Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 299

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

Published March 1, 2026

Volume 299

 

Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

Each week I share a short devotional with our staff as a means of spiritual development with practical application to our role as educators here at TCS. I thought it might be helpful to share this week’s devotion with you so you can better understand the heart and desire I have for our staff as we seek to love every one of your children well. 

To our 4th-8th teachers:

The back end of Luke 4 deals with Jesus both casting out demons and healing disease. There is a lot to unpack there, but I want to draw your attention to a minor detail that Luke mentions in his retelling of the account. In v 40 we are told that the people of the town were bringing all of the sick to him. Who knows how many came, but at a time when medical advancement and opportunities were limited, it was undoubtedly a lot. What I find interesting is that Jesus refrained from healing all of them with one sweeping word. He could have, right? He calmed storms with a word. Surely He could have healed a group of people with one word too. But He didn’t. And I think that was intentional. Notice what the text says. “He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.” Every single one of them had their moment with our Lord. Imagine the long line and imagine the tiredness of Jesus after preaching in the synagogue that morning. Yet He didn’t turn any away. He cared about every individual concern, every individual care, every individual situation. One of the things our parents long for is for their child to be cared for individually here at school. Whether it’s academically, socially or spiritually, parents want to know their child is known and loved. It’s easy for us to think we have too many students for that type of mission. But the Lord sets an example. He touched and healed every one…even though it took lots of time. May we know our kids' names, but may we also know our kids’ hearts - where are they spiritually, what cares and concerns do they have, and what might we be able to do as an extension of the Lord to provide healing and care in our classrooms?

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 

  • Mar 2-6: Read Across America Week

  • Mar 13: STEAM Day

  • Mar 16-17: SAT10 Testing

  • Mar 17: St. Patrick’s Dress Down Day (wear green)

  • Mar 19: Elementary Talent Show

  • Mar 23: House Color Day

  • Mar 27: Remote Learning 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.

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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!

SAT10 STANDARDIZED TESTING: 

Our Stanford 10 standardized testing is coming up in just two weeks! Please make sure to have your child present on March 16-17. Students will take this norm-referenced test to show growth and mastery of skills and content in comparison to a national standard. There will not be any makeup testing. Please make sure to have your child at school ON TIME to help reduce the disruptions of entering the test late. Also, make sure they bring two number two pencils!

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. 

 Psalm 119:9-11

v. 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 

v. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!

v. 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

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.

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL

Kelli Penn spoke about boldness in the face of fear. Looking at Psalm 46, she showed the students that the antidote to fear is God. She taught the students key attributes of God that help us remember who He is in the face of fear. She also showed them from the Scripture passage how God answers all of our fears and troubles by being our refuge. The students were challenged not to look to themselves for boldness in fear, but to God.

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!