Inside the Pride High School News - Volume 227

Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the High School

 

Published August 4, 2024

Volume 227

Blake Bass - Interim High School Principal

 

Events & Announcements

A Message to High School Parents

Dear High School Parents,

We hope you had a wonderful and refreshing summer! As we prepare to welcome your children back to campus, our teachers and staff are filled with excitement and anticipation. It is truly a joy and a privilege to be entrusted with the education and growth of your most precious possession—your children.

  • At Trinity Christian School, we are committed to creating an environment where lasting memories are made, and where each student can thrive spiritually, academically, and socially. We deeply appreciate your trust and partnership in this journey.

  • As we embark on this new school year, it is our heartfelt prayer that God will bless the entire Trinity family. May this year be filled with blessings, growth, and unforgettable experiences for all.

  • We look forward to seeing you all Sunday at Welcome To The Roar!

In Christ,

Blake Bass 

Assistant Head Of School

Interim High School Principal

New HS Staff

This week we will conclude with the introductions of new staff members at the High School for the 2024-2025 school year:

Christa McKasty - English Teacher

Christa McKasty grew up in the Atlanta area and graduated from Woodward Academy before moving to New York where she graduated from Adelphi University with a bachelor’s degree in English, summa cum laude, and a master’s degree in Secondary Education. She holds teaching certification in English, grades 7-12, as well as GaPSC Tier 1 certification in Educational Leadership. Christa taught in New York public schools for 14 years before moving back home to Georgia. Since that time, she has been teaching, coaching, and serving in Christian schools. Christa lives in Newnan, and her nephew attends Trinity Christian School.

Brenda Jimenez - Spanish Teacher

My name is Brenda Jimenez and I am so happy to be teaching Spanish this year at Trinity Christian High School.  I have been teaching Spanish for 3 years. I have my masters in secondary education. I am married and I have three beautiful children. I have a 14-year-old boy, a 7-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl. I am a native Spanish speaker and I was born in Mexico GTO, but I grew up in Georgia.

Jay French - 11th Grade Bible Teacher

Greetings!  My name is Jay French and I look forward to being part of the Trinity family this school year!  My wife Nina and I moved to the area in 2021 and our three adult children live in the metro Atlanta area. I have a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from Auburn University and an MBA in finance from Mercer University.  I have also completed some seminary coursework.  I have 30+ years of experience in corporate America.  I enjoy spending time with the family, serving in the local church, playing and watching sports (pickleball), collecting sports cards, and researching my genealogy.

Lindsay Blythe - Algebra I and Geometry

As a long-time resident of Fayette County, I am thrilled to join the Trinity Christian School community. I have been happily married to my high school sweetheart for 20 years, and together we are proud parents to three wonderful boys: Ryder, 18, who will be attending Reinhardt University to play baseball; Rhett, 16, a junior at Whitewater High School; and Reece, 14, a freshman at Whitewater High School.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Georgia and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education. With eight years of experience teaching math, I am passionate about inspiring students and fostering a love for learning. I am excited to have found my “home” at Trinity Christian School and look forward to contributing to this vibrant community.

Felisha Gatlin - Utility Teacher

Born and raised in Georgia I became a cosmetologist at eighteen years old and have been a salon owner for thirty-five years. Throughout my career, I have taught various classes and mentored children of all ages.  

  • My family and I are members of the Peachtree City Church of Christ and have been a part of the Trinity family for 13 years, as my nephew Nathan Jones graduated from Trinity in 2023.

  • I was able to see first-hand how Trinity was not only a place for learning but a community I wanted to be a part of. I started substituting at Trinity in the spring of 2023 and truly enjoyed connecting with the staff and students.

  • Outside of the Trinity, I enjoy spending time with my daughter, Reké, decorating, and traveling. I am excited to be a part of the high school family and looking forward to a great year!

Brittany Girard - Front Desk Receptionist

Hi! I am Brittany Girard! I love photography and spending time with my family. I will be working at the High School front desk! I am looking forward to meeting you all this year.

Schedule of Upcoming Events

Don’t Forget Tomorrow: Meet My Teacher Day: Monday, August 5th

  • 9:30-11:30 AM: Last names A-L

  • 1:30-3:30 PM: Last names M-Z

First Day of School: Tuesday, August 6th

Drug Testing

TCS reserves the right to conduct random drug testing for 6th-12th-grade students or drug testing when there is a suspicion of drug use at the sole discretion of the administration.  The intent of this policy is threefold:

  1. To provide a safe, respectful environment for all students.

  2. To be a deterrent for those who may be tempted to follow the crowd and try illegal substances.  Research has shown that random drug testing does provide a disincentive to do drugs, and it also gives the student another legitimate reason not to participate when facing peer pressure.

  3. To provide redemptive accountability for those who have succumbed. It is redemptive in that, once drug use is exposed, the student and his/her family can face the situation and get help to restore the student to his family and a healthy lifestyle that honors the Lord. 

Students who have positive results will be subject to our discipline policies, but it is also our hope that by making the problem known, parents will be assisted in getting the student the help he/she needs.  Students who refuse to submit to a drug test may be expelled.

Twice a year TCS will also, in coordination with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Department, conduct  random K-9 drug sweeps of the High School campus for the sole purpose of maintaining a safe, respectful environment for all students.

Senior Make-Up Portraits

If you missed the summer picture session in June, you need to schedule your picture today!

It’s time to schedule your make-up senior pictures with Prestige Photography – our official senior photographer. Sessions will take place [Monday, August 12th] in the [Student Center].

