Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School

Published November 12, 2023

Volume 195

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

During the month of November we are repeatedly called to “give thanks,” which ought to be the natural response of a Christian, not just during this month, but every month of the year. But what about those times when we don’t feel like our life’s circumstances warrant thanksgiving? We have all experienced those seasons of life when it just feels hard to give thanks because so many things feel wrong at the time. Our students’ memory verse this week serves as a good reminder for how we can find the motivation to give thanks, even when we are struggling to find tangible reasons to do so. Psalm 100:4-5 communicates the promise that our LORD is good and that He is faithful to remain good because He has chosen to direct His love towards us. What a promise for seasons of challenge and difficulty! He is good and will accomplish good for us, even in our trials, because He loves us so much. Use this month as a way to remind your entire family that we have much to be thankful for!

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 15 - Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes Due

• Nov 16 - House Color Day

• Dec 4 - Recorders/Orchestra Concert

• Dec 5 - Band Concert

• Dec 7 - Chorus Concert

• Dec 15 - Remote Learning Day

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL

Mr. Higgins spoke to our students from Matthew 7 regarding the 2 builders and the 2 foundations that we can build our houses upon. Using this parable, Mr. Higgins encouraged our students to build their lives on the truths of Jesus Christ in order to prepare for the storms of life. We capped chapel off by singing “Firm Foundation” to help us better apply the truths we learned about as well.

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. 

• Returning Next Week

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.

Psalm 100:4-5

v. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! v. 5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

GRADE CHECK TIME

We have just passed the halfway mark of Q2 which means we are quickly approaching report card time once again. Now is a great time to sit down with your child to assess where they are with their comprehension level of this quarter’s content. Over the next few weeks, encourage your child to make sure they are turning in assignments on time, turning in late work that can still be accepted (a late penalty is better than a zero), and studying for final quizzes and tests that will be given.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES

Operation Christmas Child shoebox information was sent home with your child this week. We are encouraging each child/family to participate if at all possible. Check out the information and be sure to send your child’s shoebox with them on Wednesday, November 15.

JUST READ QUARTER 2 

With Thanksgiving Break coming up soon, your child will have a great opportunity to complete the Q2 Just Read requirements. Check out the information below and encourage your child to participate!

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!

Quarter 2 Just Read Form

UPPER ELEMENTARY CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

As we look towards the month of December, here is a quick preview of some of our annual middle school traditions for Christmas that will be coming very soon!

• “Holly Jolly Trolly” - Each year Mr. Vinson provides a special snack cart full of holiday treats for our upper elementary students to enjoy. Students should bring $1-2 each day they want to purchase something at lunch. More details to come!

• Dress Down December - To help raise funds for our various middle school overnight experiences, we offer our upper elementary students the opportunity to wear Crocs and/or pajama pants/sweatpants for the month of December. More details to come on how to participate!

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.

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.

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.