Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published September 11, 2022
Volume 142
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Homecoming Week is here, and we are excited to have our students show off their TCS Spirit! Be sure to check out all of the events and details on the main page of this newsletter. As a reminder, we are having the following dress up spirit days:
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
Also, please join us for our first off-campus HOCO Parade in downtown Senoia on Monday, September 12th at 6:00pm. Plan to enjoy some great food in downtown Senoia afterwards too! This will be a special event to unite Lion Nation that you won’t want to miss! We hope to see all of you on Friday at 7:30pm too as we cheer our Lions on to victory!
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
Mrs. Peters spoke to our students from 2 Corinthians 12 to remind them that when they are weak, they are strong in Christ. Rather than hiding struggles to appear "picture perfect", students were encouraged to remember that God in His PERFECT love forgives us; God is PERFECTly enough; and God is PERFECTing his own.
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 = Kylie McAdams
5th Grade = Tyler Sickel
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
UPCOMING UPPER ELEMENTARY DATES
Week of September 12-16 = Homecoming Spirit Week
September 22 = Upper Elementary Fall Picture Day
September 28 = Field Trip to Gwinnett Stripers Education Day Baseball Game
October 7 = Remote Learning Day/End of Q1
October 10 = Fall Break (No School)
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE
Help your child learn their verses this week!
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.
FALL PICTURE DAY
4th and 5th graders will have their Fall Picture Day on Thursday, September 22. Students should attend school in normal uniform attire for these pictures.
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: WYCLIFFE HOUSE
Character Trait to Remember: FIND WAYS TO SERVE OTHERS WHEN YOU SEE A NEED
Learn more about John Wycliffe below.
REMINDER: BLACKBAUD CLASSROOM INFORMATION
Be sure to check Blackbaud regularly to stay informed about your child’s progress this year!
LESSON PLANS: Need to know what your child is learning in the classroom? Check the “Bulletin Board” section for each of your child’s classes.
HOMEWORK: Need to know what assignments your child should be completing at home? Check the “Bulletin Board” section for each of your child’s classes.
GRADES/PROGRESS: Need to know how your child did on their last test? Check the “Grade Detail” section for each of your child’s classes.
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.