Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published September 6, 2026
Volume 321
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
I hope each of you is enjoying the extra long weekend as a family! We are thankful for the time off and for the professional development day our teachers were able to participate in on Friday. As we prepare to return on Tuesday, please make sure your child has completed his or her remote learning. Remember, students who achieved a 50% or higher on their Progress Learning benchmark test were given the option to exempt the assignment!
Let me encourage you as well to take some time this weekend to review your child’s grades on Blackbaud. We are approaching the halfway mark for Quarter 1 this week which means report cards are just around the corner. Please encourage your child to work hard and do their very best over these remaining weeks. We look forward to seeing all they are able to accomplish!
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.
I John 1:5-6
v. 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. v. 6 If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL
Mr. Vinson continued our school year theme of “Trust the Lord - Prov 3:5” by focusing on REASON #3 to trust the Lord – Because He Does Not Have Needs. Mr. Vinson taught from Acts 17:24-34 and challenged the students to see that while God does not need anything, every one of us needs Him. God does not need protection or people or provisions. He is self-sufficient making Him worthy of our trust and available to meet all of the needs we have.
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
Sep 7 = Labor Day Holiday
Sep 14-23 = Annual Fund Blitz
Sep 18 = Coffee with the Principal
Sep 21 = House Color Day
Sep 28-Oct 2 = Homecoming Week
Oct 9 = Remote Learning Day
Oct 12 = Fall Break Day
ANNUAL FUND BLITZ COMING SOON
Our yearly Annual Fund season is almost here! As we look towards the week of Sep 14-23, let me encourage you to give! The Annual Fund provides so many extras for our students throughout the year to help us enhance the program we are able to create for our middle school students. With 100% participation from our faculty and staff, we want you to know we are all in for your students! Please consider giving as well!
COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPAL: REGISTER TODAY
Our first Coffee with the Principal of the school year is coming up on Friday, Sep 18! We are looking forward to hosting parents for a time of discussion and Q/A related to what’s taking place already this year. We hope you will take time to join us! Check out the details below.
Time: 8:15-9:15am
Location: The Gathering Place (school cafeteria)
Topics of Discussion:
Progress Learning Benchmark results
Staggered Dismissal feedback
Upcoming trips and events
And more!
Registration: https://forms.gle/RzQtqmejtc8b56UF9
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 scores are now posted 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.
8TH GRADE RETREAT TO SNOWBIRD
Departure: Wed. Sep 9 - NCG theatre parking lot
Begin dropping off as early as 7:30 am. We will plan to leave by 8:00 am. Please have your child use the restroom before arriving, as the theatre will not be open.
Return: Friday, Sept 11th - NCG theatre parking lot.
We plan to be back between 2:00-2:45 pm depending on Atlanta traffic. We will update you as we start to get closer.
To-Bring List: Use this list to make sure nothing important is left behind!
Extra $$$: Can be brought for snacks/souvenirs
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:
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
***************************************************************
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.