Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published February 12, 2023
Volume 162
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Don’t forget to complete your re-enrollment plans if you haven’t done so already. And feel free to reach out to me if you have any specific questions for next year. Remember, we want every child to THRIVE next year, so let us know if we can help in any way to ensure that goal is accomplished for your child. Have a wonderful Winter Break!
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 introduced the G.R.A.C.E. concept to our upper elementary students by showing God’s good design for our differences in G-ender, R-esources, A-bilities, C-olor, and E-thnicity. While discussing our many differences, Mr. Vinson also emphasized that we are the same in the most important areas. Specifically, we share the same VALUE as image-bearers of God who come from the same ORIGIN (Adam and Eve) and are given the same PURPOSE (glorifying God) for our specific lives. In addition, Galatians 3 was used to show that we are all SAVED and placed in Christ the same way. Just like a stained-glass window that is made up of many varying colors to display beauty in different shades, we image God in beautiful ways through our differences. But because we are the same in the most important ways, we have a great responsibility to treat each other with kindness, respect, and love in spite of our differences.
LIONS OF THE WEEK
4th Grade - Carleigh Partington
5th Grade - Vivianne Leshikar
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
UPCOMING UPPER ELEMENTARY DATES
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
Hebrews 3:12-13
v. 12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH FOCUS FOR THE WEEK
In 4th grade, our students will be reading fictional picture books by various African-American authors while creating graphic organizers.
In 5th grade, our students will be writing biographies about a variety of African-American authors while also creating a bio quilt to hang in the hallway.
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.