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

Published February 6, 2022

Volume 116

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We had an awesome G.R.A.C.E. Day last week as we had a chance to focus the entire day on what God’s Word says to us about valuing others, in spite of our differences, due to us all being image-bearers of God. Students were exposed to concepts related to the differences we see in gender, resources, abilities, color and ethnicity, and how those differences point us to both the creativity and provision of God. May the LORD continue to give our students a desire to love others by showing respect and care to every person they encounter. 

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 challenged our students on G.R.A.C.E. Day with the example of Jesus and what it means to love and serve those who are different and broken. The lesson focused on the story of the woman at the well (John 4) and the healing of the paralyzed man (John 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.

• 6th Grade = Liv Ballard

• 7th Grade = Andrew Billings

• 8th Grade = Greg Brezina

FEBRUARY MEMORY VERSES: JOHN 14:1-6

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

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;believe also in me. 

2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that

where I am you may be also. 

4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

FEBRUARY HABITUDES MOMENT 

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

• 6th = Personal Laptop - What gets put in is what will come out.

  • Lesson Summary = Our minds work like a computer. They only spit out the data they have been fed. Garbage in, garbage out. Leaders are disciplined about what they store in their mind and heart.

• 7th = Hot Air Balloons - Encouragement brings out other’s potential.  

  • Lesson Summary = Hot air balloons rise as the burner is released… but eventually, they begin to fall and need to be refilled. They must continue to be filled in order to go up. People are like this. They must be consistently encouraged in order to reach their highest potential.

• 8th = Flight Delay - Learn to Calibrate Expectations

  • Lesson Summary = Experienced travelers know they’re not in complete control. Delays occur, storms erupt and interruptions happen. Similarly, we must calibrate our expectations, manage disappointments and be realistic about the speed and ease of our lives.

SODA FUNDRAISER

For the month of February we will be selling sodas on Fridays for $2 to help raise money for our 8th grade Disney Trip. Please stop by the principal’s office on your way to lunch if you would like to purchase.

90 DAYS ‘TIL 9TH GRADE

It won’t be long until our 8th graders are making the transition to high school! That’s so hard to believe as it seems like these students just started middle school. To celebrate the quickly approaching transition to high school, we will be celebrating 90 days of school until 9th grade on Thursday, February 25. To celebrate, 8th grade students will have the opportunity to…

• Dress down and come dressed like the 90's decade!

• Eat and hang out outdoors for lunch and FLEX (about 1 hour) just like high schoolers. 

• Experience a 1 day only relaxation of our cell phone policy as we will adopt the HS policy for the day. Note: Students can use their cell phones between classes and will turn their cell phones in at the front of the classroom prior to each class beginning...just like high schoolers do.

ADVANCED/HONORS PLACEMENT FOR 22/23 SCHOOL YEAR (MIDDLE SCHOOL ONLY)

If you are interested in your child being placed in honors classes for middle school next year, please review the criteria we will be using to evaluate our student placement for next year.

IOWA TESTING DATE CHANGE

To help provide our teachers with additional instructional time and our students more exposure to their grade level content, we are moving our standardized testing week to May 2-6. More specific information will be provided soon. We are exploring the option of being able to complete our testing online as well.

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.