Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published March 26, 2023
Volume 168
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Spring is here, and we are excited about all that is taking place on our campus. As we look to this final quarter, there is going to be a lot of excitement as we trend towards the end of the year. Be on the lookout for coming information related to field trips, class parties and other end of year celebrations.
Don’t forget to check Blackbaud this Monday afternoon to view your child’s Q3 report card grades. Our students have worked hard over the past 9 weeks and should be celebrated for the fruits of their labor.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns related to upper elementary, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. It is a joy to serve your family as the 4th and 5th grade principal.
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
Pastor BJ Cobb from First Baptist Senoia taught our students from Matthew 8:23-9:8 by taking a deeper look at Jesus’ authority over nature, demons and sin. Using the 3 different stories, Pastor BJ challenged our students regarding the type of response they have towards Jesus.
LIONS OF THE WEEK
4th Grade - Gracie Gantt
5th Grade - Grace Buck
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
UPCOMING UPPER ELEMENTARY DATES
March 22 = House Color Day
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE
Hebrews 10:23-24
v. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. v. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.
UPPER ELEMENTARY STEAM DAY
Our team is hard at work on planning an exciting STEAM Day for our 4th and 5th graders on Friday, May 5. All of our regular class curriculum will be adjusted for the day as we focus on STEAM related activities. This is going to be an exciting day filled with hands-on activities! Your child won’t want to miss it!
SIX FLAGS FIELD TRIPS
We are looking forward to taking our 4th and 5th graders to Six Flags’ special science education days in April. Be looking for more information this week from Mrs. McBurnett.
JUST READ QUARTER 3 REWARDS
Rewards are coming this week for all those who completed the Q3 Just Read Challenge. If your child would like to complete the Q4 challenge, please use this form.
MAY HAPPENINGS
The month of May is always busy with end of the year events. Keep checking back in this section for details leading up to the end of the school year.
May 1 = Orchestra Concert
May 2 = Band Concert
May 8-9 = Progress Learning Testing
May 11 = Chorus Concert
May 15-16 = IOWA Standardized Testing
LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL (Note: Each day will be a full day of school)
Thursday, May 25
4th/5th Awards Program (8:15am - only parents of students receiving a reward to attend due to parking/seating capacity)
5th Grade Walk (9:15am - all 5th grade parents invited)
5th Grade Parent/Student Kickball Game (9:45am - all 5th grade parents invited…but try to keep it a secret from the students!)
4th/5th Classroom Parties (1:45pm - parents do not attend)
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.