Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published October 20, 2024
Volume 238
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
SIGN UP: COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPAL
This week marks our return to hosting “Coffee with the Principal”. I hope you can join us for both a time of fellowship and discussion about what is happening at TCS. Please take a moment to sign up to let us know you are coming through this link. We look forward to seeing you Thursday, Oct 24 at 8;15am. Please park in available spots and then sign in through the main office. You will then be directed to The Gathering Place.
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 23 - National Crocs Day - wear Crocs today
Oct 25 - 5th Grade GLOW DAY
Oct 31 - House Color Day
Nov 1 - 5th Grade Stone Mountain Field Trip
Nov 5 - Family Night (No Homework)
NEWS AND NOTES IN THE UPPER ELEMENTARY
COOLER WEATHER IS HERE: OUTERWEAR REMINDER
We are entering into the cooler months finally which means fluctuating temperatures throughout the day. Please review the reminders below about outwear attire as it relates to dress code.
1. All outerwear must be Trinity branded if it is worn inside the building and/or in classrooms. Students will be asked to remove unbranded items for the day. All coats should be stored in lockers.
2. Students should bring appropriate clothing for recess classes based on the anticipated weather for the day. Students are encouraged to wear hats, gloves, etc. if needed.
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.
NEW CHESS CLUB SEASON
Coach Rodney Lewis and Championship Chess present a systematic, fun way to build chess skills during chess instruction and supervised play. Studies show that chess improves math, reading and problem solving and our methods connect these academic benefits to our classes.
Chess Contact: Rodney Lewis 770-560-1071 rodneylewis33@gmail.com
School Contact: Lisa Railey, 770-251-6770 lisa.railey@tcslions.org
Cost: $199 per child for this session
Day and Time: Thursday after school from 3:00-4:00 pm.
Pre-registration is required, at least 2 days before the first class.
Dates: Winter Session Nov. 7-Feb. 13 . No chess: Nov. 28, Dec. 19, 26, Jan. 2 and 9. Parents need to record these dates.
Chess club will start as scheduled unless you receive a notification.
Who can play: Any student in 1st through 5th grade. Younger students accepted only if they know how the pieces move and capture, or if an older sibling is in chess club. There can be 2 groups: Advanced open to all students who know how to play requires at least 10. Beginner class for non-players requires at least 8.
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 2
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 Q2 (second 9 weeks of school). Completed forms should be returned to your child’s homeroom teacher at the end of the Quarter with a prize coming from Mr. Vinson to all who complete the challenge!
THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL
Coach Settle shared with the students from Micah 6:8 and the calling on our lives by God to live for Him. He emphasized the call to live godly lives in humility to the Lord. The students were challenged to live the right way before God and the promise God gives us in Jesus to give us new life.
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 = Charlotte Shaver
5th Grade = Rylan Rogers
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.