Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 232
Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published September 8, 2024
Volume 232
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
I Chronicles 12:32 describes a group of men who “had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” On our recent remote learning day, our teachers spent the full day going through professional development related to biblical worldview integration. Our heart for your children echoes the idea of I Chronicles 12. We desire to see our students understand the times they are living in while also understanding what they ought to do as Christians based on the teachings of God’s Word. May it be that the LORD continues to reveal Himself to each of our students and that they come to understand Christ more and more throughout this year.
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:
Sept 2 - Labor Day Holiday
Sept 9-13 - Homecoming Week (Parade - Sept 9)
Sept 11 - 4th Grade Field Trip (Stripers Game)
Sept 19 - Family Night (No Homework/Studying)
Sept 24 - House Color Day
Oct 4 - Remote Learning Day
Oct 23 - National Crocs Day - wear Crocs today
NEWS AND NOTES IN THE UPPER ELEMENTARY
PICTURE RETAKE DAY
Fall Picture Day retakes have been scheduled for October 14.
4TH GRADE GWINNETT STRIPERS FIELD TRIP
Our 4th graders will be headed to the Education Day game at Cool Ray Field on Wednesday, September 11. Students should be dropped off like normal, with a plan for us to leave TCS by 9 am. Our plan is to return to school by 4 pm. WE WILL DO PICKUP AT NCG THEATRE unless your child wants to ride home with you from the game. Lunch is provided, but you may send souvenir money with your child, too.
Chaperoning: If you are joining us for the game, please plan to meet us at the stadium. We will have your tickets at the stadium
Dress Code: Students are encouraged to wear Braves attire, Stripers attire, or TCS Spirit Wear. Hats are allowed. Normal dress code pants, shorts, or jeans may be worn too.
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!
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 NEE 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 ROBINSON HOUSE.
Character Trait to Remember :
STAND AGAINST CULTURE WHEN IT IS WRONG
Who was Jackie Robinson? Jackie Robinson became the first African-American professional baseball player in Major League Baseball when he broke the color barrier in 1947.
Learn more about Jackie Robinson by watching the video we showed in chapel this week.
THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL
Mrs. Peters began this week’s chapel lesson by reciting the theme, Jesus is Lord! She reviewed that truly knowing Jesus means learning who He has revealed Himself to be in the Bible. In her Bible study of John 1, Colossians 1, and Hebrews 1, students observed that they should know Jesus as Creator. How amazing to realize that “in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16)
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 = Simon Reichenbach
5th Grade = Slade Butcher
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 John 1:5-6
v. 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
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.