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

Published March 27, 2022

Volume 122

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We have an exciting two months of school left with lots of exciting events coming up! Be sure to check out the “Mark Your Calendar” section to see the events that have already been planned and stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information to follow.

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

We were blessed to have Pastor JC Worley from GO Church join us, and he spoke about the choices we make in our daily lives. Pastor JC reminded our students that our lives are shaped by our choices. He encouraged our students to make wise choices and to take every thought captive (II Cor. 10:5) using the acronym “PAUSE”. To make wise choices we should P-ray, A-sk for help, U-se our Bibles, S-ay the choice out loud, and E-xperience freedom once we have done so. Thank you Pastor JC for helping our students see the need for wisdom and counsel as they make decisions in a world full of temptations.

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 = Ansleigh Black

• 7th Grade = Amanda Cannon 

• 8th Grade = Shelby Dunckel

APRIL MEMORY VERSES: JAMES 1:12-15

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

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

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.  

REPORT CARD REMINDER

Did you remember to review your child’s report card for Q3? Log in to Blackbaud now to see your child’s report cards for Quarter 3.

PRIDE PERFORMERS: QUARTER 3

Congratulations to the following students who were nominated by their teachers for their hard work and effort in the classroom these past nine weeks!

6th Grade

• Science with Mrs. Akins = Tate Strealy

• Math with Mrs. Brown = Ava Leonard and Patrick Moss (Honors)

• English with Mrs. Lanier = Liv Ballard (Honors)

• English with Mrs. Hanson = Noah Capanelli 

• History with Mr. Veal = Maia Word

• Bible with Mr. Higgins = Turner Houston

• Bible with Miss Walter = Lila Chitwood

7th Grade

• Science with Mr. Sandefur = Caroline Burgess and Elizabeth Smith (Honors)

• Math with Miss Jackson = Mia Owens and Avari Cannon (Honors)

• English with Mrs. Huddleston = Emma Magro and Jax Buck (Honors)

• History with Mr. Lassiter = Ashton Clare

• Bible with Mr. Settle = Lucas Moromisato

• Bible with Mr. Moore = Caleb Walls

8th Grade

• Science with Mrs. Hasty = Lorelai Selleck (Honors)

• Science with Mrs. Higgins = Chase Morrison-Tobias

• Math with Ms. Whitaker = Luke Autry

• Math with Miss Walter = Austin Taylor (Honors)

• Math with Mrs. Smith = Jack Evans

• English with Mrs. Baer = Kate Skinner (Honors)

• English with Mrs. Peavy = Christian McMurry

• History with Mr. Dickens = Hudson Griffin

• Bible with Mr. Tipton = Sarah Ramer

• Bible with Mr. Higgins = Lee Sibille

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: UPCOMING MIDDLE SCHOOL DATES

• Friday, April 1 = Half Day Dismissal

• Week of April 4 = SPRING BREAK

• Friday, April 15 = GOOD FRIDAY (NO SCHOOL)

• Week of May 2-6 = IOWA Standardized Testing

• Monday, May 2 = Orchestra Concert

• Tuesday, May 3 = Band Concert

• Wednesday, May 4 = MS Talent Show (during school day)

• Monday, May 9 = Chorus Concert 

• May 10-13 = 7th Grade Trip to the Ark/Creation Museum

• May 12-13 = 6th Grade Trip to Huntsville/Chattanooga 

• Week of May 23-26 = Half Day Schedule

  • Monday, May 23 = Math and Science End of Course Assessments

  • Tuesday, May 24 = English and History End of Course Assessments 

• Tuesday, May 24 = 8th Grade Graduation (7:00pm)

• Wednesday, May 25 = 8th Grade Class Party

• Thursday, May 26 = 6th and 7th Grade Class Parties

HONORS PLACEMENT TESTING

This Wednesday, March 30 we will be giving all of our middle school students our new student entrance assessment to help us collect data on how our students are tracking in comparison to incoming students. Please note that these assessments will not be entered in the grade book but will be used to help us in class placement selections for the 22-23 school year. If you are interested in your child being placed in honors classes for middle school next year, please review the additional criteria we will be using to evaluate our student placement.

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? - Reach out to Kasey Hanson (Return to Academics Coordinator) so we can best determine a makeup plan for your child. 

• 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.