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

Published January 16, 2022

Volume 113

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

Re-enrollment season will be here soon, and we are getting excited about the upcoming 22/23 school year! We are anticipating another record year for enrollment so please begin now thinking through your plans for next school year. We would love to have your child joining us once again and look forward to a continued partnership with your family. If you have any questions as you think through decisions for next year, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

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 why we should want to follow God. Rather than simply serving God out of duty, the Bible calls us to serve with delight. Using Exodus 34:6-7 and Psalm 111, Mr. Vinson showed our students that based on the character of God (Exodus) and the actions of God (Psalm 111) we have all the reasons in the world to follow Him faithfully.

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 = Miles Bell

• 7th Grade = Chase Porter

• 8th Grade = Charlotte Heavin

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.

QUARTER 2 PRIDE PERFORMERS

The following students were nominated by the teachers for their exceptional performance in the classroom over the past nine weeks. 

• 6th Grade

  • Science with Mrs. Akins = Asher Griffith

  • Math with Mrs. Brown = Cash Bishop, Lucy Jackson (Honors)

  • English with Mrs. Lanier = Elle Jerger (Honors)

  • English with Mrs. Hanson = Chase Magro

  • History with Mr. Veal = Mason Parker

• 7th Grade

  • Science with Mr. Sandefur = Harper Douglas, Presley Boone (Honors)

  • Math with Miss Jackson = Chase Porter, Josie Brunson (Honors)

  • English with Mrs. Huddleston = Alayna Dugan, Avari Cannon (Honors)

  • History with Mr. Lassiter = Emma Zarlenga

  • Bible with Mr. Moore = Ayla Sinyard

•  8th Grade

  • Science with Mrs. Hasty = Randolph Tomlin (Honors)

  • Science with Mrs. Higgins = Colin Knowles

  • Math with Miss Walter = Emma Kate Yeager (Honors)

  • Math with Mrs. Whitaker = Kael Hover

  • Math with Mrs. Smith = Luke Evans

  • English with Mrs. Baer = Bradley Burnett (Honors)

  • English with Mrs. Peavy = Trevor McDowell

  • History with Mr. Dickens = Hayden Devenney

  • Bible with Mr. Tipton = Bakari Hamilton

  • Bible with Mr. Higgins = Preston Funk

CFA FUNDRAISER

We will be starting our Chick-fil-a sandwich fundraiser back up on Friday, 1/21! If your student would like to purchase a sandwich for Friday, 1/21 they will need to bring $5 for each sandwich they would like to order and see Mrs. McBurnett in Mr. Vinson's office on TUESDAY, 1/18. We are not doing a Google form for orders this time.

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).

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.