Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Lower School
Published August 23, 2026
Volume 319
Sherry Randolph - Early Learning & Lower School Principal
The Principal’s Piece: A Note From Mrs. Randolph
This year, we are excited to kick off our new Lion Leadership Program with our Lower School students! Lion Leadership is our foundational discipleship program, designed to help every student grow in their relationship with Jesus and develop into a leader of character, conviction, and service.
As part of this new initiative, our Lower School will transition from the House System to our own Lower School Den System, created specifically for our K3-3rd grade students. While our students have enjoyed participating in the House System, the Den System allows us to create traditions, activities, leadership opportunities, and experiences that are intentionally designed for our youngest Lions. We are excited to begin building something that our Lower School students can truly call their own. Something we hope will become a special and meaningful part of the Lower School experience for years to come.
Each grade level has been organized into a designated Leadership Den - a place to gather, belong, grow, and encourage one another. Throughout the year, students will participate in engaging lessons, hands-on activities, challenges, and friendly Den Competitions that build community while developing leadership skills. These experiences will give students opportunities to practice leadership, serve others, work together, and put Biblical principles into action.
At the heart of Lion Leadership are three simple truths we want every student to remember: Grow in Jesus. Lead like Jesus. Stand on God's Word. Each Den will also have a Biblical Hero to learn from, a Biblical Virtue to practice, a Biblical Truth to stand on, and a Biblical Banner that represents and unifies their Den as followers of Jesus.
Our hope is that Lion Leadership becomes more than a program. That it becomes part of the fabric of the Lower School experience. Through intentional discipleship and encouragement from teachers, aides, and classmates, we want every Lion to discover that leadership isn't about being the loudest or being in charge. It is about following Jesus, serving others, making wise choices, and having the courage to do what is right.
We are excited to watch our Lions Grow in Jesus, Lead like Jesus, and Stand on God's Word as they build friendships, develop leadership skills, and create Den traditions and memories together. We can't wait to see how God uses Lion Leadership to shape our students and strengthen our Lower School for years to come.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
~Proverbs 3:5
Grade Level DenS
Den Color Days!
Get ready to show your Den spirit! As part of our new Lion Leadership Program, Lower School students will have special Den Color Days throughout the year. On these fun dress-down days, our youngest Lions will have the opportunity to wear their Den color and celebrate the Den they belong to!
To make these days extra special, we have designed exclusive Den shirts for each of our Lower School Dens! Shirts are available for purchase through the link below and are a fun way for students to represent their Den and build excitement around our new den traditions. Shirts are not required to participate - students are welcome to wear anything in their Den color on Color Days.
Our first Den Color Day is Monday, August 31! We can't wait to see our Lower School Lions decked out in their Den colors, celebrating together, and helping us build this exciting new tradition!
Check out our SCHOOL CALENDAR
Aug 24 - Fall Picture Day
Aug 31 - Den Color Day (Let’s go! It’s our first Lower School Den Day!)
Sept 4 - Remote Learning Day
Sep 7 - Labor Day Holiday
Sept 21 - Den Color Day
Sept 25 - First Responder’s Day
Sep 28 - Oct 3 - Homecoming Week
Fall Picture Day: Monday, August 24
Fall pictures for TCS will be taken on Monday, August 24. These pictures will be featured in the 2026–2027 yearbook.
Lower School students in K5–3rd grade should wear their chapel day uniform (purple polo) for pictures.
Students will bring home an individual picture pre-order form next week. If you would like to pre-order, please send the completed form and payment with your child on Picture Day. They will give it directly to the photographer.
Pictures may also be previewed and purchased after Picture Day through the Lifetouch website. You will need your student’s ID number, which can be found on their Blackbaud profile.
Students in PreK3-3rd grade will also have the option to purchase a class picture. A separate class picture order form will be sent home in student folders. This form must be returned prior to Picture Day. Class pictures will not be available for purchase after Picture Day.
Chapel Moments
It was an exciting week in chapel as Mrs. Duncan kicked off our Lion Leadership Program! Lion Leadership is a discipleship opportunity designed to help every student grow in their relationship with Jesus and become the leaders God has called them to be. This will be an intentional focus throughout the year as we encourage our students to Grow in Jesus, Lead like Jesus and Stand on God's Word!
Students were also introduced to their Leadership Dens - a place to belong, grow, encourage one another, and discover what it means to lead with courage, kindness, and a heart to serve. We can't wait to see our Lions grow and lead throughout the year!
Third Grade Worship Team Opportunity
Worship Team sign-ups will remain open through Wednesday, August 26. After that date, registration will close and will not reopen for this school year. If your third grader would like to participate, please click the link below to sign up.
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.
Safe Dismissal
We have partnered with the company safeDISMISSAL.COM to facilitate our dismissal process for our Early Learning students (PreK-3 through Kinder) and our Elementary and Middle School (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.
Please share this information with anyone who you have designated to pick up your child.
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.
Agape After School Registration
Please see the message below from Kami Heilman.
We've transitioned to a new registration system for Agape After School! We ask that all families with children in PreK–5th grade complete a one-time registration in our new system. Registering now ensures your child is ready to attend Agape whenever the need arises. There is no cost to register, and you will only be charged if and when your child attends the Agape After School program. Click below to register:
ELEMENTARY CLUBS
CHESS CLUB INTEREST
Coach Rodney Lewis and Championship Chess present a systematic, fun way to build chess skills during chess instruction and supervised play. Learn more here.
Cost? - $219 for the Fall Session (Aug 27-Nov 5 - Thursdays 3-4 pm)
Chess Contact: Rodney Lewis 770-560-1071 rodneylewis33@gmail.com
School Contact: Lisa Railey, 770-251-6770 lisa.railey@tcslions.org
ELEMENTARY RUNNING CLUB
Open to Lower School Students in Grades 1, 2, and 3. For more details and how to register you student, please click the button below:
ART CLUB
ART CLUB INFORMATION
Art Club is back! Students will enjoy fun, hands-on art projects, explore new materials and techniques, express their creativity, and build friendships in a welcoming, encouraging environment. All experience levels are welcome!
Registration: Registration is open now and closes on September 1. After registration closes, I will organize Art Club groups and assign each student to a meeting day. Parents will receive an email with their child's assigned Art Club day on September 4.
Cost: $125 for the 6-week session. Payment is due at registration via Venmo @rekegatlin
Schedule: Fall Art Club will meet for a 6-week session beginning the week of September 14 and ending the week of October 26. Meeting days will be assigned after registration closes.
Dismissal to Art Club: Students will be picked up from their classrooms and escorted to the art room.
Student Pick-Up: Parents/guardians should pick up at 5:30 p.m.
Questions: Please email reke.gatlin@tcslions.org
Registration Form: https://forms.gle/DZV1F9LFx8VGFyaHA
Not quite ready to register?: https://forms.gle/kkC4jpnjkLmPaLUt6
LOWER SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR
Show your school spirit all year long! Lower School families have the opportunity to purchase optional grade-level spirit wear. Click the link below to browse available items and place your order. Spirit wear is completely optional but is a fun way for students to show their school pride throughout the year!
Uniform Guidelines
As you prepare for the new school year, please review our uniform requirements to ensure your student is ready for the first day of school. Click the link below to view the complete uniform guidelines. This information can also be found in the Parent-Student Handbook for your convenience.
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