Seniors / Parent Information
Click to Link to Ms. Shaw's Senior Website Lots of Information!
Hi Seniors- Only 13 ½ days until winter break!!! If you have any recommendations
due during the break or by January 15, those requests are due to me by November 30!!
As of today all requests have been fulfilled except for two. Please check to be sure
that any documents that you expected to be received by your college have actually
been received so that we can correct any concerns in the next two weeks.
Remember that transcript requests should be submitted through ScribOrders (click “transcripts” on first page of www.usbucs.com) unless you only completed the Common Application.
Many of you will need mid-year reports for applications. Your GPA and Rank will be recalculated after winter break, and mid-year reports will start going out around January 20. Any new requests for mid-year reports can be submitted when we return to school in January.
If you have not joined my Remind list, here is the link https://www.remind.com/join/27ek4c8. Using this method to contact me for urgent situations during the break is the fastest way for me to get your message via text.
Ms. Shaw
Reminder for Senior parents: The first deadline to purchase Senior Ads is Thursday, December 13th; after then there will be a $10 late fee added and the final deadline is January 31st.
Cost is $25 for quarter; $50 for half; $100 for full.
If you are interested in purchasing an ad, please contact Mrs. Evelyn Hammonds, hammondse@etsu.edu. Please note that there was a wrong email address in the letter that was sent home. The email in the letter was hammonde@etsu.edu and the correct one is hammondse@etsu.edu.
You may submit 7 to 20 pictures (actual photos or digital copies).
Hi Seniors- We will have a senior class meeting on Tuesday, November 6th, from 12-12:30, to learn about ordering your senior supplies from Josten’s. The most important part of this order is the cap/gown. If you cannot attend the meeting, you can pick up a packet later in my office. You are not required to order materials from Josten’s, but we prefer you to order your cap/gown from them to ensure consistency in color and style of the cap/gown. If you need assistance with purchasing a cap/gown or would like to borrow one—just see me. Ms. Shaw
University School will celebrate College App Day on Wednesday, October 31st, in the Counseling Office. Throughout the day Seniors, faculty and staff will be welcome to drop in for snacks and apple cider! Seniors are encouraged to come in throughout the day to get help with college applications, complete the Tennessee Promise application, or get help with the FAFSA. Students who cannot afford to miss any class can come during lunch/study hall or dual enrollment periods.
As a whole school we want to encourage all students K-12, faculty, and staff to wear
their favorite college gear to encourage the seniors in their college application
endeavor! Also, make sure that you meet our Niswonger Care Advisor, Mary!
Hello University School Students and Senior Parents,
This year is an exciting but stressful time for our seniors (and their families). To relieve some stress, the counseling office will be hosting a College Tailgate Party for Seniors during the day on Wednesday, October 31, 2018!
This day will be an opportunity for seniors and their families to come by the counseling office to apply for TN Promise, college applications and create their FSA ID's.
*Seniors, if you plan to attend please bring your social security number and means of payment (credit/debit card) for your college application fees.
Make sure to wear your favorite/future college gear! Drop in for flavorful snacks and warm apple cider!
College, Career and Military preparation is an exciting time, so let's all come together and talk about our future plans on 10/31/18!
Thank you,
Mary Kerns
NiswongerCARE Advisor
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Mary Kerns
NiswongerCARE Adviser
Niswonger Foundation
Schools Served: Sullivan Central High School, Sullivan East High School, and University High
We are looking forward to a fun time at Fenders Farm on Friday, October 19th! If
you are planning to go, please sign up in the office and turn in $10. Fender's Farm
has graciously given us a 50% discount. However, tickets have to be purchased by
Tuesday morning. Please contact Mikki Henley if you plan to go and cannot get name
and money turned in to the office by Tuesday morning. You may bring a guest that
is not a senior for the same price. Ms. Henley must have the numbers by 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday. You may still attend with the group Friday, however, the price will be $20.
If you have any questions, please contact Mikki Henley at (423) 773-8755. This event
is organized by the senior parents. Also, if you have not turned in your tickets/money
from the spirit card sales, please do so asap in the office.
Attention Seniors! A Class Picture will be made on Friday, October 12th, right after attendance in 3rd period. Please pick up picture information in the office, from Ms. Bailiff or Mrs. Hammonds.
