Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Upper Elementary School
Published January 29, 2023
Volume 160
Adam Vinson - Upper Elementary School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
As we approach the month of February, we are excited about the month-long focus we have planned to celebrate the diversity of both Black History Month and G.R.A.C.E. As you may know, G.R.A.C.E. at Trinity stands for G-ender, R-esources, A-bility, C-olor, and E-thnicity. Our goal this month is to celebrate the ways God has made us different as we better learn to see each other through the lens of being created in God’s image. Our teachers are working hard to plan lessons that will support this goal throughout February. May the LORD be glorified through our efforts as we point our students to Him by calling them to love each other well.
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.
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Ryan Appling, youth pastor at Flat Creek Baptist Church, spoke to our students from Philippians 1 regarding the joy Paul experienced during his imprisonment. Using his own personal experiences as an example, Pastor Appling encouraged our students to see their circumstances as an opportunity for gospel opportunities rather than falling to the trap of complaining with a bad attitude.
LIONS OF THE WEEK
4th Grade - Holly Jeffcoat
5th Grade -Keaton Beane
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
UPCOMING UPPER ELEMENTARY DATES
February = Black History Month (details coming soon)
February 8 = House Color Day
February 10 = Super Bowl Dress Down day (students may wear their favorite team jersey or shirt with jeans.)
February 13-17 = Winter Break
February 23 = Elementary Talent Show
February 27-March 3 = Read Across America Week (dress down days coming)
March 15 = Spring Picture Day
March 16 = St. Patrick’s Dress Down Day (jeans with green)
March 17 = Remote Learning Day
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE
Galatians 6:7-8
v. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
v. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
SEND SOME SNACK CART LOVE
For the month of February students may purchase a $2 snack cart pass to give to a friend for Valentine’s Day. Homeroom teachers will have passes available each morning for students to purchase. Each pass will include a space for including a special note for the friend as well. Passes may be purchased beginning Wednesday, February 1.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND G.R.A.C.E. FOCUS
We are looking forward to celebrating our diversity during the month of February with a special focus on black history. In addition, we will be incorporating our G.R.A.C.E. acronym into various lessons, chapels and our special G.R.A.C.E. Day as well.
3 Weeks with Focused Content on Black History
Feb. 1-3 = History classes
Feb. 6-10 = Math classes
Feb. 20-24 = ELA classes
Our teachers are working hard to plan lessons and activities to help our students better understand the impact made by the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Katherine Johnson Amanda Gorman and more!
What does G.R.A.C.E. mean?
G.R.A.C.E. is about us better understanding how each of us is made in the image of God and how we should treat each other in light of that truth. While we are different in our G-ender, in our R-esources, in our A-bilities, in our skin C-olor, and in our E-thnicity/culture, we all image God in those differences and deserve the respect and appreciation of others - not just in spite of our differences, but because of our differences!
READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK
We are excited to celebrate Read Across America the week of February 27-March 3. This will be a fun filled week in which we will celebrate reading while highlighting some of our favorite authors like Dr Seuss. We are looking forward to this fun week together!
Specific Dress Down Days:
Monday: Crazy Hat Day (Wear your favorite/crazy hat along with a regular uniform).
Tuesday: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (Wear red and blue). If your child participates, they do not need to wear a regular uniform.
Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday (Wear mismatched/backwards clothes). If your child participates, they do not need to wear a regular uniform.
Thursday: Thing 1 and Thing 2 Day (Dress like Thing 1 and Thing 2 OR dress identical to a friend). If your child participates, they do not need to wear a regular uniform.
Friday: Crazy Sock Day (Wear your craziest socks along with a TCS spirit wear shirt and uniform bottoms or jeans).
JUST READ QUARTER 3
Don’t forget to encourage your child to read these 9 weeks! A special reward will be given to all those who complete the challenge. Please use this link to track your child’s reading for Q3 Just Read Form Q3.
GENERAL REMINDERS
HOUSE SYSTEM COMPETITION
Check out who is leading the competition at www.tcshouses.weebly.com.
IMPORTANT 22/23 RESOURCES:
DRESS CODE OVERVIEW - check out this year’s guidelines
PRE-ABSENCE FORM - submit pre-planned absences 5 days ahead of time for approval.
REMINDER: 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.
PLEASE GIVE A 2-DAY NOTICE SO PREPARATIONS CAN BE MADE
Send in prepackaged birthday treats purchased from a store for the homeroom class.
Join your child for lunch (beginning in September) in the cafeteria.
REMINDER: BLACKBAUD CLASSROOM INFORMATION
Blackbaud is going to be your main source of information this year. Once you login, 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. Please click on your student’s homeroom class to see the weekly newsletter for 4th or 5th grade. Once you are in your student’s homeroom class, it will open up the Bulletin Board. Here is where you will find the clickable link for the newsletter that will be added each week. Any important information for the week will be found here. 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’ Bulletin Board. Here is where you find clickable weekly Lesson Plans that will include the plans for the week, homework assignments, and any upcoming tests, quizzes, or projects.
REMINDER: 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 Kasey Hanson (kasey.hanson@tcslions.org) via your child’s homeroom teacher.
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. Please also notify the nursing team to make them aware of surgeries or long-term illnesses at nurses@tcslions.org.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS 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 ABSENT 5+ DAYS? - Reach out to Kasey Hanson (Return to Academics Coordinator) so we can best determine a makeup plan for your child. Mrs. Hanson will help collect makeup work for you to simplify the process.
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.
UPPER ELEMENTARY ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACTS
If you have any questions throughout the summer or upcoming school year, use the guide below to ensure your questions are directed to the most helpful personnel.
4th Grade Academic Coordinator - Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)
Mrs. McBurnett can assist you with any academic-related needs for 4th grade.
5th Grade Academic Coordinator - Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Lanier can assist you with any academic-related needs for 5th grade.
Director of Student Life - Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)
Mrs. McBurnett oversees 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 oversees the spiritual development of our student body while also assisting with discipline issues.
Upper Elementary RTA Coordinator - Kasey Hanson (kasey.hanson@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Hanson can assist you with makeup work due to any extended absences.
Director of Skills Development - Jenn Opsahl (jennifer.opsahl@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Opsahl oversees our Skills Development Program.
