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Inside the Pride Lower School News - Volume 197

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Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Lower School

Published November 26, 2023

Volume 197

 

Sherry Randolph - Early Learning & Lower School Principal

 

The Principal’s Piece: A Note From Mrs. Randolph

I hope your family enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

Our 1st-3rd grade students will take benchmark assessments on November 30th and December 1st. The benchmark assessment enables us to monitor student progress throughout this academic year. Please be sure to read the section in this newsletter regarding these benchmark assessments to ensure your child is prepared on assessment day.

Upcoming Events

November

  • 30th -  ELA Benchmark Assessment (1st-3rd grades)

December 

  • 1st - Math Benchmark Assessment (1st-3rd grades)

  • 4th - HOUSE Color Dress Down Day (1st-3rd grades)

  • 11th - Early Learning Christmas Programs & Classroom Parties (PreK-K5)

  • 14th - Christmas Extravaganza: A Lower School Family Holiday Experience from 6:00-9:00pm

  • 15th - Remote Learning Day/Last Day of the Semester

 Annual Food Drive Update!

Our Annual Food Drive has been a HUGE success with a collective total of 8,884 items donated!!! This is truly AMAZING!! So many families in our community will be blessed by your generosity! Thank you for your participation! Way to go, Trinity Families!!! You are awesome!

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16

Lower school sweet sleigh returns for christmas

The Lower School Sweet Sleigh is back this Christmas season! Students (preK-3rd) can purchase Christmas treats for $1 starting the week of November 27th through December 13th (while supplies last). The Sweet Sleigh will be available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. If you would like to participate, please send in cash with your child. Looking forward to celebrating the Christmas season together!

Upcoming Benchmark Assessments (1st-3rd grades)

All 1st - 3rd grade students will complete a mid-year benchmark assessment when we return from Thanksgiving break. The benchmark assessment enables the school to monitor student progress throughout this academic year. These assessments are not graded but provide valuable insight to our teachers as they plan for the remainder of this school year. 

Testing dates are as follows:

November 30th: ELA Benchmark Assessment

December 1st: Math Benchmark Assessment 

We need your assistance in the following ways:

1. Minimize stress - Encourage your child 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 so far this year!

2. Attendance - It is important for students to be present and arrive at school on time for these testing dates. Students will begin testing promptly at 8:30am both mornings. 

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 celebrate their success! 

Christmas Spirit Week Themes for December 11th-14th

Join us in participating in a school-wide Christmas Spirit Week event from December 11-14th. Please see below for each day’s theme. Students should wear regular uniforms on the days they choose not to participate. 

Monday - Red and Green - Rudolph Red and Grinch Green!

Tuesday - Ugly Sweater - Get All Sorts of Tacky!

Wednesday - Winter Wonderland - White and Blue Will Do!

Thursday - Christmas PJs!

Lower School Christmas Celebrations

Mark your calendars for our upcoming Christmas performances and events!! 

Preschool and Kindergarten Christmas programs and class parties are on Monday, December 11th! 

  • 8:30am (Hickman/Calvert/Cooper)

  • 9:15am (Farr/Hutchison/Spurgeon)

  • 10:00am (Ross/McAuley/Rollins)

  • 10:45am (Moore/Lackey/Kuehl)

  • 11:30am  (Byrom/Judy)

Our Christmas Extravaganza: A Lower School Family Holiday Experience

A fun-filled event for ALL Lower School families. This year’s Christmas Extravaganza takes place on December 14th from 6:00-9:00pm. More details coming soon on the holiday fun this event brings as we celebrate the reason for the season together. Our first-third graders will have their Christmas musical performances during this event as well.

Performance Times:

1st Grade: 6:00pm

2nd Grade: 6:30pm

3rd Grade: 7:00pm

*All performances will take place in the TCS gymnasium.

Registration Needed: Agape After School

The Agape After School program has asked that we please send the following link to all of our PreK4 through 3rd grade families so we can have every family registered in case after school ever needs to be utilized. Please note that completing the registration is not an indicator that you plan to use the program, nor is it agreeing to any charges. WE NEED EVERY FAMILY to register so that if you ever have to utilize the program, your child’s information is already on record. Please use the link below to complete the registration. Thank you!

Optional House Color T-shirts

We have had several parents request the option to purchase House shirts to wear on House Color Days. We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Graceful Peach Boutique to offer shirts for Robinson, Elliot, and Lewis houses! Check out the link below and order your optional shirt today if you are looking for something to wear on House Color Day.  

www.gracefulpeachboutique.com/collections/special-order

Electronic Device Policy

Just a reminder that elementary students are not permitted to have cell phones, smart watches, GPS tracking devices, or other electronic devices during school hours.

Staying Informed and Up-to-date with

Classroom Happenings

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 replaces hardcopy newsletters. I encourage you to login each week. Information will be updated each Sunday at 5pm.

Blackbaud 101

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.

ADMINISTRATIVE Contacts

If you have any questions throughout the summer, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are happy to help! Please see the guide below to reach the most appropriate personnel.

  • LS Director of Student Life - Ashley Moore (ashley.moore@tcslions.org)

    • Mrs. Moore can assist you with general questions regarding the school calendar, uniforms, supply lists, etc.

  • LS Academic Dean - Leslie Cook (leslie.cook@tcslions.org)

    • Mrs. Cook can assist you with any academic-related needs for PreK-.3rd grade