Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 283

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

Published October 19, 2025

Volume 283

 

Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We had an incredible first 9 weeks to the school year, and we are taking time in this week’s issue to honor students who particularly excelled in their attitudes and actions throughout the start of the year. Check out below our Lions of the Month for September (students who have shown exemplary school spirit) along with our Q1 Pride Performers (students who have gone above and beyond in their classroom performance). We are so grateful for our student body overall and are extremely proud of those who are helping to build a culture of excellence here at TCS.

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 EVENTS

Check out our SCHOOL CALENDAR 

  • Oct 23: National Crocs Day - wear Crocs 

  • Oct 24: 5th Grade Glow Day

  • Oct 30: 5th Grade Stone Mountain Trip

  • Oct 31: House Color Day

  • Nov 18: Family Night - no homework or assessments

  • Nov 20: Coffee with the Principal

NATIONAL CROC DAY: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23

Students are encouraged to wear their favorite pair of Crocs to celebrate National Croc Day on Thursday this week. Normal dress code/uniform standards apply to the rest of your child’s outfit for the day.

GLOW DAY IS COMING!

Our 5th graders will be treated to a special day this Friday as our teachers celebrate their annual GLOW DAY. Be sure to wear clothes that will stand out under a black light and be prepared for an incredible day of learning!

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.

SEPTEMBER WINNERS: LIONS OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to our September Lions of the Month who were nominated by their teachers for showing exceptional school spirit throughout the month!

2025 -2026 Quarter 1 Pride Performers

WHAT IS A PRIDE PERFORMER?

Each quarter we ask our teachers to identify students who worked hard and sought to do their very best by “filling it to the brim” in their classroom performance. The following students were chosen by their teachers for excelling during the 1st 9-week period of this school year. 

  • 4th Grade ELA = Kenzie Hartley

  • 4th Grade Math = Clara Bloemsma 

  • 4th Grade Science = Sebastian Mindas

  • 4th Grade Reading = Nora Ware

  • 5th Grade ELA = Haddie Bennett

  • 5th Grade Math = Annabel Solvason

  • 5th Grade Science = Emma Fellows

  • 5th Grade Reading = Jackson Wainwright

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. 

James 1:2-4

v. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, v. 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. v. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Last WEEK IN CHAPEL

Coach Settle shared with the students from John 17 about Jesus’ prayer for His followers. He challenged the students to remember that as Christians, we are on a mission to share the gospel with others. The students were shown how Jesus prayed that His followers would be protected from this world and from the temptation of sin. They are also challenged to remember that the truth of God’s Word is what preserves us.

LIONS OF THE MONTH: OctobeR

For October, we are looking to highlight students who are striving to perform above and beyond in the classroom. Throughout Q2, challenge your child to do their very best and to even exceed expectations in all they strive to do over these upcoming weeks!

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!