This handbook is designed to help students and parents understand the policies and procedures of University School. We encourage you to read it carefully and call the school if you have any questions.

University School consists of grades kindergarten through 12 and has three distinct levels: the elementary school (K-5), the middle school (6-8), and high school (9-12). One of the many strengths of our school is the fact that it includes all grades. Most of the time students engage in activities within their age groups. However, when appropriate, our students have the opportunity to interact with multi-levels.

Because we are located on the campus of East Tennessee State University, we enjoy many unique advantages that most public schools do not have. At the same time, we also must accept the responsibilities that accompany those benefits. Therefore, we need to work together to promote a positive image of our school and to demonstrate to university personnel and students the value of our inclusion on campus.

A task force comprised of administrators, teachers, parents and students has approved all policies presented in this book. This is an abbreviated version that offers an overview of rules and regulations for students and parents. For more complete information, the University School Policy and Procedure Manual can be found in the Media Center at the University School.

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL

A Math/Science Signature School

Mission Statement

“As a model K-12 school, we are committed to an integrated academic curriculum emphasizing science and mathematics, which prepares all students and future educators to contribute to and succeed in a technologically oriented and global society.”

Strategic Initiatives

1) Develop a set of guiding principles for a model K-12 educational program that crosses traditional barriers in teaching/learning through a challenging curriculum in an environment that encourages innovation, engagement and interaction.

2) Create and implement a development plan that enables the creation and ongoing support of a model K-12 school.

3) Determine the number and characteristics of the students the school will serve, including abilities, interests and educational objectives, and develop a strategy to recruit and admit those students.

4) Develop and implement mechanisms and strategies for enhancing student and faculty knowledge and experiences so that they contribute to and succeed in a global society.

5) Construct a seamless integration of curriculum (K-12 post) using benchmarks that will foster scientific and mathematical innovation through technology.

6) Create a plan to recruit, retain, and develop highly qualified instructors (faculty) who reflect our philosophy and prepare students to achieve our school's mission.

Guiding Principles

In order to enhance mathematics and science education, University School encourages and supports sound educational practices. In accordance with the National Science Education Standards and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ Curriculum and Educational Standards and Professional Standards, University School believes that:

science and mathematics be taught in context with other academic areas and real world experiences and not in isolation
excellence in mathematics and science education requires equity—high expectations and strong support for all students
inquiry and hands-on, minds-on mathematics and science education is a natural vehicle for the development of students’ reasoning and problem solving skills
a curriculum is more important than a collection of activities; It must be coherent, focused on important mathematics and science, and well articulated across the grades
students should learn mathematics and science with understanding, activity building new knowledge from experience and prior knowledge
the use of appropriate technology and teacher pedagogy must be promoted to allow students to take an active role in the learning process; it influences the mathematics and science that are taught and enhances students’ learning
solutions for the future will require, more than ever before, groups of people working together to solve problems
it is imperative for students and teachers to become life-long learners as well as active contributors to an increasingly scientific and technological world
effective mathematics and science teaching requires understanding what students know and need to learn and then challenging and supporting them to lean it well
assessment should support the learning of important mathematics and science and furnish useful information to both teachers and students

WELCOME LETTER

Dear Students and Parents:

Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year. University School ranks among the top schools in Tennessee. Academically, University School students continuously score significantly above state and national norms on mandated tests. While University School's emphasis is on academics, many students choose to test their athletic abilities on the field of competition as well. The academic and athletic successes come through personal commitment to hard work, dedication and responsible action by students, parents, and teachers.

University School welcomes many new students this year. I encourage each of you to make a personal commitment also. There is no magic formula. To be successful, you must accept the challenges you will face. Your teachers will provide extra help if you ask.

University School continues to exceed Average Yearly Progress (AYP) as determined by the Tennessee State Board of Education. This year we will complete our five-year evaluation cycle to remain accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). We look forward to the visit from the SACS Review Team in April. Congratulations to our elementary and middle schools for receiving the TVAAS achievement award.

University School has an exceptional faculty that focuses on student growth. The faculty boasts of several National Board Certified teachers. The majority of the faculty has advanced degrees including one doctorate.

Parents have the opportunity to help us in our endeavors to maximize educational excellence at University School. Several parent organizations such as the US Foundation, University School Advisory Committee, and Boosters, all exist to support the University School programs. This year University School and the College of Education plan to continue to focus on our vision for the future. The University School Advisory Committee will be the forum along with the monthly newsletter to bring you updates on our progress as a Math/Science Signature School. We will be calling on volunteers from parents and the community to help us continue to develop our vision.

