Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 109
Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published December 5, 2021
Volume 109
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
With the Christmas season comes excitement as we celebrate the past coming of our King while also longing for His future, imminent return one day. While joy is a normal expression and emotion during this season, for many, there is heartache over the loss and remembrance of loved ones who have gone on before us. Revelation 21:1-6 reminds us that one day our joy will be permanent and every tear will be wiped away as a result of our King returning and righting all the wrongs around us. But in the meantime, those tears are very real and present in the immediate context of today. Do the Scriptures speak to how God handles our tears now while we await the day for them to be no more? I Peter 5:9 offers encouragement that we are not alone in our sufferings. While the simple knowledge that others are going through what we are dealing with might offer some support, the bigger impact is that others who have experienced what we are experiencing are gifts from God to help sustain us as we grieve. God grants us Christian fellowship, men and women who can help wipe away the tears temporarily with their sympathetic presence of knowing exactly what we are feeling. The grief and sorrow is still very real for now, but I Peter 5:10 assures us there is coming a day when our broken hearts will be fully restored, confirmed, strengthened and established forever. May He comfort the brokenhearted during this season and may we all experience the joy that comes from knowing...HE RULES THE WORLD WITH TRUTH AND GRACE!
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
Mr. Vinson presented the gospel with a Christmas theme as he spoke on the ways God functions differently than Santa Claus in how He treats us. Rather than rewarding us for good behavior, God responds to our sinfulness and provides the greatest gift of all, while we were yet sinners! (Rom. 5:8) In spite of our efforts to be good, we still fall so short of His standards of holiness. And unlike the Grinch character, we are incapable of doing good things to make up for our mistakes. Thanks be to God though who sent His only Son to be perfect on our behalf! Praise be to God for the reason we celebrate Christmas...the coming of His Son to save!
LIONS OF THE WEEK
Students who were recognized this week by their teachers for their exceptional example set in their recent performance, attitude or action.
4th Grade = Tenley Callen
5th Grade = Badge Adams
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
All JUST READ Forms are due by December 16. Mr. Vinson will plan to reward those who participated as soon as we return from Christmas Break! Be sure to review the form below and have your child record their reading for this special reward.
CHRISTMAS BLESSING FUND
Don’t forget you have an opportunity to bless our faculty and staff this Christmas season through the Christmas Blessing Fund.
Contribute Online: The following link will take you to a secure portal where electronic contributions can be made through December 15th. Donate Online
Contribute in person: Drop off cash or check in an envelope labeled Christmas Fund in any of the wrapped gift bins in the main office and High School office. Please make checks out to “Trinity Christian School” with “Christmas Blessing Fund” in the memo line.
The deadline to contribute to the Christmas Fund is Friday, December 15th.
REMINDER: FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY
Our 8th grade class will be taking their annual trip to Disney World in April, and we need your help! Please review the opportunity below for how you can help our students raise funds for this upcoming experience.
December Dress Down Days
Dress down days continue this week (Monday-Thursday) as students may purchase the right to wear jeans or sweatpants/athletic pants with a TCS spirit wear top for $2. Students will need to bring cash to their 1st period teacher.
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 and Socks Day (regular or ugly)
Wednesday, December 15: Cozy Christmas Day (Pajamas)
Thursday, December 16: Holiday Cheer Day (Red and Green)
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.