Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the High School
Published February 23, 2025
Volume 254
Blake Bass - Interim High School Principal
Events & Announcements
A Message to High School Parents
Dear Trinity Christian School Family,
I hope you and your family had a restful and enjoyable winter break! As we return to school, we’re excited to get back into our daily routines and finish the year strong together.
We’re also pleased to welcome Mr. Wheeler, who will be joining us this week. He is eager to start his work and get to know our students. I encourage you to introduce yourself if you see him at an event around school in the coming weeks!
Thank you for your continued support as we look forward to reaching our goal of finishing the year strong.
In Christ,
Blake Bass
Assistant Head of School
Interim High School Principal
Attendance Policy Changes for the High School Starting in January 2025
Trinity Family,
We are in the process of streamlining our High School Attendance policy. We have 2 main goals.
Better serve our families
Help our teachers manage makeup work and get students back on track more efficiently.
The detailed version will be available in the most recent handbook update on Blackbaud, but we are going to hit the highlights quickly. These updates will go into effect in January of 2025.
A few key areas:
We want to keep your children safe - Students must sign in when arriving late and sign out when leaving early (required parent permission). Even seniors under the open campus agreement must abide by this when arriving or leaving during a scheduled class or activity. If there is a class on the schedule, you must sign in or sign out.
This is a significant change! When your student is out of school, we need an excuse from parents within 2 days of the absence. What is excused? - Illness, medical visits, school activities, driver’s license tests, family emergencies, etc.
What is not excused? - No parental note within 2 days, skipping, oversleeping, not coming because not prepared, etc.
School administration has the last call on what is excused or not.
We want to partner with families for planned out of school activities. We excuse these; however, parents need to turn in a pre absence form (located on Blackbaud) 5 days prior to the absence. Otherwise, these absences will be unexcused.
Probably the biggest change! We will begin enforcing what has been policy for quite some time. Work missed during unexcused absences will receive zero credit. Formative assessments missed will be eligible for redo's. This is only for unexcused absences. The RTA policy and makeup work for excused absences does not change.
We understand that this may seem daunting, but we want to partner with you to ensure that our students get the maximum number of learning experiences while enrolled with us at TCS. Here is the key: communication. Communicate with us so that we can partner together to prepare today’s students to impact tomorrow’s world.
Academic Matters
Be sure to check grades in Blackbaud on a regular basis, and don’t forget to also look at the comments teachers put in. These can be helpful to know the exact details of why a certain grade was earned. Please note that comments likely will not show up if you are looking at Blackbaud on a mobile device, so log in on a computer for the best experience.
Need a second chance?! You’re in luck! Remember that you get two “Do-Over” assignments each semester in each class. These can be used for grades in the Formative category only. The first Do-Over is due on Friday, 3/07, and the second one is due on Monday, 5/12. You can reach out to your teacher for guidance on which assignments to do over.
Thursday Morning Tutoring is a great opportunity to receive free tutoring from Beta Club and National Honor Society members! If you need help with homework, preparing for a quiz/test, reviewing concepts from a class, etc., Beta Club and NHS students are here to serve you! Tutoring sessions take place in Room 501 on Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:10 a.m. Please use this form each week to register. To confirm attendance for the Thursday morning tutoring session, students must complete the form by Wednesday each week.
Spring Picture Day
Dear Trinity Families,
In preparation for Spring Picture Day on Monday, March 10th, here are answers to some commonly asked questions to help you and your students prepare.
What to wear?
Attire Guidelines
Spring attire within dress code guidelines may be worn or uniforms/spiritwear
Skirts and dresses must be dress code length
No crop tops, no spaghetti straps
Tops must have at least a 3-finger width size strap.
The following should NOT be worn: flip flops, tank tops, strapless or low cut tops.
No leggings
Jeans are fine, no rips, holes, or tears
High School Attire
Only Dress code pants, skirts or shorts are approved
NO spaghetti strap tops or dresses; no tank tops
Shirts - must be free from large graphics that would be considered as inappropriate
Will there be make-up pictures?
No. There will not be make-up pictures for Spring pictures.
Will there be class pictures taken?
No. Class pictures are taken in the Fall only.
How do we order Spring photos?
Ordering instructions:
A Lifetouch picture order form was sent home with your student. Parents do not have to pre-order pictures. If you place an order before picture day, use the following code, which can also be found on the form: EVT8TV9NV. Shipping is free for orders placed prior to picture day.
After picture day, however, each image proof will be assigned a separate portrait ID and access code that you will need to place your order. For individual photos, parents will be able to purchase pictures after the photo date by utilizing the information on their proof. Orders placed after picture day will include a shipping fee. OR use the QR code to order!
2025 Junior - Senior Prom
Thursday, March 20th 2025
7-11pm
Glendalough Manor
200 Glendalough Ct, Tyrone, GA 30290
Glendalough Manor is a popular wedding venue that combines a subtle southern charm with exquisite gardens that will take your breath away. Therefore, Glendalough Manor makes for a beautiful location for your before dance photos.
Please see dress code guidelines below for both boys and girls.
If you are bringing someone that is not in the 11th and 12th grade at TCS, you will need to fill out a guest form. The deadline to turn in guest forms is Friday, March 14th at 3:00pm. Forms will not be accepted electronically.
*******TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE*******
All attendees will need to sign off on our code of conduct and dress code guidelines via Gofan so please familiarize yourself with our expectations prior to ticket purchase.
Only 1 ticket can be purchased under a TCS student’s name. Therefore, students who want to pay for a date that is a TCS Junior or Senior will need to make two transactions. However, you will need to make sure your date is aware of the code of conduct dress code guidelines as you will be asked to show agreement.