East Tennessee State University School is a great place to work and learn. Our school has a tradition of excellence that dates back to its beginning in 1911. In July of 1996, University School added another chapter to its rich history by implementing a year-round calendar. In doing so, we became the first K-12 laboratory school in the nation to take this innovative step.

The faculty, administration, and staff of University School are committed to providing a learning environment that nurtures the academic, social, and emotional growth of every student. We also recognize the importance of our role as a laboratory school. We have a special responsibility to model exemplary instructional practices to education students at East Tennessee State University and public practitioners in the region and nation. As we work preparing students in the 21st century, we are committed to achieving these important and complementary aims.

Educators in contemporary schools encounter new challenges every day. Unfortunately, yesterday's solutions are not always effective in solving today's problems. It is important that we as a community of parents, teachers, support personnel, administrators, and students embrace together the opportunity to face these educational challenges. The faculty, administration, and staff of University School welcome your participation. We hope you will communicate with us openly and will become actively involved in your children’s education.

PHILOSOPHY AND PURPOSE

University School of East Tennessee State University serves a dual function.

1. The primary function of the school is to help the College of Education at East Tennessee State University achieve its mission of preparing professional educators by:

· Providing university students with opportunities to observe innovative instructional practices;

· Providing university students opportunities to work with and teach K-12 pupils under the direction of skilled mentor teachers;

· Serving as a research laboratory for the advancement of programs and new ideas in the field of education

· Serving in a leadership role for the educational community by developing and

2. The second function is to provide a rich and varied curriculum that promotes the continuous academic, social, and emotional growth of each child in grades K-12.

University School and College of Education faculty and administration believe that the two broad functions described above are complementary. When teachers, professors, administrators, and students work collaboratively in the interests of educational excellence, all stakeholders benefit.

HISTORY OF UNIVERSITY SCHOOL

The present University School has been a part of ETSU since it began in 1911 as a two-year normal school. The program and scope of University School has expanded significantly since those early days when the school was a department of the college and held classes in a section of the administration building.

Originally, the school provided for the first seven grades under the direction of four teachers. By 1914, the 8th grade had been added, and a few years later the terminal year was changed to the 10th grade.

The first move occurred in 1915 when classes were transferred to a building known as the "Model School". In 1929 this building was replaced by the present structure (Alexander Hall) and the name was changed to "Training School". This name was derived from the fact that the program was designed to provide training for college students who were preparing to enter the teaching profession.

After a program of advanced planning, grade 11 was established in 1947; and a grade 12 curricula was prepared in 1948. In the spring of 1949 the first class was graduated from the Training School, and those students became charter members of an alumni association. The name "Training School" was officially changed to the present "University School" by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the State Board of Education.

The number of University School faculty has grown from four teachers in 1911 to more than forty faculty members. The student enrollment is approximately 540.

Administration
Dr. Paul Stanton	President, East Tennessee State University
Dr. W. Hal Knight	Dean, Clemmer College of Education
	Director
Ms. Patricia Jungkeit (NBCT)	Assistant Director
Mike Roberts	Attendance Officer, ISS, MS Health, Anatomy/Physiology
Elementary Faculty (K-5)
Mary Myron (NBCT)	Kindergarten
Noell Brickell	First Grade
Kelli Barnett	Second Grade
Michael Brickell	Third Grade
Susan Ellwanger	Fourth Grade
Debbie Goehring	Fifth Grade
Middle School Faculty (6-8)
April Blakely (NBCT)	Language Arts – 7^th, 8^th, Exploratory
Nicole Sleusloff	Math – 7^th, 8^th, Exploratory
Amy Horton (NBCT)	Middle School Coordinator Language Arts – 6th, Social Studies – 6^th, 8^th
Pam Cromie	Math, Science – 6th, Social Studies – 7th, Exploratory
Justin Penley	Science – 7^th, 8th, Exploratory

