Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published February 20, 2022
Volume 117
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
I hope you and your family had an awesome Winter Break! As we jump back into Quarter 3, encourage your child to keep working hard and doing their very best. As we have been sharing all school year long, we desire our upper elementary culture to reflect an attitude of always “filling it to the brim” (John 2:7) as we want to encourage excellence and hard work as a means of bringing glory to God! (I Cor. 10:31)
*Don’t forget to RE-ENROLL if you haven’t done so already!”
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 reminded our students of the tri-fold culture we are seeking to build here at TCS within our 4th and 5th grades. Based on the principles found in God’s Word, we want to be a place where students strive to “fill it to the brim” (John 2:7) by doing their very best in everything. We also want to be a place where students treat others with kindness and respect…the same treatment they desire from others (Golden Rule of Matt. 7:12). And we want to be a place where God’s Word is treasured and hidden in our hearts (Psalm 119:11) versus sin being hidden and covered in our life. (Ps. 32:5)
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 = Gable Fleming
5th Grade = Elijah McMurry
FEBRUARY MEMORY VERSES: JOHN 14:1-6
Help your child learn their memory verses over the course of this month.
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.
READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK
We are excited to celebrate Read Across America the week of February 28-March 4. This will be a fun filled week in which we will celebrate reading while highlighting some of our favorite authors like Dr Seuss. We are looking forward to this fun week together!
Monday: Crazy Hat Day (Wear your favorite/crazy hat along with a regular uniform).
Tuesday: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (Wear red and blue). If your child participates, they do not need to wear a regular uniform.
Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday (Wear mismatched/backwards clothes). If your child participates, they do not need to wear a regular uniform.
Thursday: Thing 1 and Thing 2 Day (Dress like Thing 1 and Thing 2 OR dress identical to a friend). If your child participates, they do not need to wear a regular uniform.
Friday: Crazy Sock Day (Wear your craziest socks along with a TCS spirit wear shirt and uniform bottoms or jeans).
SIX FLAGS FIELD TRIP
Don’t forget we will be taking our 4th and 5th graders to Six Flags for their special Science Days! Additional information has been emailed to you by Mrs. McBurnett. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to her at tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org.
April 22 = 4th grade trip
April 29 = 5th grade trip
reminder: ADVANCED/HONORS PLACEMENT FOR 22/23 SCHOOL YEAR
If you are interested in your child being placed in advanced/honors classes for next year, please review the criteria we will be using to evaluate our student placement for next year.
reminder: 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.
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.
reminder: 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.