Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published August 28, 2022
Volume 140
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We are only days away from our 1st break of the school year! Just a reminder that Friday, September 2 is a Remote Learning Day, meaning that while we are off campus that day, there will still be an expectation of school work being completed. Please review the Remote Learning Information section below to learn more about what assignments will be expected and when those assignments will be due. We hope each of our families has a wonderful Labor Day weekend.
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 concluded our 3-part series on the culture we desire within the TCS middle school, by teaching on the Golden Rule from Matthew 7:12 and the expectation we have for a culture of kindness amongst our student body. Reminding our students that God treats us good, Mr. Vinson showed how we can be motivated to show the same goodness to others, even if they fail to return that same treatment back. Students were reminded to show kindness to their friends, to new students, and even to their enemies!
LIONS OF THE WEEK
The following students were honored last week for their hard work and exemplary behavior noticed by our faculty and staff.
4th Grade = Marco Winston
5th Grade = Holland Phillips
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
UPCOMING UPPER ELEMENTARY DATES
September 2 (Friday) = Remote Learning Day
Week of September 12-16 = Homecoming Spirit Week
September 28 = Field Trip to Gwinnett Stripers Education Day Baseball Game
HOMECOMING WEEK
Plan now to dress up and join in on the homecoming fun!
Monday 9/12- Character Day
Tuesday 9/13 - Twin Day
Wednesday 9/14 - Pirate Day
Thursday 9/15 - Mismatch Day
Friday 9/16 - TCS Spirit Day
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE
Help your child learn their verses this week!
EPHESIANS 2:8-9
v. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, v. 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
BENCHMARK ASSESSMENTS THIS WEEK
Our middle schoolers will be taking benchmark assessments in class this week through Progress Learning (previously known as Education Galaxy). The data gained from these assessment scores will be used to help guide our teaching and instruction this year.
FAVORITE COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM DRESS DOWN DAY
As the new college football season kicks off, students are encouraged to wear their favorite team jersey or shirt and hat with jeans (or normal dress code pants/shorts) on Thursday, Sept. 1. Students may also wear TCS spirit wear.
REMOTE LEARNING DAY PLANS
ALL REMOTE LEARNING WORK WILL BE DUE ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Late assignments will be subject to a penalty
Upper Elementary students will be assigned work in the following classes:
4th Grade: ELA, Math, Reading, Science/History - 1 assignment per class (4 total)
5th Grade: ELA, History, Math, Science - 1 assignment per class (4 total)
Assignments will be student-driven and should require very little help from a parent.
BE SURE TO STUDY YOUR BIBLE VERSE FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK TOO!
I John 1:5-6 - v. 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. v. 6 If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Upper Elementary students should expect to spend about 15-20 minutes on each assignment with less than 1 1/2 hours being spent total on all remote learning work.
All remote learning work will be assigned and explained this week in preparation for Friday. A remote learning work chart will be emailed to you by your child’s Academic Coordinator so you can double check that all assignments have been completed before Tuesday when we return to school.
UPPER ELEMENTARY FIELD TRIP COMING SOON
Our 4th and 5th graders will be heading to the ball field to enjoy a special Education Day at CoolRay Field as the Gwinnett Stripers (AAA affiliate for the Atlanta Braves) take on the Louisville Bats.
Details:
September 28
$15 - ticket includes lunch and education program
Be on the lookout for an email from Mrs. McBurnett this week about how to sign up your child and how to express your interest in being a chaperone as well!
JUST READ PROGRAM
Don’t forget to encourage your child to participate in our Q1 reading program with a chance to earn a special reward from Mr. Vinson. Be sure to use this form if your child would like to participate.
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.
PLEASE GIVE A 2-DAY NOTICE SO PREPARATIONS CAN BE MADE
Send in prepackaged birthday treats purchased from a store for the homeroom class.
Join your child for lunch (beginning in September) in the cafeteria.
HOUSE SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Did you know your child has been placed in a house this year??? A special feature of Trinity’s elementary school experience is our house system, which allows students to experience a sense of belonging, camaraderie and healthy competition throughout the school year. Elementary students are placed by grade level in one of five houses named for historical Christian figures: Elisabeth Elliot, C.S. Lewis, Watchman Nee, Jackie Robinson and John Wycliffe. Students are given opportunities to learn and demonstrate healthy character traits for impacting culture positively around them. Houses vie for the distinguished honor of capturing the House Cup at the end of our year-long competition. Learn more about our houses at www.tcshouses.weebly.com.
1st Grade = ROBINSON HOUSE
2nd Grade = ELLIOT HOUSE
3rd Grade = LEWIS HOUSE
4th Grade = NEE HOUSE
5th Grade = WYCLIFFE HOUSE
This Week’s House Focus: NEE HOUSE
Character Trait to Remember: DO WHAT IS RIGHT EVEN WHEN IT IS COSTLY
Learn more about Watchman Nee below.
REMINDER: BLACKBAUD CLASSROOM INFORMATION
Blackbaud is going to be your main source of information this year. Once you login, you will see a drop down arrow in the top left corner to choose which student’s information to look at. When you click on your 4th or 5th grade student, you will see summary information and then when you scroll down, you will see each of your student’s classes. Each class is clickable. Please click on your student’s homeroom class to see the weekly newsletter for 4th or 5th grade. Once you are in your student’s homeroom class, it will open up the Bulletin Board. Here is where you will find the clickable link for the newsletter that will be added each week. Any important information for the week will be found here. To find information on each specific class, you will go back to the main page for your student and click on each individual class. Again, when you click on the desired class, it will open to that class’ Bulletin Board. Here is where you find clickable weekly Lesson Plans that will include the plans for the week, homework assignments, and any upcoming tests, quizzes, or projects.
REMINDER: ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES
The following steps should be taken for reporting absences for Pre-K - 8th grade:
Send excuses for absences, including doctor’s notes to attendance@tcslions.org.
Send PRE-ABSENCE REQUESTS (family trips, etc.) to Kasey Hanson (kasey.hanson@tcslions.org) via your child’s 1st period teacher.
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.
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? - Reach out to Kasey Hanson (Return to Academics Coordinator) so we can best determine a makeup plan for your child.
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.
IMPORTANT 22/23 RESOURCES:
DRESS CODE OVERVIEW - check out this year’s guidelines
PRE-ABSENCE FORM - submit pre-planned absences 5 days ahead of time for approval.
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.