FACULTY/STAFF DIRECTORY

High School Faculty
Jill Macleod	English 9, Honors English, Women’s Literature
Whitney Bolden	English 10, Honors English, Journalism
Gina Bailiff	English 11, Honors English, Media Literature
Carol Ann Bevan	English 12, AP English, Creative Writing/World Religions
Jennie Case	Spanish I, II, III
Ariane Day	French I, II, III, German I
Regina Solomon	Algebra II, Advanced Algebra
Kimberly Summey	Geometry, Math Foundations
Lee Wells	Algebra I, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus
Richard Rollins	Biology, AP Biology
Rayne Price	Ecology, Physical Science
Mahua Chakraborty	AP Chemistry, Chemistry, ACT Prep
Gene Cahill	World History, U.S. Government, AP US History
Starlet Williams	Twentieth Century Issues, U.S. History, Economics
Josh Petty	World Geography, U.S. History, Technology I
Kevin Ellis	Wellness, Weight Lifting
Special Area Faculty
Sharon Squibb	Art I, II, III, Elementary Art, MS Art
Sharon Cradic	Elementary , Middle School Physical Education
Tim Erwin	Technology I, Web Page/Graphics
Dr. Joe Borden	Theatre, Beginner/Advanced Instrumental Music, Vocal Music
	Elementary Music, Middle School Vocal Music
Terri Knight (NBCT)	Media Center
Christy Lawrence	Resource
Julie Cantrell	Speech
Aleeta Shaw / BK Walker	School Counselor

Support Personnel
Cliff Hudson	School Resource Officer
Rosemary Lowe	Executive Aide
Tracy Lagerblade	Bookkeeper

Instructional Aides
Sandra Elkins	Main Office
Warren Fureman	Resource
Myra McGhee	Elementary
Sandy Robinson	Counseling Office
Sharon Bradshaw	Elementary

Food Services
Angie Tipton	Manager
Ronnie Tipton
Kim Garrett
Karen Gaspard

Physical Plant Staff
David McCrackin	Custodian
Hank Williams	Custodian
Laura Morin	Custodian

CLASS SPONSORS/MEETING SITES

9th grade meets in 010 10th grade meets in Brooks Gym

Jill MacLeod Whitney Bolden

Regina Solomon Starlet Williams

Jennie Case Richard Rollins

Gene Cahill Tim Erwin

Mahua Chakraborty Joe Borden

11th grade meets in Cafeteria 12th grade meets in Media Center

Gina Bailiff Carol Ann Bevan

Ariane Day Kevin Ellis

Lee Wells Kimberly Summey

Christy Lawrence Aleeta Shaw / BK Walker

Josh Petty Rayne Price

Sharon Squibb

Class sponsor responsibilities

· Each sponsor must chaperone at least one dance and be game administrator for at least one sporting activity

· Attend called class meetings

· Assure that class elections, meetings and other school/class-related activities are organized and properly managed on a timely basis

· Assure that class-sponsored activities (i.e., Prom) are functional and properly organized

· Assure that class officer nominees meet the minimum requirements to hold office

· Maintain an inventory of meeting minutes

· Maintain class records of consequence for reference and posterity

· Collaborate and coordinate intra-class activities with other grade-level sponsors

ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS

University School is academically oriented and college preparatory focused. Potential students and their parents should be committed to academic excellence. A vocational curriculum is not available at University School. Due to this, students will be counseled to attend their “attendance area school” when a vocational curriculum is educationally beneficial to the student.

ACADEMIC FEES (To be paid by July 25^th)

Fees will be paid to the bookkeeper, (room 109) and must be paid for the following:

$1 for any class changed after the 3-day drop/add period with administrative approval. (High School)
$20 science fee for each science class to cover consumable lab materials. (High School)
$20 art fee to cover materials cost. (High School only)
Advanced Placement exam registration (all students taking advanced placement courses are required to take the exam)
The cost of the AP English test prep workbook – information will be provided by the teacher.
$20 music fee (High School and Middle School Band and Chorus, Theatre Arts)
$20 High School class fee for grades 9,10,11,12 (defrays the cost of prom , senior picnic)
$5 ID fee for 10^th graders and all new students in grades 10, 11, 12.
$20 athletic fee for each sports participation to defray the cost of replacing uniforms. (Middle and High School athletes) Athletic fees are due to the coach prior to first practice for each specific sport. A student cannot play in a scheduled scrimmage or game until fees are paid. Athletic fees will be capped at a $100 maximum per family.
$200 Drivers Education fee Driver’s Education fees are due, as the instructor designates, at the time of registration for the class.

ADMINISTERING MEDICINE TO STUDENTS

If under exceptional circumstances a student is required to take oral medication during school hours and the parent or guardian cannot be at school to administer the medicine, only the principal or his designee will administer the medication with doctors written directions. Written doctor’s orders are required for any prescription medications brought to school. Authorizations to administer medication forms are available at the front office. Please see Ms. Lowe, the administrative aide, for these forms.

Nonprescription medication, such as aspirin, will not be administered without written permission from the parent or guardian. The parent or guardian must furnish medication.

