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Inside the Pride Lower School News - Volume 219

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

Published May 5, 2024

Volume 219

 

Sherry Randolph - Early Learning & Lower School Principal

 

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

If your child will be in K4-3rd grade next year, please take a moment to complete the Parent Input on Class Placement form for the 2024-25 school year. Please submit this form by 8:30am on Monday, May 6th. Thank you!

Upcoming Dates

Upcoming May Events

  • May 7th - Second Grade Field Trip to Fayette Environmental

  • May 8th - Preschool Pastries With Parents Event

  • May 9th - Progress Learning ELA Benchmark Testing

  • May 10th - Progress Learning Math Benchmark Testing

  • May 13th - Preschool End of Year Program and Awards 

  • May 13th - 1st-3rd Grade EOY Program and Awards Night 

  • May 15th - Kindergarten “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” Graduation Celebration Party

  • May 16th - Third Grade Field Trip to Junction Lanes

  • May 20th - Kindergarten Graduation

  • May 20th - Third Grade Water Bash Day & Kona Ice

  • May 21st - Second Grade Inflatables & TCBY Day

  • May 22nd - Preschool Glow Party & Ring Pops Day

  • May 22nd - Kindergarten Popcorn, PJ’s, & Movie Day

  • May 22nd - First Grade Scooter & Popsicle Day

  • May 24th - Class Parties

Be sure to check out all the details about our end of year events on our family landing page. https://tcslions.org/endofyear

Progress Learning End Of Year Testing

This Thursday and Friday, we will be conducting our final benchmark assessment for both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. It's important to note that these assessments are designed to evaluate students' understanding of the academic concepts covered throughout the year and to measure their academic growth as an individual student.

In preparation for the final benchmark assessment, we need your assistance in the following ways:

  1. Minimize stress - Encourage students to give their best effort while reassuring them that there's no need to feel anxious about the test. This assessment is simply an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they've learned throughout the year!

  2. Attendance - It's crucial for students to be present and arrive at school on time for these testing dates. Testing will begin promptly both mornings.

  3. Rest and Routine - Please ensure that students get plenty of rest each night and have a healthy breakfast each morning to support their readiness for testing.

End Of Year Events

PRESCHOOL: PASTRIES WITH PARENTS EVENT

DATE: Wednesday, May 8th 

PRESCHOOL STUDENTS & PARENTS ONLY

SUMMARY: Our preschool families are invited to join us for a Preschool Pastries With Parents Event on Wednesday, May 8th. Embark on a journey alongside your little one with our engaging scavenger hunt, where they'll delight in discovering surprise treasures along the way. Due to space constraints, we ask that only parents attend this event. The festivities will unfold over approximately 45 minutes.

TIMES: 

8:30am: Mrs. Hutchison & Mrs. Farr’s Classes

9:15am: Mrs. Cooper & Mrs. Calvert

10:00am: Mrs. Hickman & Mrs. Spurgeon

10:45am: Mrs. Byrom & Mrs. Judy

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KINDERGARTEN: “OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO” GRADUATION CELEBRATION PARTY

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…and he shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

DATE: Wednesday, May 15th

KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS & PARENTS ONLY

SUMMARY:  We invite you to join us for a special event dedicated to honoring your kindergartener's hard work and achievements. It's time to celebrate the wonderful journey they've embarked upon and the bright future that lies ahead! Join us for our end-of-year awards ceremony, featuring a special parent-child craft activity and memorable photo opportunities! We will be presenting each graduate and their family with a special gift—a Big Head Sign of your child. This adorable keepsake will be the perfect way to support your little Lion graduate during our graduation march and ceremony.

We look forward to sharing this memorable event with our kindergarten families. Please note that due to space limitations, we kindly request that only parents attend this event.

TIMES:

12:45pm: Ms. Kuehl, Mrs. McAuley, & Mrs. Moore

1:15pm: Mrs. Rollins, Mrs. Ross, & Mrs. Lackey

OPTIONAL HALF-DAY DISMISSAL AND EARLY RELEASE FRIDAY

As we look towards the end of the semester and the 23-24 school year, we wanted to let you know that we will be offering an adjusted schedule to accommodate end of year testing, parties and special events. Please see our plan for the final 3 days of the school year below for Lower School, Upper Elementary and Middle School. 

Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23 - Optional Half Day Release

  • All mandatory school work will be completed by 11:30am, and an optional half day dismissal will be provided. We will conduct a normal dismissal line beginning at 11:30am with a plan to conclude the dismissal line by 12:15pm. Students who need to be picked up between 12:15-2:50pm can be checked out at the front office. At 2:50pm we will run a second dismissal, pending the amount of students who remained on campus past 12:15pm. We will update you about our afternoon dismissal process during the 2:50-3:30 time slot on these days as we get closer. 

  • If you anticipate your child needing to stay at school past 12:15pm, please complete the forms below so we can plan accordingly. Supervision will be provided up until 3:30pm by teachers. Students still on campus at 3:30pm will be transitioned to Agape After Care or Middle School Extended Day (normal rates will apply)

    • Wednesday Form (DUE BY MAY 15)- students needing to remain at school after 12:15pm

    • Thursday Form - (DUE BY MAY 15) students needing to remain at school after 12:15pm

  • Note: Due to the optional half-day release, Sage Dining will be serving our students breakfast between 8-10am (pending your child’s grade level schedule). Students needing to stay past 12:15pm will need to bring a sack lunch as there will be no lunch option provided by Sage.

EARLY LEARNING AT GO CHURCH INFORMATION: The Early Learning students at our Go Church campus will dismiss from 11:30 to 12:00pm. Due to the half day dismissal, we will not offer the Junior Lions dismissal option. Early Learning students will be transported to the main campus for the Agape program at 2:10pm. 

Friday, May 24 - Half Day Dismissal

  • We will dismiss for Summer Break at 11:30am. All students should be picked up between 11:30am-12:15pm. There will be NO AFTER SCHOOL option available on this day. 

  • Note: Due to the early dismissal, Sage Dining will be serving our students breakfast between 8-10am (pending your child’s grade level schedule).

EARLY LEARNING AT GO CHURCH INFORMATION: Transportation will NOT be provided to the main campus for Early Learning students.

Last Week in Chapel

We had a great time in Chapel this week as Mrs. Duncan and Mrs. Moore taught our fourth lesson in the series titled, "Don't Worry About It"! In last week’s lesson, the students learned that although life is full of troubles and difficulties, we can have peace in our hearts and minds because Jesus has "overcome the world". If we trust in God when we face difficult times, He will give us peace and rest!

Whatchagaddaknow: “No Matter What Happens, Jesus Gives Me Peace!”

Power Verse: “...Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33

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.

Elementary Clubs

Our students love to participate in our elementary clubs. These clubs are designed for 1st-5th grade students and meet after school dismisses. Check out the main page of Inside the Pride for more information.

Lower School ADMIN Team: We are here to help!

(pictured l to r) Lisa Railey, Jenn Duncan, Sherry Randolph, Leslie Cook, and Ashley Moore

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