Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published November 15, 2026
Volume 331
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We are 1 week away from Thanksgiving Break which means Q2 is already coming to an end very soon. We have lots of activities planned during the month of December so be sure to check out all of the information below to stay on top of all the happenings within our upper elementary. We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with your family!
What’s coming in December? Get all the details in this week’s edition!
The Holly Jolly Trolly
Dress down opportunities
Concerts and performances
Half-day dismissals and Movie Day Party
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.
Psalm 100:4-5
v. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name! v. 5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL
Pastor Jevaughn Huggins (Student Pastor at Southcrest Church) continued our school-year theme of “Trust the Lord - Prov 3:5” by focusing on REASON #13 to trust the Lord: Because He Cannot Lie - (He is the source of all truth). Pastor Huggins spoke from John 14:1-6 and reminded our students that the Lord has promised to return for His children and that He always keep His promises.
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!
TRUST THE LORD PLAYLIST
Does your family use Spotify to listen to music? If so, we have put together a “Trust the Lord” playlist to coincide with the truths we are learning in chapel each week as part of our school year theme. Use the playlist to listen at home or in the car as another way to reinforce these truths with your child!
IMPORTANT DATES TO START THE YEAR
Nov 17 = Orchestra Concert (7pm HS Auditorium)
Nov 19-Dec 11 = Dress Down Fundraiser
Nov 23-27 = Thanksgiving Break
Nov 30 = House Color Day (wear blue)
Dec 1-3 = Progress Learning Testing
Dec 1-11 = Holly Jolly Trolly (lunchtime)
Dec 3 = Recorders Concert (6pm HS Auditorium)
Dec 7 = Band Concert (7pm HS Auditorium)
Dec 10 = Chorus Concert (7pm PTC 1st Baptist)
Dec 15-17 = Half-Day Dismissals
Dec 17 = Movie Day at NCG
Dec 18 = Remote Learning Day
Check out a snapshot of the rest of the year!
THE HOLLY JOLLY TROLLY RETURNS
Our Upper Elementary Christmas Snack Cart will make its return appearance beginning Tuesday, Dec 1 at lunchtime.
Students may purchase Christmas snacks and treats with most items being $1-2.
The special snack cart will run Dec 1-11.
DRESS DOWN FOR DECEMBER FUNDRAISER
Our annual Dress Down Days for December is back!
For only $25, students may wear pajama pants or sweat pants along with Crocs starting this Thursday and Friday and most of December for ONLY $25!
Don’t be caught in dress code or uniform this holiday season! Come relaxed as we celebrate the Christmas season! Check out the details below.
COST: $25 = payment forms available on Blackbaud
DATES: Nov 19 and 20 and Nov 30-Dec 11
DETAILS: Students may wear sweatpants/pajama pants and/or Crocs. Students must wear TCS-approved dress code shirts/spiritwear/outerwear for tops.
CHRISTMAS-THEMED DRESS DOWN DAYS FOR THE LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL
In addition to our dress-down option for the first two weeks of December, we will have special dress-down days for the final week before Christmas Break as well.
Monday, Dec 14 – Rudolph Red or Grinch Green
Tuesday, Dec 15 - Tacky/Ugly Christmas Sweater
Wednesday, Dec 16 - Winter Wonderland (Blue/White)
Thursday, Dec 17 - Christmas Pajamas
HALF-DAY DISMISSAL PLANNING
Looking ahead to our final week of December, we will once again be offering half day dismissals. Please note we will have our optional half-day dismissals for: Tues, Dec 15, Wed, Dec 16 along with a required half-day dismissal on Thur, Dec 17.
Optional Half-Day Dismissal Dates: Tues, Dec 15 — Wed, Dec 16
Required Half-Day Dismissal Date: Thurs, Dec 17 — NO AFTER SCHOOL AVAILABLE
BUILDING 1 DISMISSAL - PreK-Kindergarten
Note: The PreK-Kindergarten Office will close at 10:45 am and will not reopen until the dismissal line ends.
11:00 am - All PreK-Kindergarten students will dismiss. Students who are normally dismissed at 2:00 pm will be released at this time via carline.
For the optional half days on Tuesday and Wednesday, PreK-Kindergarten students may remain at school free of charge until 2:20pm. After 2:20pm, regular after school rates will apply. If you need to pick up your child after the half-day dismissal ends at 11:20, you may do so via the PreK-Kindergarten office until 12:30pm and then the main office until 2:20pm. After 2:20pm all students will be sent to after school where regular rates will apply. If your child is remaining at school past the half-day dismissal, please send a sack lunch for the afternoon. All of our students will be enjoying either a breakfast or brunch option provided by SAGE due to the half day dismissal.
BUILDING 2-4 DISMISSAL - 1st-8th Grades
Note: The Main Office will close at 11:15 am and will not reopen until the dismissal line ends.
11:30 am - Elementary (1st-5th) will dismiss. Students who are normally dismissed at 2:30 pm will be released at this time.
12:00pm - Middle School (6th-8th) will dismiss. Students in 6th-8th grade along with siblings in PreK-5th grade may be picked up at this time.
Note: If you attempt to go through the car line to pick up a middle school student prior to 12:00, you may be required to re-enter the car line as middle school students will not be available for pickup until after 12:00pm. This is the same procedure as our 2:30 and 3:00 pm dismissals each day.
For the optional half days on Tuesday and Wednesday, students may remain at school free of charge until 3:30pm. After 3:30pm, regular after school rates will apply. If you need to pick up your child after the half-day dismissal ends at 12:30, you may do so via the main office until 3:30pm. After 3:30pm all students will be sent to after school where regular rates will apply. If your child is remaining at school past the half-day dismissal, please send a sack lunch for the afternoon. All of our students will be enjoying either a breakfast or brunch option provided by SAGE due to the half day dismissal.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES
It’s that wonderful time of year again when Trinity Christian School partners with Operation Christmas Child (OCC) to pack shoebox gifts for children in need! OCC is the largest project of Samaritan’s Purse, with a mission to share God’s love in a tangible way and, together with local churches worldwide, spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of all nations. Flyers were sent home with your child last with all of the information.
All shoeboxes are due WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18th!
REMINDER: WEEKLY WAAG EMAIL
Don’t forget to reference the week-at–a-glance email every week to stay on top of homework due dates and assessment schedules for each of your child’s classes. The WAAG is meant to be a helpful resource for your family in the midst of busy schedules. Let us know if you have any questions or issues accessing the WAAG resource.
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
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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.