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

Published October 13, 2024

Volume 237

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

YOU’RE INVITED: COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPAL

Prior to Covid, we used to offer a periodic fellowship for parents and the principal to connect for questions, concerns, and feedback about the current school year. I have missed these times greatly as I always enjoyed the chance to connect and dialogue with parents. Well, we are officially bringing back “Coffee with the Principal,” and we will plan to host our first meeting on Thursday, October 24 at 8:15am. Mark your calendars and plan to join if you are able. Topics of discussion will include:

• Spiritual Development - How are we strategically seeking to instill a biblical worldview in the hearts and minds of our students and what future plans do we have to  strengthen our approach?

• Student Learning Assessment - How are we using Progress Learning? What purpose did the ACSI Bible Assessment serve last year? What about standardized testing?

• Artificial Intelligence - What are we seeing, and what do you need to know as a parent?

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:

• Oct 14 - Picture Retakes

• Oct 23 - National Crocs Day - wear Crocs today

• Oct 31 - House Color Day

NEWS AND NOTES IN THE UPPER ELEMENTARY

QUARTER 1 PRIDE PERFORMERS

Congratulations to the following students who are being acknowledged by their teachers for their hard work and outstanding effort during Quarter 1. These students were identified as individuals who sought to do their very best by “filling it to the brim” in the classroom. Great job middle schoolers!

4th Grade ELA - John Thompson

4th Grade Math - Sloan Archibald

4th Grade Science - Avery Smelley

4th Grade Reading - Hazel McNeely

5th Grade ELA - Leland Kidd

5th Grade Math - Sofia Thomas

5th Grade Science - Kay Kanja

5th Grade Reading - Slade Butcher

QUARTER 1 PARENT SURVEY

As we wrap up the first 9 weeks, we would love to have your feedback about your child’s Quarter 1 experience. Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey to help us improve going forward. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to a great Q2. 

• 4th Grade Survey Link

• 5th Grade Survey Link

NATIONAL CROCS DAY IS COMING

All students are invited to wear their Crocs on Wednesday, October 23 to celebrate “National Croc Day”. Students should dress in normal chapel uniform attire along with their Crocs.

5TH GRADE GLOW DAY

To all of our 5th graders, you are NOT going to want to miss this incredible day of glow-in-the-dark learning! Our teachers have an unbelievable day planned for our annual Glow Day. Be sure to wear clothes that glow and join us for a day you won’t soon forget!

UPCOMING 5TH  FIELD TRIP: STONE MOUNTAIN

Our 5th graders will be spending the day at Stone Mountain on Friday, November 3. In addition to having access to the normal park activities, our students will also be able to participate in the Native American Festival and Pow Wow. The cost of the field trip is $18, and payment can be submitted through Blackbaud. Don’t forget, students will need to bring a sack lunch for the day. We will leave from TCS at 8:15am and will return by 4:15pm.

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!

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!

Quarter 1 Just Read Form

THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL

Mrs. Peters continued our Spiritual Theme of “Who is Jesus?” looking to Jesus as sustainer. Students have learned that Jesus is eternal, Creator, and sustainer from Hebrews 1:1-2 and Colossians 1:15-17. The students learned the comfort and good news that Jesus holds all things together. They were encouraged and challenged to trust Him and follow Him.

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 next 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. 

James 1:2-4

v. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, v. 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. v. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

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.