Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published December 12, 2021
Volume 110
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Only 1 week left until Christmas Break! This week will be different with half day dismissals, mid-course assessments, and grade level parties. Be sure to check out the information this week listed below to ensure you have all the details you need for each day.
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
Pastor JC Worley from GO Church reminded our students of the biblical application of the Nee House tagline “Do what is right even when it is costly '' by teaching from the story of the Prodigal Son. As Christians, it will almost always cost us something to do what is right, especially if others around us aren’t committed to doing right as well. Pastor JC encouraged our student body with the truth that doing the right thing is always the best thing even when it might feel like the worst thing.
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 = Avery Maninger
7th Grade = Jonathan Cook
8th Grade = Emma Grace Hall
JANUARY MEMORY VERSES: COMING SOON
Help your child learn their memory verses over the course of this month.
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.
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
If you have any questions, please email Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org).
THANK YOU FOR FUNDRAISING HELP
A big thank you to everyone who has helped contribute so far to our 8th grade Disney Trip. We had a great response with our dress down days and CFA sandwich orders!
PERFORMING ARTS CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCES
Celebrate the Christmas season this week with our upcoming performances! All performances will take place in the HS Auditorium at 7pm
Monday, Dec 13 = 4th Recorders, 5th Strings, MS and HS Orchestras
Tuesday, Dec 14 = 5th, MS and HS Bands
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.
When are the mid-course assessments?
Tuesday, Dec 14 = Math Assessment (8:45) and Science Assessment (9:55)
Wednesday, Dec 15 = English Assessment (8:45) and History Assessment (9:55)
How are the mid-course assessments being calculated?
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
Where does my child go to take mid-course assessments?
Students have been assigned to a specific room for Monday-Wednesday to study on Monday’s Review Day and to take their assessments on Tuesday and Wednesday. Please have your child check their email inbox for their room location (email sent by Mrs. McBurnett).
General locations to help (rosters will be printed outside of rooms on Monday)
Rooms 401-405 = 6th grade students
Rooms 421-425 = 7th grade students
Rooms 426-428 + Art and STEAM = 8th grade students
Is my child exempt from any mid-course assessments? Please review your child’s grade for English, History, Math and Science on Blackbaud. If your child has a 94.5% or higher as an overall grade for the class, they are exempt and are not required to take this week’s assessment.
What if my child is exempt from 1 assessment but not both on a specific day? Your child may arrive 10 minutes early for any assessment they need to take and may leave afterwards if they are not required to stay. Please see the exact details for drop off and pick up below.
MID-COURSE ASSESSMENT WEEK SCHEDULE
Monday, Dec 13 - OPTIONAL REVIEW DAY
8:00-11:00 - Students will rotate through all of their classes to review.
Students are expected to arrive by 8:00 am - If students are exempt from all of their mid-course assessments, they are not required to attend on this day.
DISMISSAL FOR MONDAY
Students with Pre-K siblings - Dismissal begins at 11am
Students without Pre-K siblings - Dismissal begins at 11:30am
Any students not picked up by 12 noon will be sent to MS Extended Day (no charge up to 3:30pm)
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 or 9:50 pending the assessments they are taking.)
8:45 Math Mid-Course Assessment
9:55 Science Mid-Course Assessment
DISMISSAL FOR TUESDAY
Students who take the Math assessment but are exempt from the Science assessment may be picked up at 9:50 through the normal dismissal line. Students who take the Science assessment will need to be picked up based on the schedule below.
Students with Pre-K siblings - Dismissal begins at 11am
Students without Pre-K siblings - Dismissal begins at 11:30am
Any students not picked up by 12 noon will be sent to MS Extended Day (no charge up to 3:30pm)
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 or 9:50 pending the assessments they are taking.)
8:45 English Mid-Course Assessment
9:55 History Mid-Course Assessment
DISMISSAL FOR WEDNESDAY
Students who take the English assessment but are exempt from the History assessment may be picked up at 9:50 through the normal dismissal line. Students who take the Science assessment will need to be picked up based on the schedule below.
Students with Pre-K siblings - Dismissal begins at 11am
Students without Pre-K siblings - Dismissal begins at 11:30am
Any students not picked up by 12 noon will be sent to MS Extended Day (no charge up to 3:30pm)
Thursday, Dec 16 - GRADE LEVEL PARTY DAY
8:00-11:00 - Students will participate in a variety of activities to celebrate the start of Christmas Break, including their grade level Christmas party.
DISMISSAL FOR THURSDAY
Students with Pre-K siblings - Dismissal begins at 11am
Students without Pre-K siblings - Dismissal begins at 11:30am
Any students not picked up by 12 noon will be sent to MS Extended Day (no charge up to 3:30pm)
IMPORTANT LINKS
Follow our House Competition all year long!
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.