Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published September 25, 2022
Volume 144
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
A big thank you to all who have already supported TCS through this year’s Annual Fund! Each year the Annual Fund helps provide tools, resources and experiences outside of our normal budgetary provisions. Every dollar you give supports our study body! Our teachers thank you for your generosity and support to the mission of TCS.
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
BJ Cobb, pastor of First Baptist Senoia, spoke to our students on the story of Elijah from I Kings 19. Pastor BJ helped remind our students of the need to listen to God’s voice in the highs (victory at Mt. Carmel) and the lows (running from Queen Jezebel) of our Christian walk. Sometimes God’s voice comes to us through pastors, teachers, parents or friends, but God’s voice is always consistent with His Word. Thank you Pastor BJ for the reminder to listen to God’s voice over all the other noise coming to us today!
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 = Abigail Davis
5th Grade = Aliz Ferencz
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
UPCOMING UPPER ELEMENTARY DATES
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!
Philippians 4:6-7
v. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. v. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
FIELD TRIP TO GWINNETT STRIPERS GAME
Don’t forget, our students are heading to the ball park this Wednesday for an exciting, educational experience! Be sure to refer to the details below.
Drop Off: We will be leaving campus at 9am so please drop your child off at the normal time before 8am. We will have educational activities taking place prior to our departure.
Chaperoning: If you are joining us for the game, please plan to meet us at the stadium or you may park at NCG theatre. We will plan to exit the school and cross over Hwy 34/54 so you can fall in behind us if you like.
Dress Code: Students may wear the following to the game:
TCS Spirit Wear with jeans or normal dress code pants/shorts.
Braves or Stripers spirit wear with jeans or normal dress code pants/shorts
Extra Money: While lunch is included in the price of the ticket, students are encouraged to bring extra money if snacks or souvenirs are desired.
Pick Up: We will be returning to campus after 3:30pm but before 4:00pm. Please plan to pick up your child after the normal dismissal time.
PICTURE DAY RESCHEDULED
We apologize for the change in schedule but with our delayed arrival last Thursday it became necessary to reschedule our Upper Elementary Picture Day. The new picture day is set for Thursday, October 6. Picture retakes will also be scheduled in the near future.
Year Book Words of Praise
ATTENTION PARENTS OF K, 5th & 8th grade students!!!
Have you ever wished you could give your child words of encouragement and praise for a job well done? Well, here is your opportunity…purchase a WORDS OF PRAISE Ad for your K, 5th or 8th grader.
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.
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.