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

Published December 31, 2023

Volume 201

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

Happy New Year! We are excited to see all the LORD has in store for us as we turn towards the 2024 portion of this school year. The changing of the calendar always brings excitement with renewed resolutions and hope for what the new year might hold. In Psalm 73:28, the psalmist declares that God’s presence is his good. As I think about this new year, I want to echo Moses when he told God in Exodus 33:15 that he was only interested in going where God was planning to go too. Meaning, unless the LORD goes with us, we don’t want to go. As we head into 2024, my desire is that I only take steps in the direction that the LORD is going too. I want 2024 to be filled with all kinds of good, but I also recognize, His presence with me is my ultimate good for this year. My plan is to follow Him wherever He might take me and to experience whatever He might have in store for me with a heart of contentment and gratitude as I seek to trust Him. May it be the same for your family as well. Make 2024 be filled with His good presence in your life all year long!

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

• January 2 - Classes resume (wear your favorite non-TCS hoodie/sweatshirt)

• January 5 - House Color Day

• January 12 - Grandparent’s Day and Remote Learning Day

• January 18 - 100 Days of School = 100 Days Brighter (wear neon)

• January 19 - 101 Days of School = Dress like a dalmatian/wear black and white

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL

Returning new week

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 new 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 Goodness. 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 Corinthians 10:31

v. 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God

FAVORITE HOODIE/SWEATSHIRT DAY

On our first day back for class (Tuesday, January 2), students are allowed to wear their favorite non-TCS hoodie or sweatshirt with normal dress code pants/shorts. Show off your favorite Christmas gift as we ring in the new year!

REPORT CARDS

All grades will be updated and report cards will be posted on Monday, January 8 at 4pm.

JUST READ

We will be celebrating our Just Read Quarter 2 students shortly after our return from break, but we wanted to go ahead and encourage all of our 4th and 5th graders to get started with Q3’s Just Read opportunity. Please use this form to record your reading for this upcoming quarter!

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.