Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Lower School
Published August 10, 2025
Volume 273
Sherry Randolph - Early Learning & Lower School Principal
The Principal’s Piece: A Note From Mrs. Randolph
What a fantastic first week we have had at Trinity! From the joyful spirit in the classrooms to the smiles at morning drop-off, it has been a wonderful beginning to the school year. We are so grateful for your partnership and the trust you place in us each day.
Our students have jumped into routines, made new friends, and embraced the start of a new year with excitement. It’s truly a blessing to see them learning, laughing, and settling in so well. Our teachers and staff have worked diligently to create a warm, welcoming environment where every child feels seen, supported, and known.
As we move forward, we are excited for all that God has in store this year. Thank you for being part of our Trinity family—we are looking forward to an incredible year ahead!
Check out our SCHOOL CALENDAR.
Aug 18: Fall Picture Day (normal dress code)
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
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’s chapel was a joyful and meaningful start to our year! We had a great time worshipping together and setting the tone for the months ahead. Students enjoyed a fun “Who Is It?” game, guessing which of our chapel leaders was being described. Chapel leaders for Lower School are Mrs. Randolph, Mrs. Duncan, Mrs. Moore, and Pastor Kami.
We also kicked off the year with some lighthearted competition games and lots of smiles! Mrs. Randolph introduced our upcoming chapel series, "Livin' the Sheep Life"—a journey through Psalm 23 as we learn what it means to follow our Good Shepherd.
Our Early Learning students will begin chapel next week, as they have been spending this week settling into their routines and getting comfortable in their classrooms. We are excited to welcome them into this special time of worship and learning soon!
We can’t wait to see how God moves in the hearts of our students this year!
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.
SAGE Dining Update for 1st–3rd Graders
We have heard your feedback about supporting our younger students as they learn to make balanced meal choices in the cafeteria. Last week, students explored the dining area and visited each station to become familiar with the delicious options available.
What is New:
Starting Monday, pre-plated meals will be available to help students select a well-balanced meal more easily. Please review the menu nightly with your child and help them decide which main meal they would like from either Crossroads, Free Style, or Trattoria.
You can check daily meal options on the Touch of Sage app or view the menu online at tcslions.org under the TCS Lunch Program section.
Upon entering the cafeteria, students will go directly to the station of their choice (Crossroads, Free Style, or Trattoria) to receive a balanced, pre-plated meal. They are still welcome to visit the salad, soup, and deli stations for additional selections—and seconds are available at all stations when/if needed.
We appreciate your partnership as we help our students develop healthy eating habits and independence during lunch!
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.
Have you seen our new Lower School Spirit Wear?
We’ve added fresh, fun designs that are perfect for showing off Trinity pride—in style and comfort!
Spirit wear is a great (and totally optional) way for students and families to feel connected and excited for the school year. Whether it’s for dress-down days, events, or just everyday wear, there’s something for everyone.
Order Your Today: TCS Lower School Apparel Store
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.
CARLINE REMINDER: IT WILL GET BETTER
It’s the beginning of the year which means drop-off and pick-up lines will take longer than usual as everyone gets back into the routine. Please be patient these first couple of weeks as we are working hard to get your children to you as safely and as quickly as possible.
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