Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published October 27, 2023
Volume 193
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
As we look towards the end of this semester, we know many of you will start making plans for Christmas Break. Please keep in mind that we will have school through Thursday, December 14, with a Remote Learning Day on December 15. While that last week of school often incorporates Christmas celebrations and parties, our upper elementary students will have some classwork and content covered that is needed for your child’s ongoing growth and development, even if they end up with little to no formal assessments. Please plan accordingly to have your child here that week if at all possible.
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
Nov 3 - 5th Grade Trip to Stone Mountain Park
Nov 7 - Family Night
Nov 16 - House Color Day
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Mr. Vinson spoke to our students on the resurrection of Jesus and the hope of His return from both Acts 17 and I John 3. Using the illustration of how some people believe in things that seem far-fetched (like Bigfoot) while having that belief impact their life in little to no way, the resurrection of Jesus is way different. Not only is it not far-fetched to believe Jesus is alive based on the empty tomb, 500+ witnesses, and changed lives of the disciples, the truth of the historical resurrection must have an impact on our lives. We even had a “Bigfoot” show up in chapel to help drive home the lesson!
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 - Finley Joyner
5th Grade - Coleigh Bishop
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.
I Peter 5:8-9
v. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. v. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES
Be on the lookout this week for information related to packing shoeboxes for our upcoming partnership with Operation Christmas Child. All shoeboxes will need to be returned by Wednesday, November 15.
5TH GRADE TRIP TO STONE MOUNTAIN PARK
Don’t forget, our 5th graders are headed to Stone Mountain Park this Friday. Check out the last minute details below to make sure you are prepared for this FRIDAY!
Departure: We are leaving from TCS at 8:15 am. Drop your child off at normal time. If you are driving to join us, please meet us at Stone Mountain. We will plan to drop students off in the main parking lot.
Dress Code: Students should wear TCS spirit wear. Students may wear athletic shorts (appropriate finger-tip length) or pants. Students may also wear jeans or normal dress code pants/shorts.
Lunch: Don’t forget to send your child a sack lunch (with drink)!
Return: If your child is returning on the bus, we plan to be back on campus by 4:15 pm pending Atlanta traffic.
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 2
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 Q2.. Completed forms should be returned to your child’s homeroom teacher at the end of Quarter 2, 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.