Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published October 1, 2023
Volume 189
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Fall is here, and Q1 is complete! I hope each of you is having a wonderful Fall Break and enjoying the changing of the seasons that is upon us. Don’t forget that when we return to campus on Tuesday, ALL REMOTE WORK is due from Friday, Oct 6. Be sure to check Blackbaud for all of your child’s remote learning work. Please know as well that our teachers are working to finalize grades this upcoming week with the plan to make Q1 report cards visible on Blackbaud beginning Monday, Oct 16. We are so proud of our students and all of their hard work.
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
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
UPCOMING UPPER ELEMENTARY DATES
Oct 13 - Picture Retakes
Oct 13 - Fall Family Fest
Oct 20 - House Color Day
Nov 3 - 5th Grade Trip to Stone Mountain Park
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Mrs. Wendy Peters, one of our UE/MS Bible teachers, spoke to our students on the parable of the soils. Using visuals to help our students understand the various soils mentioned, Mrs. Peters encouraged our students to examine their own hearts and the condition of their response to God’s Word. Are they hardened to God’s call like the rocky soil or have they responded to the gospel as depicted by the good soil? Thank you Mrs. Peters helping our students visually see the meaning of this important parable.
LIONS OF THE WEEK
Students who have been recognized by their teachers for setting a good example and making right choices during the school day.
4th Grade - Lola Lopez
5th Grade - Luke Cranford
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE:
As you may notice, our 4th-8th graders memorize the same verses each year. These memory verses are selected intentionally based on the promises and truths they contain that are so relevant for our students as they learn to follow Jesus. Our hope is that these 20 verses will be remembered for years to come after being memorized for multiple years in Upper Elementary and Middle School.
Proverbs 3:5-7
v. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. v. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. v. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
ANNUAL FUND SHOUTOUT
Thank you to everyone who gave so generously to this year’s Annual Fund. Our students will benefit so much from the extra items, resources and opportunities made available through your giving!
CONGRATULATIONS TO QUARTER 1 PRIDE PERFORMERS
The following students were selected by their teachers for their hard work and dedication to the classroom these past 9 weeks. These are students who “filled it to the brim,” and we want to acknowledge them for their hard work! Great job students!
4th Grade
ELA = Lucy Skowronski
Math = Kalyn Beane
Science = Law Chambers
Reading = Cade Ridlehoover
5th Grade
ELA = Jade Mitman
Math = Daven Salazar
Science = Skylar Tilley
Reading = Lina Higgins
QUARTER 1 FEEDBACK
Let us know how the first 9 weeks went and what your child’s overall experience has been like this school year by completing the appropriate grade level survey below. We appreciate the feedback and will plan to use the results to shape the Q2 experience.
PICTURE RETAKE INFORMATION FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13
Fall Picture Retakes This Friday, October 13! Sign up below
Individual picture retakes will be this Friday, October 13 for all grades school-wide. Proofs and order forms will be sent home after the retakes have been processed.
If you would like your student to have their picture retaken, please sign up using the link below:
**Please note: The retake picture is the one that will be in the yearbook. There will not be an option to choose between the original picture taken and the retake.
For help with school pictures, please reach out to LifeTouch Customer Success Team:
Phone number: 1-800-736-4753
Or use the chat function on the website my.lifetouch.com to chat with an agent.
OPTIONAL HOUSE COLOR T-SHIRTS
We have had several parents request the option to purchase House shirts to wear on House Color Days. We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Graceful Peach Boutique to offer shirts for Elliot, Lewis, Nee, Robinson and Wycliffe houses! Check out the link below and order your optional shirt today if you are looking for something to wear on House Color Day.
Our next scheduled House Color Day is October 20!
https://www.gracefulpeachboutique.com/collections/special-order
5TH GRADE TRIP TO STONE MOUNTAIN PARK
Our 5th graders will have the opportunity to spend the day at Stone Mountain Park on Friday, November 3! Check out the details below for this exciting, upcoming trip.
TIME: We will be leaving TCS at 8:15am and returning back to TCS at 4:15pm.
COST: The cost of the field trip is $18. Cost includes the Skyride to the top of the mountain, 4D Theater, Mini Golf, Dinosaur Explore, and the Native American Festival!
LUNCH: Students will need to bring a sack lunch for this field trip to enjoy a picnic with their classmates.
PAYMENT: Please login to tcslions.myschoolapp.com to view and pay.
*If you would like to attend this field trip with your 5th grader, please fill out the Google Form below to indicate that you would like to order a ticket for you as a parent.
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 you will find helpful information such as what to do should your student be absent. For information regarding lesson plans that will include the plans for the week, homework assignments, and any upcoming tests, quizzes, or projects, you will need to click on the “Topics” tab.
To recap:
Weekly newsletter is found on your student’s homeroom Bulletin Board.
Lesson plans, assignments, etc…are found in the specific classes Topic tab.
JUST READ QUARTER 1
We want to invite all of our 4th and 5th graders to participate in our voluntary reading program this year called “Just Read”. Appropriately named, we “just want our students reading” outside of class time independently. Students should use the form below to record their reading for Q1 (first 9 weeks of school). Completed forms should be returned to your child’s homeroom teacher at the end of Quarter, with a prize coming from Mr. Vinson to all who complete the challenge!
UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RESOURCES
HOUSE SYSTEM COMPETITION
Check out who is leading the competition at www.tcshouses.weebly.com.
23/24 SCHOOL CALENDAR: Stay in the know about upcoming breaks and holidays.
DRESS CODE OVERVIEW - Check out this year’s guidelines
PRE-ABSENCE FORM - Submit pre-planned absences 5 days ahead of time for approval.
GENERAL REMINDERS
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: 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.
(pictured l to r) Mrs. McBurnett, Mrs. Lanier, Mr. Higgins, and Mrs. Hanson
Check out our list of administrative faculty below who can help support you with all of your needs throughout this year.
UPPER ELEMENTARY ADMIN TEAM: WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
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.