Blue Devil Update
UCHS Parent Newsletter - April 2022
Upcoming Dates to Remember
4/1 Job Fair
4/4 School Librarian Appreciation Day
4/4 STEM Students to Snap On Tools Field Trip
4/4-4/8 National School Assistant Principals Week
4/5 Tusculum Talent Search to Appalachian State Field Trip
4/6 National Paraprofessionals Appreciation Day
4/6 Senior Speeches Drafts Due
4/6 Job Fair Part 2
4/7 HOSA to MARSH Blood Field Trip
4/8 8th Grade Visits to UCHS CTE/Elective Classes
4/11-4/12 FFA State Nursery Competition
4/11-4/13 Skills USA State Leadership Conference
4/13 Senior Speech Auditions w/ Faculty 3:00 PM
4/14 Blue Grass Band Friends and Family Show 7:00-9:00 PM
4/15 & 4/18 NO SCHOOL- Spring Break
4/19 Mock Crash Day (Seniors ONLY) at the Track
4/21 Onward Through Oz Performance 10:15 AM/ 7:00 PM
4/21 UC School Board Meeting at 6:00 PM
4/22 Ayers College Signing Day for Seniors
4/22 Early Dismissal Day 11:45 AM
4/23 PROM
4/26 UCHS Band Concert
4/27 Administrative Professionals Day
4/28 Ayers Junior Parent Night 6:00 PM
Athletics at UCHS
4/1-4/3 Softball @ Eastman Tournament
4/1 Baseball @ Chuckey Doak4/4 Softball @ Johnson County
4/4 Baseball vs. Elizabethton
4/5 Baseball @ Elizabethton
4/5 Softball @ Volunteer
4/7 Baseball vs. West Greene
4/5 Soccer vs. Volunteer
4/7 Soccer @ Morristown East
4/8 Baseball vs. University High
4/8-4/9 Softball @ NFS Tournament
4/11 Baseball vs. East
4/12 Baseball @ East
4/12 Soccer vs. Greeneville
4/12 Softball @ TN High
4/14 Soccer @ Cherokee
4/15 Baseball vs. Chuckey Doak
4/16 Baseball vs. Happy Valley
4/15-4/16 Softball @ Ft. Dorchester Tournament
4/18 Baseball @ Volunteer
4/19 Baseball vs. Volunteer
4/19 Soccer @ Sullivan East
4/19 Softball vs. Sullivan East
4/20 Softball @ Science Hill
4/21 Baseball vs. Sevier County
4/21-4/24 Softball @ Tiny Day Tournament
4/22 Baseball @ Science Hill
4/22 Soccer vs. Cocke County
4/25 Baseball @ Mitchell County
4/26 Baseball vs. Elizabethton
4/26 Soccer @ TN High
4/26 Softball @ Sullivan East
4/27 Softball JV Tournament TBA
4/28 Softball vs. Elizabethton
4/28 Baseball vs. East
4/28 Soccer @ University High
4/29 Softball vs. Johnson County
4/29 Baseball vs. University High
4/30 Baseball vs. Cherokee
WBDN Blue Devil Network
First Annual UCHS Job Fair
UCHS Counseling Corner
2022-2023 Student Registration
If you were unable to attend our Parent Night for Upcoming Students, please contact the counseling office at 423-743-1630 to schedule an appointment. A counselor will also be set up in the cafeteria to take up registration papers and answer any questions you may have.
National Honor Society Tutoring Services- students who need additional help in courses can schedule tutoring sessions during lunch through the library web page. If you need help, contact Ms. Keesecker for more details at keeseckerk@unicosichools.com.
Senior News
Graduation invitations, cap and gown, and other materials should be ordered as soon as possible. Go to www.highschool.herffjones.com .
If your senior students is interested in speaking at graduation, they will need to fill out a form of intent. This will be due no later than March 31, 2022. Speech drafts are due by April 6, 2022. Students will present speeches to faculty at 3:00 PM on April 13, 2022 in the gym. There are two chosen by faculty each year.
