Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 279

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

Published September 21, 2025

Volume 279

 

Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

Homecoming Week is here, and we are looking forward to a fun-filled week of TCS spirit leading up to Friday night’s homecoming football game against Whitewater! Please take time to review the specifics below about this week’s dress code expectations with the dress down options.

DON’T FORGET TO JOIN US FOR THE SCHOOL-WIDE PARADE ON MONDAY NIGHT!

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

See Mrs. McBurnett’s guidance in selecting school-appropriate attire for the week…

  • No leggings

  • No boxer shorts.

  • No silky pajamas. 

  • No spaghetti straps, tank tops,  or tops with low V neck.

  • Holes/rips/tears in jeans should not be above the knee.  

  • Mesh/see-through tops should not be worn unless there is a full coverage top underneath them.  

  • Tops should touch the top of the pants. If you lift your arms and we can see your skin, it is too short and can only be worn with an undershirt. 

  • Shorts must be mid-thigh length. 

  • Skirts and dresses must be mid-thigh length and have shorts underneath.

  • Hats and open-toe shoes may be worn.

  • Any face paint must be done at home. (FRIDAY ONLY)

*All clothing choices for this week should be Christian school-appropriate. If it is in question, it may be best to choose another outfit.

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 22: Homecoming Parade

  • Sept 22: Family Night (No Homework)

  • Sept 22-26: Spirit Week

  • Oct 6: Fall Picture *Retakes*

  • Oct 9: Fall Family Fest

  • Oct 10: Remote Learning Day

  • Oct 13: Fall Break

  • Oct 23: National Crocs Day - wear Crocs to school

  • Oct 24: 5th Grade Glow Day

  • Oct 30: 5th Grade Stone Mountain Field Trip

  • Oct 31: House Color Day

NO HOMEWORK OR ASSESSMENTS

Enjoy a Monday evening together as a family as this week there is NO HOMEWORK on Monday night (Sept 22) and NO ASSESSMENTS to study for on Tuesday (Sept 23). Consider coming to the Homecoming Parade and enjoying a night off from school!

FALL PICTURE RETAKES MONDAY, OCTOBER 6! SIGN UP BELOW

School Picture Retakes for all TCS students (Prek-3 through 12th grade) will be Monday, October 6!

If you would like for your student(s) to have their picture retaken, please complete the appropriate picture retake form through the link below to register them. Be sure to include your student's teacher. *Please fill out a separate form for each student.

LINK: 4th - 8th Picture Retake Signup

This retake is for students whose first picture needs to be redone or if they were absent on the first picture day. The retake picture is the one that will be used in the yearbook and the only picture available for purchase as it will replace the original picture.

Forms need to be completed by Thursday, October 2 to ensure your student's participation in the retakes.

GIVE TO THE TRINITY FOOD PANTRY

We have an exciting opportunity to serve our community for the holidays! From October 6-17, students are encouraged to bring canned goods to help stock the Trinity Church food pantry.

Not only will this be a great opportunity for students to serve our community, but students can also earn house points for each item they bring! House boxes will be located outside of Mr. Vinson's office.

Requested items:

- Canned veggies

- Canned fruit

- Canned meat

- Canned milk

- Peanut butter

- Spaghetti sauce

UPCOMING 5TH GRADE FIELD TRIP

Our annual 5th grade field trip to Stone Mountain Park is coming up on Thursday, Oct 30, Students will have the opportunity to experience the Native American Festival and Pow Wow along with many other park activities. The cost for the trip will be $20. Be on the lookout for more information and a payment option in Blackbaud.

Intramural Basketball - SIGN UP TODAY

Deadline: October 15

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. 

Philippians 4:6-7

  v. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. v. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL

Coach Settle shared from Matthew 5:13-16, challenging the students to live boldly by being salt and light in the world. He shared how we are called to proclaim and defend the gospel through our lives. We live boldly by shining the light of Christ to those around us.

LIONS OF THE MONTH: SEPTEMBER FOCUS

For the month of SEPTEMBER, we are focusing on SCHOOL SPIRIT and will be honoring our students who go above and beyond to demonstrate their love and appreciation for TCS. This can be shown through their effort and respect in the classroom, their passion for our school during homecoming week and through a general attitude and mindset of working to make our school the best place possible. 

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!