Inside the Pride Lower School News - Volume 228
Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Lower School
Published August 11, 2024
Volume 228
Sherry Randolph - Early Learning & Lower School Principal
The Principal’s Piece: A Note From Mrs. Randolph
Our first week of school has been fantastic! Our students have truly excelled, adjusting to their new routines. Teachers are thrilled with their new classes and have been enthusiastic about how well their students are doing. Our young Lower School students have also shown great responsibility in following arrival and dismissal procedures, as well as navigating the cafeteria smoothly. What a fun week we had as students have enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. Our 1st-3rd grade students gathered for our first Chapel service where we joined in praise and worship together. What a joy it is to gather together to worship our Lord! We’re looking forward to an exciting and successful year ahead!!!
Third Grade Worship Team Opportunity
Our third grade students are the leaders of our Lower School! In honor of this, we extend an opportunity for them to lead our Lower School students in worship during our weekly Chapel services. This opportunity is available for all interested third graders. The only requirement is to have a heart for worship and to be willing to stand on the stage and sing. The heart of this worship team is simply to be an example to others of how to worship. I am excited to provide an opportunity where our students can shine God’s light before others.
If your third grader is interested, please click on the link below to sign up:
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.
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.
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.
Important Dismissal Information
We have partnered with the company safeDISMISSAL.COM to facilitate our dismissal process for our Early Learning campus (PreK-3 through Kinder) and our Main Campus (1st - 8th grades). One of the many wonderful features of this dismissal process is that your children will remain comfortably and safely in their classroom until the moment they meet you in the "car loading zone".
Here are a few tips to follow during our dismissal process:
Please make sure to have your ‘pick-up’ card displayed in your front window when entering the dismissal line. Please keep your card displayed until your child has been loaded into your car.
Please stay in-line (no passing) during dismissal as the children will be instructed to walk to specific spots for loading.
To reduce your wait time, please keep up with the car in front of you. Stay attentive and focused on the car line.
If your student does not arrive at the loading spot before you do, you may be instructed to move to a "waiting" area where your child will be notified again. We ask you to move to this area so that we do not hold up the remaining dismissal line.
Please note: Your child is assigned to be picked up at a particular spot according to the order of cars in line each day. Please follow the car in front of you until the line stops, regardless of where you might or might not see your child. Stopping before the line has filled will cause the sequence to be thrown off and delay the line. We will get your child to the proper spot should they have gone to the wrong place.
Finally, we ask for your patience the first couple of weeks of school as everyone gets accustomed to the process. It will get faster/better each day!
The administrators and teachers are committed to making this process beneficial to all parties. Please visit www.safeDISMISSAL.com for more information. Below are a couple of helpful resources to further explain the process.
Meet our new teaching staff
Meet K3 Teacher, Victoria Wainwright: My name is Victoria Wainwright. Ms. W to my school family. I have 5 children, 3 boys and 2 girls. Two of my children are grown and have families of their own. My youngest three are ages 15, 11 and 9. I am originally from Miami, FL where I began my teaching career over 25 years ago. I started out as a teacher's aide and then taught Pre-Kindergarten for 2 years. I went on to develop and teach a curriculum enrichment program that included Music, Art and Science for children ages 2 through Kindergarten. I am also an artist and professional face painter. I can often be found participating in local church, school and community events painting faces while sharing the love of Jesus. My family and I enjoy being outside together when the weather is nice. We are so excited to be part of the TCS family!
Meet K4 Teacher, Allison Upshaw: Hello Lion Nation! My name is Allison Upshaw and I am excited to be joining the Lower Elementary team as a PreK 4 teacher this year. My background is in Early Childhood Development, but I have spent the past 20 years raising my family, and several of those years homeschooling my own boys. My family and I enjoy spending time together, and any and all outdoor activities.
Meet First Grade Teacher, McKenna Sterling: Hi Trinity family! My name is McKenna Sterling and I’m so grateful to be joining you all this year. I recently moved back home to Georgia from Arizona to be close to my parents, who live in the Atlanta area. I’ve been loving living in Peachtree City and all it has to offer. In 2021 I graduated from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (Roll Tide!). I originally taught kindergarten in Henry County, but quickly decided a private Christian school would be a better fit. I have two golden retrievers, Remington and Ryleigh, who are my whole heart. I enjoy exercising, reading, and hanging out with friends and family.
Meet First Grade Teacher, Sarah Barham: Hello Trinity family! My name is Sarah Barham, and I am excited to be joining this wonderful team! I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. I completed my undergraduate studies at Liberty University where I also met my husband, and we shortly moved to Georgia. We have lived in Newnan for 10 years where we are now raising our two wonderful daughters. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading books, and traveling with my family.
Meet Second Grade Teacher, Sarah Cottrell: Hello Trinity Family! My name is Sarah Cottrell, and I am excited that God has led me to join the amazing TCS team as a teacher. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where I was a competitive gymnast for thirteen years. I also lived in Texas and Alaska before settling in Georgia. I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. In my free time, I love to read, exercise, play games with my daughters, and travel with my family. I cannot wait to see what amazing things God has planned for this year, and I trust that He will lead and guide our every step.
Meet Second Grade Teacher, Melissa Casteel: I'm so honored to be teaching at Trinity! Hello, I'm Melissa Casteel, and I'm excited to be joining the 2nd grade team. I grew up in Roswell, GA, and studied at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). I landed in metro Richmond, VA and had two wonderful children, Claire (9) and Eli (7). I hope to bring them to Trinity soon. In 2019, my family returned to Georgia. We chose Newnan as our new home to be accessible to our extended family here in Georgia. I love good restaurants, animals, gardening, and painting in watercolor. You will find me on the soccer field or with my girl scout troop on the weekends. Thank you for the warm welcome!
