Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published January 8, 2023
Volume 157
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We are off to a great start to 2023, and we are so excited to have students back on campus. The next 18 weeks will go by quickly so be sure to check the newsletter each week to ensure you stay on top of all that is taking place on our school campus. We want to give your child the best experience possible during Semester 2 so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you to those who took time to complete our survey on our December Remote Learning Day. We are working through all of the feedback now and processing through ways we can improve as a result. Thank you again for taking time to share your thoughts and insight. We greatly appreciate it!
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 kicked off the new calendar year by drawing our students’ attention to Galatians 6:7-9 with a focus on the sowing/reaping principle. Students were reminded that the next 18 weeks will require intentional decisions if they want to see specific results at the end of May. Just as Paul encourages the believer not to grow weary in doing good, students were encouraged to not give up as they pursue doing their very best during Semester 2.
LIONS OF THE WEEK
Returning next week
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: UPCOMING MIDDLE SCHOOL DATES
January 9 - Report Cards viewable at 4pm
January 13 - Remote Learning Day
January 16 - Martin Luther King Jr Holiday (No School)
January 18 - HOUSE COLOR Day
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE
Help your child learn their verses this week!
I Corinthians 10:31
v. 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
JANUARY 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: Personal Laptop
Principle: What gets put in is what will come out.
Lesson Summary: Our minds work like a computer. They only spit out the data they have been fed. Garbage in, garbage out. Leaders are disciplined about what they store in their mind and heart.
7th Monthly Habitude: The Velvet Covered Brick
Principle: Be soft with people and firm with values.
Lesson Summary: Good leaders possess both strength and sensitivity. They are tough and tender. They are soft on the outside (relational), but firm as a brick on the inside (principle-centered). Because they are emotionally secure, they’re able to handle confrontation, criticism and conflict in a healthy way.
8th Monthly Habitude: Sturdy Guardrails
Principle: Boundaries help keep us from poor decisions.
Lesson Summary: We often don’t notice guardrails until we need them. They keep us on the road during a curve or dangerous spot. Similarly, we must place guardrails in our lives—boundaries or people who keep us from damaging ourselves with poor decisions.
PRIDE PERFORMERS
Congratulations to the following students who were nominated by their teachers for their hard work and effort to do their very best in the classroom during Quarter 2.
6th Grade
Science - Liam Coggin
Math - John Melton, Heidi Paschal
English - Logan McMichael, Abigail Hardage
History - Brinley Elliot
Bible - Miles Logan, Michael Sealy
7th Grade
Science - Noah Bethea, Bronc Nixon
Math - Lucy King, Garrett Gumm
English - Mary Ansley Looney, Camden Sayer
History - Samuel Leyimu
Bible - Samuel Velez
8th Grade
Science - Avari Cannon, Mary Ruth Adkins
Math - Molly Beth Tarpley, Taylor Clark, Elise Dennis
English - Harper Douglas, Vincent Mullins, Rudd Phillips
History - Michael Nixon
Bible - Taryn Johnson
REMOTE LEARNING DAY: JANUARY 13
Students will be assigned typical Thursday night homework in each of their 5 academic classes (Bible, English, History, Math, Science) with the work being due on Tuesday, January 17 when we return from the MLK Holiday Break. Please plan to use Thursday night and Friday to complete the work if your family has lots of weekend plans as we want to make sure there is plenty of family time available.
DON’T FORGET: COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS
Don’t forget that all middle schoolers are required to complete 10 hours of community service by May 8. This semester will go by quickly so don’t delay in thinking through how your child can complete this requirement to give back to others!
GENERAL REMINDERS
HOUSE SYSTEM COMPETITION
Check out who is leading the competition at www.tcshouses.weebly.com.
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.
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 4th - 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
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.