Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 277

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

Published September 7, 2025

Volume 277

 

Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We are now past the halfway mark for Q1. Can you believe we are already heading into Week 6 of this school year?!? Now is the time to start taking a deeper look at your child’s grades as more and more assignments and assessments are starting to be recorded. With 4 weeks remaining in this grading period, we want to make sure every student is doing their very best and has the tools needed to succeed as we look towards our first report cards. Please take time to reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns. If your child is particularly struggling from our vantage point, be on the lookout for specific communication from your child’s teacher as well. We are here to help so don’t hesitate to ask!

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

IMPORTANT BACK-TO-SCHOOL DATES:

Check out our SCHOOL CALENDAR 

  • Sept 10-19: Annual Fund Blitz

  • Sept 11: Coffee with the Principal

  • Sept 18: House Color Day

  • Sept 22: Homecoming Parade

  • Sept 22-26: Spirit Week

  • Oct 6: Fall Picture *Retakes*

  • Oct 9: Fall Family Fest

  • Oct 10: Remote Learning Day

HOMECOMING SPIRIT WEEK DRESS DOWN DAYS

Monday - “Slumber Party” = wear pajamas

Tuesday - “Dress As Something Your First Name Starts With” = be creative

Wednesday - “Group Matching Day” = join up with your friends

Thursday - “UGA vs Alabama” = show your team spirit

Friday - “Wacky Tacky TCS Day” = go all out with purple and black

*Note: Be on the lookout for an email from Mrs. McBurnett about specific dress code guidance for this week!*

ANNUAL FUND UPDATE

Let the Excitement Begin!

Mark your calendars — Tuesday, September 9th is set to be an exciting day for our 4th–5th grade students! During recess, students will have the opportunity to get their faces painted with a non-allergic & washable bold lion paw print, allowing them to show off their school spirit as they walk the hallways. We’re turning up the energy and school spirit as we launch into The TCS Annual Fund Blitz Week!

Coffee with the Principal Meeting

OUR FIRST MEETING IS THIS THURSDAY!!!!!

We are kicking off our special parent/principal gatherings on Thursday, September 11 from 8:15-9:15am in the school cafeteria. You are invited to join Mr. Vinson as we discuss new initiatives this school year along with ways we can keep improving in the offerings we make available to your family. 

Topics to Discuss:

  • Update on news and notes for the 25-26 school year

  • Sage Dining improvements

  • Academic rigor assessment

  • Communication efficiency 

RSVP for Thursday, Sept 11: https://forms.gle/vHLex1PD1sjzQ2Xx6

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. 

I John 1:5-6 

v. 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. v. 6 If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 

THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL

Returning next week

LIONS OF THE MONTH: AUGUST FOCUS 

For the month of AUGUST, we focused on HOSPITALITY and will be honoring our students who went above and beyond to serve and welcome our new students to the TCS family. 

This week in chapel 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. 

TEACHERS PRAYING FOR STUDENTS

Every Wednesday during our pre-chapel D-Groups, we have a group of teachers who will be praying for our students. We would love to have specific requests to bring to the Lord each week on behalf of our student body. 

Please encourage your child to use this link to submit any personal requests they may have. Our Bible

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.

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!