Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Lower School
Published April 24, 2022
Volume 126
Sherry Randolph - Early Learning & Lower School Principal
The Principal’s Piece: A Note From Mrs. Randolph
This year, our standardized assessment will be administered online for all students. The IOWA assessment enables the Lower School administration and teachers to identify our strengths and weaknesses as a school in preparation for the following year. Students will complete a practice test before the actual assessment to become familiar and comfortable with the online format. A mandatory makeup test session will be assigned for students who are absent the days of testing.
Testing dates are as follows:
May 2nd and 3rd: 1st - 3rd Grade Students
May 4th and 5th: K5 Students
Here are some helpful tips to ensure students perform at their very best:
1. Minimize stress - Encourage students to try their very best, but not to feel anxious about the test. This assessment is simply an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have learned throughout the year!
2. Attendance - It is important for students to be present and arrive at school on time for these testing dates. Students in 1st - 3rd grade will begin testing promptly at 8:15. Kindergarten students will begin testing promptly at 8:30. Students who arrive late will wait at the front office until a testing break to minimize classroom interruptions once the testing has begun.
3. Rest and Routine - Please be sure students receive plenty of rest each night and eat a healthy breakfast each morning.
We are excited to review each student's academic progress and share these results with parents once testing results are finalized.
Last Week in Chapel
Our Chapel lesson was a continuation of our series, “I Know It Sounds Crazy, but It’s True”! In this lesson, the students learned how Peter brought his need to Jesus and how Jesus provided exactly what Peter needed in a very creative and strange way. We can trust God to provide for our needs, no matter what our circumstances may be.
Main Focus: God will provide for our needs.
Power Verse: “And God will generously provide all you need...” 2 Corinthians 9:8
Whatchagaddaknow: “When I Have A Need - God Will Provide!”
Classroom Highlight - A Peek Into Our Classroom Fun
The Pre-K 4 year old classes enjoyed a beautiful day at Serenbe Farms on Wednesday, April 20th. To reinforce their plant and animal study, the students were able to see first hand God's glorious creation. Students rotated through different areas of the farm, including baby chickens, a chicken coop, as well as vegetable and flower gardens. Students learned about the life of a chicken and also learned what plants need to thrive. Afterwards, the students enjoyed having a picnic with all their friends! It was a wonderful day!
Important Upcoming DateS
*Please note that the 3rd grade field trip has been added to the list of dates in May.*
April
27th: 1st Grade Field Trip to the Atlanta Zoo
May
2nd & 3rd: IOWA Testing (1st-3rd grades)
4th & 5th: IOWA Testing (kindergarten)
10th: 2nd Grade Field Trip to the Biblical History Center
12th: 3rd Grade Field Trip to Junction Lanes
20th: End of Year Evening Program for Preschool & 1st-3rd Grades
23rd: Kindergarten Graduation at 7:00pm in the Stadium
23rd-26th: Half Days/ End of Year Celebrations
26th: Class Parties/Last School Day
Elementary Clubs
Our students love participating in after school clubs!
Signups will be available within the first few weeks of this semester. Please watch for communications regarding specific club dates and registration links in the Fine Arts and Athletics sections of the Inside the Pride newsletter as they become available.
If you have any questions, please email the club sponsor listed below or Lisa Railey (lisa.railey@tcslions.org) who oversees all of our elementary clubs.
Art Club - Erica Hackworth ~ erica.hackworth@tcslions.org
Chess Club - Coach Rodney Lewis of Championship Chess ~ rodneylewis33@gmail.com, r_lewis29@yahoo.com
Drama Club - Emily Litton ~ emily.litton@tcslions.org
Running Club - Coach Cassie Freeman ~ running.club@tcslions.org
Tuesdays: Art Club - 1st -5th grades
Wednesdays: Drama Club - 3rd-5th grades
Running Club - 1st-3rd grades
Thursdays: Chess Club 1st-5th
Running Club - 4th-5th grades
Blackbaud: Classroom Updates & Information
To stay informed of what’s happening in your child’s classroom, please login into Blackbaud weekly. You will be able to see information such as weekly classroom announcements, upcoming events, weekly academic focus, grades, attendance, etc. This is the key to staying informed and will replace the hardcopy newsletter sent home in the past. I encourage you to login each week. We are excited for this new format! Information will be updated each Sunday at 5pm.
Accessing your child's class information weekly:
Login to your Blackbaud account and select your child's name under "Children".
Find your child's homeroom class under the "Progress" tab by scrolling down to where classes are listed.
After selecting the homeroom class, you will see the teacher's main class page where you will locate upcoming dates, class reminders and news.
Select the "Topics" tab to see specific information for each individual subject. Within each subject folder, you will see a plan for the week and upcoming projects and test information.
The "Topics" pages update each Sunday evening at 5pm and will remain current until the following Sunday evening.