We are also planning special senior week activities for the week before graduation. In the past we have done Senior Walks at local elementary schools, a senior fun day field trip, and Baccalaureate. If you would like to volunteer your time or donate to these activities, contact Ms. Evangeline Hurter at hurtere@unicoischools.com.
Senior Activities Dates to Remember:
April 22
Ayers College Signing Day (Breakfast @ 8:00 AM & Program @ 9:00 AM) in Auditorium
April 19-22
Senior Dress Up Days
April 23
Prom
April 26
Band Concert 6:30 PM
May 5
Percussion Ensemble Concert 6:30 PM
May 7
Senior Community Service Project @ UCHS
May 9
Senior Finals (3rd/4th)
May 10
Senior Finals (1st/2nd)
May 11
Senior Walks 10:00-1:00
May 12
Senior Fun Day (during regular school hours)
Awards Night 6:30 PM Auditorium
May 13
Senior Graduation Practice and CCU Breakfast 9:00 AM
Senior Farewell 7:00 PM
May 14
Senior Community Service Project @ UCHS (rain date)
May 15
Baccalaureate @ 7:00 PM
May 16
Graduation at Gentry Stadium 7:00 PM
Spring Testing Begins on April 19
Apr 18 (No School - Spring Break)
Apr 19 (English EOC Bell Schedule)
English EOC Part 1 (English I & II)
(85 mins) - All EOC English Classes will test 1st PD
Apr 20 (Regular Schedule)
English EOC Part 2 (English I & II)
(50 mins) - During EOC English Class Period
Apr 21 (English EOC Bell Schedule)
English EOC Part 3 (English I & II)
(95 mins) - All EOC English Classes will test 1st PD
Apr 22 (½ Day PD Early Dismissal)
Make Ups for English EOC Test All Parts
Apr 25 (Bell Schedule A)
Math EOC Parts 1&2 (85 mins) - 1st and 2nd Periods (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II)
Biology EOC
(75 mins) - 1st and 2nd Periods
Apr 26 (Bell Schedule B)
Math EOC Parts 1&2 (85 mins) - 3rd and 4th Periods (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II)
Biology EOC
(75 mins) - 3rd and
4th Periods
Apr 27 (Regular Schedule)
Math EOC Part 3 (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II)
(60 mins) - During EOC Math Class Period
US History EOC Parts 1&2 (90 mins) - Will test 1st & 2nd Periods
Apr 28 (Regular Schedule)
Make Ups for any EOC missed by a student
Apr 29 (Regular Schedule)
Make Ups for any EOC missed by a student
May 2 (Regular Schedule)
Make Ups for any EOC missed by a student
May 3 (No School - Election Day)
Make Ups for any EOC missed by a student
AP Psychology 12pm
May 4 (Regular Schedule)
Make Ups for any EOC missed by a student
May 5 (Regular Schedule)
Make Ups for any EOC missed by a student
AP Human Geography 8am
AP Stats 12pm
May 6 (Regular Schedule)
Make Ups for any EOC missed by a student
AP History 8am
AP Microeconomics 12pm
May 9 (Regular Schedule)
SR Finals 3rd/4th
Statewide Dual Credit World History 8am
AP Calculus 8am
May 10 (Regular Schedule)
SR Finals 1st/2nd
Statewide Dual Credit American History 8am
AP English 8am
AP Physics 12pm
May 11 (Regular Schedule)
May 12 (Regular Schedule)
May 13 (Regular Schedule)
May 16 (Regular Schedule)
Statewide Dual Credit Pre-Calculus 8am
May 17 (Regular Schedule)
FR, SOPH & JR Finals 3rd/4th
May 18 (Regular Schedule)
FR, SOPH & JR Finals 1st/2nd
Makeups 3rd/4th
May 19 (½ Day Early Dismissal)
FR, SOPH & JR Finals Makeups All Periods
May 20 (Report Card Day)
BELL SCHEDULES for EOCs
English EOC Bell Schedule:
1st PD
7:45-10:00
2nd PD
10:05-11:40
3rd PD
11:30-1:15
Lunch
11:43-12:10
12:13-12:40
12:45-1:15
4th PD
1:20-2:45
Bell Schedule A:
1st PD
7:45-9:50
2nd PD
9:55-11:55
3rd PD
12:00-1:25
Lunch
12:00-12:25
12:30-12:55
1:00-1:25
4th PD
1:30-2:45
Bell Schedule B:
3rd PD
7:45-9:50
4th PD
9:55-11:55
1st PD
12:00-1:25
Lunch
12:00-12:25
12:30-12:55
1:00-1:25
2nd PD
1:30-2:45
Teacher Appreciation Week- May 2-6
We'd like to ask for donations to our Teacher Work Rooms. If able, please send in individually bagged snacks, muffins, granola bars, chips, crackers, popcorn, canned soda, bottled water or assorted individually-wrapped ice cream bars/sandwiches. These items will be stored in the work rooms for teachers to enjoy during their breaks. Drop the items by the front office at your convenience.