Hi Seniors-
Don’t forget that if you need a college or scholarship recommendation that is due before October 15, then I need your Recommendation Self-Assessment (see attached) at least 3 weeks before the deadline. When you are on break, I am on break! However, I will be focusing on sending transcripts and recommendations during that time. Submitting paperwork as early as possible is ALWAYS a good idea! If you cannot make the recommendation form work correctly, don’t worry about that. I don’t need the form to look pretty; I just need your information. You can just add anything anywhere that works for you! You MUST email me the form though so I can access it at any time. Part of my break will be spent at conferences and trainings, but I just might have a few minutes to work on your documents so make it easy for me.
Enjoy your break!
Ms. Shaw
PS-Fitting in some community service over break would be a good idea too! J
Seniors, please pick up Spirit cards by Friday, September 15th. They will be in a numbered Ziploc bag that you will sign for when you pick it up. There are 10 cards in each bag. The cards are $10 each. When you sell the cards in the bag, return your Ziploc bag with the money, or checks payable to University School senior class, to the office, make sure you sign in your bag upon return. If you wish to sell more cards, you may sign out another set of 10. Initial set of cards must be picked up by Friday, September 15th. If you need additional cards over break, you may contact Mikki Henle at 423-773-8755.
There will be a prize gift card arrangement worth $200! Each ticket sold will be a chance to win the gift card arrangement. So, the more tickets you sell, the more chances you have to win!
All tickets and money are due October 9th (the first day back from fall break). Tickets not sold must be turned in with the money of sold tickets. You are not required to sell tickets to participate in activities. However, you will be asked to pay for those activities.
Thanks and good luck with card sales!
Printable Peer Tutoring Application
Dear Seniors-
Need volunteer hours or to make a little extra money? Apply to be a peer tutor! University School always has a need for tutors for students of all ages. Please consider applying to be a tutor!
Attention Seniors: If you have not had your Senior Formal made, please sign up in the office for an appointment. Lifetouch will be here on Monday, September 10th, to take Senior Formals. Sitting fee is $25. If you want a retake of your formal pictures, sign up in the office for a time. There is NO sitting fee for retakes.
QuestBridge 2018 National College Match for High School Seniors is now open. The free, online application is due on September 27th, 2018. Please visit https://www.questbridge.org/
Important Senior Information!!!!
Dear Seniors and Senior Families-
This may be the most important email that I send you all year so please read it to the end.
-First, I have a special senior website where nearly everything you need to know is posted. It can be found at the top of the senior page on my faculty website. If you do nothing else, please watch the application and financial aid videos. The link is https://uhseniorinformation.weebly.com/. I have finished updates today, but if you notice errors please let me know. You can also use the college and scholarship searches on my website to help narrow down your choices to a list of 3-7 (just a recommendation-application fees can be expensive).
-Second, it is time to begin your college applications if you have not yet done so. Completing your college applications should happen over fall break so that everyone can meet important scholarship and admission deadlines. UT-Knoxville has one of the earliest deadlines at November 1, but if you are applying for early admission or early decision your deadlines may be earlier. If ANYTHING you need is due in September or early October I need it this coming TUESDAY 9/4!!!
There are three ways to apply to college:
- On the website of the college
- Through the Common Application at https://www.commonapp.org/ for membership schools
- Through the Coalition Application at http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/ for membership schools
-Third, if you think you might qualify, apply for free/reduced lunch to be eligible for fee waivers for ACT/SAT/College Application Fees. You do not have to eat the lunch, but it will prove your eligibility for fee waivers. Applications are available in the main office and in my office.
-Fourth, apply for the TN Promise (free community college tuition) at http://tnpromise.gov/. Even if you do not plan to attend community college it is an excellent back up plan in case something interferes with your primary plans. Additional scholarship info coming soon.
-Fifth, request transcripts for college applications that you are completing. Some sites like Common App will automatically issue a request to me. Others will require that you make the request directly to me. Unfortunately, we are currently in transition with the site we use for digital transcript requests so for the next few days it is best to request transcripts via email. If you have already used Parchment, they have been sent. We are switching to ScribOrders. Info coming soon.
-Sixth, request any recommendations that you need from me or your teachers three to four weeks in advance. Be specific about what you need and when it is due. I require that you email me a COMPLETED Recommendation Self-Assessment form(attached and on the senior website) before I will write you a recommendation. You are welcome to send it to other people that you ask for recommendations.
