Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published January 22, 2023
Volume 159
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Can you believe we are already 3 weeks into Quarter 3??? While it may feel like Christmas Break just ended, we are well underway with this semester’s academics. Be sure to review your child’s grades this weekend to gauge their progress so far. We are still early enough in Q3 where necessary adjustments can be made to help keep your child on pace for success. As an administrative staff, we are reaching out to those individuals who seem to be struggling, but please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if a conversation would be helpful for you to better understand how your child is doing.
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 spoke to our students from Romans 12:1-2 (this week’s memory verse). Keying in on the theme of transformation through mind renewal, Mr. Vinson shared how our minds are broken due to sin and need to be reprogrammed to think the way God desires for us to think. If left unchecked, our broken minds tell us dangerous things are safe and evil things are good. Specifically, students were challenged about the way they view their life (can we do whatever we want?), their money (do we really need to share?) and their bodies (what does it mean to walk in the flesh?). For application, students were encouraged to evaluate how much influence they’re allowing God’s Word to have on their minds.
LIONS OF THE WEEK
6th Grade - Elijah Smart
7th Grade - Cash Cunningham
8th Grade - Andrew Billings
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: UPCOMING MIDDLE SCHOOL DATES
February = Black History Month (details coming soon)
February 10th - Superbowl Dress Down Day (students may wear football attire with jeans or uniform bottoms)
February 13-17 = Winter Break
February 22 = G.R.A.C.E. Day (details coming soon)
February 23 = 90 Days to 9th Grade (details coming soon - for 8th grade only)
February 27-March 2 = 8th Grade Trip to Disney World
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE
Help your child learn their verses this week!
Romans 12:1-2a
v. 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. v. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
Distinction Requirements:
Romans 12:2b – that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
6th Grade - Memorize v. 2b
7th Grade - Memorize v. 2b and quiz with no blanks
8th Grade - Memorize v. 2b, quiz with no blanks and write application paragraph
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.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND G.R.A.C.E. DAY
We are looking forward to celebrating our diversity during the month of February with a special focus on black history. In addition, we will be incorporating our G.R.A.C.E. acronym into various lessons, chapels and our special G.R.A.C.E. Day as well. In the coming weeks we will be sharing information related to our classroom focus, but in the meantime, check out what G.R.A.C.E. stands for at Trinity.
What does G.R.A.C.E. mean?
G.R.A.C.E. is about us better understanding how each of us is made in the image of God and how we should treat each other in light of that truth. While we are different in our G-ender, in our R-esources, in our A-bilities, in our skin C-olor, and in our E-thnicity/culture, we all image God in those differences and deserve the respect and appreciation of others - not just in spite of our differences, but because of our differences!
DO YOU HAVE A COMMUNITY SERVICE PLAN?
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 1-5 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 through our Return to Academics program.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT 5+ DAYS? - Reach out to Kasey Hanson (Return to Academics Coordinator) so we can best determine a makeup plan for your child. Mrs. Hanson will help collect makeup work for you to simplify the process.
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.