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

Published June 5, 2022

Volume 132

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We will be taking a break from our weekly Inside the Pride communication, but if you need anything between now and July, feel free to reach out to me directly as I’m happy to answer any questions you might have. I’ve included more information below to help you as you prepare for the 22/23 school year, and we will be providing even more information in early July when Inside the Pride returns. Enjoy the upcoming weeks of summer break!

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE 2022/2023 SCHOOL YEAR

Welcome to TCS Middle School

If you are new to TCS or just wanting to learn more about the upcoming school year, check out the information below.

MS THRIVAL GUIDE - at TCS, we don’t want your child to survive middle school, we want them to thrive! Check out this helpful guide as you navigate these formative years with your child. 

22/23 MS Dress Code Policy

Please take the time to review our updated dress code policies for next year to help guide you in making purchases this summer. Remember, students are required to wear TCS branded outerwear. Later this summer we will offering options for you to order that are middle school specific!

22/23 Supply Lists

For those looking to get a jumpstart on purchasing supplies for next year as you see summer deals, here are the latest middle supply lists. As we continue to add teachers this summer, we will publish any updates (additions but not subtractions) to the list when Inside the Pride returns in July. 

• 6th Supply List – email Mrs. Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org) with any questions

• 7th Supply List - email Miss Walter (emily.walter@tcslions.org) with any questions

• 8th Supply List - email Miss Walter (emily.walter@tcslions.org) with any questions

22/23 Elective Class Selection Form

It’s time to make elective selections for next year! Please know that we do our very best to give your child his or her preferred elective choices when possible. You will notice the form lists all possible elective classes for next year. We are still making final determinations on which classes we can offer based on teacher availability and student interest. Use the form to share feedback on the classes your child would prefer to take so we can finalize class decisions and begin building your child’s schedule. 

***FORMS NEED TO BE COMPLETE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JUNE 17***

• Middle School Elective Class Selection Forms

  • 6th Grade Elective Form

  • 7th Grade Elective Form

  • 8th Grade Elective Form

NOTE: We did not include FLEX class choices on this form as we are still making final decisions on which teachers will be leading each FLEX class. For those who are new to TCS this year, our FLEX class is similar to homeroom but falls during the middle of the school day. We will be sending out a separate FLEX class selection form later this summer once final decisions are made with teacher placement. 

Summer Math Skills

Listed below you will find a list of suggested skills we expect our students to have mastered as they enter the next grade level. In addition, I'm including information related to summer math work that can be purchased if you are looking for a little more in regards to supporting your child.

Rising 6th Grade Skills: 

• Add/subtract/multiply/divide multi-digit whole numbers

• Add/subtract mixed numbers with unlike denominators

• Add/subtract decimals 

Rising 7th Grade Skills:

• Basic computation (whole numbers, decimals, fractions)

• Add/subtract/multiply/divide positive and negative numbers

• One-step equations

Rising 8th Grade Skills:

• Operations with positive and negative numbers (whole numbers, decimals and fractions)

• Two-step and Multi-step equations

• Proportions

Interested in Summer Help? Email Mrs. Whitaker (paige.whitaker@tcslions.org) 

• If your child just completed 3rd, 4th or 5th grade: Here is a letter from Mrs. Whitaker, our math curriculum coordinator, with instructions on how to purchase Summer Solutions or IXL math programs for further summer practice. 

• If your child just completed 6th or 7th grade: Here is a letter from Mrs. Whitaker, our math curriculum coordinator, with instructions on how to purchase Summer Solutions or IXL math programs for further summer practice. 

8th Grade Retreat

More information will be coming to you in July, but mark your calendars now for our annual 8th grade spiritual retreat to Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters in Andrews, NC. Trip dates will be September 7-9. Learn more about where we are going at www.swoutfitters.com. 

***New Community Service Form***

For those looking to get a headstart on the middle school community service requirement (10 hours), you can access the 2022-2023 form here. Remember, all 6th-8th students are required to complete 10 hours of service between June 1, 2022-May 8, 2023. Note: We will be offering several opportunities on campus throughout the school year for those needing service hours. Your child’s Bible teacher will be the main point of contact for questions related to community service once the school year begins. While 10 hours is required, we always encourage our students to serve more!

Summer Reading (REQUIRED)

Listed below you will find our summer reading requirements for rising 6th-8th grade students. We are excited to jumpstart the summer with a biblical focus as we challenge our students to read during the summer break! Details regarding an application assignment in response to the reading is included below too. The content of the book will be used during the month of August in your child's English class so be sure to have your child read and do their very best in preparation for next year. Application assignments will be due on the first day of class. 

• Rising 6th Grade

  • The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis - You can purchase the book through this link on Amazon or anywhere the book is available. 

  • Plot Summary – On a daring quest to save a life, two friends are hurled into another world, where an evil sorceress seeks to enslave them. But then the lion Aslan's song weaves itself into the fabric of a new land, a land that will be known as Narnia. And in Narnia, all things are possible.

  • APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT: MS Summer Reading Directions, Template, Choice Board, and Rubric

• Rising 7th Grade

  • Morning Star of the Reformation by Andy Thomson - You can purchase the book through this link on Amazon or anywhere the book is available. 

  • Plot Summary – When young John of Wycliffe arrives at Oxford University, he finds it a fascinating and perilous place. With his friend, Sebastian Ayleton, John experiences the terrible plague called the "Pestilence" (the Black Death), and he becomes involved in clashes between university factions as well as riots among the townspeople. Whenever he can find time away from his studies, John's favorite place is the inn of the Kicking Pony. There he and his companions discuss the political and religious issues of the day, and it is with his friends that he first shares his growing vision of an English Bible for all Englishmen to read. In the darkness of medieval England, John's pursuit of truth gleams like a solitary star: the morning star that promises the sunrise to come. He paved the way for the theologians of the next century and opened hearts in preparation for the great Reformation itself.

  • APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT: MS Summer Reading Directions, Template, Choice Board, and Rubric

• Rising 8th Grade

  • In His Steps by Charles Sheldon - You can purchase the book through this link on Amazon or anywhere the book is available. 

  • Plot Summary –  In His Steps takes place in the railroad town of Raymond, probably located in the eastern U.S.A., and Chicago Illinois. The main character is the Rev. Henry Maxwell, pastor of the First Church of Raymond, who challenges his congregation to not do anything for a whole year without first asking: What Would Jesus Do?"

  • APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT: MS Summer Reading Directions, Template, Choice Board, and Rubric

COMING IN JULY WHEN INSIDE THE PRIDE RETURNS

1. FLEX Class Sign Up options

2. Community Service opportunities on campus

3. Instructions about getting your locker and Chromebook for this year

4. Carpool Help information

5. Orientation plans for August

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 discipline issues. 

• Director of Skills Development - Jenn Opsahl (jennifer.opsahl@tcslions.org) 

  • Mrs. Opsahl oversees our Skills Development Program.