Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published July 9, 2023
Volume 177
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
I hope each of you is enjoying Summer Break and making tons of memories with your family and friends. As we look to the upcoming 2023-2o24 school year, we are trusting the LORD and all of the plans He is making for this upcoming year. In the coming weeks, please make sure to read the Inside the Pride newsletter to stay informed about new information we will be releasing to help you prepare for the start of school. For our new families, our goal is to provide you with all of the weekly, pertinent information you need all year long in our school-wide newsletter. So be sure to check out each issue on Sunday evenings!
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
While we still have a month of Summer Break to enjoy, we know you are getting anxious to know more about the upcoming year. Over the next several weeks we will be releasing more and more information to help you prepare. Check out some reminders below related to information we shared at the beginning of the summer, along with some new information as well.
NEW INFO - NEW UNIFORM OPTIONS FOR 2023-2024
While our uniform requirements are not changing, we are providing additional flexibility for our students this year. Students will now be permitted to wear approved TCS spirit wear, including TCS t-shirts, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays! Jeans may also be worn on each of those days if worn with a purple, black, white or gray polo or with a spirit wear t-shirt. Note: Wednesday Chapel Day uniforms remain purple polos and black bottoms. Check out all of the uniform guidelines in the updated student handbook.
NEW INFO - ***EXCLUSIVE UPPER ELEMENTARY SPIRIT WEAR ITEMS***
In next week’s issue we will be providing an order form for you to purchase this year’s uniquely designed TCS Upper Elementary t-shirts and hoodies! Remember, these items can be worn every day of the week this year!
NEW INFO - 4th grade families, mark your calendars for our special curriculum night on August 14 at 6pm as we welcome you to 4th grade! This night will be a chance for you to meet the 4th grade teachers and understand better the transition from Lower School to Upper Elementary. We hope you can join us!
SUPPLY LISTS FOR 2023-2024
Here is our most current supply list for the upcoming year.
STUDENT SCHEDULES FOR 2023-2o24
We are working hard on your child’s schedule and are still on pace to release individual schedules by the end of July in anticipation of our Meet the Teacher Day on August 7. Thank you for your patience as we work to get each student schedule correct. Please make sure you have completed class preference forms if you have not done so already to aid us in building your child’s schedule.
AUGUST BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS
Mark your calendars now for our 23-24 kickoff events to the new school year!
Sunday, August 6: WELCOME TO THE ROAR = a block party style event for all of our new and returning TCS families
Monday, August 7: MEET MY TEACHER DAY = an opportunity to walk through schedules, meet teachers, etc.
Tuesday, August 8: FIRST DAY OF CLASSES = the new school year begins!
SUMMER READING OPPORTUNITIES
There is NO REQUIRED SUMMER READING, but our team has put together a list of suggested books and resources if your child would like to continue reading over the summer. Students who read 3 books from the suggested list will receive an incentive the first week we are back in August. Check out our suggested list here.
SUMMER MATH WORK
Use this document to review information from Mrs. Paige Whitaker, our Math Curriculum Coordinator, regarding grade level skills your child may need to work on over the summer to ensure a smooth transition for next year. These suggestions are great for parents looking to reinforce concepts over the summer or for those just looking to keep their child sharp over the break.
DAILY SCHEDULE FOR 2023-2024
Check out our daily schedule plans for next year with our adjusted chapel schedule too. .
4TH GRADE SCHEDULES
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
8:00-8:05 Homeroom
8:1o-8:50 Specials
8:55-9:35 Bible
9:40-10:30 Rotation 1
10:35-11:25 Rotation 2
11:30-12:00 Lunch
12:05-12:55 Rotation 3
1:00-1:50 Rotation 4
1:55-2:45 Rotation 5
2:50 Dismissal
Wednesday (Chapel Day)
8:00-8:05 Homeroom
8:1o-8:50 Specials
8:55-9:40 Rotation 1
9:45-10:30 Rotation 2
10:35-10:55 Catch Up Opportunities in Homeroom
11:00-11:30 Chapel
11:30-12:00 Lunch
12:05-12:50 Rotation 3
12:55-1:40 Rotation 4
1:45-2:30 Rotation 5
2:35-2:50 Catch Up Opportunities in Homeroom
2:50 Dismissal
5TH GRADE SCHEDULES
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
8:00-8:05 Homeroom
8:1o-8:50 Bible
8:55-9:35 Specials
9:40-10:30 Rotation 1
10:35-11:25 Rotation 2
11:30-12:00 Lunch
12:05-12:55 Rotation 3
1:00-1:50 Rotation 4
1:55-2:45 Rotation 5
2:50 Dismissal
Wednesday (Chapel Day)
8:00-8:05 Homeroom
8:1o-8:55 Rotation 1
9:00-9:40 Specials
9:45-10:30 Rotation 2
10:35-10:55 Catch Up Opportunities in Homeroom
11:00-11:30 Chapel
11:30-12:00 Lunch
12:05-12:50 Rotation 3
12:55-1:40 Rotation 4
1:45-2:30 Rotation 5
2:35-2:50 Catch Up Opportunities in Homeroom
2:50 Dismissal
Our “Catch Up Opportunities in Homeroom” or DEN TIME each Wednesday will be a time for our Homeroom Teachers to help our upper elementary lions re-organize at the mid-way point of the week by cleaning out book bags, binders, and desks while also having an opportunity to review key concepts already taught for the week.
TEACHING TEAMS FOR 2023-2024
We are excited about the team of teachers we have lined up for each grade level next year with most of our teachers from this year returning!
4th Grade
Mrs. Natalie Stanfield (ELA)
Mrs. Tracy Long (Math)
Mrs. Kristi Goss (Science and Social Studies)
Mrs. Christy Stephenson (Reading)
5th Grade
Mrs. Jenny Hagauer (ELA)
Ms. Jennifer Roberts (Math)
Miss MacKenzie Dale (Science and Social Studies)
Mrs. Raegan Barnhill (Reading)
UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RESOURCES
23/24 SCHOOL CALENDAR: Stay in the know about upcoming breaks and holidays.
HOUSE COMPETITION: Learn about our House System for Elementary and Middle School.
SUMMER CONTACT LIST
UPPER ELEMENTARY ADMINISTRATION
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 Skills Development - Jenn Opsahl (jennifer.opsahl@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Opsahl oversees our Skills Development Program.