Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Lower School
Published August 17, 2025
Volume 274
Sherry Randolph - Early Learning & Lower School Principal
The Principal’s Piece: A Note From Mrs. Randolph
Don’t forget—Fall Picture Day is Monday, August 18th! These photos will be in the 2025–2026 yearbook. Kindergarten–3rd grade students should wear their chapel day uniform (purple polo).
See the section below for all ordering details, including forms, online ordering, and class picture information.
Check out our SCHOOL CALENDAR.
Aug 18: Fall Picture Day
Aug 21: Progress Learning: ELA (K-3rd)
Aug 22: Progress Learning: Math (K-3rd)
Aug 22: Welcome to the Roar Event
Aug 25: House Color Day (wear your house colors)
Aug 28: College Football Dress Down Day
Aug 29: Remote Learning Day
Sept 1: Labor Day (No School)
Sept 12: K3 Pastries With Parents Event
Sept 22-26: HOCO Week
Progress Learning Benchmark Assessment (K-3rd), August 21-22
On August 21st and 22nd, we will be conducting our initial 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 this school year and to measure their academic growth as an individual student. 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.
Bringing Reading Home—With Purpose (K-3rd)
Student login information for Lower School's reading curriculum will be sent home soon! This resource provides families with an opportunity to review vocabulary words, grammar skills, and spelling patterns through interactive games. In addition, students can review the reading story that is read throughout the week in class. Teachers have beautifully woven a Biblical perspective within each lesson to connect and apply God's truths throughout this curriculum. As you navigate the online resource, we encourage parents to discuss those Biblical principles with their child as they will not be evident in the curriculum itself. As with any online learning, we recommend parent supervision. We feel this resource will strengthen the partnership between the classroom and home to ensure academic success for all students. When you login, select the reading book image to launch the online program.
Attendance & Absences:
What To Do When Your Child Is Out
To help us keep accurate records and ensure smooth communication, please follow the steps below when reporting your child’s absence:
Early Learning Students (Preschool & Kindergarten):
Email all absence excuses, including doctor’s notes, to: ls.attendance@tcslions.org
1st – 3rd Grade Students:
Email all absence excuses, including doctor’s notes, to: attendance@tcslions.org
For All Students (Preschool – 3rd Grade):
Pre-Absence Requests (such as family trips or planned time away) should be sent in your child’s folder for teacher review and administrative approval.
Thank you for helping us stay informed and keeping our records accurate!
CHAPEL MOMENTS
Last week, Mrs. Randolph kicked off our new chapel series, Livin’ the Sheep Life, based on Psalm 23. Students learned that God wants to be our Good Shepherd, and when we follow Him, He gives us all we need. We also discovered that we must choose to make God our Shepherd, and that as long as He leads us, we truly have everything we need.
Main Focus: As long as God leads me, I have everything I need.
Power Verse:“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” – Psalm 23:1
Whatchagaddaknow: The Lord is my Shepherd, so I will follow Him.
Last Chance to join: Third Grade
Worship Team Opportunity
Our third graders have a special role as the leaders of our Lower School.
To honor that, we’re excited to offer them the opportunity to help lead worship during our weekly Chapel services. This invitation is open to all third graders who have a heart for worship and are willing to step onto the stage and sing. The purpose of this worship team is simple: to model joyful, heartfelt worship and point others to Jesus through their example.
I’m thrilled to create a space where our students can boldly share their faith and shine God’s light in our school community.
If your third grader is interested in joining, please click the link below to sign up.
Don’t Forget: Noon Deadline for Dismissal Changes (Kindergarten & Pre-K4 Families)
This is a friendly reminder that all dismissal changes must be submitted through PickUp Patrol by 12:00 PM (noon) on the day of the change.
The system will not accept updates after the noon deadline, as this helps us ensure a smooth and safe dismissal process for all students.
Thank you for your attention to this important routine and for helping us keep everything running smoothly!
Fall Picture Day: Monday, August 18th
Fall pictures for TCS will be taken Monday, August 18th. These pictures will be in the 2025 - 2026 yearbook.
What to wear: Students in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade should wear their chapel day uniform (purple polo) for Picture Day.
Individual Picture Orders:
Your child received an individual picture pre-order form last week.
Please return the completed form with payment on Picture Day.
Alternatively, you may preview and order photos online after Picture Day by visiting www.mylifetouch.com and logging in with your child’s student ID, which can be found in Blackbaud on their profile.
Class Pictures – PreK3 through 3rd Grade Only:
PreK3 through 3rd Grade students will also have the option to purchase a class picture.
A separate order form for class pictures was sent home in folders last week.
This form must be returned before Picture Day if you wish to order a class photo.
Please note: Class pictures cannot be purchased after Picture Day.
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.
Show Your Trinity Pride! Order
Lower School Spirit Wear Here
Check out our fresh new spirit wear designs—perfect for dress-down days, events, or everyday wear. Spirit wear is completely optional, but a fun way for students and families to feel connected all year long!
Safe Dismissal Information (All Students)
Parents, 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.
Dress Code Guidelines for K5-3rd Grades
Before the year kicks off, take a look at our Dress Code Overview to brush up on the guidelines.
Student Supply Lists 2025-2026
Each grade level has prepared a student supply list. Student Supply Lists are available on Blackbaud but may also be accessed through the links below.
Pre-K3 Supply List
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.
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 Principal - Sherry Randolph (sherry.randolph@tcslions.org)
LS Assistant Principal - Ashley Moore (ashley.moore@tcslions.org)
LS Academic Dean - Leslie Cook (leslie.cook@tcslions.org)
LS Director of Enrichment and Spiritual Development - Jennifer Duncan (jennifer.duncan@tcslions.org)
LS Executive Coordinator - Lisa Railey (lisa.railey@tcslions.org)
(pictured l to r) Lisa Railey, Jenn Duncan, Sherry Randolph, Leslie Cook, and Ashley Moore