Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 269

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

Published July 13, 2025

Volume 269

 

Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

As we look towards the start of the 2025-2026 school year, I want to personally invite you to two of our kickoff events. On Sunday, August 3, we will have our Welcome to the Roar celebration, complete with blow-ups, food options, etc. This is always a great way to celebrate the start of all the LORD has in store for the coming year. In addition, on August 5, we will have our Meet the Teacher orientation day. This is a great opportunity to come walk your child’s schedule, meet teachers, etc. Please note the specific time slots of your family below. We look forward to seeing you in a few short weeks!

AUGUST BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS

Mark your calendars for these special days to kickoff the new year. More details to come!

  • Sunday night, August 4 = WELCOME TO THE ROAR - a block party style event for all of our new and returning TCS families

  • Monday, August 5 = MEET MY TEACHER DAY - an opportunity to walk through schedules, meet teachers, etc.

    • Families with last name A-L = 9:30-11:30am (drop-in time slot)

    • Families with last name M-Z = 1:30-3:30pm (drop-in time slot)

  • Tuesday, August 6 = FIRST DAY OF CLASSES = the 25-26 school year begins!

UPPER ELEMENTARY ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM INTRODUCTIONS

We are thankful to have our same administrative team back this year, albeit with updated titles and more specific responsibilities to help serve you and your family. 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: Tiffany McBurnett - Mrs. McBurnett is entering her 15th year at Trinity and has served in an assistant principal-type role for several years without the official title. Mrs. McBurnett assists Mr. Vinson in the day-to-day operations of the upper elementary while also overseeing support services related to behavior, conflict management and discipline for our student body. 

ACADEMIC DEAN: Kristan Peavy - Mrs. Peavy is entering her 6th year at Trinity and has served the last several years in the area of curriculum and instruction. Mrs. Peavy oversees our upper elementary academic program, working closely with our teachers to ensure both our curriculum and instruction is appropriately biblical and rigorous. 

DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC SERVICES: Melissa Lanier - Mrs. Lanier is entering her 14th year at Trinity and has served in the area of student academic programs since last year. Mrs. Lanier oversees academic services that enhance curriculum, instruction and student achievement including, but not limited to, honors placement, field trip activities, and return to academics. 

DIRECTOR OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: Wesley Lassiter - Mr. Lassiter is entering his 6th year at Trinity and has served as part of our Bible department. Mr. Lassiter oversees the spiritual programs and discipleship initiatives within our student body including, but not limited to, chapel programming, small groups, and Bible studies. 

DIRECTOR OF SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: Jenn Opsahl - Mrs. Opsahl is entering her 9th year at Trinity and has served in our skills development program since being hired. Mrs. Opsahl oversees the programs designed to support students with learning challenges.

DRESS CODE AND NEW SPIRIT WEAR OPTIONS

As you shop this summer, make sure the items you purchase align with our approved dress code for next year. 

Check out our DRESS CODE OVERVIEW to refresh yourself on the guidelines.
*New Upper Elementary Spiritwear* - Our spiritual theme for the 2025-2026 school year will be “Bold as a Lion”. To help reinforce this theme, we will be selling both t-shirts and sweatshirts with the design below. Purchase your very own “Bold as a Lion” shirt here.

CLASS REQUEST FORMS FOR 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR

Student schedules are under development currently and will be released later this month. Please be praying for our team as we work to build the best schedule possible for your child for this new school year. If you did not submit your child’s class requests by our deadline or were accepted this summer and did not have the opportunity, please reach out to Kristan Peavy (kristan.peavy@tcslions.org) who oversees our scheduling process.

*UPDATE* ON CLASS SCHEDULES FOR 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR

Student schedules are under development throughout the month of July as we seek to accommodate all of the submitted requests. We plan to release student schedules by Tuesday, July 29.

TEACHING TEAMS FOR 2025-2026

We are excited to have all of our teachers back from last year to lead our 4th and 5th grades this upcoming school year!

4th Grade Team

  • Mrs. Angela Anderson (ELA)

  • Mrs. Tracy Long (Math)

  • Mrs. Kristi Goss (Science and Social Studies)

  • Mrs. Christy Stephenson (Reading)

5th Grade Team

  • Mrs. Gina Smeal (ELA)

  • Ms. Jennifer Roberts (Math)

  • Miss MacKenzie Dale (Science and Social Studies)

  • Mrs. Raegan Barnhill (Reading)

IMPORTANT BACK-TO-SCHOOL DATES:

Check out our SCHOOL CALENDAR 

  • Sunday, Aug 3:  Welcome to the Roar

  • Monday, Aug 4:  Meet the Teacher Day

  • Tuesday, Aug 5:  1st Day of Classes

  • Tuesday, Aug 12: Scoop Night

  • Aug 29: Remote Learning Day

  • Sept 1: Labor Day (No School)

“SCOOP NIGHT” FOR UPPER ELEMENTARY:

Tuesday, August 12

Come “get the scoop” on 4th and 5th grades with a special presentation by our Upper Elementary teachers regarding procedures, curriculum, etc. Join us for a special ice cream social right after! Our 4th grade presentation will begin at 5:30 pm (ice cream to follow), and our 5th grade presentation will begin at 6:15 pm (ice cream to follow).

UPPER ELEMENTARY RESOURCES

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CHECK OUT THE HELPFUL TOOLS BELOW REGARDING

THE 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR

UNIFORM POLICY - Note the minor changes/adjustments for this year. 


NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION PACKET - Helpful for rising 4th graders and all new 5th graders, but also a good refresher for all returning students too.

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE

This is an optional program for students to maintain and improve their reading skills. Students who choose to complete the challenge will receive a mystery prize in August.

It is important to stay sharp academically over the summer. Check out the suggested ways below to help make sure your child is ready for the transition to upper elementary.  

Read 20 minutes daily for fun and discuss what was read together. Rising 4th graders should be reading independently for 30 minutes. Use How to Help Your Reader at Home for extra help.

SUMMER MATH CHALLENGE

Work on multiplication facts — Mastery is considered 3 seconds per problem. Rising 4th graders should have math facts through 9’s mastered. Use math-aids.com for worksheets to practice over the summer for both speed and accuracy. In addition,check out this letterfrom our math department head regarding other math resources this summer.

SUPPLY LISTS FOR 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR

Looking to get a jump on next year, as you see deals throughout the summer? Check out our grade-level supply lists. These lists are subject to additions at the beginning of July. No items will be removed, but some additional items may be added. 

UPPER ELEMENTARY SUMMER CONTACT LIST

OUR TEAM IS HERE TO HELP!