Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 286

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

Published November 9, 2025

Volume 286

 

Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

You are invited to join me for our second Coffee with the Principal of this school year! I’m looking forward to gathering once again to share updates and to receive feedback on how this year is going. Please use the form below to RSVP if you are able to come and check out the additional details too!

WHEN: Thursday, November 20 from 8:15-9:15am

WHERE: School cafeteria..aka The Gathering Place

WHAT: A time to discuss the current year with a special focus on these topics…

  • Sex Ed, Gender Identity and all the other stuff - how can we partner together?

  • Staggering dismissal times - would it help eliminate the dreaded car line?

    SIGN UP TO JOIN US ON NOV 20: https://forms.gle/uHnkLZg8xezbKuv5A

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 

  • Nov 18: Family Night - no homework or assessments

  • Nov 19: OCC Shoeboxes Due

  • Nov 20: Coffee with the Principal 

  • Nov 24-28: Thanksgiving Break

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD BOXES

It’s that wonderful time of year again when Trinity Christian School partners with Operation Christmas Child (OCC) to pack shoebox gifts for children in need! OCC is the largest project of Samaritan’s Purse, with a mission to share God’s love in a tangible way and, together with local churches worldwide, spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of all nations.  Learn More HERE

ANNUAL DRESS DOWN FUNDRAISER

It’s almost time for our students’ favorite time of year! That’s right, with Christmas around the corner, we will be offering our special dress down opportunity which allows students to wear pajama pants or sweats pants along with Crocs throughout most of December for ONLY $25! All funds raised will help offset the cost of our middle school overnight experiences. 

Don’t be caught in dress code or uniform this holiday season! Come relaxed as we celebrate the Christmas season! Check out the details below. 

  • COST: $25 - a form will be sent out next week for payment purposes. 

  • DATES: Nov 20 and 21 and Dec 1-12)

  • DETAILS: Students may wear sweatpants/pajama pants and/or Crocs. Students must wear TCS-approved dress code shirts/spiritwear/outerwear.

QUARTER 1 SURVEY REMINDER

Did you miss this information last week?

Here at TCS, we value the feedback of our parents as your thoughts and insight help us improve on the experience we are striving to provide to each student here at Trinity. We would be grateful if you would take the time to complete our Q1 survey to provide feedback on the first 9 weeks of school. Each year I read through every submission with a goal of growing and learning in my role here. I appreciate any feedback you would like to provide. 

LIONS OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER

Congratulations to our October Lions of the Month! These students were nominated by their Bible teachers for their exceptional work and example this past month. We are so grateful for the work the Lord is doing in our students’ lives and how they are finding opportunities to express their faith boldly each day here at school. Great job lions!

4th Grade

  • Ellis Gable

  • William Jeffcoat

  • Sebastian Mindas

  • Mallie Vinson

5th Grade

  • Case Phillips

  • Nola Ricaud

  • Finley Shaver

  • Sarah Kate Watts

FAMILY NIGHT ON NOVEMBER 18

Our next family night is coming up soon! Remember, there will be NO HOMEWORK to complete and NO ASSESSMENTS to study for on this night. Enjoy the slower evening together as a family!

QUARTER 2 READING CHALLENGE

Our Q2 reading challenge is underway! This time around, we have a Christmas-themed activity board for students to choose from as they seek to read throughout the coming weeks. Be sure to check out all the details!

DISMISSAL DETAILS FOR OPTIONAL HALF DAYS

As we look towards the last week in December, please note we will have our optional half-day dismissal days for: Tues, Dec 16, Wed, Dec 17 and Thurs, Dec 18 as usual. 

Be on the lookout next week for specific details regarding dismissal times for the last week of the semester.

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. 

Psalm 100:4-5

v. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! v. 5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Last WEEK IN CHAPEL

Pastor Engle, FBC Newnan, shared about boldness through the power of the Holy Spirit from Acts 1:8. The students were challenged to understand that you cannot live for Christ without the power of Christ living in you. Being bold is not about personality or hype but about faithful living before God. When we are connected to Christ through the Holy Spirit, we can be bold in this life. The students were encouraged by the fact that the Holy Spirit can turn our greatest weakness into a great witness for God.

LIONS OF THE MONTH: NOVEMBER FOCUS

For November we are looking to highlight students who are living out the “Golden Rule” by showing intentional kindness and support to their fellow classmates. Throughout Q2, challenge your child to treat others the way they desire to be treated by looking for ways to serve and love over the coming 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!