Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 274

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

Published August 17, 2025

Volume 274

 

Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

As we start our third week of the school year, I just want to say “thank you” for choosing TCS for your child’s education this year. There is always such excitement during the first few weeks of school and this year is no different. It’s a joy to have your children on campus, and it’s a pleasure to hear their footsteps and voices throughout the hallways once again. We count it such a privilege to partner with you and are grateful for the chance to serve your family. May the Lord have His hand of blessing upon us each step of the way throughout this new year. 

Due to weather conditions earlier this month, we had to postpone the original date for our end of summer bash.

So, we invite all new Trinity families to join us for the Welcome to the Roar: New Families Tailgate on Friday, August 22, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Gathering Place on our main campus. This special event is exclusively for first-time families, and will take place before the Friday Night Lights experience at the football game.

Save the Date: Fall Family Fest – Thursday, October 9
While the Welcome to the Roar tailgate is focused on welcoming our newest Lions, we’re also preparing a school-wide event for all Trinity families in October. Be sure to mark your calendars for the TCS Fall Family Fest on Thursday, October 9. More details will be shared soon!

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

HOUSE COLOR DAY: REP YOUR HOUSE!

Our first House Color Day of the year is coming up on Monday, August 25. Students are encouraged to wear a colored shirt that corresponds to their house (please no hats). Check out your child’s house assignment and color below. 

Your child’s house assignment is tied to their D-Group. Check their schedule in Blackbaud if you aren’t sure which house your child is assigned to yet. 

  • Elliot House = GREEN

  • Lewis House = RED

  • Nee House = ORANGE

  • Robinson House = BLUE

  • Wycliffe House = BLACK

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. 

Ephesians 2:8-9

v. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, v. 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL

Mr. Lassiter shared from Proverbs 28:1 the spiritual theme for the year: “Be As Bold As A Lion”. The students were challenged to understand that boldness in Christ is the courage to live for Him when others do not. We fear because we stand guilty before God, but we may become righteous through what Jesus accomplished for those who place their faith in him. Students will continue to be challenged throughout the year that boldness is right living before God, and “If I am in Christ, I am free to live boldly”.

LIONS OF THE MONTH: AUGUST FOCUS 

For the month of AUGUST, we are focusing on HOSPITALITY and looking to honor our students who go above and beyond to serve and welcome our new students to the TCS family. 

At the beginning of September we will honor 4 students from each grade level who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to welcome and acclimate other students to the new school year.

FALL PICTURE DAY: MONDAY AUGUST 18

Don’t forget next week is our Fall Picture Day. These pictures are used for the yearbook so we are strongly encouraging each student to wear the chapel day uniform. Make-up dates will be announced at a later time for those who are absent.

UPPER ELEMENTARY SPIRIT WEAR

*New Upper Elementary Spirit Wear* - 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.

ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES

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 1st period teacher. 

  • WHAT IF MY CHILD IS SICK AND 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 SICK AND 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.

CELEBRATE YOUR CHILD’S BIRTHDAY AT SCHOOL

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 Assistant Principal, Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org), if you would like to schedule a day. 

  • PLEASE GIVE A 2-DAY NOTICE 

  • Send in prepackaged birthday treats purchased from a store for the homeroom class. 

  • Join your child for lunch (beginning in September) in the cafeteria.

IMPORTANT BACK-TO-SCHOOL DATES:

Check out our SCHOOL CALENDAR 

  • Aug 18: Fall Picture Day (normal dress code)

  • Aug 25: House Color Day (rep your house)

  • Aug 27-28: Benchmark Testing 

            (Reading/ELA/Math)

  • Aug 28: College Football Dress Down Day

  • Aug 29: Remote Learning Day

  • Sept 1: Labor Day (No School)

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:

  • A weekly newsletter is found on your student’s homeroom Bulletin Board.

  • Lesson plans, assignments, etc…are found in the specific classes’ Topic tab.

UPPER ELEMENTARY RESOURCES

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CHECK OUT THE HELPFUL TOOLS BELOW REGARDING

THE 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR

25-26 SCHOOL CALENDAR - Stay in the know about upcoming breaks and holidays. 

PRE-ABSENCE FORM - Submit pre-planned absences 5 days in advance for approval.

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

UPPER ELEMENTARY SUMMER CONTACT LIST

OUR TEAM IS HERE TO HELP!