Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published September 5, 2021
Volume 96
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Can you believe the month of August is already over?!? We are so thankful for a month of face-to-face learning on campus. God has continued to show His faithful provision to us, and we look forward to all He has in store for the month of September. This is an exciting month with Homecoming being celebrated! Check out the special days planned for our students to show their school spirit!
HOMECOMING WEEK (Sept 13-17) SPIRIT DAYS
Monday = Pajama Day
Tuesday = Decade Day
Wednesday = Character Day
Thursday = City vs. Country
Friday = Spirit Day (TCS colors)
Note: Friday Night Homecoming Football Game = “GRAY OUT”
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Guest speaker, Pastor Jeff Grenell, spoke to our students on the importance of the Holy Spirit and the work He seeks to accomplish to glorify Jesus in all areas of our life. Speaking from John 14 and John 16, Pastor Jeff helped us see that in both our academics and activities, the Holy Spirit desires to work and move in mighty ways. May the LORD continue to bless us with His Spirit and may our students experience the life-changing power of His ministry in each of their lives!
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 = Collins Boone
5th Grade = Micah McFaddin
UPPER ELEMENTARY BIBLE CLASSES
Our Bible classes are off to a great start this year, and we are excited about all our students are learning as they work their way through the Old Testament this semester. If you haven’t noticed, your child’s Bible class is co-taught by Mr. Settle and Mrs. Higgins. They are doing an awesome job of creating a fun learning experience for your child each week. I’ve had the opportunity to observe on several occasions over the past month and it is so encouraging to see the students engaged and excited about the Bible.
To help you better understand how the Bible class works, see the responsibilities of each teacher below.
Mr. Settle = prepares and teaches the Bible lesson each day (20 minutes)
Mrs. Higgins = prepares and implements application activities each day (20 minutes)
Homeroom Teachers = administer weekly Memory Verse Quizzes on Wednesdays prior to chapel
Note: Beginning next week (week of Sept 13), all memory verse quizzes will be coming home in your child’s Purple Folder.
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.
LUNCH WITH YOUR CHILD
Hopefully you received the email from Coach Hanson (Director of Operations) regarding the plans we are attempting to make to welcome parents on campus during lunch times. We are still working on the logistics of parking so please be patient as we attempt to make final plans on Tuesday, September 7 during our weekly admin meeting. We hope to update you shortly after with guidelines and plans for this year.
A GLIMPSE INSIDE OUR CLASSROOMS
We have had a busy month of August in upper elementary and middle school! Our teachers have jumped into this year with energy, enthusiasm, and engaging lessons right off the bat. Here is just a peek at what’s been happening in the classroom this month.
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.
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.