Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published February 5, 2023
Volume 161
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Re-enrollment season is here, and we are already getting excited about what the LORD has in store for 2023-2024. I know many of you are thinking through the best plans for your child for next school year, and I just want to make sure you know I’m available to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have. Our goal is to ensure every student in our program is thriving year after year, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like to talk about how we can ensure this goal is accomplished for your child next year as you make re-enrollment decisions. We are already seeing an incredible response to re-enrollment and anticipate a lot of interest from new families as well, so don’t delay if setting up a time to talk with me would be helpful.
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
Dr. Anthony shared his vision for our school during chapel by highlighting the people we know populate Heaven from Rev. 7. Just as Heaven will have people of different color skin, different cultures, and different backgrounds, we too desire to be a school that looks like Heaven. But not only do we want to look like Heaven, we want to act like Heaven too. Dr. Anthony reminded our students that by loving our neighbor as ourselves and by being known for our love towards each other, together we can build a school that images God well.
LIONS OF THE WEEK
4th Grade - Olivia Goode
5th Grade - Macie Moore
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
UPCOMING UPPER ELEMENTARY DATES
February = Black History Month (details coming soon)
February 8 = House Color Day
February 10 = Super Bowl Dress Down day (students may wear their favorite team jersey or shirt with jeans.)
February 13-17 = Winter Break
February 23 = Elementary Talent Show
February 27-March 3 = Read Across America Week (dress down days coming)
March 15 = Spring Picture Day
March 16 = St. Patrick’s Dress Down Day (jeans with green)
March 17 = Remote Learning Day
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE
Galatians 6:7-8
v. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
v. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
VAL PAL PASSES NOW AVAILABLE
Don’t forget, throughout February students may purchase a $2 snack cart pass to give to a friend for Valentine’s Day. Homeroom teachers will have passes available each morning for students to purchase. Each pass includes a space for writing a special note for the friend as well.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH FOCUS FOR THE WEEK
In 4th grade our students will be learning about Raye Montague by reading the book The Girl with a Mind for Math. Check out the excerpt from the book below.
After touring a German submarine in the early 1940s, young Raye set her sights on becoming an engineer. Little did she know sexism and racial inequality would challenge that dream every step of the way, even keeping her greatest career accomplishment a secret for decades. Through it all, the gifted mathematician persisted―finally gaining her well-deserved title in history: a pioneer who changed the course of ship design forever.
In addition, our 4th graders will continue working on their MLK prompt through February 10.
In 5th grade our students will be researching various African-American inventors, engineers, and scientists while producing BLOOM balls to display in the hallways to show off their hard work.
FOOD DRIVE
Beginning Monday, February 20th and continuing to Friday, February 24th the Upper Elementary and Middle School will be collecting canned goods and dry goods to donate to the Trinity Church food pantry and our Coweta County food pantry. Your donations will be a tremendous help in providing for hungry families in our community.
Please give what you can. One grocery bag of food can provide as many as 11 meals. Every single donation helps, and together we hope our combined donations will make a real difference for those in need. The food pantry is asking for nutritious canned and dry goods. Here are some suggestions:
Canned vegetables
Dried beans
Fruit canned in its own juices
Applesauce
Canned soups
Beef stew
Canned tuna
Canned chicken
100% fruit juices
Pasta
Rice
Condiments like ketchup and salad dressing
Nuts
Peanut butter
Multigrain and low-sugar cereals
Granola bars
Donations can be turned in each morning to your child’s homeroom teacher.
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!
Specific Dress Down Days:
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).
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. Please also notify the nursing team to make them aware of surgeries or long-term illnesses at nurses@tcslions.org.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT 1-5 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 through our Return to Academics program.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT 5+ DAYS? - Reach out to Kasey Hanson (Return to Academics Coordinator) so we can best determine a makeup plan for your child. Mrs. Hanson will help collect makeup work for you to simplify the process.
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.