Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School

Published January 15, 2023

Volume 158

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We hope you enjoyed the long holiday weekend! Don’t forget your child will need to turn in all remote learning assignments (Thursday night’s homework) on Tuesday to avoid a late penalty. As we enter into Quarter 3, keep in mind that this season of the school year is historically challenging. The post-Christmas slump can be a real thing, so be sure to stay on top of your child’s performance and keep encouraging them to do their very best. Join us in praying that the LORD will show Himself mighty over this 9-week period and that our students will accomplish great things for Him!

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

Coach Settle spoke to our students from II Chronicles 34 by highlighting the type of king that Josiah was in spite of his young age. Coach Settle reminded our students that the bulk of the Israelite kings were known for their wickedness, while a small minority were known for their casual faithfulness. Even less were known for their whole-hearted devotion to God. The challenge given to our students is to be the young man or woman of God that does not “turn aside to the right hand or to the left” but instead does what is “right in the eyes of the LORD.”

LIONS OF THE WEEK

• 4th Grade - AJ Vinson

• 5th Grade - Hadley Raptis

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

UPCOMING UPPER ELEMENTARY DATES

• January 16 = Martin Luther King Jr Holiday (No School)

• January 18 = HOUSE COLOR Day

• January 19 = 100 Days of School (dress bright for 100 days brighter)

• January 20 = 101 Days of School (dress like a Dalmatian) 

• February 23 = Elementary Talent Show

THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE

Romans 12:1-2a

v. 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. v. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

100 AND 101st DAYS OF SCHOOL

In celebration of the 100th Day of School, we will be celebrating that we are 100 Days Brighter! 4th and 5th grade students are welcome to wear 100 Days Brighter shirts, neon shirts, or Spirit Wear shirts with jeans on Thursday, January 19th. 

In celebration of the 101st Day of School, students are welcome to dress like a Dalmatian (101 Dalmatians) : black and white, spots, etc..., or Spirit Wear shirts with jeans on Friday, January 20th!

JUST READ QUARTER 3

Don’t forget to encourage your child to read these 9 weeks! A special reward will be given to all those who complete the challenge. Please use this link to track your child’s reading for Q3 Just Read Form Q3.

GENERAL REMINDERS

HOUSE SYSTEM COMPETITION

Check out who is leading the competition at www.tcshouses.weebly.com.

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.

REMINDER: 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 4th - 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 homeroom 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.

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.