Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published January 2, 2022
Volume 111
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas Break and enjoyed celebrating and anticipating the coming of Christ with friends and family. As we step into 2022, may the LORD continue to bless and sustain your family. We are so excited about our second semester and cannot wait to see all that God has planned for our student body. In Isaiah 46:3-4, Yahweh reminds Israel of why He is better than idols (and the things of this world). While idols offer temporary comfort, ultimately we have to carry idols with us wherever we go. But God is the carrier of us! From our time in the womb until our old age, God never ceases to carry us through. May He carry each of us well into 2022!
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
Chapel services return this week!
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.
Returning this week!
JANUARY MEMORY VERSES: PSALM 119:1-7
Help your child learn their memory verses over the course of this month.
1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,
3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.
JANUARY 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 = Pyrrhic Victory - Never allow situations to eclipse relationships.
Lesson Summary = Sometimes the cost of winning is so great that we lose more than we gain. Good leaders don’t fight every battle. They carefully consider what’s at stake in each encounter with others and then act accordingly. They never allow the situation to become more important than the relationship.
8th = Toll Booths or Roadblocks - See challenges as an opportunity to grow.
Lesson Summary = In life, some challenges require us to rise to the occasion. Many are unavoidable. They will either become toll booths we progress through, or roadblocks. Sometimes it’s like a one-way road—you can only go one direction. We must pay the toll.
BLACKBAUD REMINDER
Don’t forget to utilize Blackbaud weekly for gaining access to your child’s grades while also staying up to date regarding assessments, assignments, and homework! If you have any questions regarding how to access important classroom information for your child, please email Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org).
REPORT CARD UPDATE
All report cards will be viewable on Blackbaud at the end of the day on Monday, January 10. Please email Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org) if you have any issues viewing your child’s grades.
MLK HOLIDAY
In observance of Martin Luther King Day, there will be no school on Monday, January 17.
A GLIMPSE INSIDE OUR CLASSROOMS:
With the holiday season came lots of fun and excitement! Here is a glimpse into what our middle school classrooms were up to during November and December:
6th grade history completed civilization projects by creating artifacts from their imagined civilizations.
6th grade English read and studied A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. To wrap up their study, they performed the play!
7th grade science has been studying genetics. They used what they’ve been learning about Punnett squares to create animals with specific genetic characteristics.
8th grade honors science has been studying atoms and reading the Periodic Table! Students worked with chemical bonds by creating compounds, used their knowledge of the Periodic Table to create their semester projects, and got into the holiday spirit by decorating the classroom Chemistree!
We had an incredible Discipleship Day in early December with all of our middle schoolers!
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.