Thank you for supporting our outstanding teachers and staff.
Ayers Foundation Information
Ayers Junior Parent Meeting will be April 28 @ 6:30 pm in the UCHS Cafeteria.
Ayers College Signing Day will be Friday, April 22 @ 9:00 AM in the UCHS Auditorium. Seniors will be called out at 8:00 AM for a Chick Fil A breakfast. Parents are invited to attend the 9:00 AM program.
UCHS and UCMS Band Spring Concert
The Unicoi County High School Band and Middle School Band Spring Concert will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 6:30 PM in the Unicoi County High School Auditorium. The concert, a tradition for the program, takes place every spring and shows the growth of the students in the program throughout the school year. There’s no charge for this event, but donations to the program are greatly appreciated.
There will also be a concert featuring the UCHS Choir and the UCHS Percussion Ensemble on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at 7 PM in the UCHS Auditorium. We invite the community to come and hear our choral singers perform and listen to the percussion ensemble. This is also a free event, but donations once again are greatly appreciated. Auditorium doors for both events open ten minutes before the performance
UCHS Theatre Arts
UCHS Drama Present Children’s Play
UCHS Advanced Theatre Arts students are proud to present Onward Through Oz!, an original student-created play adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic children’s book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The students have worked for the past several months adapting and creating the script for their stage production. Dorothy and her fantastic friends learn many lessons during their journey such as how to find the courage to stand up for loved ones, using your brains to solve problems, and having a heart for the needs of others. Audiences will watch the friends work together to defeat the Witch of the West and hopefully help Dorothy find a way home. Public Performances are Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 7pm, Friday, April 22, 20022 at 7pm, and Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 7pm. Adult tickets are $5 per person and student tickets are $2. Cash or check only, please. Doors open and tickets go on sale fifteen minutes before each performance.UCHS Bluegrass Band Free Concert for Family and Friends
What's Happening at CTE
Unicoi County High School College Career and Technical Education (CCTE) courses are fun, engaging, rigorous, and prepares students for success. Our courses equip students with the necessary skills to enter the workforce or college of their choice upon high school graduation. In the 2021-22 school year, CCTE will offer eighteen different and exciting career path opportunities for students to choose from, explore, and develop the necessary skills to thrive. Several of these programs of study have industry certifications and dual enrollment opportunities tied to them as well.
For more information or to address any questions, contact CCTE Director Mr. Kevin Lingerfelt at lingerfeltm@unicoischools.com.
Parking, Pick Up and Drop Off
Students who are dropped off each morning, should be dropped off at the back of the school near the cafeteria between 7:15 am and 7:45 am. Students arriving after 7:45 am should report to the front office to sign in and receive a late admit slip to class.
Students should be picked up around back near the cafeteria between 2:45 pm and 3:00 pm.
Students should NOT be dropped off or picked up at the front entrance of the school unless the student needs additional assistance, must check in late, or prior arrangements have been made with school staff.
Dress Code Reminder
Dress Code
A dress code is enforced to avoid tendencies on the part of students to call attention to themselves to the point of interfering with the school program. It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure students leave home dressed appropriately for school. Teachers and administration have the right to determine if attire or appearance is inappropriate for school.
