Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published January 22, 2023
Volume 159
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Can you believe we are already 3 weeks into Quarter 3??? While it may feel like Christmas Break just ended, we are well underway with this semester’s academics. Be sure to review your child’s grades this weekend to gauge their progress so far. We are still early enough in Q3 where necessary adjustments can be made to help keep your child on pace for success. As an administrative staff, we are reaching out to those individuals who seem to be struggling, but please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if a conversation would be helpful for you to better understand how your child is doing.
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 spoke to our students from Romans 12:1-2 (this week’s memory verse). Keying in on the theme of transformation through mind renewal, Mr. Vinson shared how our minds are broken due to sin and need to be reprogrammed to think the way God desires for us to think. If left unchecked, our broken minds tell us dangerous things are safe and evil things are good. Specifically, students were challenged about the way they view their life (can we do whatever we want?), their money (do we really need to share?), and their bodies (what does it mean to walk in the flesh?). For application, students were encouraged to evaluate how much influence they’re allowing God’s Word to have on their minds.
LIONS OF THE WEEK
4th Grade - Morire Ajayi
5th Grade - Ian Stewart
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
UPCOMING UPPER ELEMENTARY DATES
February = Black History Month (details coming soon)
February 10th - Superbowl Dress Down Day (students may wear football attire with jeans or uniform bottoms)
February 13-17 = Winter Break
February 23 = Elementary Talent Show
February 27-March 3 = Read Across America Week
Read Across America Week
We are excited to celebrate Read Across America the week of February 27-March 3. This will be a fun filled week in which we will celebrate reading while highlighting some of our favorite authors like Dr Seuss. We are looking forward to this fun week together!
Monday: Crazy Hat Day (Wear your favorite/crazy hat along with a regular uniform).
Tuesday: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (Wear red and blue). If your child participates, they do not need to wear a regular uniform.
Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday (Wear mismatched/backwards clothes). If your child participates, they do not need to wear a regular uniform.
Thursday: Thing 1 and Thing 2 Day (Dress like Thing 1 and Thing 2 OR dress identical to a friend). If your child participates, they do not need to wear a regular uniform.
Friday: Crazy Sock Day (Wear your craziest socks along with a TCS spirit wear shirt and uniform bottoms or jeans).
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.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND G.R.A.C.E. FOCUS
We are looking forward to celebrating our diversity during the month of February with a special focus on black history. In addition, we will be incorporating our G.R.A.C.E. acronym into various lessons and chapels as well. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing information related to our classroom focus, but in the meantime, check out what G.R.A.C.E. stands for at Trinity.
What does G.R.A.C.E. mean?
G.R.A.C.E. is about us better understanding how each of us is made in the image of God and how we should treat each other in light of that truth. While we are different in our G-ender, in our R-esources, in our A-bilities, in our skin C-olor, and in our E-thnicity/culture, we all image God in those differences and deserve the respect and appreciation of others - not just in spite of our differences, but because of our differences!
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.