-Seventh, check my website and the school’s website for important dates and information and ALWAYS read my emails. Email is the primary way that I will communicate important information to you. Look for an email soon about text alerts for seniors.
-Eighth, all seniors are expected to retake the ACT on the Senior Retake Date of October 16 during the school day. All seniors are registered through the school. Students with a 30 or above ACT may elect not take the exam (must notify Ms. Shaw if not planning to take), but taking an ACT is a graduation requirement in the State of Tennessee. If for some reason you DO NOT WANT to retake the ACT please inform me before we go on break.
-Eighth, if all of this is overwhelming and confusing, take a deep breath and schedule an appointment with me J.
Thanks for reading to the end! More updates coming soon!
Ms. Shaw
Roan and Niswonger Scholars Nominations open
Seniors-
The email below went to all faculty/staff this morning. If you would like to be nominated for one of these scholarships, please discuss it with one of your teachers.
Thanks!
Ms. Shaw
Hi All-
Many years ago we decided that the entire faculty and staff would nominate and vote on some of the high value scholars programs for which our students may be eligible. I will be taking nominations via email for both the Niwonger Scholar and Roan Scholar Program until this Thursday, September 6, and we will probably vote on Monday. I have briefly outlined the requirements for the scholarship programs below. Students may request that you nominate them, but please ensure that they meet the minimal requirements as listed below. You may nominate more than one person because we will later narrow the list by vote.
Thanks!
Aleeta
Niswonger Scholarship Program
Nominees should:
-display leadership ability including character, drive, energy, initiative and work ethic
-display academic ability demonstrated through grades and standardized test scores
-display financial need not just equated with low income. Some middle class families are unable to afford the tuition at elite colleges and universities.
-be willing to commit to return to Northeast Tennessee for work and service in their chosen profession
Roan Scholars Program
Nominees should:
-be committed to attending East Tennessee State University
-selection is based on character, leadership, scholarship, and physical activity (does not have to be school sport)
-successful candidates need not be the students with the highest grade point average in the school, since nominations are based solely on ability and reflect well-rounded students with the most potential
Also, there will be Senior Formal Pictures (or retakes) on this day. The cost is $25 for a sitting fee. Seniors may sign up in the office for a time slot.
Hi Seniors- This coming Thursday, August 30th, 2018, we will take seniors by bus to the Tri-Cities College Fair! We will leave about 8:45 a.m., and return about 10:30 a.m. Please return your permission form with $3.00 to Ms. Shaw by Wednesday afternoon. The permission form is attached. The College Fair will also be open from 6-8 in the evening if families would like to go back with their student.
Prior to attending the fair students MUST register at http://gotocollegefairs.com/pdf/How-to-Register-Guide.pdf to get a personalized barcode. Colleges and Universities will be able to scan your personalized barcode (bring print copy or phone image) if you would like to have further communication with them.
This test is required for graduation. Study materials have been placed on Ms. Campbell's school webpage.
Click here for Link to 2016 Graduation Ceremony
I just wanted to let you know that as a senior parent you will have some extra responsibilities this year. As a part of the Graduation Week (last week of school), the senior parents traditionally arrange an overnight retreat, a senior picnic, the Baccalaureate service and Project Graduation (graduation night lock-in). The school will donate a small amount of money toward these parent arranged festivities, but the burden of fundraising falls to the parents. All of the above listed activities are optional, but have become a tradition usually embraced by the senior parents to give the graduates a great finish to high school. There is no set system in place to organize parent involvement, but usually at least one parent will step forward to begin the process. I am happy to serve as advisor and facilitator for helping you organize Senior Week and to relay information to the seniors. Below, you will find the mandatory graduation activities that I have already scheduled, and other activities should be scheduled around these events. The person in charge of Project Graduation should see Ms. Robinson ASAP to reserve facilities in the CPA. I encourage you to begin the conversation soon!
Thanks!
Ms. Shaw
Link to the 2015 Graduation recording
Click to View 2014 Graduation Ceremony
Seniors, don't forget to submit your Contact Information to the Alumni Database!!! Yes, you made it!!!
Parents of Seniors: Seniors are required to complete 40 hours of community service before they graduate. To date, many seniors have not submitted their forms to Ms. Shaw. This is a state requirement to graduate. Please work with your student to take care of this item.
Ask Ms. Shaw about Duplicate Diploma Requests
