Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 300

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

Published March 8, 2026

Volume 300

 

Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We are down to the final week of Q3! Encourage your child to do their very best this week as we wrap up assessments for this 9-week grading period. Check out the timeline below so you can review your child’s progress.

  • Friday, March 13 - Q3 Grading Period Ends

  • Monday, March 23 - Q3 Report Cards posted on Blackbaud by 4pm

As we prepare for Q4, let’s plan to finish strong together. The final 9-week grading period is always exciting as students begin anticipating the summer break. There will be lots of events and activities along with opportunities to celebrate all of this year’s achievements. Stay tuned for next week’s issue as we will be releasing end of year plans for the final weeks of this school year!

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 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

ENROLLMENT FOR 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR

We have started accepting new students for next year, and we don’t want any great, potential families to miss out. If you have friends or family who may be interested in TCS for the 2026-2027 school year, please encourage them to APPLY NOW! The LORD has great things in store for next year, and we believe the best additions to our student body are often the ones connected to YOU. We would love for you to recommend some of the great families you know to join us for next year!

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

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!

STEAM DAY 2026 IS COMING SOON

Attention 4th and 5th graders…we are only days away from our special STEAM DAY 2026. 

Join us on Friday for a special day of activities and hands-on learning all day long!

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: January

For January, we highlighted students who lived out one of our cultural highlights of “Filling it to the Brim”. These students displayed going above and beyond or growing in doing tasks to the best of their ability.

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL

Coach Settle challenged the students to understand that God made us on purpose and with a purpose. He showed the students from Scripture that God chose us to be who we are, created us for a purpose, and makes us brand new through salvation. The students were encouraged to see that we have value and importance because God made us in His image. They were then challenged to live for God and to devote their lives to God through receiving what Jesus has accomplished for sins.

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!