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

Published March 20, 2022

Volume 121

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

Can you believe we have started Quarter 4…our final 9 weeks of the 21-22 school year? As report cards are released this week, be intentional to evaluate your child’s grades and progress as we head into the home stretch of this school year. This is an important time as we make final preparations for transitioning your child to the next grade level. If our teachers can help answer any questions or provide any additional support, please let us know.

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 from Psalm 78 and reminded our students that God’s Word is important and must be remembered because it helps us to see who God is, what God has done, and what He desires for us as His followers. Specifically, we learned that God is loving, desiring to do good for His children. He is also powerful, giving Him the ability to carry out His good plans for His children. He’s also merciful, gracious and forgiving, helping us to see that as we strive to follow Him, He is willing and able to heal us when we fail.

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 = Bronc Nixon

• 7th Grade = Reese Anderson

• 8th Grade = Cooper Baker

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.

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.

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!

• 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.