Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published August 29, 2021
Volume 95
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Praise the LORD for His goodness and grace surrounding the start to this new school year. We have already seen so many ways God is working and moving in the lives of our students. My prayer is that we will continue seeing the Holy Spirit work and move in the hearts of our students so they come to a deeper understanding of who God is and what He desires for each of them.
Thank you for your patience as we continue settling in with the switch to Blackbaud. I know there has been a learning curve in getting adjusted to the Blackbaud system, but hopefully each of you is figuring out how to navigate both the communication and academic pieces so that you are staying updated on how each of your children is doing. Please let us know if you are experiencing any issues or feel lost and confused on how to help support your child. We are here to help and have plenty of staff that are capable of assisting you.
REMINDER: Don’t forget to set up notification preferences in Blackbaud to ensure you receive information regarding your child’s academic progress (missing assignments, grade reports, etc.)
Are you having issues with Blackbaud?
Please contact Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)
Do you have academic needs or questions?
4th Grade Academic Coordinator = Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)
5th Grade Academic Coordinator = Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org)
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Mr. Vinson completed our 3-part series on the specific culture we are seeking to create within our middle school. Using Psalm 119, Mr. Vinson encouraged our students to embrace the call to treasure God’s Word in our life. By understanding that the Bible serves as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, we hope our students come to see what it means to live differently than the lost world by having their minds transformed. Check out the guidance given to our students for how they can come to treasure God’s Word as an upper elementary student.
Own a Bible and know where it is.
Bring your Bible places where you know it will be used (class, chapel, church, etc).
Listen well when the Bible is taught to you (eliminate distractions, take notes).
Strive to obey what you are being taught from the Bible (listen well, respond well).
Make attempts to read the Bible on your own.
UPCOMING SEPTEMBER MEMORY VERSES: Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)
Help your child learn their memory verses over the course of this month.
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
LIONS OF THE WEEk
4th Grade = Olivia Jones
5th Grade = Emmy Shrader
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
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 Director of Student Life, Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org), if you would like to schedule a day.
Send in prepackaged birthday treats purchased from a store for the homeroom class to enjoy together.
Join your child for lunch (beginning in September) in the cafeteria.
REMINDER: SICK ABSENCES AND MAKEUP WORK PROCESS
If your child has to miss class this year due to sickness or quarantine, check out our process below for getting your child caught up on missing work and assignments.
WHO WILL HELP ORGANIZE MY CHILD’S MAKEUP WORK? - Kasey Hanson is our RTA (Return to Academics) Coordinator and will help oversee connecting you and your child with a list of missing assignments to complete. Be on the lookout for her emails to help you stay connected.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT 1-2 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.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT 3+ DAYS? - Mrs. Hanson will be emailing you a Google Sheet with all of the assignments your child will need to complete for each class.
NOTE: If your child is sick, we want your child to focus on resting and healing before worrying about missing assignments. Please know our teachers will work diligently to help your child catch up once they are feeling well enough to complete assignments.
SPIRIT STORE REOPENED
Don’t forget to order your upper elementary school spirit wear! Our online store will close once again on August 31 so don’t miss out on this opportunity to support our upper elementary!
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
Reminders
Pre-Absence Requests - Be sure to email Kasey Hanson (kasey.hanson@tcslions.org)
Sick Absences - Be sure to email our nurses (nurses@tcslions.org) and our attendance office (attendance@tcslions.org) - You can also include Kasey Hanson as well (kasey.hanson@tcslions.org)
House Competition - Follow along all year www.tcshouses.weebly.com
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
Check out the current after school clubs we are planning to offer for upper elementary students this year. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Railey (lisa.railey@tcslions.org) who oversees all of our elementary clubs.
IMPORTANT LINKS
New Pre-Absence Form - Use when anticipating upcoming absences
Uniform Overview - No changes from last year, just reminders
UPPER ELEMENTARY ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACTS
Please note the new administrative positions and the individuals serving in those capacities for next year.
4th Grade Academic Coordinator - Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)
Mrs. McBurnett will be assisting you with any academic-related needs for 4th grade.
5th Grade Academic Coordinator - Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Lanier will be assisting you with any academic-related needs for 5th grade.
Upper Elementary RTA Coordinator - Kasey Hanson (kasey.hanson@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Hanson will be assisting you with makeup work related to any extended absences your child may have this year. Email Pre-Absence forms to her.
Director of Student Life - Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)
Mrs. McBurnett will continue to oversee our special events and field trips while also handling our middle school counseling duties.
Director of Student Development - Dylan Higgins (dylan.higgins@tcslions.org)
Mr. Higgins will continue to oversee the spiritual development of our student body while also assisting with academic needs your child may have.
Director of Skills Development - Jenn Opsahl (jennifer.opsahl@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Opsahl will continue to oversee our Skills Development Program.
Dean of Students - Ryan Tipton (ryan.tipton@tcslions.org)
Mr. Tipton will continue to address any disciplinary issues throughout the year.