Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 230
Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published August 25, 2024
Volume 230
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Did you know we have a specific culture we want to create here at TCS within our upper elementary? Every year we seek to instill the following values into the hearts of our students. This is part of the Christ-like culture of excellence that helps make Trinity the place that it is.
Excellence - Fill It to the Brim
Borrowing from the story of Jesus turning water into wine from John 2, we encourage our students to “fill it to the brim” just like the servants at the wedding. In preparation for His first miracle, Jesus instructed the workers to fill jugs with water. The text tells us they “filled it to the brim”, implying they put the maximum amount of water they could into the containers. What would it look like if we gave maximum effort to everything Jesus asks of us as well? It’s this effort of excellence in obeying Jesus that we strike to cultivate in the hearts of each of our students.
Kindness - The Golden Rule
Matthew 7:12 tells us we ought to treat others the way we desire to be treated. From a secular standpoint, the world will even seek to get behind this philosophy at times, too. But the aspect that separates the biblical worldview from that of this world is that Christians are called to act this way towards others whether they ever receive the treatment back or not. We want our students to fully embrace the call to serve and love with kindness those around them…including their enemies. This isn’t just the Trinity Way, this is the Christ-like way!
Purity - His Word is Our Lamp
In a day and age when truth and guidance are relative, making morals and the concept of purity relative, too, we push our students towards the only absolute source available. We want our students evaluating good and bad, right and wrong through the lens of God’s Word. What we say, where we go and what we do should all be shaped by the “lamp to our feet and the light to our path” that is His Word.
May the LORD help our upper elementary students continually embrace these mindsets as we labor to build a culture that honors our Creator well here at TCS.
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
UPCOMING UPPER ELEMENTARY DATES:
Aug 23 - House Color Dress Down Day
Aug 29 - College Football Dress Down Day
Aug 30 - Remote Learning Day
Sept 2 - Labor Day Holiday
Sept 9-13 - Homecoming Week (Parade - Sept 9)
Sept 19 - Family Night (No Homework/Studying)
NEWS AND NOTES IN THE UPPER ELEMENTARY
NEW UPPER ELEMENTARY SPIRIT WEAR AVAILABLE
Check out this year’s spirit wear options designed by our middle school team. You can order t-shirts and hoodies through the link below.
NEED A HOUSE COLOR SHIRT TOO?
We have you covered with a link to shirts for Elliot, Lewis, Nee, Robinson, and Wycliffe as well. This includes our newly rebranded orange Nee house shirt!
COLLEGE FOOTBALL DRESS DOWN DAY
The new football season is underway, and our students are invited to wear their favorite team shirts or jerseys on Thursday, August 29 to celebrate. Normal dress code pants/shorts are required.
REMOTE LEARNING: AUGUST 30
Don’t forget on Friday, we will have our 1st Remote Learning Day of the school year. This year we will be focusing on 1 subject area each Remote Learning Day. For August 30, your child’s MATH teacher will be communicating specific work for this day. We hope you enjoy the longer Labor Day weekend.
Homecoming Parade
Interested in being a part of the parade? Visit the webpage below to learn how.
HOMECOMING SPIRIT WEEK DRESS CODE GUIDELINES
As you start planning your homecoming week outfits, please use the guidelines below to ensure your creativity is appropriate for the school day.
As a reminder for this week, in conjunction with our student handbook, we are asking for male and female students to refrain from dressing as the opposite gender as part of the homecoming week activities. Thank you so much for your help and compliance.
THEME DAYS:
Monday - ‘Merica Day - Note: Politically charged costumes will NOT be allowed (no items supporting a candidate, no costumes to depict a candidate, etc)
Tuesday - City vs. Country
Wednesday - Night In vs. Night Out
Thursday - Disney Day
Friday - Spirit Day
Specific Guidelines:
Shorts can be worn but must meet the dress code guidelines of mid-thigh.
Skirts can be worn but must meet dress code requirements..
Leggings may be worn ONLY with a top that meets the length requirement for shorts. (and fits the theme for the day)
Holes/rips/tears in jeans should not be above the knee.
Spaghetti straps or tank tops are not allowed.
Mesh or see-thru tops are not allowed.
Crop tops are not allowed. All shirts should at least touch the top of the pants, shorts, skirts, etc…
Any low cut or low v-neck cut shirts must have modest camisole underneath.
Open toe/back shoes/sandals are permitted for this week only.
Hats may be worn all week.
Full spandex bodysuits are not permitted.
If your student chooses to not participate in dressing up for spirit week, they need to be in regular dress code attire.
GENERAL RULE: If you have concerns about your outfit..it may be best to pick out something else to wear.
JUST READ QUARTER 1
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 Q1 (first 9 weeks of school). Completed forms should be returned to your child’s homeroom teacher at the end of Quarter, with a prize coming from Mr. Vinson to all who complete the challenge!
HOUSE FOCUS: THE LEWIS HOUSE
Our House System at TCS is designed to introduce our elementary and middle school students to important historical Christian figures who exhibit character qualities that we hope to see exemplified in our own student body as well.
This past week, we focused on the LEWIS HOUSE.
Character Trait to Remember :
REFLECT GOD’S GLORY THROUGH YOUR CREATIVITY
Who was C.S. Lewis? C.S. Lewis, or Clive Staples Lewis, was a Christian author most known for his writings about good and evil in the land of Narnia in the Narnia Chronicles. He used his exceptional writing skills to creatively point people to the character of God and the work of Jesus through his unique story-telling.
Learn more about C.S. Lewis by watching the video we showed in chapel this week.
THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL
Coach Settle spoke to our students from Colossians 1 and challenged them to examine whether they only know about Jesus or have they truly come to experience Him in their lives.
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 = Ansley Dixon
5th Grade = Owen Huber
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.
Ephesians 2:8-9
v. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith.
And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, v. 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
HOUSE SYSTEM COMPETITION
Check out who is leading the competition at www.tcshouses.weebly.com.
UPPER ELEMENTARY ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM:
WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
Principal
Adam Vinson (adam.vinson@tcslions.org)
Director of Academics and Student Development
Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org) - Mrs. McBurnett helps oversee our academic program while also handling discipline.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Kristn Peavy (kristan.peavy@tcslions.org) - Mrs. Peavy provides direction and guidance related to each grade level’s curriculum.
Academic Coordinator
Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org) - Mrs. Lanier oversees our class placement and return-to-academics process for students who have been absent.
Director of Spiritual Development
Wesley Lassiter (wesley.lassiter@tcslions.org) - Mr. Lassister oversees the spiritual development of our student body.
UPPER ELEMENTARY HELPFUL LINKS
24/25 SCHOOL CALENDAR - Stay in the know about upcoming breaks and holidays.
PRE-ABSENCE FORM - Submit pre-planned absences 5 days ahead of time for approval.
DRESS CODE OVERVIEW- Check out this year’s guidelines.
RIDING HOME WITH A FRIEND?
If your student will be going home with another student during dismissal, please send an email to receptionist@tcslions.org OR tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org.
WANT TO CELEBRATE YOUR CHILD’S BIRTHDAY?
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.
IS YOUR CHILD SICK OR ABSENT?
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 Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org) via your child’s homeroom teacher.
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 Melissa Lanier (Return to Academics Coordinator) so we can best determine a makeup plan for your child. Mrs. Lanier 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.
NEED TO ACCESS 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.