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

Published December 15, 2024

Volume 246

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We are wrapping up Semester 1 in just a few short days and then it’s 2 weeks of Christmas Break! It has been an incredible school year so far, and we are so thankful to our King for all the ways He has provided and blessed us throughout Quarter 1 and 2. We are looking forward to a strong finish with final activities this week. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any final questions or concerns.

UPCOMING UPPER ELEMENTARY DATES:

Dec 19 - Christmas Movie Day at NCG
Dec 20 - Remote Learning Day
Jan 6 - Return from Christmas Break

NEWS AND NOTES IN THE UPPER ELEMENTARY

LAST WEEK DRESS-DOWN DAYS

In addition to our dress-down option for the first two weeks of December, we will have special dress-down days for the final week before Christmas Break as well.

Check out the schedule below:

Monday, Dec 16 – Rudolph Red or Grinch Green
Tuesday, Dec 17 - Tacky/Ugly Christmas Sweater
Wednesday, Dec 18 - Winter Wonderland (Blue/White)
Thursday, Dec 19 - Christmas Pajamas

PROGRESS LEARNING MID-YEAR TESTING

In our English, Reading, and Math courses we have been tracking your child's academic progress in a variety of ways. One way we track academic progress in these core areas is through Progress Learning Benchmark assessments in August, December, and May.

We want you to be aware of your child's academic progress. Your child's December Progress Learning Benchmark score will be posted by next Friday, December 20th in the course's gradebook for this quarter. The score does not impact the student's grade.

Please see the email from Kristan Peavy for guidance on Progress Learning Benchmark target scores for August, December, and May.

After checking the "December Progress Learning Benchmark" in the gradebook, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email kristan.peavy@tcslions.org and she will be happy to answer any questions.

CHRISTMAS PARTY AND MOVIE DAY

On Thursday, December 19 our Upper Elementary students will have their Christmas parties at NCG theater while watching a Christmas movie with their grade level. Check out the details below in preparation for the celebration.

Students may be dropped off at NCG Theatre at 7:30am. Students who need to be dropped off prior to 7:30 am will be transported over to NCG. Transportation will be limited so to ensure everyone is in place in time for the movie, please try to make arrangements for the 7:30 am drop off.
The movies will begin around 8:30 am for those parents who plan on attending.
Students may be picked up after the movie at 10:30 am. Students will need to be signed out with their homeroom teacher. Students who are not picked up will be transported back to main campus for lunch and normal dismissal times.

DISMISSAL DETAILS FOR OPTIONAL HALF DAYS

As we look towards next week’s dismissal process, please review the important information below as it relates to Tuesday, Dec 17, Wednesday, Dec 18 and Thursday, Dec 19.

1st Dismissal will begin at 12:30pm. Please note the office will close at 12:15pm in anticipation of the heavy dismissal load during that time.
The office will reopen at the conclusion of the 12:3opm dismissal.
High schoolers will be released at 12:15pm but will not be permitted to pick their sibling up until 12:30pm.
Students needing to be picked up after the 12:30pm dismissal, but before the 3:00pm dismissal will need to be checked out from the front office.
2nd Dismissal will begin at 3:00pm and will run no longer than 3:30pm. Students who are not picked up by 3:30pm will be sent to After School/Extended Day.

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!

Quarter 2 Just Read Form

Weekly Updates and Information

THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL

Students enjoy chapel in their homerooms with their teacher.

LIONS OF THE WEEK

4th Grade - Returning Next Semester

5th Grade - Returning Next Semester

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.

John 10:10

v. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

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 AND REMINDERS:

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.

Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 246