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

Published January 9, 2022

Volume 112

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We had an awesome week back and a great start to the new semester! Thank you once again for entrusting your children to our care as we head into 2022. It is such a privilege to serve each of your families, and we cannot thank you enough for the investment you continue to make here at TCS. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if there is anything I can do to serve you better during Quarter 3. And welcome to all of our new families that have joined the TCS family in January. We are excited to have you especially!

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 spoke to our students on the topic of sin and our tendencies to respond in various ways when confronted with sin. Whether we blame others for our mistakes, try to cover up our faults, or simply lie about our involvement, we often fail to take responsibility like we should. Looking at the stories of Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel, we saw further why we all seem to respond in similar ways due to our sin nature. Mr. Vinson encouraged our students that rather than seeking to cover up their sin, they need to run to Jesus who can rightly cover their sin with his blood. See Psalm 32:1-5.

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 next 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.

100 DAYS OF SCHOOL = 100 DAYS BRIGHTER

On January 25 we will be celebrating our 100th day of school this year! Middle schoolers are encouraged to wear neon/bright clothing to join in the celebration. Be on the lookout for an email from Mrs. McBurnett about dress code specifics.

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.