Seniors must have their photo taken by Prestige to be included in our school’s yearbook. We encourage you to schedule early by visiting https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EABAA28A3F5C61-50347076-trinity 

What to bring to the appointment:  

Bring a strapless tank top for the drape picture or a clean white T-shirt for the tux picture.

Here is a brochure with the sitting fees and session types to choose from: Session Types and Fees

High School Picture Day

Monday, August 19th!

PARKING PASSES

Parking passes will be available for pickup during Meet My Teacher on 

Monday, August 5th! 

Be sure ALL paperwork is completed by both parent/guardian and student, 

AND all fees are paid!

Pre-Absence Form 

We’ve moved into the 21st century and our 2024-2025 Pre Absence Form is now DIGITAL! 

You can always find the link on Blackbaud on your resource board. 

Be mindful that the form must be filled out 5 days minimum before the student is absent.

Academic Matters

Starting on August 6th, be sure to look for the syllabus for each of your classes on Blackbaud. You will be receiving a form to indicate both students and parents have read each syllabus and understand the requirements for each class.

If you are new to using Blackbaud, take some time to navigate around the website. “Resources” will be a great place to go for information. Within each class, you can click on “Topics” to see the current material being taught.

FROM THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

Be Aware of Your Schedule

Students should review their schedule on Monday evening before coming to school on Tuesday. Schedules will continue to be updated through Monday as we adjust course sections for class size, student change requests, etc. 

Counselors will be on hand in the high school lobby during Meet the Teacher day on Monday to help students work through last minute schedule changes.

Drop/Add Period for High School

The drop/add period for high school classes ends on Friday, Aug. 23rd. Please note, only core classes can be adjusted. Students cannot drop an elective course once school begins. All elective courses need to be finalized by the first day of school, Tuesday, Aug. 6th.

If a student would like to request a schedule change, they need to fill out the form below. 

Schedule Change Request Form

On Campus Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment classes through Point University and Middle GA State University are held at TCS. It is important to note that these are college courses and that all communications are conducted with the student directly from those colleges. Dual enrollment professors at any college or university do not communicate via email with parents due to federal privacy law (FERPA). Additionally, TCS teachers, staff and administrators are not the point of contact for dual enrollment class questions. 

Dual enrollment classes do NOT meet on Mondays even if they appear on your schedule. 

Dual Enrollment Classes begin: Tuesday, August 13

End: Friday, December 13

*If your student is enrolled in a course that is not being offered on campus (i.e West Georgia Technical College, GMC, or another academic institution) please take time to review their start and end dates as well as the policy on absences and tardies.  These courses are not managed by TCS and therefore do not follow the same calendar or guidelines.

Ordering Class Shirts 

Recently, 9th -11th grade members from Student Council designed class shirts for the upcoming year and voted on their favorite. The link below contains the winning shirt.  If your student would like to purchase a new class shirt, see link below.

https://www.gracefulpeachboutique.com/collections/tcs-class-of-shirts

Seniors First Day of School Attire

To celebrate our Seniors last first day of school on Thursday, August 8th, we will be carrying on the tradition of Seniors dressing up with their Senior sash, if they purchased one. It is still not too late to order a Senior sash and Senior shirt/sweatshirt (See link below). Click here for Dresscode and Guidelines for Seniors first day of school. 

https://www.gracefulpeachboutique.com/collections/tcs-senior-apparel

Seniors Sunrise

Friday, August 9th @ 6:30am

Field in front of Building 1

It will be a time to watch the sunrise, take pictures, and pray for your Senior year together. 

Seniors are encouraged to wear their Senior shirts. 

Seniors Chalk Your Parking Spot

Sunday, August 11th from 7:30 - 9:00pm at the Student Parking lot. Bring your own chalk and come enjoy some Frios popsicles. 

Seniors Spirit Week 

During the week of Aug 12th -16th dress according to the stages of life. 

  • Monday            Dress like how you looked on 1st  day of Preschool

  • Tuesday           Dress like your Current Self

  • Wednesday      Dress in attire from your first pick college

  • Thursday          Dress like your future career

  • Friday               Dress like a Senior Citizen

Dress Code Guidelines for Senior Spirit Week

Football Themes

The Student Council is excited to announce the 2024 football season themes. These themes were selected and voted on by student council representatives.

Dress Code Guidelines for Football Games

  • Shorts and skirts must be fingertip length

  • No mid-drifts

  • Boys must wear shirts. 

  • If any paint is worn, it must be applied before entering the stadium.

ARTS CORNER

Marching Lions Notes

Important Upcoming Marching Lions Dates

  • We have one more practice BEFORE school starts.

  • We have NO practice the first week of school. 

  • Below are the practice dates leading up to our first game!!

Theatre Notes

We are excited to dive back into a new season of theatre! 

Show titles will be announced at Welcome to the Roar with clues coming soon on our Instagram page: @TCSRoaringDramatics

AUDITIONS for all High School shows will take place during the weekend of August 12th-16th. All students will need to sign up through a Google form to audition for a role or be involved through a tech position.  More info about this coming soon! 

For any questions about High School, or the program in general, please reach out to Lizzie Perez at Lizzie.perez@tcslions.org

Arts Electives

It’s not too late to choose a Performing Arts elective.  Check out the list of options here:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b451a21c3c16a0386e1f5fe/t/64ab07607464c27ad5468768/1688930144496/TCS+Performing+Arts+Electives+Guide+%28June+2023%29.pdf 

Email your counselor if you would like to add an Arts elective to your schedule, or contact any of our staff members to inquire about these options.

MORE ARTS INFORMATION

As always, check out the Performing Arts section of Inside the Pride for details, dates, stories, and MUCH MORE!

High School Administrative Contacts


Teacher emails utilize the firstname.lastname@tcslions.org address configuration