Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published April 17, 2022
Volume 125
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
I hope each of you had a wonderful Easter Sunday celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! As I Corinthians 15:19 says, no matter how wonderful our life may be, if this life is our greatest hope as Christians, we ought to be pitied. But this life is not our greatest hope! May the truth of Christ’s resurrection and the assured hope of His return continue to sustain both you and your family as you seek to follow Him!
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
Using the house motto of the Elliot House (Be Ready to Forgive and Love Your Enemies), Mr. Veal (6th grade History teacher) spoke to our students from Matthew 18:21-35 on the importance of forgiveness. As Elisabeth Elliot was willing to forgive those who murdered her husband, we too must strive to forgive our enemies as well. The story found in Matthew 18 about the unforgiving servant reminds us that if we do not show mercy and forgiveness to others, we should not expect that God will show those things to us either. May we all be thankful that God made the path to forgiveness for us by sending His Son Jesus to not die for us, but to live again as well!
LIONS OF THE WEEK
Returning next week
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.
PREPARING FOR IOWA STANDARDIZED TESTING
Our upcoming IOWA testing will take place the week of May 2. How can you help your child prepare to do their very best? Utilize the suggested tips below to make IOWA week an accurate reflection of your child’s learning and ability.
Make sure your child gets plenty of REST. With no homework or regular assessments being given, strive to have your child in bed early if possible while trying to reduce the events and activities your family will be required to attend.
EAT a good breakfast each day. Sleep + food will help your child think clearly and focus. Good proteins and high fiber foods will help keep your child alert and will reduce the chances of them getting hungry during the test.
ENCOURAGE your child to do their very best. The IOWA tests are one piece of the overall assessment approach taken at TCS. Don’t overemphasize the importance of these testing results. IOWA is meant to show us how your child is growing and learning. The goal is for them to simply do their best.
Prioritize PUNCTUALITY when it comes to arriving at school on time. When students feel rushed, they often feel stressed and aren’t able to do their best. By being on time, you help ensure your child hears all of the instructions for the test which creates a more relaxing testing environment.
Be ACTIVE after school. While students will still engage in physical activity at school during IOWA testing week, the more energy your child can exert the better. Plan some afternoon outdoor activities for your family to help facilitate a more focused testing time for your child.
FINAL COURSE ASSESSMENT WEEK
(PREVIOUSLY CALLED EXAM WEEK)
We are heading into the final stretch of this school year with our final assessments approaching during the last week of school (week of May 23). Please review the specific information below regarding these upcoming assessments.
Assignments leading up to Final Course Assessment Week - students will be expected to complete the following assignments leading up to their FCAs.
6th/7th Grades will complete a written essay assignment the week of May 16 in class. This will be the final writing assessment for the year. Due to our grade level trips in May, 6th and 7th graders will not complete a final History or Science project.
8th Grade will complete a written essay assignment the week of May 16 in class. This will be the final writing assessment for the year. In addition, 8th graders will also be asked to complete a final History and Science project during the month of May.
Final Course Assessments = what will they look like?
All final course grades will be assessed in the following manner:
History - Unit test
Science - Unit test
English - Reading comprehension test
Math - Comprehensive test
*Note: Students may exempt the History unit test, the Science unit test, the Reading comprehension test and the Math comprehensive test during Final Course Assessment Week with a 95 or above average. Grades will be evaluated on May 19 and exemptions will be communicated by May 20. Students who exempt a Final Course Assessment are still expected to complete all work leading up to the assessment.
REMINDER: COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS DUE
Don’t forget your child’s Community Service Form will be due during the month of May. Please see your child’s Bible teacher for specific deadlines. Remember, each student is required to complete 10 hours of community service.
8TH GRADE GRADUATION CEREMONY
Don’t forget to make plans to join us on Tuesday, May 24 at 7:00pm in the stadium as we celebrate our 8th graders and their transition to high school. One of the new traditions we began last year is our “Prayer of Blessing” over each 8th grader to conclude the evening. Each 8th grade student is invited to choose a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach, pastor, youth pastor or other mentor to pray a special blessing over them. At the end of our ceremony, those chosen to pray will join the student who selected them on the track and will pray specifically over that student. Seeing over a hundred prayers being lifted up at one time is a powerful statement to the enemy that we are committed to seeing God use our students for His glory as they take this next step in their lives. Be thinking now about who your child will like to have pray over them.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: UPCOMING MIDDLE SCHOOL DATES
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
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.