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

Published February 27, 2022

Volume 118

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We are set to open up enrollment to new, prospective families on March 1. Be sure to encourage your friends and family that have inquired about joining the Trinity family to apply just as soon as possible! We have had so many inquiries already, and we are expecting to fill up quickly so tell them not to delay. And if you haven’t enrolled yet, but intend to, please make sure you complete the process soon! We don’t want you to miss out on a spot for next year.

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 regarding their relationship with God and whether the choices they are currently making and the company they are currently keeping reflect a desire to honor God. Using the stories of Joshua and Ai (Joshua 7) and Samson (Judges 16), Mr. Vinson encouraged our students to examine whether God’s favor is present in their life or if He is seeking to bring about correction through discipline. Pray for our students that God would help them see that their relationship with God is worthy of their attention when there is so much in this world that seeks to distract them.

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 = Lucas Sprague 

• 7th Grade = Reid Briggs

• 8th Grade = Noah Knowles

MARCH MEMORY VERSES: PHILLIPPIANS 2:12-16

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

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

FEBRUARY HABITUDES MOMENT 

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

• 6th = Emotional Fuel - Our future is shaped by those closest to us.

  • Lesson Summary = A leader’s future is shaped by the people closest to him or her. A leader’s personal network is his emotional fuel: his models, heroes, mentors, inner circle, and accountability partners. 

• 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.

TRANSITION TO 9TH GRADE MEETING

From the high school counseling office…

8th Grade Families - if you would like to hear more about the TCS High School experience, please plan to attend the 9th Grade Transition Meeting! 

• What: 9th Grade Transition Meeting 

• Where: High School Auditorium

• When: Tuesday, March 8th, 6:30-7:30pm

REminder: 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.

reminder: 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.