Meet Second Grade Teacher, Teresa Russell: Hello Trinity Family! My name is Teresa Russell and I will be teaching second grade this year. I graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in education.
My husband is retired from the military and we've lived in Oklahoma, Germany,Texas, Washington State and now we are settled in Georgia.
I come with 20 + years in the education field and I'm excited to work at a Christian School to help prepare today's students to impact tomorrow's world.
Meet Third Grade Teacher, Courtney Gable: Hi TCS! My name is Courtney Gable, and I am thrilled to be teaching third grade this year! I grew up in Newnan and love that I get to raise my family here. I received my degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of West Georgia. I met my husband, Ross at UWG. We have two daughters who are Trinity students; Ellis is in the third grade and Palmer is in the first grade. I am passionate about studying God's Word and serving in my church, and you can almost always find me with an iced latte in my hand.
Meet Our New Teacher’s Assistants
Meet K4 Teacher’s Assistant, Jayme Geeslin: Hi Trinity Family! My name is Jayme Geeslin and I am so excited and grateful to be joining the Pre-K4 team this year. I am originally from Roanoke, Virginia but have lived in Georgia for the past 13 years. I received my bachelor’s degree in Communication and Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Virginia Tech. My husband and I have two sons, Ben and Sam, who attend Trinity and love it. Our family has been so blessed being at Trinity and I’m excited to join the community as a teacher assistant.
Meet K4 Teacher’s Assistant, Sophea Jackson: Hello Trinity family! My name is Sophea Jackson, and I feel very blessed and excited to be joining such a wonderful team! I’m originally from Cambodia but moved here with my family over 20 years ago. Some of the things that I really enjoy are cooking, traveling with my family, walking, camping, and fishing.
Meet Kindergarten Teacher’s Assistant, Stephanie Querna: Hello Lions! My name is Stephanie Querna and I am a kindergarten assistant. I look forward to meeting you. I am originally from Northern California, where I graduated and earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Child Development. I also met and married my husband in our small college town, Chico. We have been married for 29 years and have proudly called Georgia our home since 2002. Our daughter is a junior here at Trinity and our son graduated TCS in 2019. My family enjoys spending time together playing games, watching movies, walking the dogs, and traveling. I am also a member of a book club, and enjoy reading Christian fiction.
Meet Kindergarten Teacher’s Assistant, Leslie Lowery: Hi Trinity Family! My name is Leslie Lowery, I am thrilled to be joining our fantastic team! My education is in radiology and I have twelve years experience in the medical field. I am so excited for this new opportunity that God has provided. My husband and I have three amazing boys who are beginning their third year at Trinity. We are a sports loving family, and I am a lifelong Braves fan. The beach is my favorite place! My family loves adventures, and we enjoy spending time together exploring new places. I am so excited for this year! Go Lions!
Meet First Grade Teacher’s Assistant, Becky Knowles: Hello Trinity Families!! My name is Becky Knowles and glad to be joining the Trinity team. I was born and raised in Georgia. I graduated from West GA with a degree in Psychology and minor in Sociology. I have 3 kids and have been part of Trinity for 13 years. My son is going into 11th, daughter is going into 8th and my little man is going into 1st. In my free time I love spending time with my family and watching my kids play baseball and softball. Let's go Lions!!
Meet First Grade Teacher’s Assistant, Laura Boswell: Hello! My name is Laura Boswell and I will be a first grade assistant. This is my first year working at Trinity Christian School, but we are not new to the school. TCS has been home to our family for 17 years. My husband Adam and I have been married for 22 years. We have four children. Our sons are 20, 17 and 15 years old. Our daughter is 9 years old. Our oldest is a junior at University of Georgia and the other three attend Trinity. We have had such a wonderful experience here. I am so excited to be a part of the team this year! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family, friends and watching our kids sporting events.
Meet First Grade Teacher’s Assistant, Lisa Scarbrough: Hello Trinity family! My name is Lisa Scarbrough, and I am soexcited to be assisting Ms. McConnell in first grade! I grew up inPeachtree City where I enjoy being outside and walking the paths and kayaking with our family. I completed my undergraduate and graduate degrees in Early Childhood Education at the University of West Georgia. I am looking forward to a wonderful year getting to know your child and helping make this a fantastic first-grade year!
Meet Second Grade Teacher’s Assistant, Jana Gosdin: Hello! My name is Jana Gosdin. This is my first year at Trinity Christian School and I am thrilled to be assisting Mrs. Sarah Conttrell in second grade. I was born in Missouri, but I have lived in Georgia over half of my life. I have a wonderful husband of sixteen years and two boys who are in sixth and seventh grade at Trinity. In my free time, I love spending time with my family, shopping and traveling.
Student School Supply List for 2024/25
Each grade level has prepared a student supply list. Please bring these items to school on Meet My Teacher Day, August 5th. Student Supply Lists are available on Blackbaud under the “Resources” tab and can also be accessed through the links below. Many families took advantage of pre-ordering our Back to School Supply Kits. Your student’s kit will be placed on your child’s desk for Meet My Teacher Day.
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.
Lower School Principal - Sherry Randolph (sherry.randolph@tcslions.org)
LS Academic Dean - Leslie Cook (leslie.cook@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Cook can assist you with any academic-related needs for PreK-.3rd grade
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 Director of LEO Program - Jennifer Duncan (jennifer.duncan@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Duncan oversees our Learning Enrichment Opportunity Program
(pictured l to r) Lisa Railey, Jenn Duncan, Sherry Randolph, Leslie Cook, and Ashley Moore