Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 298

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

Published February 22, 2026

Volume 298

 

Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

Welcome back from Winter Break! We hope you and your family had a wonderful week together. Don’t forget we hit the ground running this week with several important activities and events happening right away! Check out all of the information below.

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 

  • Feb 23: 5th Grade Field Trip to Falcon Field

  • Feb 24: House Color Day

  • Feb 26: Family Night (No homework/assessments)

  • Feb 27: Winter Reading Challenge Due

  • Mar 9: Spring Picture Day

EXCITEMENT FOR 2026-2027

Q/A MEETING OFFERED

Do you have questions related to the 26-27 school year that you need answered to help your family in making decisions about re-enrollment? I would love to connect with each other to help! We are excited about next year and want your child to be a part of what is in store! Complete this form if you would like to schedule a time to connect.

sign up

HOUSE COLOR DAY: TUESDAY, FEB 24

Our next House Color Day is coming up on Tuesday, February 24. Students are encouraged to wear their house color to show their school spirit!

  • 4th Grade Nee House = ORANGE

  • 5th Grade Wycliffe House = BLACK

WINTER READING CHALLENGE

Mrs. Peavy has put together another exciting reading challenge opportunity for our students to engage with over the final weeks of Quarter 3. Be sure to check out the information below. All forms are due back by Friday, February 27.

Reading form

FAMILY NIGHT IS COMING

Our next scheduled Family Night is Thursday, February 26! Remember, this means NO HOMEWORK the night of Thursday, February 26 and NO ASSESSMENTS on Friday, February 27. Plan to enjoy the extra time together!

Read Across America Week | March 2–6

We are excited to celebrate Read Across America Week with a themed Spirit Week designed to encourage a love of reading in a fun and engaging way. Students are invited to participate in daily dress-down themes inspired by favorite stories as we highlight the joy and importance of reading throughout the week. We look forward to celebrating together!

Elementary Talent Show Is Back! ( 1st-5th Grade)

We are excited to announce the return of our Elementary Talent Show for students in 1st-5th grade! This beloved annual event is an evening performance that showcases the many talents of our elementary students and it’s always a highlight of the year.

Important Dates to Know:

  • Thank you to everyone who signed up!

  • Mandatory rehearsal Tuesday, March 17 from 5:30-7:30pm

  • Talent Show is Thursday, March 19 at 6:00pm

We can’t wait to see our students shine on stage! If you have questions or need more information, please email cathy.settle@tcslions.org.

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 Corinthians 10:31

v. 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

LIONS OF THE MONTH: February

For February, we are highlighting students who live out the Boldness theme we have covered in Chapel. These students seek to live rightly before their teachers and classmates. They seek to do what is right, to lead by example, and to honor the Lord in their behavior.

ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES

The following steps should be taken for reporting absences for 4th - 8th grade:

  • 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

RIDING HOME WITH A FRIEND? If your student will be going home with another student during dismissal, please send an email to receptionist@tcslions.org. Please give us as much advance notice as possible so we can ensure the dismissal system is updated to reflect the change.

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!