Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published November 28, 2021
Volume 108
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
I hope each of you had a wonderful week with family and friends while giving thanks to our King for all of His goodness to us this year! We are excited about the upcoming three weeks as we finish Q2. Be sure to encourage your child to come back ready to do their very best on all of their school work as we look towards upcoming Report Cards. Be sure to check out reminders about our final week before Christmas Break as well.
HOW ARE WE DOING?
Let me know how our team is doing in keeping you informed about your child’s education this year. If you are lacking communication regarding one of your child’s classes, please let me know so I can help! adam.vinson@tcslions.org.
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Returning soon
LIONS OF THE WEEK
Returning soon
DECEMBER MEMORY VERSES: I John 4:9-10 (ESV)
Help your child learn their memory verses over the course of this month.
9) In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10) In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
JUST READ REMINDER
Be sure to use the Thanksgiving Break to encourage your child to JUST READ. We are coming up quickly on the end of the quarter which means Mr. Vinson’s reward for those who participated will be coming soon! Be sure to review the form below and have your child record their reading for a special reward.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
A big thank you to all who participated in our shoebox campaign! We collected over 390 total shoeboxes. Congratulations to the LEWIS HOUSE for collecting the most boxes overall!
UPCOMING FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES
Our 8th grade class will be taking their annual trip to Disney World in April, and we need your help! Please review the opportunities below for how you can help our students raise funds for this upcoming experience.
December Dress Down Days
Beginning on Monday, November 29, students may purchase the right to wear jeans or sweatpants/athletic pants with a TCS spirit wear top for $2. This option will be available every day during the first two weeks we are back from Thanksgiving. Students will need to bring cash to their homeroom teacher.
Holly Jolly Trolly
Back by popular demand, our Christmas snack cart will be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays when we return from Thanksgiving Break. Your child will have the option to purchase special Christmas snacks and treats! Most items will be $1 with a few specialty items being $2.
Winter Spirit Wear Store
We are offering several unique items for you to purchase to show your school spirit. Options include sweatpants, pajama pants, Columbia fishing-style shirts and more! Not all of these options come in sizes for your 4th or 5th grader, but feel free to order something for yourself as well.
ORDERS DUE BY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30 at 5pm
Spirit Store Link #1 (Includes sweatpants, pj pants, Columbia items, etc.) https://forms.gle/kZXmwpWvznnvUg7u6
Spirit Store Link #2 (Includes personalized hoodies, jackets and bags) https://stores.inksoft.com/WS6320
CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCES
Don’t forget about our upcoming Upper Elementary performances to celebrate the Christmas season!
4th Grade
Recorders and Strings = December 13 at TCS/HS Auditorium (7pm)
5th Grade
Chorus = December 6 at First Baptist Newnan (7pm)
Strings = December 13 at TCS/HS Auditorium (7pm)
Band = December 14 at TCS/HS Auditorium (7pm)
PRE-CHRISTMAS BREAK WEEK SCHEDULE
It won’t be long after we return from Thanksgiving Break that our half-day week leading into Christmas Break will be here. We are excited to celebrate the holiday season with all of our students. Please review the specific information below regarding activities and the half-day dismissal schedule for the week.
Monday-Thursday (School with half-day dismissal)
NOTE: Please arrive at the appropriate time, and do not arrive earlier to avoid traffic issues.
Students with Pre-K siblings - Dismissal begins at 11am
Students without Pre-K siblings - Dismissal begins at 11:30am
*For students who are unable to be picked up at the half day dismissal time on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, we will provide free supervision until 3:30pm. Normal After School rates will apply after 3:30pm.
Monday, Dec 13 - Specials, Bible and Teacher-led activities in the classrooms
Tuesday, Dec 14 - Specials, Bible and Teacher-led activities in the classrooms
Wednesday, Dec 15 - Movie at NCG Theatre (The Grinch 2018 version)
Note: We will meet at NCG theatre beginning at 8:30am (9:00am showing)
Option 1: You may bring your child to NCG and attend the movie as well.
Option 2: You may drop your child off at NCG between 8:30-9:00am.
Option 3: You may drop your child off at TCS prior to 8:30am and we will transport him/her over to NCG.
Students may be picked up at NCG beginning at 11:00am. You will park and come into NCG to retrieve your child. If you are attending the movie, you will simply be dismissed with your child.
