Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 303

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

Published March 29, 2026

Volume 303

 

Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

As we approach Easter Sunday next weekend, I want to remind you that we will not have school this upcoming Friday as we take time to reflect on the meaning of Good Friday. This week reminds us of what it means to be Christian. While other religions remain popular around the world, there is a distinct belief that separates Christianity from all the rest. Our King died, but He rose again and lives forever! The comfort of Easter is that the grave did not hold Jesus, and the hope of Easter is that the same resurrection is available to all who will follow Him! May we rest in the comfort and hope of being Christ followers who know our Savior lives, giving us all the assurance we need to face our tomorrows.

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 

  • Apr 3: Good Friday Holiday

  • Apr 6-10: Spring Break

  • Apr 13: Family Night (No Homework)

  • Apr 16: 5th Trip to Six Flags

  • Apr 27: Orchestra Concert

  • Apr 28: Band Concert

  • Apr 30: Coffee with the Principal

THANK A TEACHER

Take some time as we enter this final stretch of the school year to thank a teacher! This is a busy time of year as our teachers wrap up instruction, administer testing, chaperone field trips, etc while also balancing their own home lives as well. This time of year is a great opportunity to affirm them for all they do! Send a quick email to praise them for their efforts and to let them know you are praying for them as we tackle these final weeks. Words of praise will help sustain each of them as we look to finish strong together.

HOUSE COLOR DAY

Monday, Mar 23 is HOUSE COLOR DAY! Students are encouraged to rep their house with their house assigned color. 

4th Grade = ORANGE (Nee House)

5th Grade = BLACK (Wycliffe House)

PRIDE PERFORMERS FOR QUARTER 3

Check out the students nominated by our teachers for their outstanding hard work and performance in their classes these past 9 weeks. These students sought to do their very best during one of the hardest stretches of the school year!

  • 4th Grade Performers

    • ELA (Mrs. Anderson) = Dru Pendley

    • Math (Mrs. Long) = Conner Hurd

    • History (Mrs. Goss) = William Jeffcoat

    • Reading (Mrs. Stephenson) = Mallie Vinson

  • 5th Grade Performers

    • ELA (Mrs. Smeal) = John Harper Solvason 

    • Math (Ms. Roberts) = Kate Herdic

    • History (Miss Dale) = Kenzie Beatenbough

    • Reading (Mrs. Barnhill) = Yanre Ajayi

FINAL COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

Come join us on Thursday, April 30 for our final discussion of the year. Check out some of the topics we will plan to review together and don’t forget to sign up!

  • May Celebrations: What do you need to know to navigate this final month of the year?

  • Academic Update: How are our students doing and what upcoming initiatives are planned?

  • 2026-2027 School Year: What can you expect as we look towards next year?

sign up

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

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. 

Matthew 28:18-20

v. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, v. 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

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

Returning next week

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!