Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published March 13, 2022
Volume 120
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
I hope everyone enjoyed our 2 remote learning days/long weekend! Don’t forget to have your child submit all of their remote learning work on Monday in each of their classes. (Late penalties may apply if work is not turned in on Monday - remember these are the first grades entered for Quarter 4.)
We are looking forward to an exciting Quarter 4 as we have a lot planned over the next 9 weeks. Here are just a few of the exciting events coming up over the final months of the 21/22 school year. Be on the lookout for more details in the coming weeks.
Dodgeball Tournament
6th Grade Trip to Huntsville and Chattanooga
7th Grade Trip to the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter
8th Grade Trip to Disney World
MS Talent Show
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
Coach Ross challenged the students to give their lives completely to an unchanging, steadfast God from Jesus' teachings at the Sermon on the Mount, stating that God didn't come to make bad men good but to make dead men live.
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 = Lila Chitwood
7th Grade = Zoey Joyner
8th Grade = Anna Grace Moore
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.
COMING SOON
We are making final plans and will be providing details soon regarding all of our end of year events. In the next 2 weeks you will find information provided here in the Inside the Pride regarding the following:
8th Grade Graduation
6th and 7th Grade Awards Ceremony
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!
SPRING PICTURES
6th, 7th and 8th grades will have their Spring pictures taken on Tuesday, March 22. Please see the guidelines below for dress code on that day. Reach out to Mrs. McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org) with any questions you might have.
Students are allowed to wear spring attire for pictures, but be sure to keep within our dress code guidelines.
* Tops/Dresses may not have spaghetti-type straps. Must have at least a 3 finger width size strap.
* Shorts/Skirts may be worn, but must adhere to the guidelines of no more than 3 inches above the knee.
* Jeans may be worn WITHOUT rips/holes.
* The following should NOT be worn: flip flops, tank tops, strapless or low cut tops.
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!
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.