Thursday, February 13th - Saturday, March 1st - $40
Sunday, March 2nd - Monday, March 18th - $60
At the Door (TCS STUDENTS ONLY) - $80 (CASH ONLY)
The Senior Walk, Court Introductions, and King and Queen crowning will begin at 9pm.
Congratulations to our first
Prayer Requests
The High School Administrative Team would love to partner with families to lift up prayer requests you have. Please fill out the TCS High School Prayer Requests form to submit a request. These requests will be prayed over on a regular basis and kept confidential among the High School Administrative Team.
“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2
New Driver Information
Do you have a new student driver? Here’s what you’ll need from us for your student driver to receive their:
Permit - You will need a Certificate of Enrollment
Driver’s License - ADAP Certificate
For both of these certificates, please email hsattendance@tcslions.org, and the front office will help you!
Pre-Absence Form
You can always find the link on Blackbaud on your resource board.
Be mindful that the form must be filled out 5 school days minimum before the student is absent.
FROM THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT AND COURSE REGISTRATION WORKSHOP
In preparation for the upcoming course registration week, the counseling department will be hosting an informational workshop for all 9th -11th grade students and parents on Tuesday, March 11th at 6:30 in the Student Center of Building 1. At this workshop, our team will discuss best practices for course selection, the benefits of Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, HOPE scholarship information and more. CLICK HERE to sign up for this workshop.
SPRING PSAT ADMINISTRATION FOR 10TH GRADE
Current 10th grade students will be taking the PSAT on Monday, March 24th. More details regarding test day administration will be given at a later date.
This is a required administration and the student’s account will be billed. The cost of the test is $18.
After testing, students will attend lunch and afternoon classes. It is not a half-day of school.
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE WEEKEND AT UNG
The University of North Georgia's Corps of Cadets will host National Leadership Challenge (NLC) Weekend on April 4-6, 2025 for high school students who are considering a military program in college.
Students will rappel down a sheer rock cliff at the Army's Mountain Ranger Camp in Dahlonega, construct a rope bridge across a mountain stream, negotiate obstacle and leadership reaction course elements, observe demonstrations by UNG cadet organizations, and meet some of our cadets. They will be assigned to small teams, and current UNG cadets mentor and guide them through the weekend's events.
Space is limited so register at the link above.
SUMMER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM AT WEST POINT
West Point Military Academy is looking for high-achieving young people who are in great standing with their school and community and who want to challenge themselves. Their week-long summer leadership program is open for current juniors (Class of 2026) this summer. Participants take part in academic workshops, physical and mental challenges, leadership and character development and discussions with West Point cadets. CLICK HERE for more information and to apply.
SUMMER PROGRAMS AT SAMFORD
Samford University in Homewood, Alabama has two residential programs available for students this coming summer. These summer programs are designed to help students find and develop their passions. This summer’s programs are the Bulldog Pharmacy Camp and the Sports Business MVP Boot Camp. Follow the links above for dates, details and registration information.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES STILL AVAILABLE
As we move through the spring semester, there are still many scholarship opportunities for seniors looking to obtain money for college. This is the time of year many local organizations are rolling out their scholarship information and applications. We will post some scholarships in this section of Inside the Pride. But continue to check THIS SCHOLARSHIP DOCUMENT for additional updates and opportunities.
NEWNAN PROBE COLLEGE FAIR
The Georgia Probe College Tour is an annual program of college fairs to provide high school students access to college representatives from in and out of state. Hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide attend Probe events yearly.
The Newnan Probe Fair is coming March 18, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm at the Central Education Center in Newnan. We would encourage sophomores and juniors to attend. Click HERE to register and to see a list of schools that will be in attendance.
SAT DATES FOR SPRING 2025
Registration is open for the March, May, and June test dates for the digital SAT. Most colleges, including those that are test optional, consider SAT scores when making admission and placement decisions, and for certain scholarships. Your SAT score is a proven way to show what you’ve learned and stand out on applications.
Below are the upcoming test dates and registration deadlines for the spring administration of the SAT. These are high target dates for 11th graders especially to be taking the SAT. These seats will fill up fast, so don’t delay in registering in order to get the date that you would like.
You can register online for the SAT HERE.
To see test dates and register for the ACT, click HERE.
UPCOMING COLLEGE LUNCH VISITS
2/26 - Georgia Southwestern State Univ. (Americus, GA)
2/28 - Pensacola Christian College (Pensacola, FL)
HELPFUL LINKS AND DOCUMENTS
FROM THE COUNSELING DEPT.
Test Prep Options for the SAT and ACT
TCS HOPE Rigor Course List (Required courses to receive HOPE)
High School Administrative Contacts
Teacher emails utilize the firstname.lastname@tcslions.org address configuration
Blake Bass - Assistant Head of School - Blake.Bass@tcslions.org
Mr. James Wheeler - High School Principal - James.Wheeler@tcslions.org
Roby Ross - Director of Student Development - roby.ross@tcslions.org
Karen Brannon - Director of Academics - karen.brannon@tcslions.org
Brian Fourman - Counseling Department Head (11/12th grade Coordinator) - brian.fourman@tcslions.org
Michelle Hutcheson - Counseling Department (9/10th grade Coordinator) - michelle.hutcheson@tcslions.org
Sara Kuchinski - Office Manager - sara.kuchinski@tcslions.org
Attendance - hsattendance@tcslions.org
Nurse - nurses@tcslions.org