Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published January 30, 2022
Volume 115
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Re-enrollment for the 22/23 school year is here! We are excited about the plans being made for next year and would welcome the opportunity to serve your family once again. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you might have concerning next school year. We anticipate a lot of interest from new, incoming families so if there is any way I can serve you as you make final decisions about re-enrollment, please let me know.
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. Tipton (8th grade Bible teacher) spoke from Ephesians 2:1-7, reminding our students of God’s rich mercy that is seen so clearly in the gospel message that saves.
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 = Madelyn Zarlenga
5th Grade = Jayden Contreras
FEBRUARY MEMORY VERSES: JOHN 14:1-6
Help your child learn their memory verses over the course of this month.
Week of January 31
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
Week of February 7
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that
where I am you may be also.
4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
Week of February 21
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
IOWA TESTING DATE CHANGE
To help provide our teachers with additional instructional time and our students more exposure to their grade level content, we are moving our standardized testing week to May 2-6. More specific information will be provided soon. We are exploring the option of being able to complete our testing online as well.
A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE CLASSROOM:
School is back in full swing after Christmas break! Take a look at what’s been happening in some of our upper elementary classrooms in January:
4th grade science began the quarter learning all about the water cycle, then ended the month jumping into waves with a cool sound lab!
5th grade science began their unit on plant and animal cells, and it has been nothing short of exciting! They took a trip to Cell-Bucks, learned all about the parts of a microscope and how to use one to identify the parts of a cell, and made models of cells out of candy. YUM!
5th grade math has been working on their dance moves and decimals all at the same time!
REMINDER: JUST READ QUARTER 3
We are kicking off the second semester with our Quarter 3 Just Read program. Don’t forget, any student who completes the requirements will receive a special reward from Mr. Vinson! Be sure to review the form below and have your child record their reading this quarter! All forms are due by Wednesday, March 9.
ELEMENTARY TALENT SHOW
With Winter Break just ahead, TCS is eagerly anticipating our annual Elementary Talent Show! It’s such a special time to showcase the wide variety of God-given gifts represented in our student body. We will hold our Elementary Talent Show on Thursday, February 10th at 6:00 pm in the Student Center located in the Early Learning building. Please fill out the google form below with your student’s talent selection and include any required information. All selections and ***tracks MUST be submitted by Tuesday, February 1st. Participants will present their selection before our Fine Arts team on February 8th from 3:30-4:30. This will be a dress rehearsal, so be sure they are performance ready. They don't need to have their performance attire, but everything else will be exactly as it will be on Thursday, the 10th. Please reach out to Cathy Settle or Emily Litton with any questions!
https://forms.gle/C3ehoh4zGbq7np8S8
***Tracks need to be sent to emily.litton@tcslions.org
SPRING SEMESTER DRAMA CLUB
From Mrs. Litton…
We will be starting up Drama Club on February 9th and this session will be for 3th-5th grades! We will meet afterschool from 3:30-5:00 and have 35 spots for this session. Info is going out in this week's Inside the Pride.
Registration: https://forms.gle/jAr6c6wJfyZhhRmJ6
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.