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

Published February 2, 2025

Volume 251

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

As we kick off the month of February, we will once again have our annual focus on G.R.A.C.E. as we seek to remind our students what it means to appreciate and love the imago dei in every person. G.R.A.C.E. stands for Gender, Resources, Ability, Color and Ethnicity. Our focus is to show our students how people of the opposite GENDER, people of different economic status (RESOURCES), people who lack certain ABILITIES (viewed as disabilities) and people who look different, talk different, and act different (COLOR AND ETHNICITY) are still very much image bearers of God…a quality we often embrace about ourselves, but often fail to see in others. We can look to Scripture to see Jesus modeling this approach as well. He was quick to target women who were often minimized in His culture, He was quick to seek out the poor as an application of the OT laws that were structured to support the poor, He ministered to the disabled…the very ones who the religious leaders were chastised for neglecting, and He sought those who were rejected for their color and/or ethnicity (the Samaritan woman being a great example). 

I believe Jesus wanted to ensure His commissioned disciples at the beginning of Acts would plant churches that were filled with all kinds of peoples, and that whether they came across slave or free, male or female, Jew or Gentile…that all would be viewed as image bearers of God who can have a place at that worship service in heaven (Rev 7:9). Throughout this month we will be reminding our students to embrace the Golden Rule taught by Jesus…that we ought to treat others in the ways we desire to be treated ourselves, especially those who are “different” than us.

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:

• Feb 7 - Super Bowl Dress Down Day 

• (wear your favorite team jersey)

• Feb 10 - House Color Day

• Feb 14 - Valentine’s Day Dress Down

  • (wear pink or red)

• Feb 27 - Family Night 

  • (no homework or assessments)

• Feb 28 - STEAM DAY

NEWS AND NOTES IN THE UPPER ELEMENTARY

SUPER BOWL DRESS DOWN DAY

Students are invited to wear their favorite sports team jersey, t-shirt or sweatshirt this Friday to celebrate the upcoming Super Bowl game on Sunday. No hats except for TCS hats.

YOU’RE INVITED: COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPAL

We are excited to host our 3rd “Coffee with the Principal” for this school year! Our next gathering is scheduled for Thursday, February 13 at 8:15am. Mark your calendars and plan to join if you are able. Topics of discussion will include:

• Semester 2 Events - What special activities and trips are planned for the Spring Semester?

• Clubs - What challenges have we faced with clubs and how might we overcome those challenges in order to offer more clubs next school year?

• 2025-2026 Ideas - Speaking of next school year, as we think through adjustments and improvements for next year, what would you like to see added or emphasized in anticipation of 2025-2026?

Want to join us for this time of fellowship and discussion? SIGN UP HERE

JUST READ QUARTER 3 

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 Q3 (third 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!

Just Read Form Q3

Weekly Updates and Information

THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL

Pastor Cobb, FBC Senoia, shared with the students from Romans 12:1-2. He challenged the students in the question “How do I live for Jesus?”. He shared how as Christians we received a new heart which then brings new actions. Students were encouraged to think through whether they are conformers or transformers. We become transformed by no longer living for ourselves but as a living sacrifice to God.

LIONS OF THE WEEK

• 4th Grade - Charlotte Poelman

• 5th Grade - Laura Billings

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. 

Hebrews 3:12-13

v. 12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. v. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

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.