Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published March 24, 2024
Volume 213
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Don’t forget that report cards will be made available at the end of the school day on Monday. We are proud of our students’ hard work over Q3 and look forward to them finishing strong throughout Q4. Be sure to check out your child’s progress under the “Performance” section.
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
March 29 = Good Friday Holiday
April 1-5 = Spring Break
April 8 = House Color Day
April 12 = UE STEAM Day
April 19 = 4th Grade Six Flags Trip
April 26 = 5th Grade Six Flags Field Trip
April 29 = Family Night (No Homework or Assessments on April 30)
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Mr. Higgins, our Director of Student Development, spoke to our students on the topic of “taming the tongue” from James 3:1-12. Mr. Higgins looked at the three images of a horse’s bridle, a ship’s rudder, and a forest fire to help emphasize the need we have to seek control over the way we use our tongues. To apply the lesson, Mr. Higgins encouraged our students to realize that words can either help or harm and that we need God’s power through prayer to help us use our words the right way.
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 - Luke Burgess
5th Grade - Tucker Mauney
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.
Hebrews 10:23-24
v. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. v. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.
QUARTER 3 PRIDE PERFORMERS
Congratulations to the following students who are being acknowledged for their hard work and excellence during Quarter 3.
4th Grade
ELA = Chance Hollaway
Math = Olivia Ingold
Science/Social Studies = Jaxson Malone
Reading = Cameron Camper
5th Grade
ELA = Holly Jeffcoat
Math = Anna Claire Clements
Science/Social Studies = Seth Cornejo
Reading = Colt Phillips
QUARTER 4 JUST READ FORM
We have one last opportunity for the school year for our students to engage in our Just Read program. Please use this form to record your reading for this upcoming quarter! We will be rewarding our Quarter 3 participants soon after we return from the Remote Learning Day and then will be awarding a special prize at the end of the year for our students who participated in Just Read all 4 Quarters. Encourage your child to keep reading!
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.
(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.