All dress policies apply for field trips.
- Bottoms should reach mid- thigh.
- Only modest size holes are allowed in pants and must be mid-thigh or lower.
- Midriffs should not be visible at any time.
- All upper garments must have sleeves or straps.
- Necklines of all upper garments must cover straight across from armpit to armpit.
- No undergarments shall be visible.
- No transparent/see-through material.
- Wearing clothing with writing or characterization denoting obscenity, graphic violence, vulgarity, profanity, occult or inflammatory/degrading intent, or wearing clothing advertising drugs, alcoholic beverages, or tobacco products are prohibited.
- Going without shoes is prohibited.
Accessories
- Jewelry depicting drugs, alcohol, violence or sex is prohibited.
- Piercings may be deemed inappropriate in certain classes due to safety issues.
- Hats, caps, or any other headwear should be removed before entering classrooms.
- Hoodies are allowed but the hoods of such garments shall not be worn in class.
- Sunglasses are prohibited indoors unless prescribed by a physician.
- Jewelry that could pose a safety to you or someone else is prohibited.
Consequences for dress code violations include, but are not limited to:
1st offense- Warning, Opportunity to change attire
2nd offense- Warning, Opportunity to change attire
3rd offense- 1 day ISS
4th offense- 3 Days ISS and parent conference
If at any point the student refuses to change their attire, the student can be assigned ISS for the day the incident occurs.
Important- Updated Attendance Procedures- Please Read
We realize attendance has been difficult issue during COVID-19 these past years and have made exceptions to our policies to accommodate quarantines and isolations. Unfortunately, a negative unintended side effect was that some of our students lost interest and/or the emotional ability to get up and go to school. Some just simply got out of the habit, and we need to do all we can to encourage students to come back to school.
After the first semester, teachers in particular, were very concerned with the amount of absences and tardies they were seeing. The saw a direct correlation between student attendance and student achievement in class. Students who did not come to school scored significantly lower on school assignments than those who did.
To give you an idea, the average student might miss 10 days of school during the entire year. That's one day a month. This number would also take in to account a longer medical issue like the flu or COVID that might require a student be out of school for 5 days or so. That still leaves the student with 5 more days throughout the school year. It is considered "chronically absent" if your child misses 18 or more days of school. This is the point where research shows that it starts negatively impacting them as a learner.
To help encourage student engagement and good attendance, the Building Leadership Team comprised of teachers in every department developed a plan to address just those absences that are considered "unexcused". These are absences that do not meet the criteria to be "excused" like a doctor's note, funeral, COVID quarantine, COVID positive, and field trips. While these might take away from the day to day learning, we believe that these are absences that must be considered as appropriate and expected. The following are the new attendance procedures:
- If a student has more than 3 UNEXCUSED absences this semester, they will NOT be exempt from their final exams. This is per class. The other exemptions of A/B average and no missing assignments still applies.
- If a student has more than 5 UNEXCUSED absences this semester, they will not be allowed to purchase a ticket or attend Prom in April.
- If a student wishes to attend a field trip, the student may not have more than 5 UNEXCUSED absences in any class.
- If a female junior wants to be a Homecoming Candidate during the senior year she may not have more than 5 UNEXCUSED absences during the Spring semester and no more than 1 UNEXCUSED absence during the early Fall of her senior year.
Dr. Horton personally met with all grade levels of students when we returned from break in early January to discuss these new procedures. Every student got a fresh start no matter how many absences they have had in the past. We have also posted them throughout the building on announcement boards for reminders. So far, we have seen a vast improvement in attendance as it relates to unexcused absences.
Again, these additions are meant to support students and encourage them to come back to school regularly. If your child is sick with a fever or other severe illness, we want them to stay home and get healthy.
Contact Us
New!!! For text alerts and reminders, join UCHS Parent Portal on the REMIND app.
Text @uchspar to 81010
Email: hortona@unicoischools.com
Website: www.unicoischools.com/uchs
Location: 700 S. Mohawk Dr. Erwin
Phone: 423-743-1632
Facebook: facebook.com/uchsbluedevils