Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 301

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

Published March 15, 2026

Volume 301

 

Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

On Monday and Tuesday of this week our students will be partaking in our annual SAT10 Standardized Testing. It is important for students to be present and on time as we are not able to accommodate any makeup testing. We are looking forward to seeing how our students perform as the test will help measure their academic growth and development Please review the reminders below to help ensure your child is able to do their very best. 

SAT10 Reminders and Helps:

  1. SLEEP - make sure your child gets adequate sleep on Sunday and Monday nights to help them be both alert and attentive for their test-taking. 

  2. NUTRITION - make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast on Monday and Tuesday mornings to help them stay focused throughout their test-taking. Students are encouraged to keep a water bottle with them in the classroom. 

  3. PREPARATION - make sure your child is at school on time so they don’t feel rushed in trying to get to their classroom. For middle schoolers, please make sure their Chromebook is charged and that they pack their charger too. 

ENCOURAGEMENT - make sure your child feels challenged to do their very best but also remind them that this test only gives a part of the feedback we use to evaluate their growth and development. We want their best, but we don’t want stress!

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 16-17: SAT10 Testing

  • Mar 17: St. Patrick’s Dress Down Day (wear green with jeans or normal pants/shorts)

  • Mar 19: Elementary Talent Show

  • Mar 23: House Color Day

  • Mar 23: Report Cards released to parents

  • Mar 27: Remote Learning Day

  • Apr 6-10: Spring Break

STEAM DAY 2026

A huge thank you to ANNUAL FUND for helping support our annual STEAM DAY each year for 4th and 5th graders. This year Mrs. Estabrooks put together a fantastic day of learning and exploration that created lasting memories for each of our students. Check out some of the pictures from the day below!

PICTURES TO BE PROVIDED BY END OF THE DAY FRIDAY

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:

  • 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.

QUARTER 3 REPORT CARDS

With Q3 ending this past Friday, our teachers will be finalizing grades for the last 9-week period over the course of this week. Official grades for Q3 will be released via Blackbaud on Monday, March 23 by 3pm. 

END OF YEAR EVENTS: COMING SOON

As promised, here are some initial dates to keep in mind as we look towards the end of the 25-26 school year. More details to follow, but for now, mark these important dates on our calendar. 

  • April 27 - Orchestra Concert

  • April 28 - Band Concert

  • May 4 - Recorders Concert

  • May 7 - Chorus Concert

  • May 19 - 8th Grade Promotion Night 

  • May 20 - 4th and 5th Awards Day

  • May 22 - 5th Grade Walk and Parent/Student Kickball Game

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

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. 

Hebrews 10:23-24

v. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. v. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

LIONS OF THE MONTH: March

For March, we are highlighting students who are great encouragers. These students seek to lift others up, seek out those needing a friend, and display a Christ-like character to everyone. These students make an impact on teachers' lives and fellow students' lives with words of encouragement and acts of service.

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL

Mr. Lassiter shared from Joshua 24 about choosing to be bold. The students were shown how we make decisions every day, and, like the Israelites, we must choose whether to serve God alone or to serve other things as well. Students were challenged to live boldly by worshiping God over everything else. We are to be bold by giving God all of our worship and by serving him through living for him. We can often be distracted by other things, but a bold life chooses to focus our worship on 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!