Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published July 24, 2022
Volume 135
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We are getting closer to the start of school, which means that while summer isn’t over just yet, it’s time to really start thinking about how to best prepare for this upcoming year. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete summer reading or pick up school supplies! Also, make sure you have marked your calendar for both of our kickoff events this year. Our Welcome to the Roar gathering on Sunday, August 7 will be a fun night to welcome everyone back to campus. Included in the evening will be a special opportunity for you to taste SAGE Dining to see what all the rave is about regarding our new dining services. Also, our Meet the Teacher Day on Monday, August 8 is a crucial day for starting the year smoothly as you will have the opportunity to walk your child’s schedule and meet your child’s teachers. You won’t want to miss it. Enjoy this week’s content as I hope the information is helpful as we look towards school starting in just a couple of weeks.
UPPER ELEMENTARY ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACTS
If you have any questions throughout the summer or upcoming school year, use the guide below to ensure your questions are directed to the most helpful personnel.
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.
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 discipline issues.
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 Skills Development - Jenn Opsahl (jennifer.opsahl@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Opsahl oversees our Skills Development Program.
NEW INFORMATION IN THIS ISSUE:
Summer Checklist:
How prepared am I for the start of school?
Has my child completed the summer reading? (if not, reference the requirements below)
Have I purchased school supplies yet? (double check the grade level list below)
Have you reviewed the dress code and made proper purchases? (see guidelines below)
Have you set your Blackbaud notifications to your desired settings for receiving info?
4th Grade Introduction/Curriculum Night
Parents, mark your calendars for Tuesday, Aug 16 from 6:30-7:30pm for an introductory experience to 4th grade. This will be a parent-only event as our teachers will walk you through important information to aid you as your child transitions to Upper Elementary. More details to come!
Dress Code for New Events
Welcome to the Roar (Sunday, August 7)
Appropriate athletic/summer attire
Meet My Teacher (Monday, August 8)
Normal school dress code or spirit wear with jeans
UPDATE: Class Schedules
Class schedules are being finalized this week and will hopefully be released next week.
4th/5th Daily Schedule
While schedules are still being finalized, here is a basic overview of what a 4th and 5th grade day looks like each week.
4th Grade Daily Schedule:
7:00-7:40 = Arrival in the Gym
7:40-8:00 = Arrival in Homeroom Class
8:00-8:05 = Homeroom
8:10-8:50 = Specials Classes
8:55-9:35 = Bible/Snack
9:40-10:30 = Class Rotation 1
10:35-11:25 = Class Rotation 2
11:30-12:00 = Lunch
12:05-12:55 = Class Rotation 3
1:00-1:50 = Class Rotation 4
1:55-2:45 = Class Rotation 5
2:45-2:50 = Prep for Dismissal
2:50-3:30 = Dismissal
5th Grade Daily Schedule
7:00-7:40 = Arrival in the Gym
7:40-8:00 = Arrival in Homeroom Class
8:00-8:05 = Homeroom
8:10-8:50 = Bible/Snack
9:00-9:40 = Specials Classes
9:45-10:35 = Class Rotation 1
10:40-11:30 = Class Rotation 2
11:35-12:00 = Lunch
12:05-12:55 = Class Rotation 3
1:00-1:50 = Class Rotation 4
1:55-2:45 = Class Rotation 5
2:45-2:50 = Prep for Dismissal
2:50-3:30 = Dismissal
Teaching Team Introductions
As we grow and add classes, that means moving some teachers around while also adding new teachers too! Check out our teaching teams for each grade level this year.
4th Grade: Academic Coordinator = Tiffany McBurnett
Bible - Jason Settle
Language Arts - Natalie Stanfield
Reading - Christy Stephenson
Math - Tracey Long
Science/Social Studies - Kristi Goss
Skills Development - Rachel Stedham
5th Grade: Academic Coordinator = Melissa Lanier
Bible - Wendy Peters
Language Arts - Jenny Hagauer (new to TCS)
Math - Jennifer Roberts
History - JoAllison Higgins (moving from middle school)
Science - MacKenzie Dale
Skills Development - Rachel Stedham
Meet Our New Teachers
5th Grade Language Arts - Jenny Hagauer
With a heart for literacy and student engagement, Jenny Hagauer can’t wait to join the 5th-grade team as the ELA Teacher! Mrs. Hagauer lives in Sharpsburg with her husband, Rick, and three children - Rhett (4), Lively (2), and Beau (3 months). Rhett will be starting PK-4 this year and the Hagauer family is excited for Lively and Beau to join in the coming years. She holds an undergraduate degree from The University of Alabama and a Masters in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University.
Elementary STEAM - Rachel Kieffer
Rachel Kieffer graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Education. She also holds a Master's Degree in Education from the University of West Georgia. She will be teaching 4th-6th grade STEAM, as well as assisting with 7th-grade honors science. Rachel and her husband Brett have two children, Kade (6) and Nora (4), who will be attending Trinity in Kindergarten and Pre-K 4 this year. Before staying home with her children, Rachel taught science for 4th through 6th grades at Woodward Academy for 8 years. In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family, especially outdoors. Rachel is excited to jump back into the classroom this year. She hopes to inspire students to love learning and grow in a personal relationship with the Lord.
Daily Drop Off and Pick Up
Be sure to check out the arrival and dismissal videos once they are made available in the main section of the newsletter. For returning families, there are no major changes, but for our new families, these videos will give you a helpful overview of what to expect.
Reminders: You can drop off as early as 7:00am and pickup usually ends around 3:30-3:40pm.
IMPORTANT: On the Meet My Teacher Day (Monday, August 8) you will receive your family’s safe Dismissal pickup card.
Lunch Visitations
Our plan is to offer parents the opportunity once again to join their child for lunch. We will need the first few weeks to get our students settled, especially with our new dining services, but be on the lookout for information after Labor Day about when you can start visiting your child.
Hardback Textbook Ordering
Would you like a textbook to keep at home? Use the links below if you would like to order.
4th Grade
5th Grade
Update: Upper Elementary Spirit Wear
We are still waiting to get final proofs and ordering information from our two vendors. Our plan is to offer t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts and backpacks. I hope to send that information to you just as soon as I have it and will most likely send it separately to you before the next newsletter.
REMINDERS FROM PREVIOUS SUMMER ISSUES:
Summer Reading (REQUIRED)
Assignments are due the first day of school!
Rising 4th Grade
Choose a Christian fiction book that will interest your child to read. Be sure to choose something that has at least 100 pages.
APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT: Complete the Desert Story Pyramid
Rising 5th Grade
APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT: Complete the “Finding the Theme” Organizer
Back to School Event Details
Sunday, August 7 – Welcome to The ROAR (Social Gathering for ALL Families)
5:00 - 6:00 pm - NEW Families Welcome Session (Gym)
6:00 - 8:00 pm - Social Gathering for ALL Families (Stadium)
Includes a Taste of SAGE food sampling
Monday, August 8 – Meet My Teacher Day DROP-IN Day (walk your child’s schedule)
No classes
Bring school supplies
Staggered Visiting Schedule:
9:30 - 11:30 am Last Names A – L
1:30 - 3:30 pm Last Names M – Z
Tuesday, August 9 – First Official Day of Classes (Students attend classes)
Drop off as early as 7:00 am
Classes start at 8:00 am
22/23 UE Uniform Policy
Please take the time to review our updated uniform policies for next year to help guide you in making purchases this summer. Remember, students are required to wear TCS branded outerwear.
22/23 Supply Lists
This is our current supply list for each grade level.
4th Supply List – email Mrs. McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org) with any questions
5th Supply List - email Mrs. Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org) with any questions