Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published April 1, 2022
Volume 123
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Have a great Spring Break and enjoy the extended time with family and friends!
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
Pastor BJ Cobb from First Baptist Senoia spoke to our students from Philippians 2 regarding both the “bigness” and “closeness” of God. The God of the universe rules and reigns and is certainly big enough to handle all of our needs, but He is also faithful to come close to us so that He is aware of the needs we have too. Thank you Pastor BJ for faithfully bringing this word of encouragement to our student body!
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 = Kennedie Callen
7th Grade = Braeden Staffins
8th Grade = Colton Thomas
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.
APRIL HABITUDES MOMENT
Check out the leadership principles our students are learning this month! Learn more about our Habitudes curriculum here.
6th = Discipline Bridge - Personal discipline is the bridge to the goal.
Lesson Summary = Leaders don’t build character without crossing the bridge of discipline. Personal discipline is like a bridge that crosses from where you are to where you want to be. It gets you where you want to go.
7th = The Gardener's Job - Healthy environments are key to developing others.
Lesson Summary = A gardener’s primary job is to nurture the development of his plants. Likewise, good leaders center their agendas on growing their team members. Leaders are to be good mentors and invest their lives in others. Their key job is not doing programs or distributing products, but developing people.
8th = Tank Half Empty or Full? - Replace discontentment with dissatisfaction
Lesson Summary = It's an age-old question: Is it half-empty or half-full? The answer is both, depending on whether you're emptying it or filling it. In life, we must replace discontentment, where we see things as half-empty, with dissatisfaction, where we strive to fill things more.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: UPCOMING MIDDLE SCHOOL DATES
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
A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Spring is here, and our classrooms are buzzing with excitement. Check out what’s been happening in our upper elementary classrooms this month:
Mrs. Akins’ class studied fossils this month and were able to cast their own.
Mr. Veal’s class learned about Roman history and built their own chariots.
Mr. Sandefur’s class pulled out the microscopes to study plant cells!
Mrs. Huddleston’s class has been reading and studying poetry. They chose from Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost poems to create a poster to represent the theme.
Mrs. Hasty’s class has been studying thermal energy and electricity. Students investigated with glow sticks and circuits.
8th grade STEAM had some fun with virtual reality technology this month!
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? - 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.