Inside the Pride Lower School News - Volume 244
Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Lower School
Published December 1, 2024
Volume 244
Sherry Randolph - Early Learning & Lower School Principal
The Principal’s Piece: A Note From Mrs. Randolph
The Principal’s Piece: A Note From Mrs. Randolph
We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break! We are excited to welcome our students back to school and dive into the holiday season together.
This week, we will be conducting benchmark testing for K-3rd graders. Please see the details in the section below to ensure your child is prepared.
Additionally, we encourage you to check out the important sections below, which include:
Dress-Up Days for December
Optional Half-Day Dismissals
Christmas Extravaganza: A Lower School Family Holiday Experience
UPCOMING DATES
Dec 3 - Kindergarten Progress Learning Testing (ELA)
Dec 5 - Kindergarten Progress Learning Testing (Math)/Progress Learning ELA Testing (1st-3rd)
Dec 6 - Progress Learning Testing Math (1st-3rd)
Dec 12 - Principal’s Coffee & Conversation
Dec 13 - House Color Day
Dec 16-19 - Christmas Spirit Week Dress Up Days
Dec 17-19 - Optional Half Day Dismissal
Dec 19 - Christmas Extravaganza: A Lower School Family Holiday Experience
December 20 - January 5th - Christmas Break
Progress Learning Mid-Year Testing:
On December 5th and 6th, we will be conducting our mid-year 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 so far this school year and to measure their academic growth as an individual student since the initial benchmark test. Remember, these assessments do not contribute to their academic grades.
Students are encouraged to eat a healthy breakfast and arrive at school on time, as testing will begin promptly each morning.
Please note that kindergarten students will complete their testing on December 3rd and 5th.
Lower School Sweet Sleigh
The Lower School Sweet Sleigh is back this Christmas season! Students will have the option of purchasing Christmas treats for $2 starting the week of December 2 through December 18 (while supplies last). These will be available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. If you would like to participate, please send in cash with your child. Looking forward to celebrating the Christmas season together!
SAGE Update for 1st-3rd Grades
We wanted to inform you about a temporary adjustment to our lunch service for students in 1st through 3rd grade. Starting this week, the soup station will be unavailable for a few weeks while SAGE explores alternative options for this offering.
This decision was made because we’ve observed that the soup station can be challenging for our younger students to navigate, especially when pouring. To ensure lunchtime remains a safe and enjoyable experience, we are working with SAGE to assess and improve this setup.
Rest assured, there will still be plenty of delicious and nutritious options available for your child during this time.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to enhance the dining experience for our students.
Principal’s Coffee & Conversation
We are excited to introduce a new meeting series called “Principal’s Coffee and Conversation”! These informal gatherings are designed to provide an opportunity for us to connect, share ideas, and discuss important topics in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Our first meeting will be a special Christmas Edition gathering! During this session, we’ll discuss benchmark testing, explore its significance, and discuss how results shape our plans moving forward. Additionally, we’ll reflect on spiritual formation, as well as preview upcoming Chapel topics for the second semester.
Date: Thursday, December 12th
Time: 8:15-8:45 (30 minutes)
Location: Student Center at TCS Main Campus
Participation is completely optional, but we would love for you to join us! Whether you’re looking to engage more with our school community or simply want to stay informed, this is a great opportunity to connect. We look forward to sharing a cup of coffee and meaningful conversation with you! Please RSVP HERE
OPTIONAL EARLY DISMISSAL
1st-3rd Grade Only
We will be offering a half-day dismissal at 12:30. Students may remain at school if you choose as we will plan to run a second dismissal at 3:00 (TCS main campus). Students who are not picked up after the second dismissal will be sent to after-school like normal.
Early Learning (PreK-kindergarten @ Go Church)
We will be offering a half-day dismissal at 12:30. Students may remain at school if you choose as we will plan to run a second dismissal at 2:15. Jr. Lions will only be offered at the 2:15 dismissal time. After-school will be offered as normal.
Please note that if you are planning to pick up students at both locations, we recommend picking up your early learning student (Go Church) prior to your main campus arrival.
More details will be coming in the next few weeks, but we wanted to go ahead and let you plan accordingly for the option that will serve your family best that last week of school before Christmas Break.
Looking Ahead: Christmas Spirit Week Themes for December 16th-19th
Join us in participating in Christmas Spirit Week from December 16th-19th. Please see below for each day’s theme. Students should wear regular uniforms on the days they choose not to participate.
Monday, Dec. 16th: Rudolph Red and Grinch Green! (Wear Red/Green)
Tuesday, Dec. 17th: Ugly Sweater - Get All Sorts of Tacky!
Wednesday, Dec. 18th: Winter Wonderland - White and Blue Will Do!
Thursday, Dec. 19th: Christmas PJs!
Prayer Requests
Our Lower School administration team meets every Friday morning to pray over our students and families. If you have a prayer request, we would love to pray for you specifically. We believe in the power of prayer and are committed to supporting our families through this dedicated time of intercession.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up." I Thessalonians 5:11
How to Submit a Prayer Request:
Fill Out the Form: Provide details about your request in the form below by clicking on the link. You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.
Submit Confidentially: All submissions are kept confidential and are only shared with our Lower School administration team who will lift your request in prayer.
Last Week in Chapel
It was another great week in chapel as Mrs. Duncan kicked off our Christmas series called "Songs of Christmas". Although there are hundreds of songs written specifically for the Christmas season, those that share the love and joy of Jesus are the truly special ones! Last week's song focus was "Go Tell It On The Mountain". What a great week to collect and pray over our Operation Christmas Child boxes! Students realized that blessing others through sharing Christmas boxes with those in need is the perfect way to tell others that Jesus Christ is our Savior!
Main Focus: "We must tell others about our Savior!"
Power Verse: "...'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.'" -Mark 16:15
Whatchagaddaknow: "I Will Tell The World About Jesus!"
LOWER SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR
This is a fun way to share in our Lower School family pride and show your TCS spirit! We have four fun designs specifically created for Lower School students and families to choose from!
Remember, all TCS spirit wear is an approved uniform option! Please click the link below to place your order.
See design styles below:
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.
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