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

Published January 28, 2024

Volume 205

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

Re-enrollment season begins this week, and we are already getting excited about the 24-25 school year. I know many of you are thinking through the best plans for your child for next school year, and I just want to make sure you know I’m available to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have. Our goal is to ensure every student in our program is thriving year after year, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like to talk about how we can ensure this goal is accomplished for your child next year as you make re-enrollment decisions. We consider it a tremendous privilege to serve your family and hope to continue that partnership with each of you beyond this current school year. I have no doubt the LORD has great things in store for next year, and we certainly hope you will be a part of it with us here at TCS. Again, if there is anything I can do to help assist you with your decision-making for next year, don’t hesitate to ask.

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

• February 6 = Family Night - No Homework will be assigned

• February 8 = House Color Day

• February 9 = Super Bowl Dress Down - wear your favorite team apparel with uniform bottoms

• February 14 = Valentine’s Day Dress Down - wear red or pink with uniform bottoms

• March 5 = Creative Writing Workshop

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL

Pastor BJ Cobb from First Baptist Senoia spoke to our students from John 14:1-6. Pastor BJ encouraged our students with the promise that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us and will come again, but he also warned our students to make sure they are on the reservation list for a spot in the place He is preparing. Reminding our students that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, he encouraged our students to give thoughtful pause as to whether they have truly given their lives to Jesus.

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 - Denver Huddleston

• 5th Grade - Warren Bugden

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. 

Romans 12:1-2a

v. 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. v. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

As we approach the month of February, we are excited about the month-long focus we have planned to celebrate the diversity of both Black History Month and G.R.A.C.E. As you may know, G.R.A.C.E. at Trinity stands for G-ender, R-esources, A-bility, C-olor, and E-thnicity. Our goal this month is to celebrate the ways God has made us different as we better learn to see each other through the lens of being created in God’s image. Our teachers are working hard to plan lessons and activities that will support this goal throughout February. May the LORD be glorified through our efforts as we point our students to Him by calling them to love each other well.

UPCOMING VALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATION

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and we want to give our 4th and 5th graders the opportunity to celebrate if they would like to! If your student would like to participate, they are welcome to bring in Valentines for their entire homeroom class OR all of the students of the same gender in their homeroom. Teachers will provide a list of all students in their homeroom. Feel free to bring a festive Valentine box/bag from home, but this is not required!Students are also welcome to wear their pink and red shirts with uniform bottoms on Valentine’s Day too!

ELEMENTARY TALENT SHOW

We are looking for our Upper Elementary students who would like to show off their wide array of talents at our upcoming Elementary Talent Show! Our Performing Arts Department has included some details and information below. We hope to see your child at the performance!

• Tuesday, February 13 - Dress Rehearsal 3:30pm

• Thursday, February 15 - Talent Show 6pm

Use the below to sign up!

UPCOMING WRITER WORKSHOP FOR 4TH AND 5TH GRADERS

We are excited to announce that Christian author Jenny L. Cote will be coming to Trinity on March 5 to lead a creative writing workshop for all of our Upper Elementary students. We have a special day planned and will be sharing more details as we get closer. One thing we wanted to make you aware of now is an opportunity to pre-order books for her special author signing session. Check out this link to learn more about her available options.

JUST READ

Don’t forget to have your child participate in our Quarter 3 Just Read Program. 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.