ADMISSIONS POLICY

University School has one section each for grades K-6. The kindergarten enrolls 18 students. Grades 1, 2, and 3 each have 20 students. Grades 4, 5, and 6 each enroll 25 students. Grades 7 and 8 have 50 students each. Grades 9-12 have no more than 75 students per grade level.

University School is a "school of choice". In January and February each year an advertisement containing enrollment information is run in the local newspapers. This advertisement is run twice each month. The Dean of the College of Education and the East Tennessee State University Office of University Relations will approve the advertisement.

A drawing is held each March to fill vacancies for the next school year. Applications are accepted between January 1^st and the end of Februaryfor the term beginning in July. Students selected through the lottery will be eligible for an interview. University School reserves the right to screen applicants for past attendance, academic, and discipline problems. No admissions are final until after the interview process is complete, including the director’s signature. A letter of acceptance or non-admittance will be mailed in a timely manner following the interview.

University School students are subject to all public school laws, the policies and regulations of the Tennessee State Board of Education as stated in the Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA), and the policies and regulations of the State University and Community College System of Tennessee as administered through the President of ETSU.

All applications received after the cutoff date and time will not be included in the pool. These applications will be stamped and dated recording when they were received and will be added to the waiting list. As openings become available, eligible students will be called for the interview process in the order of their placement on the waiting list.

In compliance with University School's contractual agreement with Washington County^[1], the following priorities, by order, will exist in filling vacancies:

Children whose parent/guardian is a full-time University School faculty or staff member.
Siblings of current University School students for grades K-11. Siblings of graduating seniors will not be under the sibling policy for admission.
Washington County residents (including Jonesborough and Johnson City).
Residents from counties other than Washington County.
Out-of-state residents. A tuition fee is required for out-of-state residents. (Determined by the state per pupil allotment.)

Dates are set according to the calendar, however they follow this procedure:

1. The executive aide (school secretary) will need a minimum of one week to alphabetize and organize the received applications.

2. The drawing date will occur as was posted in the newspaper advertisements.

3. All applicants will be notified by the end of March to attend an interview.

4. Applications are accepted each school day until 4:00 p.m. on February 27.

Once students have been notified that they have been accepted for an interview to University School, the executive aide will provide the following forms to the family. These forms are to be completed, appropriately signed and returned in no less than three (3) school days prior to the interview. Applicants who are eligible for services under 504, IDEA, or ESL must have their prior school's service plan included. Any false representation(s) on required documents may result in admission refusal/dismissal from University School. All forms can also be found on the school web site in PDF form.

http://www.etsu.edu/coe/uschool/

Application form*
Properly signed “Records Release Form”*
Student Enrollment Form*
Athletic Records (if applicable)*
Special Education Records (if applicable)*
Immunization record*
Birth certificate*
Social Security Card*
Materials Fee Paid
Final Report card from previous school*
Copy of legal documentation certifying physical custody* (does not require entire divorce/separation document)
Green card
Civil Rights Grievance Procedure (Federal requirements)
Internet Access Form
Applications for Free and Reduced Lunch (optional)
Persons Authorized to Sign out your child*
Student Accident Insurance Form
Contract of Understanding (if applicable)
Standardized tests *
Girls Inc. (after school care for grades K-5)

* Documentation with asterisk must be completed and in possession of the administration before enrollment interview.

International exchange students

International exchange students must follow all admission policy procedures

Continued enrollment

Parent/Student Code of Conduct: Attending University School is your choice. Please note that University School also has the choice at anytime to convene a committee to discuss options which may include withdrawal when academic progress, behavior or attendance becomes a concern. Withdrawal may also result when the conduct of any student or parent is determined to interfere with the operation of University School or ETSU.

In early January parents/guardians of currently enrolled students are mailed a letter to re-enroll their child. Parents must return this enrollment form and materials fee by the specified date or the child's position in the school will be considered open. This child will then be placed at the bottom of the waiting list; not on the sibling list.

Applicants who are not admitted will have to reapply January 1 through February 28 to be considered for the next school year.

Reapplications

Students, who have previously withdrawn, must reenter the lottery for admission, or be placed on the waiting list for the first available opening.

Following dismissal, an applicant who chooses to reapply should present documentation of a minimum of one semester of acceptable behavior, attendance and academic progress prior to the readmission interview. A probationary contract between the student, the parents/guardians, and University School will be signed prior to readmission.

APPEAL PROCESS

The appeal process should adhere to the following sequence:

1. A staff member or a committee

2. Director of University School

3. Dean of the College of Education

4. President of ETSU

All appeals to the Dean and President should be submitted in writing, listing speci