Thursday, Dec 16 - Bible, Teacher-led activities in the classrooms, Class Parties
Christmas Spirit Week, December 13th-16th
To celebrate Christmas and have some fun, I invite your child to participate in our Christmas Spirit week December 13th-16th. If your child chooses not to participate, please send them in regular uniform attire.
Monday, December 13: Candy Cane Day (wear red and white)
Tuesday, December 14: Christmas Sweater Day (regular or ugly) and Christmas Socks
Wednesday, December 15: Cozy Christmas Day (Pajamas)
Thursday, December 16: Holiday Cheer Day (Red and Green
QUARTER 2 CLASSROOM GLIMPSE
We have had an awesome Quarter 2 in upper elementary. Check out some of the engaging activities our students have been involved in over the past few weeks!
Both groups were taken out to the ballgame to see the Stripers play! Afterward, Mrs. Stanfield’s English class wrote and delivered thank-you letters to Mr. Vinson.
Mrs. Goss’ science class learned all about the solar system. They presented their finished projects to the class and did a fantastic job!
Miss Dale’s science class was also busy! They investigated plants and even performed a little “surgery” on them to explore their parts.
5th grade classes were shining brightly at the end of the month! Glow Day was a full-day, immersive experience in all of their core classes.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Would you like to celebrate your child’s birthday this year? Consider one of the following options as a way to make their day special.
Purchase birthday cart treat items from our snack cart for your child’s homeroom class for $25. Email our Director of Student Life, Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org), if you would like to schedule a day.
Send in prepackaged birthday treats purchased from a store for the homeroom class to enjoy together.
Join your child for lunch (beginning in September) in the cafeteria.
REMINDER: ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES
The following steps should be taken for reporting absences for Pre-K - 8th grade:
Please send excuses for absences, including doctor’s notes to attendance@tcslions.org.
Any questions or issues? Email attendance@tcslions.org.
*PRE-ABSENCE REQUESTS (family trips, etc.) should be submitted by using the Pre-Absence Form found on Blackbaud. Forms may be printed and given to your child’s teacher at the beginning of the school day or emailed to Kasey Hanson (kasey.hanson@tcslions.org).
If your child has to miss class this year due to sickness or quarantine, check out our process below for getting your child caught up on missing work and assignments.
WHO WILL HELP ORGANIZE MY CHILD’S MAKEUP WORK? - Kasey Hanson is our RTA (Return to Academics) Coordinator and will help oversee connecting you and your child with a list of missing assignments to complete. Be on the lookout for her emails to help you stay connected.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT 1-2 DAYS? - Have your child connect with their teachers upon their return to the classroom. We will not send makeup work home for sick absences of this length.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT 3+ DAYS? - Mrs. Hanson will be emailing you a Google Sheet with all of the assignments your child will need to complete for each class.
NOTE: If your child is sick, we want your child to focus on resting and healing before worrying about missing assignments. Please know our teachers will work diligently to help your child catch up once they are feeling well enough to complete assignments.
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
Check out the current after school clubs we are planning to offer for upper elementary students this year. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Railey (lisa.railey@tcslions.org) who oversees all of our elementary clubs.
IMPORTANT LINKS
Follow our House Competition all year long!
UPPER ELEMENTARY ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACTS
Please note the new administrative positions and the individuals serving in those capacities for next year.
4th Grade Academic Coordinator - Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)
Mrs. McBurnett can assist you with any academic-related needs for 4th grade.
5th Grade Academic Coordinator - Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Lanier can assist you with any academic-related needs for 5th grade.
Upper Elementary RTA Coordinator - Kasey Hanson (kasey.hanson@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Hanson can assist you with makeup work due to any extended absences.
Director of Student Life - Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)
Mrs. McBurnett oversees our special events and field trips while also handling our middle school counseling duties.
Director of Student Development - Dylan Higgins (dylan.higgins@tcslions.org)
Mr. Higgins oversees the spiritual development of our student body while also assisting with academic needs your child may have.
Director of Skills Development - Jenn Opsahl (jennifer.opsahl@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Opsahl oversees our Skills Development Program.
Dean of Students - Ryan Tipton (ryan.tipton@tcslions.org)
Mr. Tipton addresses any disciplinary issues throughout the year.