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

Published December 5, 2021

Volume 109

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

With the Christmas season comes excitement as we celebrate the past coming of our King while also longing for His future, imminent return one day. While joy is a normal expression and emotion during this season, for many, there is heartache over the loss and remembrance of loved ones who have gone on before us. Revelation 21:1-6 reminds us that one day our joy will be permanent and every tear will be wiped away as a result of our King returning and righting all the wrongs around us. But in the meantime, those tears are very real and present in the immediate context of today. Do the Scriptures speak to how God handles our tears now while we await the day for them to be no more? I Peter 5:9 offers encouragement that we are not alone in our sufferings. While the simple knowledge that others are going through what we are dealing with might offer some support, the bigger impact is that others who have experienced what we are experiencing are gifts from God to help sustain us as we grieve. God grants us Christian fellowship, men and women who can help wipe away the tears temporarily with their sympathetic presence of knowing exactly what we are feeling. The grief and sorrow is still very real for now, but I Peter 5:10 assures us there is coming a day when our broken hearts will be fully restored, confirmed, strengthened and established forever. May He comfort the brokenhearted during this season and may we all experience the joy that comes from knowing...HE RULES THE WORLD WITH TRUTH AND GRACE!

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

Mr. Vinson presented the gospel with a Christmas theme as he spoke on the ways God functions differently than Santa Claus in how He treats us. Rather than rewarding us for good behavior, God responds to our sinfulness and provides the greatest gift of all, while we were yet sinners! (Rom. 5:8) In spite of our efforts to be good, we still fall so short of His standards of holiness. And unlike the Grinch character, we are incapable of doing good things to make up for our mistakes. Thanks be to God though who sent His only Son to be perfect on our behalf! Praise be to God for the reason we celebrate Christmas...the coming of His Son to save!

LIONS OF THE WEEK

Students who were recognized this week by their teachers for their exceptional example set in their recent performance, attitude or action.

• 6th Grade = Patrick Moss

• 7th Grade = Ashton Clare

• 8th Grade = Abby McBurnett

DECEMBER MEMORY VERSES: I John 4:9-10 (ESV)

Help your child learn their memory verses over the course of this month. 

9) In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10) In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

DECEMBER HABITUDES MOMENT 

Check out the leadership principles our students are learning this month! Learn more about our Habitudes curriculum here. 

• 6th = The Oversized Gift - Giftedness must be balanced with character. 

  • Lesson Summary = Leaders are often gifted. They can begin to depend on their gift for success, to the neglect of their character. They begin to “wing it.” Leaders sabotage themselves when their gift is bigger than they are.

• 7th = The Waldorf Principle - Servant leadership gains influence with others. 

  • Lesson Summary = The way to the top with people is by serving them extravagantly and sacrificially. A simple clerk did this to Mr. Waldorf, and the rich tycoon returned to make that clerk his first hotel manager in New York. People expect good service from leaders. They are surprised when we serve sacrificially. 

• 8th = Sturdy Guardrails - Boundaries help keep us from poor decisions.

  • Lesson Summary = We often don’t notice guardrails until we need them. They keep us on the road during a curve or dangerous spot. Similarly, we must place guardrails in our lives—boundaries or people who keep us from damaging ourselves with poor decisions.

CHRISTMAS BLESSING FUND

Don’t forget you have an opportunity to bless our faculty and staff this Christmas season through the Christmas Blessing Fund. 

• Contribute Online: The following link will take you to a secure portal where electronic contributions can be made through December 15th. Donate Online 

• Contribute in person: Drop off cash or check in an envelope labeled Christmas Fund in any of the wrapped gift bins in the main office and High School office. Please make checks out to “Trinity Christian School” with “Christmas Blessing Fund” in the memo line.

• The deadline to contribute to the Christmas Fund is Friday, December 15th.

8TH PSAT SCORE INFORMATION

Information about accessing your child’s scores can be found here: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scores/getting-scores

PSAT 8/9 (8th and 9th grade) scores will be available to students beginning December 6. 

Students 13 years old and older who provided their email address on their PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 8/9 answer sheets will receive an email reminder to view their October PSAT/NMSQT and September–October PSAT 8/9 scores online.

If you have any questions, please email Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org).

REMINDER: FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY

Our 8th grade class will be taking their annual trip to Disney World in April, and we need your help! Please review the opportunity below for how you can help our students raise funds for this upcoming experience. 

December Dress Down Days

Dress down days continue this week (Monday-Thursday) as students may purchase the right to wear jeans or sweatpants/athletic pants with a TCS spirit wear top for $2. Students will need to bring cash to their 1st period teacher.

