Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published October 16, 2022
Volume 147
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Q1 Report Cards are being finalized and will be made available at 4pm on Monday, October 17. Please be sure to log in to Blackbaud to assess your child’s progress throughout Q1. As we move into Q2, be sure to reach out to your child’s teacher(s) if you have any questions for how to better support your child at home. We are encouraged by the growth we have seen in our students over the first 9-week grading period and are looking forward to what God has in store for their education over the next two months.
Steps for Accessing Your Child’s Report Card:
Log in to tcslions.myschoolapp.com
Select the name of the child who you want to view the report card for in the upper left corner where it says “Child.”
Once that child’s progress screen appears, scroll down until you see the box labeled “Performance.”
You will see a blue link for report cards that you will need to click and then click on the “Upper Elementary Report Card” or “Middle School Report Card” link that will be directly below the blue report card link.
Your child’s report card will then open on another screen. From this screen, you can print the report card if desired.
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
This past week our homeroom teachers kept the students in classrooms for “Chapel with My Teacher”. Periodically, we want to offer our homeroom teachers the opportunity to connect on a deeper spiritual level with our students by providing them with targeted Bible lessons and small group discussion in the homeroom setting. Our first “Chapel with My Teacher” went great, and we look forward to offering another opportunity like this during Q2.
LIONS OF THE WEEK
The following students were honored last week for their hard work and exemplary behavior noticed by our faculty and staff.
Lions of the Week will return for Quarter 2 next week!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
UPCOMING UPPER ELEMENTARY DATES
October 19 = House Color Dress Down Day
October 27 = Fall Family Fest
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE
Help your child learn their verses this week!
James 1:2-4
v. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, v. 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. v. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
PRIDE PERFORMERS
The following students were chosen by their teachers for their hard work and performance in Quarter 1. These students were recognized for consistently putting forth a strong effort and taking pride in their work.
4th Grade
ELA: Jaxon Hynson
Science/Social Studies: Alli Leonard
Math: At Level - Skylar Tilley; Advanced - A.J. Vinson
Reading: At Level - Seth Cornejo; Advanced - Gavin McNeely
5th Grade
Science: Braden Johnson
Social Studies: Chandler Haning
Math: At Level - Bailey Bishop; Advanced - Jane Jung
ELA: At Level - Baylin Cumberland; Advanced - Madelyn Zarlenga
UPCOMING DRESS DOWN DAYS
Wednesday, October 19 - HOUSE COLOR DAY
Show your House Spirit by wearing your house color! Students are encouraged to wear shirts reflecting their house color along with jeans or normal pants/shorts.
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.
QUARTER 2 JUST READ
It’s time to kickoff our Q2 reading incentive program! Congratulations to the 28 4th graders and 18 5th graders who completed our Q1 reading challenge. They are being rewarded with a special treat this week! For those wanting to participate in our Q2 challenge, please use this form to track your child’s reading over the next 9-week period. Forms will need to be submitted to your child’s homeroom teacher at the end of the semester.
5TH GRADE GLOW DAY
Mark your calendars now for Friday, October 28 and stay tuned for more details!
HOUSE SYSTEM COMPETITION
Check out who is leading the competition at www.tcshouses.weebly.com.
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.