Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published August 28, 2022
Volume 140
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We are only days away from our 1st break of the school year! Just a reminder that Friday, September 2 is a Remote Learning Day, meaning that while we are off campus that day, there will still be an expectation of school work being completed. Please review the Remote Learning Information section below to learn more about what assignments will be expected and when those assignments will be due. We hope each of our families has a wonderful Labor Day weekend.
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 concluded our 3-part series on the culture we desire within the TCS middle school, by teaching on the Golden Rule from Matthew 7:12 and the expectation we have for a culture of kindness amongst our student body. Reminding our students that God treats us good, Mr. Vinson showed how we can be motivated to show the same goodness to others, even if they fail to return that same treatment back. Students were reminded to show kindness to their friends, to new students and even to their enemies!
LIONS OF THE WEEK
The following students were honored last week for their hard work and exemplary behavior noticed by our faculty and staff.
6th Grade = Heidi Paschal
7th Grade = Noah Bethea
8th Grade = Luke Lanier
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: UPCOMING MIDDLE SCHOOL DATES
September 1 = Favorite College Football Team Dress Down Day (details below)
September 2 (Friday) = Remote Learning Day
September 7-9 (Wednesday-Friday) = 8th Grade Trip to Snowbird
Week of September 12-16 = Homecoming Spirit Week
Homecoming Week Themes:
Monday 9/12- Character Day
Tuesday 9/13 - Twin Day
Wednesday 9/14 - Pirate Day
Thursday 9/15 - Mismatch Day
Friday 9/16 - TCS Spirit Day
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE
Help your child learn their verses this week!
EPHESIANS 2:8-9
v. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, v. 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Bible Distinction Opportunity:
Middle School Students who wish to earn the honor of distinction at our end of the year program in May may complete the following extra assignments/expectations for their memory verse. Students who choose these standards will be uniquely honored for going above and beyond in their spiritual walk.
6th Grade Students - Memorize v. 10 as well
7th Grade Students - Memorize v. 10 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided
8th Grade Students - Memorize v. 10, be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided and write an application paragraph for the verses
AUGUST HABITUDES MOMENT
Below you will find the monthly habitude for each grade level highlighting important leadership principles to implement in their own lives. Learn more about our Habitudes curriculum here.
6th Monthly Habitude: The Iceberg
Principle: Influence is 10% skill, 90% character
Lesson Summary: The Iceberg represents your leadership. The 10% above the water is your skill. The 90% below the water is your character. It’s what’s below the surface that sinks the ship.
7th Monthly Habitude: Hosts and Guests
Principle: Leaders are intentional in relationships.
Lesson Summary: Leaders take the initiative in relationships. They are intentional about them. They see themselves as hosts, not guests, and they go out of their way to connect with people and provide for them.
8th Monthly Habitude: Windshields and Rearview Mirrors
Principle: Let go of the past to make future progress.
Lesson Summary: Everyone focuses on something—the past or the future. Where does your energy come from? When our dreams are bigger than our memories, we gain energy from the hope that lies ahead. Often, we must let go of the comfort from our past to make progress.
BENCHMARK ASSESSMENTS THIS WEEK
Our middle schoolers will be taking benchmark assessments in class this week through Progress Learning (previously known as Education Galaxy). The data gained from these assessment scores will be used to help guide our teaching and instruction this year.
FAVORITE COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM DRESS DOWN DAY
As the new college football season kicks off, students are encourage to wear their favorite team jersey or shirt and hat with jeans (or normal dress code pants/shorts) on Thursday, Sept. 1. Students may also wear TCS spirit wear.
REMOTE LEARNING DAY PLANS
Middle School students will be assigned work in the following classes: Bible, English, History, Math and Science - 1 assignment per class. Assignments will be student-driven and should require very little help from a parent.
ALL REMOTE LEARNING WORK WILL BE DUE ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Late assignments will be subject to a penalty
Middle school students should expect to spend about 20 minutes on each assignment, with less than 2 hours being spent total on all remote learning assignments.
All remote learning work will be assigned and explained this week in preparation for Friday. A remote learning work chart will be emailed to you by your child’s Academic Coordinator so you can double check that all assignments have been completed before Tuesday when we return to school.
8TH GRADE RETREAT
Refer back to the official note from Mr. Vinson (in your email or Blackbaud account) and make sure you finalize your child’s registration with Snowbird and make payment to TCS.
HOUSE SYSTEM OVERVIEW
HOUSE SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Did you know your child has been placed in a house this year??? A special feature of Trinity’s middle school experience is our house system, which allows students to experience a sense of belonging, camaraderie and healthy competition throughout the school year. Students are placed in one of five houses named for historical Christian figures: Elisabeth Elliot, C.S. Lewis, Watchman Nee, Jackie Robinson and John Wycliffe. Students are given opportunities to learn and demonstrate healthy character traits for impacting culture positively around them. Houses vie for the distinguished honor of capturing the House Cup at the end of our year-long competition. Learn more about our houses at www.tcshouses.weebly.com.
This Week’s House Focus: NEE HOUSE
Character Trait to Remember: DO WHAT IS RIGHT EVEN WHEN IT IS COSTLY
Learn more about Watchman Nee below.
REMINDER: BLACKBAUD CLASSROOM INFORMATION
Be sure to check Blackbaud regularly to stay informed about your child’s progress this year!
LESSON PLANS: Need to know what your child is learning in the classroom? Check the “Bulletin Board” section for each of your child’s classes.
HOMEWORK: Need to know what assignments your child should be completing at home? Check the “Bulletin Board” section for each of your child’s classes.
GRADES/PROGRESS: Need to know how your child did on their last test? Check the “Grade Detail” section for each of your child’s classes.
REMINDER: COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS DUE
Don’t forget your child’s Community Service Form will be due Monday, May 8, 2023. Please email your child’s Bible teacher regarding any questions about community service. Remember, each student is required to complete 10 hours of community service.
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.
IMPORTANT 22/23 RESOURCES:
IT HELP DESK LINK - if your child has an issue with their Chromebook, submit a ticket
DRESS CODE OVERVIEW - check out this year’s guidelines
PRE-ABSENCE FORM - submit pre-planned absences 5 days ahead of time for approval.
MS COMMUNITY SERVICE FORM - 10 service hours are due by May 2023.
MS THRIVAL GUIDE - learn how to THRIVE and not just survive middle school at TCS.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACTS
If you have any questions throughout the summer or upcoming school year, use the guide below to ensure your questions are directed to the most helpful personnel.
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.
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.
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 Skills Development - Jenn Opsahl (jennifer.opsahl@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Opsahl oversees our Skills Development Program.