Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published March 13, 2022
Volume 120
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
I hope everyone enjoyed our 2 remote learning days/long weekend! Don’t forget to have your child submit all of their remote learning work on Monday in each of their classes. (Late penalties may apply if work is not turned in on Monday - remember these are the first grades entered for Quarter 4.)
We are looking forward to an exciting Quarter 4 as we have a lot planned over the next 9 weeks. Here are just a few of the exciting events coming up over the final months of the 21/22 school year. Be on the lookout for more details in the coming weeks.
4th Grade Field Trip to Six Flags
5th Grade Field Trip to Six Flags
End of Year Parties and Celebrations
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
Coach Ross challenged the students to give their lives completely to an unchanging, steadfast God from Jesus' teachings at the Sermon on the Mount, stating that God didn't come to make bad men good but to make dead men live.
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 = Jack Pappas
5th Grade = Brady Hoffman
MARCH MEMORY VERSES: PHILIPPIANS 2:12-16
Help your child learn their memory verses over the course of this month.
Week of February 28
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Week of March 7
13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
Week of March 14
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Week of March 21
16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
JUST READ QUARTER 3 AWARD: COMING SOON
We will be honoring all of our Just Read Quarter 3 participants this week! If your child would like to participate in our Just Read Program for Quarter 4, be sure to use this form.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY DRESS DOWN
On Thursday, March 17, students may wear green with jeans to celebrate the day!
SPRING PICTURES
Both 4th and 5th grade will have their Spring pictures taken on Monday, March 21. Please see the guidelines below for dress code on that day. Reach out to Mrs. McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org) with any questions you might have.
Students are allowed to wear spring attire for pictures, but be sure to keep within our dress code guidelines.
* Tops/Dresses may not have spaghetti-type straps. Must have at least a 3 finger width size strap.
* Shorts/Skirts may be worn, but must adhere to the guidelines of no more than 3 inches above the knee.
* Jeans may be worn WITHOUT rips/holes.
* The following should NOT be worn: flip flops, tank tops, strapless or low cut tops.
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: 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.