Greetings University School families, please review the following updates for the upcoming week:

Washington County Schools was one of three districts in the state to receive the Governor’s Civics Seal and was recognized as a Tennessee Excellence in Civic Education District. For Districts to receive the Civics Seal, at least 80% of their schools had to earn the seal. Washington County had 14 schools receive the Governor’s Civics Seal for excellence in civics education. These schools include: Boones Creek Elementary, Daniel Boone High School, David Crockett High School, Fall Branch Elementary, Grandview Elementary, Gray Elementary, Jonesborough Elementary, Jonesborough Middle, Lamar Elementary, Ridgeview Elementary, South Central Elementary, Sulphur Springs Elementary, University School, and West View Elementary.

Thanks to the State of Tennessee for recognizing our exceptional teachers, staff, and amazing students with this honor!

Please be aware that ETSU begins their fall semester on Monday, August 23rd, so you will see an increase in traffic and parking will be more limited. All parking restrictions will be in place and any individuals parking in reserved parking may be ticketed. Please make sure that all students driving park in the designated parking for University School students and have an updated parking decal for this school year. These can be purchased from Officer Hudson for student drivers who are only taking University School classes. If they are taking an ETSU dual enrollment course, they may purchase an ETSU student pass.

Please adhere to the following:

• ETSU and University School requires that all students, faculty, and visitors to campus to wear masks indoors.
  
• Physical distancing should be observed to the greatest extent possible.
• Hand sanitizing and regular handwashing should happen frequently.
• Individuals exhibiting COVID-like symptoms should remain home until cleared to return to school (following current return-to-school algorithm).
• Anyone who has a fever >100.4, new cough, difficulty breathing or loss of taste or smell, must have a COVID test before returning to school.
• Please refer to the TN Department of Health Return-to-School Algorithm when determining plans to return to school when out with symptoms or due to contact tracing.
• Families will only be contacted regarding a possible exposure if their child is considered a close contact who was within 3-6ft distance (depending on proper use of masks) for 15 minutes or longer over a 24 hour period. This includes lunch and physical activity time when students may be within close proximity and unmasked.
• If a student is vaccinated and showing no symptoms, they would not need to quarantine due to contact tracing unless they were to become symptomatic or have a positive COVID test result.

Note: If there are any updates or revisions made throughout the year, the most current plan will be shared with our families.

As shared last week, the Governor has ordered a parent opt-out option for K-12 students. If a parent is wanting this option, please know that it is only available for classes taking place in Alexander Hall. This opt-out is for students only, all staff and visitors to Alexander Hall and the ETSU campus must wear a face covering. This includes any of our students attending classes in other building outside of Alexander Hall. Any exceptions or exemptions to this policy must be approved through ETSU Administration or ETSU Disability Services depending on the nature of the request. If a family chooses to opt-out, a parent note must be provided to the school office.

To aid in the support of athletics at University School, the University School Foundation Athletics Committee (USFAC) will be selling Sports Passes this year to cover the cost of operating the USFAC programs. Passes include admission to all HOME Athletic Events for the entire 2021-22 school year. Passes do not include admission to away games or tournament play. Family passes are non transferable and must be presented at the gate for admission to the athletic event. Each family member (immediate household) will receive his or her own pass that must be presented for admission into home contests.

Click on the link provided to access the order form.

Contact Ginger Hare at hareginger@gmail.com for more information.

School pictures for grades K-11 is scheduled for Monday, August 30th.

Senior Retakes will be on 8/31/21 and Lifetouch is offering the following session options:

$30: 8-10 Poses, Up to 2 Outfits, 2-3 Backgrounds

$20: 4-6 Poses, Up to 2 Outfits, 1 Background

Our 2021-2022 Senior Class, with assistance from our great University School Foundation, is participating in a fundraiser to raise money for the senior class activities this year. They are selling Discount Cards. Seniors should have the cards in hand before our Fall Break. The charge will be $15. Please purchase a card and support our wonderful seniors, while saving money for yourself too!

Junior Appalachian Musician (JAM) Registration is now open!

University School at ETSU (open to University School students only)

Program dates: October 7-December 9, 2021

Cost: $104 for 9 weekly small group lessons

When/Where: Thursdays, 3:15-4:30pm; University School

Serving grades: 4-12

Registration closes: September 3, 2021

Seniors: Don’t forget that your free ACT Senior Retake is coming up on October 5! All seniors are required to re-take the ACT on this day.

ACT has created an ACT Academy for free test prep!!! If you have dual enrollment scheduled on that day, please make arrangements with your professor for your absence.

Follow this link and study hard during the break https://academy.act.org/

ACT Learning Resources - ACT Solutions ACT learning materials and resources that align to individual learning needs. academy.act.org

Are you ready for the ACT? Want to increase your scores? Interested in scholarships?

The ACT is one of the most important postsecondary exams a student will ever take. This comprehensive test covers a wide range of subjects that assess their mathematical skills, grammar usage, and reading comprehension.

In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education, UT Martin is providing free, virtual workshops and classes for all Tennessee high schools students and teachers on how to be successful on the ACT.

For all Tennessee high school students:

• The ACT Success Tactics Workshop, Virtual Office Hours and the Mastery Classes are open and free to all students enrolled in a Tennessee high school.

For all high school Tennessee teachers:

• The ACT Workshop is offered during subsequent semesters and open to all Tennessee high school teachers to learn how to help students be successful on the ACT.

The workshops and classes are sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Education.

Click to HERE to access information for the following sessions:

ACT Success Tactics Workshop (Conducted Via Zoom)

Virtual Office Hours (Conducted Via Zoom)

ACT Mastery Classes Series (Conducted Via Zoom)

ACT Workshops for Teachers (Conducted Via Zoom)

On September 2, our juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to go to the Tri-Cities College Fair at Freedom Hall Civic Center where there will be the opportunity to visit with up to 40 colleges, military recruiters, and a few employers. Cost of the trip is $3 payable in the Counseling Office. Permission Forms for both trips can be found on the Class 2022 Counseling Canvas page.

Please make note of the following dates and events:

• Monday, August 30th - School Pictures - Grades K-11th (Media Center)
• Tuesday, August 31st - Senior Photo make-up and retake day (Location TBD)
• Monday, September 6th - No School - Labor Day Holiday
• Friday, October 22nd - No School - Teacher Professional Development Day

A little hocus pocus is in motion for our 2021 Fall Festival. Save the date for October 15th and plan to join us for an evening of treats and a few friendly tricks!

August 23 Traffic Alert! ETSU Fall Semester Begins
August 24 Morning Mile, UH Outdoor Track, 7:30 to 7:50 a.m.
August 24 Photography Club, Room 301A, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
August 24 Golf, Providence, Hampton, @Pine Oaks GC, 3:30 p.m.
August 24 HS Girls Soccer, @TN High, 6:30 p.m.
August 25 Bible Study Club, Warf-Pickel Hall Room 127, after school
August 26 Morning Mile, UH Outdoor Track, 7:30 to 7:50 a.m.
August 27 HS Girls Soccer, @Smokey Mtn. Cup vs. Ooltewah, @Rocky Top Spots World, 6:50
August 28 MS Cross Country, Run fer da Hills, Bristol, TN
August 28 HS Cross Country, Run for the Hills, Bristol, TN
August 28 HS Girls Soccer, @Smokey Mtn. Cup vs. Dekalb, @Rocky Top Spots World, 10:50 a.m. and vs. Oneida, @Pigeon Forge HS, 4:20 p.m.