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

Published March 6, 2022

Volume 119

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

Don’t forget, we have a 3-day week ahead of us with remote learning days on Thursday and Friday. Be sure to check out our remote learning plan below for middle school. 

Remote Learning Plans (Middle School): 

• Bible, History, Science = 1 assignment per class will be assigned for submission

• English, Math = 1-2 assignments per class will be assigned for submission

• All assignments will be due upon our return to school on Monday, March 14. 

  • Note: Late policies will apply for assignments not completed on time. 

• Be sure to check Blackbaud for your child’s remote learning assignments.

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

Gabe Rivera with Acts the 3 Man Show that is performing in Newnan March 11, 12, 13, challenged our students to stay true to Scripture as they learn to use whatever gifts God has given them to share the truth of the Gospel.  

Acts the 3 Man Show is comprised of 3 professional actors, two from Hollywood, and one from right here in Newnan, who travel the country presenting the Book of Acts from Scripture.  Each actor plays 17-24 characters, and the powerful stories of the early church are shared in dramatic form on the stage.  From Paul’s conversion, shipwreck, and missionary journeys to the stories of Peter, Luke, John Mark, Nero, and many others, this show will challenge your faith, encourage your heart, and empower your witness for the Lord Jesus Christ in this day and age!

Here at TCS, we are passionate about helping our students have opportunities to see and hear the truth of the Word of God in new ways, so we are reaching out to let you know that the performance next Friday, March 11th is especially focused on students!  Mr. Hurt, our Head of Performing Arts, will be opening the show in prayer, and we would love to have as many TCS students and families there!  

This is also an incredible outreach opportunity to invite those who may not know the Lord, to see this show.  Many times, people will come to a show like this before they will come to a church service.  So we would love to see our students get excited about sharing this with their friends.

Here is a trailer for the show if you would like to learn more: https://youtu.be/UNunDoap2NA  

Tickets are available at www.fbcnewnan.org for each of the showings.

Info:  Acts the 3 Man Show www.Acts3ManShow.com  

Where:

First Baptist Church Newnan

15 W. Washington St

Newnan, GA. 30263

When:  March 11 @ 7:00 pm 

             March 12 @ 7:00 pm

             March 13 @ 3:00 pm

We hope to see you there!

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 = Kennedy Brooks 

• 7th Grade = Reese Anderson

• 8th Grade = Hayden Devenney

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.

MARCH 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 = Pocket Change - Earn credibility through integrity and wisdom.  

  • Lesson Summary = Leaders earn credibility with others by displaying integrity and making wise decisions. This puts emotional change in their pocket and enhances their influence. If leaders fail to do this, they will lose the change in their pocket with people. Leaders are constantly filling or emptying their pockets. 

• 8th = Pass on the Left - Healthy Endings to Relationships

  • Lesson Summary =  In life, you will notice that the people you once hung around may not continue with you on your journey. That’s OK. When you grow in new directions, be sure to pass others appropriately, making sure you burn no bridges along the way.

A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE CLASSROOM

February seemed to fly by, but our classes never lost momentum!  Check out what has been happening in some of our middle school classrooms this month:

6th Grade History - Mr. Veal’s class has been studying irrigation systems.  They worked in groups to create, build, and test their own systems!

6th Grade Science - Mrs. Akins’ class has been studying volcanoes, so of course they had to make their own!

6th Grade Steam Elective - 6th grade’s steam class learned about potential and kinetic energy last week by building their own ski jumps. The students had to get the slope just right for their marble to hit their target!

8th Grade History - Mr. Dickens’ class has been studying World War 2 and propaganda by creating their own posters and presenting them to the class.

8th Grade Science - Mrs. Hasty’s class has been doing experiments with energy! First up, wall roller coasters.

8th Grade Steam Elective - A big thank you to the annual fund for allowing us to purchase drones for our 8th grade steam class! Students have been having a blast learning to fly them! Next, we will learn how to program them to fly on their own.

SODA FUNDRAISER

For the month of March 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.

Pi DAY

Students will be celebrating Pi Day on Monday, 3/14 in their math classes. Students are encouraged to bring circular snacks to share with their classmates.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY DRESS DOWN

On Thursday, March 17, students may wear green with jeans to celebrate the day!

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.