Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published August 30, 2026
Volume 320
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
This week we are kicking off our House Focus with our first House Color Day! Our house system is a competition for middle school, but we introduce our 4th and 5th graders to the figures and character traits that make it special to help prepare them for what’s to come in middle school. Our house system focuses on 5 historical, Christian figures and the character traits they are most known for. These traits are leadership qualities we seek to instill in the lives of each of our students.
ELLIOT HOUSE (Green) - named after Elisabeth Elliot - Be ready to forgive and love your enemies. Learn more about Elisabeth Elliot here.
LEWIS HOUSE (Red) - named after C.S. Lewis - Reflect God’s glory through your creativity. Learn more about C.S. Lewis here.
NEE HOUSE (Orange) - named after Watchman Nee - Do what is right, even when it is costly. Learn more about Watchman Nee here.
ROBINSON HOUSE (Blue) - named after Jackie Robinson - Stand against culture when it is wrong. Learn more about Jackie Robinson here.
WYCLIFFE HOUSE (Black) - named after John Wycliffe - Find ways to serve others when you see a need. Learn more about John Wycliffe here.
Our 4th and 5th graders will focus on a different house each month in their Bible classes as they learn ways to exhibit the leadership quality attached to the house. In addition, our 4th and 5th graders are encouraged to wear the corresponding color to the house on our House Color Days each month.
ON MONDAY, AUG 31, OUR UPPER ELEMENTARY STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO WEAR GREEN FOR HOUSE COLOR DAY AS WE ARE FOCUSING ON THE ELLIOT HOUSE.
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. Wrenn, our 7th grade Bible teacher, continued our school year theme of “Trust the Lord - Prov 3:5” by focusing on REASON #2 to trust the Lord – Because He is ETERNAL. Mr. Wrenn taught from Psalm 90:1-4 and challenged the students to see the everlasting nature of God. Because God is outside of time, we can trust Him to hold every moment in His hand. He always knows what we are going through and never changes in His desire to help us!
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!
IMPORTANT DATES TO START THE YEAR
Aug 31 = House Color Day
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
DRESS DOWN DAY OPPORTUNITY
As the college football season gets underway this weekend, we are giving our students a chance to show off their fandom with a special dress down day on THURSDAY, SEP 3. Students may wear t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats that support their favorite team! Normal dress code pants/jeans/shorts/skirts should be worn.
REMOTE LEARNING DAY THIS WEEK
Our first remote learning day of the school year will take place on Friday, Sep 4. Students will be given a Math assignment and a Reading assignment that should take no more than 30-45 minutes to complete. The assignment will be graded as a “Daily Work” in Blackbaud. Please look for specific information from your child’s teacher about this week’s Remote Learning Day assignment.
NOTE: If your child scored a 50% or higher on their recent Progress Learning benchmark test, they can be exempted from the Math and/or Reading remote learning day assignment.
PROGRESS LEARNING: AUG TEST UPDATE
In our English, Reading, and Math courses we track your child's academic progress in a variety of ways. One way we track academic progress in these core areas is through Progress Learning Benchmark assessments in August, December, and May.
We want you to be aware of your child's academic progress. Your child's August Progress Learning Benchmark score will be posted by 3:00 pm on Tuesday, September 1 in the course's gradebook for this quarter. The score does not impact the student's grade.
Please see the email from Kristan Peavy for guidance on Progress Learning Benchmark target scores for August, December, and May.
After checking the "August Progress Learning Benchmark" in the gradebook, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email kristan.peavy@tcslions.org and she will be happy to answer any questions.
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:
ART CLUB INFORMATION
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
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.