

Jan. 25 @ Unaka 5:00, 6:30, 8:00

Jan. 26 Hampton (Varsity Only) 6:30 & 8:00 (Doors will open at 5:30)

Jan. 28 @ North Greene 5:00, 6:30, 8:00

Jan. 30 @ TN High (Girls Only) 3:00


Feb. 2 Unaka 5:00, 6:30, 8:00

Feb. 5 @ Hampton 5:00, 6:30, 8:00

Feb. 8 @ Cherokee 5:00, 6:30, 8:00

Feb. 9 Cloudland 5:00, 6:30, 8:00

Feb. 11 @ Davy Crockett 5:00, 6:30, 8:00

Feb. 12 Sullivan North 5:00, 6:30, 8:00


District Tourney - TBA


-- GAME TIMES ARE JV BOYS, VARSITY GIRLS, VARSITY BOYS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

MS Boys' and Girls' Basketball

Date Opponent Time

District Tourney Jan. 23 (Girls Only) @ Little Milligan 1:00 PM

District Tourney Jan. 25 (Boys Only) @ Hampton 6:30 PM

Region Tourney begins 1/30 @ John Sevier Middle School

State Tourney begins 2/12


-- GAME TIMES ARE JV GIRLS, JV BOYS, VARSITY GIRLS, VARSITY BOYS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED --


Bold = conference game
Italics = 8th grade Night

University School

University School

University School

68 Martha Culp Dr. Johnson City, TN, 37614 partinbk@etsu.edu (423)439-4271 usbucs.com