MIDDLE SCHOOL DISCIPLESHIP DAY

We had an awesome day last Friday for our MS Discipleship Day! Through breakout sessions and chapel services, our students enjoyed an incredible day of spiritual growth and development! A big thank you goes out to men like JC Worley (pastor at GO Church), BJ Cobb (pastor at First Baptist Senoia) and Joe Daniels (varsity girls basketball coach) who helped make the day possible.

MID-COURSE ASSESSMENTS WEEK

(PREVIOUSLY CALLED EXAM WEEK)

Please review the specific information below regarding these important assessments and the half-day dismissal schedule for the last week of the semester.

• Assignments leading up to Mid-Course Assessment Week - students will be expected to complete the following assignments leading up to their MCAs. Details about each assignment will be communicated from your child’s teacher. 

  • History = a project and/or presentation that will be counted as 1 ½ test grade

  • Science = a project and/or presentation that will be counted as 1 ½ test grade

  • English = a writing assignment that will be counted as 1 ½ test grade

• Assignments during Mid-Course Assessment Week - students will be given a final test.

  • History = a non-cumulative test that will be counted as 1 test grade

  • Science = a non-cumulative test that will be counted as 1 test grade

  • English = a reading comprehension test that will be counted as 1 test grade

  • Math = a cumulative test that will be counted as 1 ½ test grade

• MID-COURSE ASSESSMENT EXEMPTIONS - Students with a 95% or higher may exempt the Mid-Course Assessment given during Mid-Course Assessment Week. Final grades will be uploaded by Friday, Dec. 10 at 5pm. Note: All students, regardless of their class percentage grade, will be expected to complete all assignments leading up to Mid-Course Assessment Week. 

• MID COURSE ASSESSMENT ABSENCES - If for some reason your child is going to be absent during their mid-course assessments and will need to schedule a makeup time due to not being exempt, a Pre-Absence Form must be completed and submitted by Monday, Dec 6 so alternate arrangements can be made. 

• MID-COURSE ASSESSMENT WEEK SCHEDULE

• Monday-Thursday (School with half-day dismissal)

  • NOTE: Please arrive at the appropriate time, and do not arrive earlier to avoid traffic issues.

    • Students with Pre-K siblings - Dismissal begins at 11am

    • Students without Pre-K siblings - Dismissal begins at 11:30am

• Monday, Dec 13 -  OPTIONAL REVIEW DAY

  • 8:00-11:00 - Students will rotate through all of their classes to review. 

• Tuesday, Dec 14 - Math and Science Mid-Course Assessments

  • 8:00-8:45 - Optional Mid-Course Assessment Study Time (students may choose to arrive late and will not be counted tardy as long as they are in the classroom by 8:40)

  • 8:45 Math Mid-Course Assessment

  • 9:55 Science Mid-Course Assessment 

• Wednesday, Dec 15 - English and History Mid-Course Assessments

  • 8:00-8:45 - Optional Mid-Course Assessment Study Time (students may choose to arrive late and will not be counted tardy as long as they are in the classroom by 8:40)

  • 8:45 English Mid-Course Assessment

  • 9:55 History Mid-Course Assessment

*For students who are unable to be picked up at the half day dismissal time on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, we will provide free supervision until 3:30pm. Normal Extended Day rates will apply after 3:30pm.

IMPORTANT LINKS

• Follow our House Competition all year long!

• Dress Code Overview 

• Community Service Form - 10 hours due by May 2022

• Thrival Guide - Don’t just survive middle school, THRIVE during these years

REMINDER: ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES

The following steps should be taken for reporting absences for Pre-K - 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 1st period 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.  

• 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? - Kasey Hanson (Return to Academics Coordinator) 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.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACTS

6th Grade Academic Coordinator - Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org)

• Mrs. Lanier can assist you with any academic-related needs for 6th grade.

7th and 8th Grade Academic Coordinator - Emily Walter (emily.walter@tcslions.org)

• Miss Walter can assist you with any academic-related needs for 7th/8th grade. 

Middle School RTA Coordinator - Kasey Hanson (kasey.hanson@tcslions.org) 

• Mrs. Hanson can assist you with makeup work due to any extended absences.

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 academic needs your child may have. 

Director of Skills Development - Jenn Opsahl (jennifer.opsahl@tcslions.org) 

• Mrs. Opsahl oversees our Skills Development Program. 

Dean of Students - Ryan Tipton (ryan.tipton@tcslions.org)

• Mr. Tipton addresses any disciplinary issues throughout the year.