Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published August 23, 2026
Volume 319
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We have had a great start to the new school year, and we are extremely grateful for all the Lord is already doing. As we begin to settle in, I want to encourage you to reach out to me if you have any concerns, questions, or issues. Our desire is to give your family the best experience possible, so please don’t hesitate to connect with me if there is anything specific we can do to serve you better. We welcome feedback on what we are doing well, and greatly appreciate when you express questions and concerns to help us improve. If I can do anything at all for you this year, don’t hesitate to ask!
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
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE
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 God. We hope that these 20 verses will be remembered for years to come after being memorized for multiple years in Upper Elementary and Middle School.
Ephesians 2:8-9
v. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith.
And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
v. 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL
Mr. Vinson continued our school year theme of “Trust the Lord - Prov 3:5” by focusing on REASON #1 to trust the Lord – Because He is HOLY. Mr. Vinson taught from Isaiah 57:15 and challenged the students to see the unique separation that God enjoys as the perfect, pure Creator. He also encouraged the students to see how God, who dwells in the high and holy place, also chooses to come down to make dwelling with sinful mankind possible through the work of Jesus Christ.
IMPORTANT DATES TO START THE YEAR
Aug 24 = Fall Picture Day
Aug 24 = Scoop Night
Sep 3 = College Football Dress Down Day
Sep 4 = Remote Learning Day
Sep 7 = Labor Day Holiday
Sep 18 = Coffee with the Principal
Sep 28-Oct 3 = Homecoming Week
FALL PICTURE DAY - YEARBOOK POSE
Picture day is tomorrow on Monday, August 24th! These pictures are included in the yearbook. Upper elementary students are encouraged to wear their chapel uniforms for Picture Day.
SCOOP NIGHT FOR 4TH AND 5th GRADES
Come “get the scoop” on 4th and 5th grades on Monday, August 24, with a special presentation by our Upper Elementary teachers regarding procedures, curriculum, etc. Join us for a special ice cream social right after! We will gather in the Student Center (Bldg 1).
Our 4th grade presentation will begin at 5:30 pm
Our 5th grade presentation will begin at 6:30 pm
*Ice cream will be served after each presentation.
Don’t forget to check out the new resources available to you as tools for helping support your child’s academic success.
NEW 26-27 CALENDAR SNAPSHOT
Use this document to get a glimpse of what all is coming this year for upper elementary so you can plan ahead. New dates will be posted once they are finalized.
WAG EMAIL
Be on the lookout each Monday for the Week-At-A-Glance email from Mrs. Peavy. This calendar will help you navigate homework and assessment dates for your child
PHOTOMATH APP
Download this tool to help check your child’s math homework quickly each night. Learn more here.
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.
Option 1: 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.
Option 2: Send in prepackaged birthday treats purchased from a store for the homeroom class. Join your child for lunch (beginning in September) in the cafeteria. PLEASE GIVE A 2-DAY NOTICE:
CHESS CLUB INTEREST
Coach Rodney Lewis and Championship Chess present a systematic, fun way to build chess skills during chess instruction and supervised play. Learn more here.
Cost? - $219 for the Fall Session (Aug 27-Nov 5 - Thursdays 3-4 pm)
Chess Contact: Rodney Lewis 770-560-1071 rodneylewis33@gmail.com
School Contact: Lisa Railey, 770-251-6770 lisa.railey@tcslions.org
Art Club is back! Students will enjoy fun, hands-on art projects, explore new materials and techniques, express their creativity, and build friendships in a welcoming, encouraging environment. All experience levels are welcome!
Registration: Registration is open now and closes on September 1. After registration closes, I will organize Art Club groups and assign each student to a meeting day. Parents will receive an email with their child's assigned Art Club day on September 4.
Cost: $125 for the 6-week session. Payment is due at registration via Venmo @rekegatlin
Schedule: Fall Art Club will meet for a 6-week session beginning the week of September 14 and ending the week of October 26. Meeting days will be assigned after registration closes.
Dismissal to Art Club: Students will be picked up from their classrooms and escorted to the art room.
Student Pick-Up: Parents/guardians should pick up at 5:30 p.m.
Questions: Please email reke.gatlin@tcslions.org
Registration Form: https://forms.gle/DZV1F9LFx8VGFyaHA
Not quite ready to register?: https://forms.gle/kkC4jpnjkLmPaLUt6
School Year Theme
Trust the Lord - Proverbs 3:5
Our theme for the 26-27 school year is “Trust the Lord”, taken from Proverbs 3:5. As we celebrate our 35th school year at TCS, we are using Proverbs 3:5 to remind ourselves and our students of the many reasons we have for trusting the Lord always. We look forward to teaching our students what it means to have the heart of a lion that trusts in Him through chapel lessons, classroom discussions and more!
NEED TO ACCESS BLACKBAUD CLASSROOM INFORMATION?
Be sure to check Blackbaud regularly to stay informed about your child’s progress!
Blackbaud is going to be your main source of information this year. Once you log in, 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.
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’s Bulletin Board. Here you will find helpful information and resources.. 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.
Don’t forget to reference the “Week-At-A-Glance” (WAG EMAIL) that is sent each week!
ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES
The following steps should be taken for reporting absences for 4th - 8th grade:
Send excuses for absences, including doctor’s notes, to attendance@tcslions.org.
Send PRE-ABSENCE REQUESTS (family trips, etc.) to Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org) via your child’s 1st period teacher.
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.
UPPER ELEMENTARY SUMMER CONTACT LIST
OUR TEAM IS HERE TO HELP!
Principal: Adam Vinson (adam.vinson@tcslions.org)
Assistant Principal: Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)
Academic Dean: Kristan Peavy (kristan.peavy@tcslions.org)
Director of Academic Services: Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org)
Director of Skills Development: Jenn Opsahl (jennifer.opsahl@tcslions.org)
UPPER ELEMENTARY RESOURCES
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CHECK OUT THE HELPFUL TOOLS BELOW REGARDING THE 26-27 SCHOOL YEAR
26-27 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 - Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately each day.
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.