Inside the Pride Upper Elementary School News - Volume 305

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

Published April 12, 2026

Volume 305

 

Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We hope you had a wonderful Easter Sunday and a fantastic Spring Break. We are gearing up for the final push as we look forward to Summer Break next. Please use the upcoming weeks to stay up to date through the Inside the Pride newsletter about everything going on. There are lots of events and celebrations to close out the year, so don’t miss out on all that’s happening!

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 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

  • May 7: National Day of Prayer

FAMILY NIGHT ON MONDAY

Enjoy a night off as we come back from break! There is no homework Monday night so enjoy an extra night off as a family!

5TH GRADE “ABC COUNTDOWN” TO MIDDLE SCHOOL

Hey fifth grade families! We are officially in the final stretch of elementary school! As a way to close out the school year, fifth grade students and teachers will be counting down the last 26 days, beginning on Wednesday, April 22nd, by moving through the alphabet with letter coordinating dress up days or activities for your student(s). Check out the weekly newsletter on Blackbaud or our Instagram page at fifthgradelions for access to the “ABC Countdown”! We can’t wait for you to join us in the fun as we count down to middle school!

5TH GRADE TRIP TO SIX FLAGS

Our 5th graders are all set for an unforgettable field trip to conclude their elementary years! That’s right, this week our students are headed to Six Flags Over Georgia for their special Education Day field trip. 

Be sure to check out the information sent from Mrs. Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org). If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Here are some reminders from Mrs. Lanier and the 5th Grade Team!

REMINDERS: Click to access

4TH GRADE TRIP TO BASEBALL GAME

Our 4th graders are all set for an unforgettable field trip to close out their first year in Upper Elementary. That’s right, next month our students are headed to the Gwinnett Stripers educational baseball game at Cool Ray Field. 

Be sure to check out the information sent from Mrs. Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org). If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

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. 

  I Thessalonians 4:14, 17-18

v. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.  v. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  v. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

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!